So I've been looking for a long time on how to make custom Garmin base maps and overlays from tracks (or GPX's). There's a 20 step process out there that involves 4-5 opensource applications that you can do this in, but it's not easy or fast. Recently I found Mapwel (http://www.mapwel.biz/), and apparently it's the defacto standard for making custom Garmin .IMG files.

Basically you can lay out your map in MapSource and save it in the Garmin Database format, then open it up in Mapwel, edit it if you wich, and export it as a Garmin .IMG, then upload it to the internal memory or a SD card in the GPS. I have a 2GB SD card in mine but it hardly gets much use since I just load TOPO's of the area's I ride and my Tracks memory is usually full. Now I can start a ride w/ an empty track log and overlay my old tracks on top of a TOPO or other base map. You can even move the cursor over the track and get the name of the trail.

The program cost $90 for this functionality and it's actually makes the Garmin useful for riding large areas where the trail log eats up all the internal memory. Highly recommend it if anyone out there has this same problem. Make sure you read the docs b/c they don't support all Garmin GPS's, I have an etrex and it works perfect.

Anyone else out there using it?

-chad

Good post Chad~

I wish that they would set this software up for the Magellans as I have two of the XLs that I really like but are getting long in the tooth and are not supported by Magellan. I am still learking on the internet for the Ideal GPS and software to come out that is a larger formfactor ( mount on the ATV) that these old eyes can see and has GOOD topo maps,....when that happens then I will replace my XLs.

quote:

Originally posted by stutzismydog:
Good post Chad~

I wish that they would set this software up for the Magellans as I have two of the XLs that I really like but are getting long in the tooth and are not supported by Magellan. I am still learking on the internet for the Ideal GPS and software to come out that is a larger formfactor ( mount on the ATV) that these old eyes can see and has GOOD topo maps,....when that happens then I will replace my XLs.

Yea I'm w/ you. I love all that available out there for garmin (even if they don't support it themselves...) but really wish they'd come out w/ something like a Garmin Vista like interface software but LARGER screen.

-chad

One of our own members "rws" put a tutorial together on how to make maps for Garmins. Here is the thread.

http://atvquadsquad.com/eve/fo...1005453/m/7071035705

Magellan guys, I have nothing against Magellans, but this is a major reason I went Garmin, More stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by YnotAZ:
One of our own members "rws" put a tutorial together on how to make maps for Garmins. Here is the thread.

http://atvquadsquad.com/eve/fo...1005453/m/7071035705

Magellan guys, I have nothing against Magellans, but this is a major reason I went Garmin, More stuff.

Yes, that is the 20 step process I mentioned. Mapwel does it with a simple, File..Open..Export Map. Takes 1hr of work down to 1 minute.

-chad

Thanks guys. This is an excellent posting.

Nice post Chad. Since I am on the road I will have to look into it more when I return home.