Question about GPS software...

Disclosure: Ok, so this may be a dumb question to most, but I am REALLY not technologically inclined so bear with me...

I am wondering if there is software out there that will be compatible with a Garmin 60csx gps unit that will allow me to view topo maps on my computer (to plot routes and trails etc..) and transfer the topo maps to my handheld GPS. Does that make sense? I want to view topo maps both on my computer AND on my GPS. I bought the sd card from Garmin that comes pre-loaded with topo maps for the west coast, but I can not transfer any of the maps to my computer or vice versa. What I really want to be able to do is look at a topo map of a specified area of the US, plot points of intrest (such as trail heads and such) and plot my whole trip/hike on my computer. Then I want to be able to both print the map out AND transfer the topo map to my GPS with the trip data I just plotted on my computer so I can see the actual topo map on my GPS unit.

Ok, that was probably WAY too long of a description of what I wanted to be able to do and it's probably WAY easy, but keep in mind, I can barely turn my own computer on... ;-) Thanks in advance!

I have been using expertgps for 4 or 5 years. It was 60 for topos of the us. It works great for me. If your GPS already has the map loaded I think you can plot on the computer then download to GPS = it will show your route on the GPS's map. And I I think it will go the other way for you as well. It does on my GPS. There is a free trial version if I remember corrrectly. The thing about me is- I'm too cheap to pay 100.00 to get a couple of States at a time from that other software maker. Even though it has some neat features. I use my GPS when I am bushwhacking, mostly. Oh, yeah--- I love the way the software connects to google so I can see terrain from different angles. When the leaves are down I like to explore ridge lines that connect trails so that I can do a composite bushwhack using trails to get me to and from. Just sayin, there is a cheap option out there.

Tiny,

I, too, have a Garmin GPS Map 60CSx. When I purchased the GPS, I also picked up the proprietary Garmin mapping "Topo" software for the entire US, for about $100. This was almost two years ago, to put things into a time perspective, and I have no idea whether they might have made improvements to their data since then.

Up until that time, I had been using a Garmin Etrex Legend, and used National Geographic "Topo!" mapping data (for New England) and software to load trail data and waypoints to the Legend. I had been very happy with the National Geographic map data, as it at least appeared to be scanned USGS topo maps, so I had the USGS map detail and accuracy that I had been used to, and when I set waypoints and downloaded them to my Legend, they appeared to be very accurate.

The advantage to the the Garmin mapping software is that I can both use it on my PC, set waypoints, trail data, etc., and down load both my data AND the Garmin maps to my GPS. What I am dissatisfied with is that the Garmin map data does not appear to be as detailed as the National Geographic map data (USGS quad scans) that I was accustomed to. I must admit that for most of my backpacking needs (e.g., trails, elevation lines, streams), the Garmin data is good. I also note that I only have their US data, and I haven't seen what their

So, what I would recommend is that you go to the Garmin site and see if their level of map detail is acceptable. They also at least used to have more detailed data for national parks. If so, their map software might do it for you. Otherwise, you might want to look at other mapping software (e.g., National Geographic, Expertgps that Rootball mentioned) that at least "talks" to Garmin, and use that for downloading waypoints and trail data to your GPS.

Hope this helps,

Paul

Hmmm... I think you need a new Garmin Colorado or Oregon series GPS.

My Colorado 300 has the features you're looking for. The Oregon has a touch screen like an iPhone. Both are pretty user-friendly (now that I have an instructional DVD from Cabela's, that is).

Eric