Mapsource US 24k Southwest

[AK]

Just curious if anyone has this software and how you like it. Thinking of purchasing it for my 60CSx. Does it show true 24k on your gps? Gotta be better than the 100k on Topo 2008.

[chumley]

I don't have Mapsource, so I can't directly answer your question. But before investing in the high-cost of the Mapsource maps, consider downloading the maps you need, free, from HAZ. (Thanks to Nonot). If these don't satisfy your needs, then I might then consider spending money.
http://hikearizona.com/garmin_maps.php

[AK]

I actually downloaded the "J" section of the state and used the SendMap20 software to compress all to one file as instructed. I then downloaded to my gps without any result. No contours, no nothing. Not knockin his mapping ides or anything, just didn't work on my unit.

[chumley]

I'm not sure why its not working for you. Perhaps somebody else can help answer that?

But I have another option ... long before I knew about the HAZ maps by nonot, I downloaded this free map of Arizona and found it to be quite comprehensive. The webpage even has screenshots showing comparisons between the products. What it does NOT have are any HAZ hikes/ GPS routes ... just the maps.
http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/1/

[AK]

Looks good. Wonder how it compares to the 24k Southwest? I'm downloading it now so we'll see.

Thanks for the great info chumley!

[Grasshopper]

Just curious if anyone has this software and how you like it. Thinking of purchasing it for my 60CSx. Does it show true 24k on your gps? Gotta be better than the 100k on Topo 2008.

Interesting you should ask. Today, I just completed this Garmin 24k AZ map set DVD download into my 60CSx. I spent quite a bit of time (before this Garmin DVD Southwest purchase) discussing this with HAZ(Sredfield) who now has the 24k map set microSD card version(for AZ,NM) in his Garmin 76CSx and he likes it! I can't comment "how true" the 24k map set shows on the GPS, but I am now convinced that if I want to go with the latest/best Garmin map set solution, then the Garmin 24k Southwest(AZ,NM,UT,CO) DVD is it! I have been using the Garmin Mapsource 100k:1 map set loaded on my computer and in my 60CSx for over a year now. Last night on my computer I was comparing(the AZ-Mogollon Rim area) 100k:1 maps to the 24k:1 maps, and I was very pleasantly surprised to see how much more detail and more remote FRs show up on the 24k AZ map set vrs the 100k map set. Garmin and REI sell this DVD for $130 +tax and/or S&H. I purchased the very same thing on line last week from Amazon.com for $93.00 delivered and I am splitting the cost of this DVD with two others so my actual cost ends up being $31.00 total

Also, this Garmin 24k Southwest(four state) DVD has a total of 1794 maps for download with a total of 3092MB.
(I tried to download all 4 states map data last night on a 4GB microSD in my 60CSx and I received an error message. Downloading only one state(AZ) map data worked for me. Not sure what happens if I were to try to download 2 to 3 states map data at the same time???).

[AK]

Downloaded and installed the AZ Topo 24k from gpsfiledepot.com and installed to Mapsource. It's basically the Topo US 2008 but with 24k contour and no shaded relief. Downloaded to my unit and looked the same.

Great alternative to the retail Mapsource 24k SW if you don't want to plunk down the 100+ dollars. I found the DVD on Ebay for $95. Think I might make the purchase.

Hey Grasshopper. We both have the same unit, how does it look on yours? Shaded relief and the 3D look according to the Garmin website? Or is that what you get with the higher end models like the Colorado or Oregon?

[chumley]

(I tried to download all 4 states map data last night on a 4GB microSD in my 60CSx and I received an error message.

Hank- I think I read somewhere that they are (or at least were at one time) limited in size to 1GB at a time...?

[Grasshopper]

ey Grasshopper. We both have the same unit, how does it look on yours? Shaded relief and the 3D look according to the Garmin website? Or is that what you get with the higher end models like the Colorado or Oregon?

I read somewhere where this 3D and shaded relief will only show up on the higher end Oregon and Colorado models.. not on our 60CSx.

Hank- I think I read somewhere that they are (or at least were at one time) limited in size to 1GB at a time...?

There is a download MB/GB limit per download but not sure what the limit now is (it increases each time Garmin does an update to the software..now at Rev-4.0). None of these Garmin 24k:1 four states map sets are larger than 753MB (for AZ). The problem I am having is that if you need to do more than one download, the second download over rides the first download on the microSD card. So, for example: If I want to download say AZ,NM,UT at the same time and it does not work, then I have to select a combination MB limit that works. I already know that trying all four states at the same time did not work for me last night and the map setup alone, before the download actually started, virtually took all night (from 9:30pm to 5am today before it crapped-out on me with an error message ). Later this morning I just downloaded the Garmin 24k AZ map set and it went in OK and took a total of 1hr 15min on my computer with my 60CSx.

I have not yet used these new Garmin 24k maps in the field with my 60SCSx.. I will be doing that next week on the Mogollon Rim-Cabin Loop area where I will be camping again, hiking the local trails, and exploring off trail further up and down Dane Canyon. I hope to have some first hand Garmin 24k map feedback after..

[Sredfield]

check out the yahoo groups for the garmin 76 and 60, I recall there being a limit to the number of map tiles rather than the file size, but I'm old and sometimes I remember stuff that ain't so

[Grasshopper]

I recall there being a limit to the number of map tiles rather than the file size, but I'm old and sometimes I remember stuff that ain't so

Well I am old too and you are probably correct--->limit to number of maps rather than file size.
Hoping you would chime-in here

[big_load]

I have not yet used these new Garmin 24k maps in the field with my 60SCSx.

They have been reported elsewhere to have routable trails which work quite well. I'm going to check it out eventually.

[Grasshopper]

I have not yet used these new Garmin 24k maps in the field with my 60SCSx.. I will be doing that next week on the Mogollon Rim-Cabin Loop area where I will be camping again, hiking the local trails, and exploring off trail further up and down Dane Canyon. I hope to have some first hand Garmin 24k map feedback after..

So, now after putting these new Garmin 24k maps for AZ to the test in my 60CSx on four hikes (on/off trail) between 9/23 to 9/28, I am quite pleased with the additional detail I see over the old Garmin 100k series maps. These 24k maps appear to be true 24k with five interval lines of 40ft each(200' between solid lines). The Mogollon Rim- Cabin Loop area is a great location to check for correct mapping detail for FR's and for other general off-trail detail. No shading or 3D effects in my 60CSx for this 24k mapset-Southwest(AZ,NM,UT,CO), but they should work in the Oregon & Colorado units. The DVD was an easy load onto my computer and the tracks are easy to move between the unit and computer and visa-versa and the viewing of the routes/tracks on my computer is much better with more mapping detail. I'm still having problems of not being able to load ALL four states mapping at one time on a 4GB SD Card, but I am working with Garmin Tech Support. Since I only need AZ maps loaded now, it's no biggie. When I need CO,NM,UT loaded, then I will just load as needed. I like what I have seen so far & the cost split three ways from Amazon.com is worth $31.00 to me!