Garmin MapSource

[FJmonkey]

I just discovered Garmin MapSource. Been planning routes and finding roads I have not been on. Yesterday I clocked in 170 miles and found a great connecting road and had a really good run. Got bored this morning and went looking for options to have a loop that included the Crest, I found it. Hell yes!!!! I rode it today and clocked in another 130 miles. The other good news is that the Crest is clean and almost good. The chip-seal is still there, but it has been brushed clean, and the knee-draggers seem to be at full speed again, no traction issues. My route today took me the full length of the Crest and all is good. I feel like I did a solo-mini-rally, but I have no pictures so it did not happen, meh..... It happened for me in spades.... I will post up the rides when I Mapquest them for you SoCal riders....

[markmartin]

I'm using Mapquest 'Route Planner' and loading the routes I choose onto my Garmin. I love being able to choose routes via a map and have found a lot of good roads this way that I would not have found with out it.

I'll have to look into MapSource.  What road maps do they use? Google? MapQuest? Bing?

[FJmonkey]

I'm using Mapquest 'Route Planner' and loading the routes I choose onto my Garmin. I love being able to choose routes via a map and have found a lot of good roads this way that I would not have found with out it.

I'll have to look into MapSource.  What road maps do they use? Google? MapQuest? Bing?

I had to down load some free maps to get it to work. But I really like it. A pain to figure it out myself, happy to have a good map app now...

[rktmanfj]

It sure would beat converting Google Maps to .csv files.     

[FJmonkey]

It sure would beat converting Google Maps to .csv files.     

Ok, let me figure out just what I did and post up for all....
Found it http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

Er... Need one more thing, an app to convert it, MapSetToolKitv1.77 it converts the img's to a full map for MapSource....

[FeralRdr]

I'm using Mapquest 'Route Planner' and loading the routes I choose onto my Garmin. I love being able to choose routes via a map and have found a lot of good roads this way that I would not have found with out it.

I'll have to look into MapSource.  What road maps do they use? Google? MapQuest? Bing?

Actually, Garmin uses Navteq's map data, which is also the mapping data used by Mapquest, Bing, and Nokia (who own Navteq).      

I've also used Mapquest to plan routes and though it works well, I too prefer to use Garmin's MapSource software to plan my trips.  One of the key things I prefer about MapSource is that it has the exact same map data as my Garmin (I have lifetime updates).  So when ever I update my GPS maps, the MapSource data is updated as well.  I still do a little preliminary planning in Goodle Maps, but that is only to use the street view feature.  Additionally, to touch on something that Monkey mentioned, I've found that MapSource gives you much better info as to whether or not a road is paved.  Thus, it is possible to discover many interesting new roads.  One other cool feature, is that once installed and updated, MapSource doesn't require an internet connection to work.  All the map data and POI's are stored locally on your computer.  This is very handy if you are traveling on a long trip and are taking a laptop along, as you can revise your itinerary or do a map check on the go.

[simi_ed]

Mark, inquiring minds need to know, Where DID YOU GO?

[FJmonkey]

Mark, inquiring minds need to know, Where DID YOU GO?

This was the Sunday ride. I will post up my run from yesterday later.
Soledad Canyon run

[FJmonkey]

Here is yesterday's ride. I wanted to run the entire Crest and find a loop back around, Big Pines Highway was nice. I had never ridden it, not a fast road but scenic and off the beaten path. The Crest has been freshly chip-sealed and was a crappy ride a few weeks ago. But on Sunday it was very clean, like CalTrans brought in the street sweepers. I wanted to see how it looked past Newcomb's Ranch. The Crest looks good again, no more tar snakes to slip on, the chip-seal will be quite hard on tires so have plenty of tread if you dare to run it...

Big Pines Hwy

[simi_ed]

Mark, I think we've ridden that same route in years gone by.  As I remember, a road with some pretty spectacular views of the Antelope Valley, and then a decent run through thedesert, then back to Angeles Forest Highway.  Sound familiar?

[FJmonkey]

Mark, I think we've ridden that same route in years gone by.  As I remember, a road with some pretty spectacular views of the Antelope Valley, and then a decent run through thedesert, then back to Angeles Forest Highway.  Sound familiar?

Well, if we did do that run, then it was too long ago to remember. But I won't forget it now.

[FJ Flyer]

Mapsource has been replaced by BaseCamp by Garmin. 

I've used Mapsource several times to do route planning, but it always got hosed after uploading the routes to my 2720.  Haven't tried BaseCamp, yet, but I've heard its an improvement.

[rktmanfj]

Mapsource has been replaced by BaseCamp by Garmin. 

I've used Mapsource several times to do route planning, but it always got hosed after uploading the routes to my 2720.  Haven't tried BaseCamp, yet, but I've heard its an improvement.

That's good to know, since I have a 2820, I'd guess it'd be much the same.