Garmin Astro and tops maps or satelite images?

[cat and bear]

What is the best Maps for the garmin, that is compatible? I've got the 100k garmin topo, and the roads on there must be from back in the 50's. There is main roads I've hunted all my life which isnt on there, several of them. So I have a few questions, I've got a lowarance gps now, which over time I drew in the roads, Its freedom maps, which I dont believe is compatible with topo 100k, I just seen on garmins website, they have a software, called birds eye view, which is satelite images, and you have to buy a yearly subscription to it. I couldnt find that cost on their site, maybe something new? I'm not getting to deep in garmins, a few collars on my lead dogs, as I'm still waiting to see what marshall,comes up with. But I'm sure they will have their own software, which isnt compatible either So maybe satelite is the way to go, I guess you can download a area, and pan in or out on it, any wisdom is appreciated. Nothing worse then wadding a swamp to find a road with easy walkng just before you get to the dogs. LOL

[tman308]

Mapsource is the Garmin software. I have used it in 5 different states and find that the majority of roads are shown and labeled. some of the more minor roads aren't labeled but they are shown on the GPS. This software is compatible with Google Earth and you can view your track and waypoints on Google Earth through the Mapsource program. The thing I like best about it is that I bought mine 10 years ago and am able to update the maps online without having to buy the lastest version like some of the other software programs. On a side note my Garmin works with my Delorme topo USA product also.

[cat and bear]

thank you tman, for your wisdom, but isnt garmin topo 100k, and mapsource the same thing? Just trying to do it right the first time)). LOL. Also, if you put your tracks on google earth, can you download the map from google earth, back to the astro, and pan in and out? I"m guessing that is what the birds eye software is for? The topo is not showing any of the roads that has been put in, I'm thinking this is wooded, and logged heavy, with new roads every once in a while and the old roads grow shut Perhaps that is why, the satellite image would work better for me. I also bounce around, and would be starting all over again with using the tracking feature to transfere to a map software.I also found on mapquest you can transfer a satellite image area to your garmin, you have chose, but cant seem to get it to work right. Garmin has an additional down load, if your having problems, but the warning says, if its not compatible, you will have to send your astro in so I'm going to wait until monday and call them first, about that, to close to running something, as soon as these pesky deer hunters are done, we can get in the woods again. LOL.
Thanks
Ron

[tman308]

Ron,

Not sure if Mapsource and 100k are the same, I haven't looked at it. As far as Google Earth you can print the maps you create but as far as I know you can't upload to your Garmin. I know if you are in an area where the roads are changing constantly no matter what program you use it won't give you all the roads. The satellite programs are fairly accurate problem being you need to know when the last image was taken. The image that you see on the computer and the GPS are just cached images sometimes taken 5-15 years ago. Unfortunately I had to buy several different programs over the years to find the ones that seem to be the most updated and contain the most information. I use Delorme and Mapsource now and will occasionally print some maps from topo off their mappass site.

Good luck and let me know how the satellite program works if you get it.

Travis

[cat and bear]

Thanks again Tman, I appreciate sharing your knowledge with us. Still searching, again, from my understanding the birds eye program garmin is offering, you can download on a chip the satellite images,and area and pan in and out. I first seen this technology on a kids I phone, when we were discussing our way out, as we didnt like the way in to a bear tree He pulled it up, and the best way out was the way in but it worked well, only thing you need the cell phone and coverage. LOL.

[cat and bear]

Folks, i got all the info from garmin for those interested. The birdeye view, satellite image is the software, and a years subscription for 29.95. The garmin asto is not shown in the products, but garmin says yes it will work, and the area and images can be downloaded and saved to your sd card. You can also pan in and out on the area and images saved, might give it a try. LOL