Re: Do any GPS units let you upload your own maps?

On Apr 15, 11:07 pm, "Bruce W.1" <s...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Happy Trails wrote:

Um, that's a little PC running a sw pkg that is known to let you load
raster maps. I think the OP was asking about standalone gps receivers
that might do this.

===================================================

I'm talking about handheld consumer GPS. I've used OziExplorer to make
track maps before. And one new model pulls maps from Google Maps. But
I want one that lets me load my own map (image file). Of course they'd
rather sell you the maps. But I find no point in buying a new GPS
receiver until this feature is available. We have the technology. Is
anyone making one yet?

I made a post a little while ago. It seems Google ate it up.

I have been thinking about a way to provide a more flexible GPS
receiver solution. There are a number of issues I don't like about my
current GPSr and one of them is that it can't do what my Palm can. I
think it is inconvenient to use two devices when they are so much
alike. The high end GPS receivers use perhaps 90% the same parts that
go into a PDA.

It has occured to me that it is a lot easier to convert a PDA into a
GPS receiver than it is to convert a GPS receiver into a PDA. Using
one of the bluetooth receivers, a PDA can do the entire job. The only
limitation is that it is not rugged/waterproof. But a PDA with GPSr
front end would allow you to run *any* software you want including
your own...

I currently use a program on the PC called USAPhotoMaps to manage my
waypoints and get a visual idea of where I will be caching. It would
be really super if I could use that on my GPSr! Then there is one
other thing that I would like, a larger screen. That is just me
maybe. I have trouble seeing my GPS when it is in the car. It would
be nice to either have a larger screen on the GPS, maybe a 5"
diagonal, or perhaps plug it into a larger screen in the car, like
maybe a 10" diagonal in the dash.

It is not hard to build the electronics of a PDA-like device that
would do everything listed above. The rugged case is the harder
part. Then the software would be a significant effort. But I am
thinking that this is the way I want to go.

Would anyone else be interested in something like this? Does this
make any sense at all or am I pretty crazy?

.

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: Do any GPS units let you upload your own maps?
    ... I'm talking about handheld consumer GPS. ... make track maps before. ... buying a new GPS receiver until this feature is available. ... go into a PDA. ...
    (sci.geo.satellite-nav)