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These folks on adventure rider are doing gps stuff all the time.

I used to plan my trips on DeLorme Topo 4.0. Now they are on version 10 or 12 or something.

DeLorme sold a USB plug in antenna, so I could use my 15" laptop to act as the GPS. This was great when the Garmins where well over $300 back in the day.

Now I use a Garmin to drive back and forth to work, as it has traffic on it, and works pretty good at predicting how much traffic I will run into on the way home. I have found several 'shortcuts' where I drive through the country south of town, then arrive home a lot sooner than taking the freeway.

Topo 4.0 I could plan a route, then click on something to give me a profile of the route. It should show the steepest grade, and give a profile where the mountain pass was like a graph, showing the elevations as it moved from start to finish.

Good luck,

Fred.

It's a wonder Lewis and Clark ever completed their trek west.
No map
No GPS.

Fizz... No need for Diesel, No low bridges, No time needed...., No roads to follow, Etc...

Check out GPS Visualizer. It'll convert almost anything GPS-related into almost anything else GPS related. Among other things, I've used it to create a route on Google Maps, then export that to a KML file, and then use gps visualizer to turn it into a Garmin GPX file, which I then upload to my Garmin Dezl.

Took me a month or so to get the hang of Base Camp, and it's still not as intuitive for me as Delorme's Street Atlas, but it works. And I can still create a route in Street Atlas, and then use gps visualizer to turn it into a GPX file.

For the motorhome, I NEVER use the Garmin GPS to create a route - I always create it on the computer, one way or another, and then upload it.

al

I always use Google Maps to see what routes it will suggest. You usually get 3 choices. You can shift the route to go where you desire quite easily.

I then print out the route to take along for the trip.

I now use a NUVI 2589LMT when driving. It has traffic, and map updating.

and "yes" the routes it chooses are generally not the route I prefer. I just start out and go the route I want. Just ignore the GPS when it differs from your intended route. The new Garmin GPS's will quickly recalculate the route after a mile or two and eventually follow your choice.

States and counties are not very good with keeping mapping companies up to date on construction, but the traffic feature does work for re-routing if the delays on the current route add to much time delay.

I have found in most cases that when the GPS re-routes on my intended route that the arrival time listed gets moved up earlier.

Anyone who travels and does not carry maps for the states travelled is just asking for trouble. Maps are usually free at nearest rest-stop after entering a new state. GPS's are an excellent tool when used correctly.

They are not for the "clueless" who can't read a map or travel without one. It should be noted that when any of us plans our own route for use on a GPS that we may run into construction problems and either change the route of endure long delays.

I can import and export .GPX files to my old Garmin 255W. I use MS Streets & Trips to create and view the .GPX files.

I always have the latest map file on my Garmin 255W. I just installed NA 2016-10.

Even though MS Streets & Trips no longer updates their map file, It still works well for planning routes.

Tom N wrote:

Even though MS Streets & Trips no longer updates their map file, It still works well for planning routes.

Agreed. It is on your laptop and does not need an internet connection to plan a route like Google. It also can be used with a GPS dongle to provide guidance.

The constant downloading of new maps is a sales pitch by the GPS makers. How many new roads are built that would cause you to get lost.

az99 wrote:

Tom N wrote:

Even though MS Streets & Trips no longer updates their map file, It still works well for planning routes.

Agreed. It is on your laptop and does not need an internet connection to plan a route like Google. It also can be used with a GPS dongle to provide guidance.

The constant downloading of new maps is a sales pitch by the GPS makers. How many new roads are built that would cause you to get lost.

I download the latest POI files from http://www.poi-factory.com/ and load them into MS Streets & Trips. This gives me the very latest POIs. Works great.

I really like Basecamp. But it is difficult to learn. There are many tutorials on You Tube that helped me get the hang of Basecamp.

You also MUST upgrade basecamps maps from the default to have any real info. on your laptop. Once you've done that Basecamp is very detailed.