GPS, TopoZone coordinates

“TopoZone has a new test sight with a coordinate locator that is attached to the cursor. This allows much more accurate locating of GPS coordinates than before. There is a lot of commercial software that does this as well as shareware, but Topozone is fast, free and it has the entire US on its website.

Test Topozone”

“That's pretty awesome! It has UTM grid coordinates and weather, too!”

“Nice.. Thanks for the info Bacpac.”

“TopoZone is awesome!!! I've downloaded, cut and pasted together many of maps from this site. However, there isn't a magnetic declination reference for those compass-conscious hikers. Oh well...it's still FREE!”

“Buddur,

Here is a link that will calculate the magnetic declination at any point in the world.

NOAA

I just found out a few years ago that the declination changes. Most of my old topo maps are a few degrees off. I discovered this when I stood on a road that I knew was due North and the compass was not matching the declination of the map.”

“Thanks bacpac.

Last hike with nigel I had a huge map of the area printed from topozone...it was the only place I could find a good map. I'm a map freak...links like this just tickle me pink!”

“for a rough rule of thumb -- declination changes about a 1/2 degree per decade. Actual figure varies by location, but this is good enough for quick and dirty correction on old maps.

I have found occasional errors on topozone maps. I am not sure they comply with U.S. National map accuracy standards.”

“Gordon,
If you've found an error on a Topozone map, the fault lies with the USGS. Topozone doesn't create any maps, they just use existing USGS quad maps at differing scales (which means that they all meet National Map Accuracy Standards).

As a cartographer, I can tell you that if a mistake is found on one of the maps I've produced, I'd like to know.”

“Is anyone else a little concerned that someone as misdirected as kleetn is drawing maps?”

“Hey, the Donner party had no complaints with the map I made them!”

“kleetn making maps? sh!t...who do you make 'em for? I'll be sure to send a lot of business your way (that oughta get us some missions).”

“Sarboy, Have you ever seen those treasure maps on the kiddie placemaps at Long John Silvers Seafood?”

“Hmmmm....bacpac orders off the Kiddies Menu? Scary!”

“I want the little man in the boat.”

“R-R-R-R, mateys...bacpac wants a man? R-R-R-R, hoist the Spam!”

“For those who may not know yet, upgrading to IE6 or Netscape 6 will result in a "disabled interactive coordinate display."

I upgraded a few weeks back and noticed that the coordinates stopped coming up in the status bar. I contacted Topozone and they confirmed the issue. Seems the site does not doesn't support the IE/Netscape 6 Java standards. The good news is that they do have plans to upgrade "soon."”

“I got a GPS for Xmas!! I've used Topozone before (LOVE maps, too!).. but didn't use coordinates before.

I think I found an Indian burial mound in the effigy of a bear over the weekend in state forest land. WELL, I think they already FOUND it, cuz it was outlined by a walking path!! But... I marked its coordinates....and am gonna call the state DNR and ask them about that mound (such and such coordinates)..... and ask them if they're keeping it secret or what?? lol

It's in a little used and little known section of the forest, although I could see tracks from hunters on paths there.

Tooooooooo cool!!”

“What type did you get?
Have you tried Geocaching...

Do you have a map program like TOPO or Terrian Navagator yet, they really add to the experience.

Some times you can find lots of stuff on old maps (some of the old USGS maps are from 1927), grave sites, mines, graveyards, and use your GPS to locate them....lots of history out there.”

“Garmin Etrex. And then I LOST my instruction booklet on what I would call my introductory hike. LMAO!!

(Use your GPS on go FIND it, they say.....heheh)

I realized I lost it near sunset. And wasn't gonna go hike those steep bluffs again at that time of day. And can't get down there again till this weekend......MAYBE.

HEHEHEE... But AT LEAST I HAVE MY TRAIL MARKED!!

