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I am currently using Garmin's MapSource TOPO maps but need much more detail than is provided by their 1:100,000 scale.

Is it possible to install USGS quad maps on my Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx receiver? If so, I assume they would need to be converted to be compatable with the Garmin technology. Is there any reasonably-priced software available for such a conversion? Is there a third-party source for obtaining already converted maps? Or is my assumption that they could even be converted wrong?

I will appreciate any and all thoughts, recommendations, and responses on this issue.

Thanks,

watcher3

The short answer is: NO. The long answer is USGS maps are raster images (pictures). Mapping GPSs use vector images. Vector images are directions how to draw the map. It gives two points and tells the unit to connect the points with a line or color every thing with-in an area a color, etc. This takes up less space in the unit and makes it redraw faster than showing a pic. There are several software packages that allow you to use a USGS map as a background image on a pc as a basis for making your own map/tracks/routes but the map is not loaded into the unit.

Jeff T

Thanks for your response, Jeff, even though it was not what I wanted to hear. Could you point me to 2 or 3 of the software packages you referred to and perhaps any recommendation you might have regarding them?

Thanks again for your help.

watcher3

The program I use is a paid version of GPSU. It allows me to download DRGs (Scanned TOPOs) from a highspeed connection and load onto a system not connected to the internet. I think Expert GPS has an automatic connection to maps and photos from the internet. Oziexplorer is another.

Here are two articles of how to make maps that can be uploaded to your GPS. cGPSmapper is another program to create maps for upload. There is a Yahoo group for map-authors. Hope this helps.

Jeff T

PS. Where are you located?

Jeff, thanks a million for your response and the references you provided.
I haven't had time to do anything more than just scan them, but they appear to be exactly what I needed to get started. I am very low on the learning curve so have much to learn. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help.

I am located in the USA, currently located in Arizona. I am a full-time RVer and move around a lot so my location frequently changes to where-ever I park my motorhome.

Thanks again,

Glen

Generally, no. But the 24K Topo series are equivalent to the USGS maps. However coverage is limited. Check out the West, East and Central 24K Topo maps (they are sold separately) at the Garmin Cartography site.

Where I live, 24K Topo West gets a lot of use.

Phil

Adding to my previous post, 24K Topo West has coverage in all national parks, some national rec areas, and other places. Places covered include:

o Grand Canyon
o Petrified Forest
o Joshua Tree NP
o San Bernardino Mtns (CA)
o Santa Monica Mtns (CA)
o Death Valley
o Mohave National Preserve
o Sequoia/Kings Canyon
o Yosemite
o Lassen NP
o Zion
o Bryce
o Other NPs in So. Utah
o Crater Lake
o Olympic Penninsula

and some others (all this from memory).

Worth looking into if you are RVing to some of those places and hiking.

Phil

Thanks for your responses, Phil.

I should have pointed out in my original post that my disappointment with Garmin's topo maps was with their 100K United States topos and not with their 24K National Park topos.

I have, and use, all three of the National Park topos and am generally happy with the amount of detail they provide. I was hoping to obtain similarly detailed topo coverage for non-park areas of the country since most of my hiking is in areas not covered by the 24k maps.

Thanks again,

watcher3

Yeah ... too bad we can't get 24K Topo for the entire country. But likely that would be quite a stack of disks and $$$

Phil

I use the Garmin Topo maps in my GPS but for planning routes and printing detailed maps, I use the National Geographic 24K State Topo software. It works great and has the level detail you are looking for. It would be great to be able to download this level of detail into the GPSr but not an option at this point without building raster files from scracth.

PS. I am using a Garmin Map76CSx and live in Tucson. PM me if interested and I can send you a JPG image file from the NG Topo program so you can see what it looks like.

I know im several years late on this one but now in 2011 the delorme PN series are able to use USGS topos.

Hopefully the new USGS geo-pdf's in both 24K topo and areal photo will become usable in more GPS units without having to pay 5K or so for a Trimble.