Making custom (not counterfeit) maps for your GPS
There was a story last week about counterfeit GPS maps causing drivers to get lost in Shanghai, which was widely reported in mapping blogs (like GeoCarta and The Map Room) and discussion groups. But what do they mean by counterfeit maps? Jesse at Very Spatial started to address this, saying "I disagree with their use of the word ‘fake’, inaccurate is more realistic." You can make custom maps for your GPS that may be sloppy or deceptive, or they may be more accurate than what you can buy commercially.
Let’s take a look at how this is done. What follows is a brief overview of a subject covered in great detail in my book, GPS Mapping – Make Your Own Maps, which includes step-by-step instructions.
Why would you want to do this? Well, you might be traveling to a foreign country for which there are no good GPS maps. Or you might just want better topo maps than what is available commercially. This is a common problem for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, as almost all GPS maps are based on 1:100K scale data, the one exception being Garmin’s US Topo 24K series
On to how to make custom GPS maps…
The first thing you have to do is obtain your data and convert it to the proper format. We’re talking vector data here, not scanned (raster) maps. Map data can consist of GIS file types such as shapefiles, or info like digital line graphics (DLG’s) from USGS or other sources. From there, you just need to get it into your GPS. There are different techniques for different brands…
Garmin
Perhaps the most popular method for Garmin relies on cGPSmapper. An excellent resource for these techniques re: Garmin units is the Yahoo Map Authors discussion board. And despite what you may read, this can be done without registry hacks or tracing contour lines. It’s all covered in my book, as is the process for Magellan and Lowrance.
Magellan
As much as I love Garmin, I have to say that the process of loading the maps into a Magellan is much easier, thanks to their free MobileMapper Office software. The best web reference on the process is the Yahoo MobileMapper2 group.
Lowrance
Unfortunately, it’s been a while since you could hack a Lowrance map. Folks with MapCreate version 4 could do it, but we’re now up to version 6.3. There is a solution available to Lowrance users though, as their mapping units tend to have extensive track memory, allowing you to layer roads, contours, etc., as tracks. UPDATE: You now have more options for creating custom maps for Lowrance GPS receivers.
A caveat on routing
Making maps is one thing. Making them "routable," allowing for turn-by-turn directions on roads, is another thing entirely. Maybe that’s where the Shanghai hackers ran into trouble.
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It’s a entry level TomTom but I would get the model best suited for this application, one that is easy to use. How would I proceed to make these maps and mark these locations? yes the locations are in the USA in TEXAS. How would I pass this info on to other I know here/ Thanks for your input .
Sincerely, Ron
Ron,
If you just want to create custom points of interest, I think you can do that with a TomTom. See this post for more info…
http://gpstracklog.com/2006/03/custom_pois.html
I don’t know of anyone making custom maps for TomTom units though.
I have a Brunton Atlas (same as a lowrance). Where can I get a map for Colombia? Thanks
I don’t believe any are commercially available. I think you would have to make your own or switch to a different brand of GPS.
Just purchase a Garmin nuvi 750, and need it for traveling in Mexico. I haven’t seen any decent maps, so I’m thinking about making them. Your book is currently out, is cGPSmapper my best resource, and do you know of any source that goes of auto-routing?
Thanks
Robert,
Check this out before you start making your own…
http://www.gpsinformation.org/jack/2008/mexico.html
Hi Rich;
Great forum. My situation may or may not fit into the discussion but your opion is appreciated either way. I bought a Humminbird sonar with GPS capability (uses Navionics charts) only to find that there aren’t any hydrographic or topo maps available for Nova Scotia lakes, rendering the option usless. The unit does have what is called a “UNIMAP” which provides some topo features of the US, which is great when I vacation in Maine every summer. Are you aware of a compatible topo map product that can be converted into something usable?
Hi Jim,
We’re out of my specialty here. A few quick searches make me wonder if there isn’t a relationship and perhaps a degree of compatibility between Hummingbird charts and Lowrance charts. Better places to ask would be
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.boats.electronics/topics
and
http://panbo.com/
Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Thank you Rich.
Can any one provide me the Bangalore map for my Garmin Nuvi 205W please.
Or atleast let me know how to make a custom map.
Check here
http://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com/catalogue.php?country=102®ion=
and here
http://mapcenter2.cgpsmapper.com/catalogue.php?country=205®ion=216
We have about 500 acres in east central Ohio that is heavly wooded with a number of logging trails that are being cleared for hiking etc. How do we create a map of the trails using a gps device and obtain the maps?
First, make sure you get a handheld GPS with a high-sensitivity chipset so you’ll get accurate readings. Most newer models will have this. Then, walk the trails, and collect tracks (electronic breadcrumb trails). You can save these tracks to display on the GPS as you are hiking in the future, and you can overlay them on mapping software like National Geographic TOPO and use it to generate printed maps.
I have a Magellan Roadmate SE4. Where can I get/ download maps of India compatible with this GPS navigator?
I don’t know of any sources. The easiest brand to get international maps for (including many that are free) is Garmin. TomTom is next, Magellan is last.
Hi Amit,
I have also been trying India maps for Magellan SE 4. If you find something please do let me know. I shall also keep you informed.
Regards
I have a Garmin Blue Chart disk, a Garmin StreetPilot III and a Lowrance GlobabMap 3300C. I want to convert the Blue Chart to a format that the Lowrance can read and download to an SD card for the GlobalMap. Is there a way to do this?
I don’t think so, but you could ask at http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/mapcreate_format/