LMAO!!!! (oh, the irony)

Yeah, am gonna try geocaching, too, when I get the Etrex figured out. :-)”

“How are you guys using this free? Looks to me like you have to sign up for a paid subscription. Where am I going wrong?

Yes, I've used this before, but can't remember which e-mail I would use to get "Topo Times."”

“What is Topo times?

Is this what you mean.....
Topo Zone

TOPO is a cool program with lots of stuff for GPS...cost's a bunch though.
TOPO”

“Ok, I see..they do have a "pay for" subscription...that's a lot of bucks for one year, you can buy a whole state of topo's on CD,S for less from MapTech or TOPO.”

“Maybe TopoZone just started charging?”

“Lizs, you can copy your owners' manual off this site. Save you a long walk.

http://www.garmin.com/products/etrex/manual.html”

“You can get a free trial, but it seems that sooner or later you gotta pay.....

Why would you pay a minimum of a hundred bucks for the basic ($200.00 for "standard") EACH year when you can buy a program like TOPO or MapTech for around $100.00...although that's just for one State...Topo USA 3.0 has the whole country for around $80.00, although the program kinda sucks.”

“Garmin has GPS manuals on their website in Adobe format.

You can download free USGS topo maps in DRG format" for 20 States . There is a free DRG viewer from the USGS also.

The free (Glgv32) viewer will display map coordinates of your mouse location on 7.5 minute USGS topo maps. Just type these into your GPS. Sorry, no sophisticated interface.”

“Garmin has GPS manuals on their website in Adobe format.

You can download free USGS topo maps in DRG format for 20 States . There is a free DRG viewer from the USGS also.

The free (Glgv32) viewer will display map coordinates of your mouse location on 7.5 minute USGS topo maps. Just type these into your GPS. Sorry, no sophisticated interface.”

“If all you do is view the maps on line and can put up with limited printing capability, Topozone is free. The subscription is for a program that allows you to build custom, printer friendly maps.

As pointed out though, it is probably more feasible to just buy one of the map programs availible on CD. The issue I was having with not being able to see the coordinates on screen is due to an acknowledge Java standards incompatibility and only happens when you upgrade to IE6 or Netscape 6.

There is a program called EasyGPS that you can use to type in the coordinates then upload to your GPS. Still manual but easier than entering directly into the GPS. The only caveat is that it only handles Lat/Long not UTM. Of course if you buy one of the programs mentioned above, you don't need this program.”

“Garmin also uploads system software updates.

You can get the most current operating system for free.

Note to self...Call Bill Gates...”

“Topozone is a good tool.

It is a toy compared to DRG maps. Exxxpectiallly to FREE DRG maps.”

“Unfortunately most of the far west coast is not one of the 20 available states. Oregon, Washington and California are all not included.”

“WOW! Thanks for all this info (which it seems you've given before, bacpac, but I never followed up... duh)

I've downloaded some of that USGS stuff -- viewer and maps. COOOOL!! In the area listing the 20 states, I found one listing Upper Mississippi areas. There's all kinds of topo maps for my area, from here to the Ole Mississippi herself, going by townships, it appears. Great! This is some pretty rugged land here (yup, even in Iowa!!)

Good thing I have plenty of hard-drive space. I opened a map and saved as a TIF, which is HUGE. I suppose the thing to do is re-label the names so you know WHAT they are? I see the map I downloaded from this area is called "lx3d8_drg2.exe" Can you rename an .exe file? (Have never done that)

It would be nice to have it named something like:
bluffton_drg2.exe
Would that be the proper naming format? Would sure be nice to save it zipped like that. I did save it as a TIF and it was around 20 MB. (I have a 40 G hard drive, so filling it up as not an emminent danger..... but STILL.... that's a big file and others would be the same size)

I can't wait to grab maps of other states, also... But am so PLEASED my home area is well represented. :-)

Also, thanks for the suggsetions to get the Etrex download from Garmin. My Etrex "gifter" had done that, too.

I am sure going MAP HAPPY today!! :-)”