Beginner Needs Mapping Help

From: Guinness Mann (gmann_at_dublin.com)
Date: 09/14/04 

Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 12:13:39 -0700

Greetings,

I am a beginner in the GPS/mapping world, although I've long been
looking forward to the day when a useful mapping/routing device was
affordable enough, small enough, and had a long enough battery life to
be carried in a pocket. I'm still eagerly awaiting the day when gps
features are built into every cell-phone, pda, laptop, walkman and
automobile.

I've solved the first problem with a Garmin GPSmap 76CS. I love it to
death, but since I purchased it I find that there is a whole world of
knowledge and applications just waiting to make it even more useful.

For instance I found GARtrip, loaded a few tracks into it, generated an
elevation plot at the bottom, discovered that I could do screen captures
of my Mapsource maps and (after calibration) display the maps behind my
track files. Cool.

The problem is that I am overwhelmed with all the learning that I must
do to become facile at the format-conversions, tool-chaining,
data-sourcing and general duct-taping necessary to get the most out of
this hobby.

So I was wondering if there is some commercial product that would
encapsulate a large portion of this. I am well-aware that there is a
large body of free data and utilities, but for right now I need
something really easy that will support my habit while I learn enough to
be effective with the free stuff.

For instance, how about Maptech Terrain Navigator? Would that simplify
the process of generating an annotated map showing where I've been? How
about a 3D flyover? Is it appreciably better at post
processing/analysis of my data than a combination of Mapsource and
free/shareware products?

Or to ask another way, what would be a good beginner starter kit of
software for someone with a budget of, say $200? (As I mentioned, I
already have Mapsource and the Garmin maps for my location.)

Thank you for any comments.

-- Rick 

----
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