Topic: Maps (Read 5792 times)

HogBreath · « **on:** October 20, 2007, 08:54:00 AM »

I've got a question from all you electronic/Zumo/Garmin guros out there. Is there a better map source online than MapQuest? It sucks. What I'm looking for is planning a ride/trip on backroads off the beaten path. For instance today, I'm riding through S. Illinois and Rand McNally's maps aren't detailed enough.

Does Garmin or Sumo allow you to get online and plan your trip and then download it to your device?

I have Harley's navigation sustem. It will get you home in a pinch. I have a garmin in my truck, and it's just a touch better. I want to see a map!

Tbone · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2007, 09:00:07 AM »

Quote from: HogBreath on October 20, 2007, 08:54:00 AM

I've got a question from all you electronic/Zumo/Garmin guros out there. Is there a better map source online than MapQuest? It sucks. What I'm looking for is planning a ride/trip on backroads off the beaten path. For instance today, I'm riding through S. Illinois and Rand McNally's maps aren't detailed enough.

Does Garmin or Sumo allow you to get online and plan your trip and then download it to your device?

I have Harley's navigation sustem. It will get you home in a pinch. I have a garmin in my truck, and it's just a touch better. I want to see a map!

Ken,

A couple of suggestions, you might try Harley's Trip Planner on the H-D site and check out Microsoft's Streets and Trips, it's pretty good.

Bob

UglyJohn · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2007, 10:19:36 AM »

I use the MS Street and Trips and it's a very good program and the learning curve is easy. Here in Oregon, I usually pick it up fairly cheap at any Costco. I wish I could use it for my Zumo 550. That would be awesome, but apparently will not work on the GPS. I'm with you, the software that is used with the Zumo could be improved....a whole bunch.
Ugly John

chaos901 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2007, 10:00:03 AM »

I agree that MS Streets and Trips is the best of the map software. I make my plans using it and then program my GPS seperately.

rubaga · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2007, 06:01:14 PM »

Quote from: chaos901 on October 23, 2007, 10:00:03 AM

I agree that MS Streets and Trips is the best of the map software. I make my plans using it and then program my GPS seperately.

I have the same experience. Standard Garmin soft is no good for proper planning. So I am using MS for planning and then deal with GPS. I wish Garmin improve their soft or get others to be able to program their GPSs.

Chief · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2007, 06:12:13 PM »

There is another option out there, Delorme Street Atlas. Here's a link:

http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=26366&section=10121&minisite=10020

chaos901 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2007, 05:36:46 PM »

I have a copy of the DeLorme program from a couple of years ago. It was better than the Rand McNally program but not as good as MS Streets and Trips. One of the best features of the MS is that it allows you to put your waypoints in the order that you want to ride. Several of the programs automatically economize the waypoints into the order that makes the most sense from a logical viewpoint, as in shortest trip. Not necessarialy how you want to ride.

Just my two cents.

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2007, 05:59:12 PM »

Quote from: Tbone on October 20, 2007, 09:00:07 AM

Ken,

A couple of suggestions, you might try Harley's Trip Planner on the H-D site and check out Microsoft's Streets and Trips, it's pretty good.

Bob

Ken...the most detailed hard map I've ever seen is Delorne's Atlas for each state...it even shows dirt roads...it's a series of Quad maps that cover the entire state, but they are not practical for the bike.

In Mapsource, I zoom in to .5 mile scale, at highest detail, and it will show me most any road I want to be on, then select via points for the route. It could be easier to use, no doubt. The Zumo or 2820 does at least show the route/map, which is more than I can say for the HD unit like is on your bike. It would drive me nuts...

HogBreath · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2007, 06:02:07 PM »

I agree. The HD unit works in a pinch....IF you remembered the CD.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #9 on:** October 30, 2007, 06:04:01 PM »

Quote from: HogBreath on October 30, 2007, 06:02:07 PM

I agree. The HD unit works in a pinch....IF you remembered the CD.

I thought you navigated by following the North Beer?

HogBreath · « **Reply #10 on:** October 30, 2007, 06:19:52 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on October 30, 2007, 06:04:01 PM

I thought you navigated by following the North Beer?

I'd have to navigate from bar...to bar..to bar. I think it's 8 bars from here to your place Don.

Break-In · « **Reply #11 on:** October 31, 2007, 09:06:06 PM »

HD has problems as far as like name streets in same cities.

