Etrex 30 question

[Payton MacDonald]

Hi guys,

I purchased Topofusion Basic and it's amazing.  I'm very impressed with the program.  I also just got my first GPS, an Etrex 30.  I mostly understand it and was able to move a gpx file from Topofusion over to the Etrex with no problem.  But what I don't quite understand is how to get more detail on the Etrex.  The file I moved over (The Allegheny Mountain Loop file) clearly shows the route on the etrex, but when I zoom in there's hardly any detail at all other than major interstates and a few rivers.  So it's useful in the sense that I can see in a general way if I'm on track, but not in terms of making more detailed decisions.  Same with when I use the GPS for cruising around my town on my bike.  What I was hoping for is that the Etrex would give me some of the same detail I see on my computer when looking at Topofusion.

Do I need to load up some kind of base map or something that has all the roads, trails, rivers, etc for every state?  And then the gpx files go "on top" of that?

I'm sure this is a really stupid question, but I would appreciate your help.

Thanks so much,

[ScottMorris]

Hi there,

There are a few options to get maps on your GPS.  One is within TopoFusion itself, using the "File->Export View" tool to send maps from TF as .kmz files. Here is a tutorial on how to do that:

http://topofusion.com/garmin-custom-maps.php

The other is vector basemaps, which you need to upload with Garmin's (free) Mapsource app.  The app is free but the maps are not, if you get them from Garmin.  There's a 2008 Topo USA dvd you can get that covers the country, or alternatively there are some free options that take a little bit of work, but are quite detailed.  Some info about that here:

http://www.topofusion.com/forum/index.php?topic=3796.0

Hope that helps.

Not sure if you'll have enough capacity to upload full res maps for the Allegheny route via TopoFusion's .kmz maps, but it's worth a shot.

[Payton MacDonald]

Thank you for the quick response.  Will I need to put in a memory card then, to hold all that data?  Any recommendations on size/brand?

I'm also hoping to do the TD this year, and I assume those gpx files will eat up a lot of space. 

[ScottMorris]

No need for a memory card -- the units internal memory will be enough for maps and GPX tracks for both events.

The limitation on the TF maps is a software imposed one (by Garmin), so as not to compete with their other products.

[Payton MacDonald]

Hi again Scott,

Another question for you:  I'm looking at doing ACA's Adirondak Loop at some point.  I downloaded their GPS waypoint files from their sites and saw them on TF and was able to get them over to my Etrex 30, but they don't come out as a gpx file, which I suspected would happen.  I just get a million waypoint markings in the waypoint part of the eTrex's menus. 

What I want is a route with my little blue arrow friend moving along it.  Is there a way to convert ACA's waypoints into a gpx file, like what Chris Tompkins sent me for the Alllegheny Mountains Loop?

thanks,
Payton