GPS software packages

[Steve]

I've recently aquired a Magellan 330M GPS. Just wondering if it is really neccessary to buy one of these map, or topo cd roms that they sell seperately to use with this thing, or if I will be satisfied with what comes with the receiver by default.

What are your opinions?

[Steve]

What GPS do you have?

[The Nailer]

Steve,
I have a Garmin E-Map and added the software, there was a big difference. The mapping in the unit shows the major roads, but the software lets me download county by county in much more detail. I can load until I have used up all available memory. The nice thing is you can customize it for wherever you're going.

[Hunt4Ever]

I love to use my GPS. I have an Eagle Map Guide Pro. I find that I get more use out of the GPS if I use printed topo maps along with it. I found a nice map case I can carry and using the two really is an advantage. You get to see the big picture and it often will better inform you of a route to take.

I also will suggest you learn how to use the UTM system of mapping coordinates. It really is a slick system. Once you get used to it, I think you will find it easier than degree, minutes and seconds.

[The Nailer]

Hunt4Ever

What is UTM and how does it work?

[Michigan Hunter]

I have the eTrex Legend and love it. I have the topo maps and Metro Guide cds. The internal maps are good but extra cd maps really take you into a much higher usage level. I use it in California on 7,000 to 13,000 acre ranches and find that I know the land much better than most of the ranchers do. You can go to great spots in fog or pitch dark. Try that with a compass.
I find that the Coast Guard uses lattitude and longitude instead of UTM system. Seems most maps use UTM tho. By switching internally I can use both........

[Hunt4Ever]

Nailer,

Here is a link for a good article on UTM.

How to Read the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid (http://www.nps.gov/prwi/readutm.htm)