Bubba · « **Reply #12 on:** October 31, 2007, 09:35:10 PM »

Ken, this might give you some optional roads to look at as well...

http://www.motorcycleroads.com/

http://www.openroadjourney.com/

~bubba~

HogBreath · « **Reply #13 on:** November 01, 2007, 07:23:52 AM »

Quote from: Bubba on October 31, 2007, 09:35:10 PM

Ken, this might give you some optional roads to look at as well...

http://www.motorcycleroads.com/

http://www.openroadjourney.com/

~bubba~

Thanks bubba, got em bookmarked.

spydglide · « **Reply #14 on:** November 04, 2007, 06:57:21 PM »

one of the problems (for me, at least) with the Garmin Zumo, is that it always wants to route you via the interstate roads. Is there a way to get it to use the more scenic/2 lane roads when mapping out a route? $:-\$ spyder

Fired00d · « **Reply #15 on:** November 04, 2007, 08:13:27 PM »

Quote from: spydglide on November 04, 2007, 06:57:21 PM

one of the problems (for me, at least) with the Garmin Zumo, is that it always wants to route you via the interstate roads. Is there a way to get it to use the more scenic/2 lane roads when mapping out a route? $:-\$ spyder

You should be able to do this in Mapsource (I say should because I've never tried it) by going to "Edit" -> "Preferences" and clicking on the "Routing" tab. There you will see "Road Selection" (pic below) with a tab you can move from "Prefer Minor Roads" to "Prefer Highways". I would think the more you move it to "Prefer Minor Roads" would do what you want.

Again not knowing how this will work, but if you want to have the Zumo defer from highways when you enter a destination click on the "Wrench" -> (scroll down to) "Navigation" touch that then touch to the right of "Avoidance's" when the screen comes up touch the box to the left of "Highways" then hit "OK".

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

spydglide · « **Reply #16 on:** November 04, 2007, 08:36:09 PM »

Hey D00d, I did try that and what it seemed to do was route you thru a city instead of taking a by-pass around to your destination......kind of the direct across town route. But, on the longer city to city runs, it still wanted to run the interstates even if it meant going a longer distance. I was wanting it to route me straight across Tenn on 64, but it always went back to I-49 even if I entered a way-point on 64. Oh, well, it's still very handy, and I'm appreciative that it's a lot smarter than I am...

.....har!

spyder

Fired00d · « **Reply #17 on:** November 04, 2007, 08:49:34 PM »

There is also another way you can edit your route in Mapsource, but it's going to take a couple posts to show pictures along w/instructions.

Once the route is calculated by the defaults set by Mapsource you can use the "Selection Tool" (see pic below)to alter it.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #18 on:** November 04, 2007, 08:50:57 PM »

Once you have the "Selection Tool" selected go down to the route and double left click on it w/your mouse and it will "Rubber Band" the route so you can move it.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2007, 08:51:43 PM »

You then can move the route to the desired road you want...

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #20 on:** November 04, 2007, 08:52:53 PM »

Once you get to the road you want click the mouse on the road and Mapsource will create a new route that will take you on the road you selected....

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Fired00d · « **Reply #21 on:** November 04, 2007, 08:54:37 PM »

All depending on how long your route is you may need to "Rubber Band" it several times because it will try to default you back to the "faster" route if there is a significant distance to your destination.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

spydglide · « **Reply #22 on:** November 04, 2007, 08:57:47 PM »

Quote from: Fired00d on November 04, 2007, 08:54:37 PM

All depending on how long your route is you may need to "Rubber Band" it several times because it will try to default you back to the "faster" route if there is a significant distance to your destination.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

OK D00d, thanks. That is the way to do it, then. I knew you'd know the answer to my dilemma.

har! spyder

Fired00d · « **Reply #23 on:** November 04, 2007, 09:02:23 PM »

Quote from: spydglide on November 04, 2007, 08:57:47 PM

OK D00d, thanks. That is the way to do it, then. I knew you'd know the answer to my dilemma. har! spyder

Word of warning, but don't ask me how I know.

When you do this make sure you zoom in to be sure where you place your mouse (new route) is really the road (right side of road) you want to be on. Otherwise you might end up in the GPS "U-Turn" Syndrome.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #24 on:** November 05, 2007, 01:16:11 PM »

Spydy....I generally leave my "preferences" set on shortest route so it will pick the more scenic roads. Also, the slider that goes from minor to major roads is very sensitive and can make a significant difference in the route Mapsource chooses for you. If I'm letting it take me from point A to point B, I will generally play around with those preference settings to see what route I prefer, letting the route function recalculate in mapsource.

When laying out a long route like our trip last July, I have LOTS of via/waypoints, laying them in, then loading the map, zoom in to make certain it's not taking me off on some side street, then right back on the road I want, etc.

Sometimes, it takes me in 'round about ways through small towns, but a lot of times I get to see old parts of town that are interesting by doing so.

Of course, there are times when that "shortest route" is a bad thing...like in large cities where it might take you through "less desirable" parts of town. I have occasionally hit the "detour" button, fastest route, to get out of those areas. Not so much a concern in small town USA, but I wouldn't want to let it take me through L.A. on it's own...

spydglide · « **Reply #25 on:** November 05, 2007, 01:52:25 PM »

Yeah, thanks, Terry. I'll try that. I know, the other night I ended up in a section or a rather small town in NC at dusk, and the looks on the guys faces on the street looked like: wow, look what just wandered into our web!

har!

spyder

Author Topic: Maps (Read 5792 times)