CANAM705

I just purchased the Topo Canada v4 with Basecamp DVD, Garmin part #010-10469-00 from GPSCity here in Canada for $99.95 CDN and loaded it into one of my computers that previously had Topo Canada v2 with Mapsource. I plan to use this software with my Garmin GPSmap 60CSx. I kept one computer with the older Topo Canada v2 with Mapsource program loaded in order to compare the operation of both these programs, and I am glad I did. My first comment is that the Mapsource program is better than Basecamp program, as Mapsource is much more detailed, and is easier to use. The 3D feature of Basecamp is nice, and it does have a few new features not present in Mapsource. I also used the newer program to download maps onto my Micro SD card for the 60CSx. I used a 4 GB card, but really could have easily been able to use a 2 GB card. Downloading the maps was easy to do, as you just connect the GPS unit to the computer via USB cable, and when the name of the device appears in the "Library", you simply right click the device in the "Library" and then click "Install Maps", and you follow the prompts and choose the different map regions you want to load, and away you go. It does take a lot of time to download, so plan on doing something else while it is working away. At least by having v4, I was able to download the updated version of the maps into my GPS which now show up in my GPS as "025i, Topo Canada v4, Feb 2010" in the Map Setup - Information screen. Overall, I wish Garmin would have improved Mapsource, instead of changing to Basecamp in Topo Canada v4 - I think Basecamp is a step backwards, really. I think the ideal upgrade would have been Topo Canada v4 with either existing Mapsource from v2, or a newer Mapsource with a few revisions, but as far as Mapsource goes, I would say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Any comments or reviews from the rest of the members here?

gawettla

Topo Canada V4 does work with the latest versions of Mapsource. You should be able to download a new Mapsource from Garmin

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Garmin Nuvi 250W, Magellan Roadmate 3000T, Mio C230S, Garmin GPSMap 76c, Garmin Vista HCX, Pharos USB GPS

HumVee

CANAM705 will need to install his/her MapSource from DVD, then go online an update it to the latest version. Yes, there is a way to force the Garmin download to install, but it's a little convoluted - and no point since he/she has the original install disc. Using the Topo Canada v4 map data with it should be no problem at all.

CANAM705

Thanks, "gawettla". I have updated my Mapsource program to version 6.15.11. I really want to keep Mapsource because I like the way it works and the detail it gives. Can I download Topo Canada v4 without the Basemap program just to get the updated maps and continue to use Mapsource with it?
Steve

HumVee

CANAM705, now that you have MapSource updated, just open Topo Canada in it. Do you not see it when you select the map drop down? See the attached picture if you need clarification. My understanding is that you install the map (map data) to your computer. Any Garmin map management application will then be able to access it (see 2nd screen capture for an example)....

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CANAM705

Thank you for your help "HumVee". I was always able to open up Topo Canada v2, even after I installed Topo Canada v4, however, when I opened up v2 or v4, it was always opening up with the Basemap program and not with Mapsource, in other words, Mapsource seems to have been replaced with Basemap. What I would like is there to be a drop down for "Mapsource", so that when I open Topo Canada v2 or v4, I can use it with the previous (updated) Mapsource in the way I used to use it for v2. For example, in Mapsource, when you click on "properties" for a waypoint, it would open a window on top of the map that you could move around if you needed to, and this window had much more info than when, in Basecamp, you click on "properties" and it opens up below your map and takes up map area, even though you can adjust the height of the pane. By the way, my operating system is Windows XP on a PC. Thanks again for your input here.

gawettla

When I start mapsource I starte it through StartMenu/Programs/Garmin/Mapsource

Mapsource has a select box in the top left corner that lets me switch between map products. I see V2, V4, No Map, and several others I have installed.
I believe Mapsource remembers which one you selected, so it always starts up with V4 for me.

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Garmin Nuvi 250W, Magellan Roadmate 3000T, Mio C230S, Garmin GPSMap 76c, Garmin Vista HCX, Pharos USB GPS

CANAM705

Thank you, "gawettla". Right on! This works! I never went into Mapsource this way, but now that I have it works with Topo Canada v4 like you said it would. I will put a shortcut desktop icon on my screen for it now so I can quickly access it. I will also download Topo Canada v4 into the other computer now! Are there any other threads on this site where members have reviewed Topo Canada v4 with Basemap that I may be missing reading? If not, I look forward to reading any reviews members might like to post on this thread. Thanks again to those members for helping me with my Mapsource issue!
Steve

borat

I wish Mapsource worked with Mac computers. I have to use either Basecamp or Road Trip. Better than nothing I guess but I'd prefer Mapsource for Topo Canada.

HumVee

I've heard that complaint before, borat - and sympathize. A lot of Mac owners feel left out when it comes to getting supported software to work with their GPS units. It's even tougher for Linux users....

borat

Despite the Mac disadvantage, I'm pretty much happy with Garmin maps and software.

I had been using Magellan products before switching to Garmin and they left a lot to be desired. The MapSend Topo Canada CD was expensive and numerous lakes weren't named. The strange thing was at a small pot hole would be named, yet a ten mile long lake only a short distance away would not be named. It was a very common failure with the MapSend products.

One advantage of MapSend products was the ability to load multiple tracks when viewing them on the PC. If I wanted to see all of my tracks travelled in a given period of time on a map, I could select a group of tracks and have them all show up on the map simultaneously. I liked that feature.

Maybe it's my ignorance but I can't seem to find a way to do that with the Garmin mapping products I have. Can it be done?

HumVee

Borat, rather than hijack CANAM705's thread, I've posted a new discussion thread here: Managing tracks in Garmin BaseCamp & MapSource - It's been a long week & I'm fried, so I only got a start on it. Please comment on the other thread if you think what I'm putting together will be a benefit to you and others....