Search for decent maps

I could write a novel about the NATMAP maps but all I'll say now is that I would trust them more for the lesser tracks in remote areas and leave the major roads to TomTom, Garmin etc. NATMAP maps are good but old

Alternative maps? My preference lies with:
Hema
EOtopo200K.

Hema are constantly on the road checking their maps and as a has been map maker I rate them highly for the quality of their products. What I don't like is the lack of contours on their maps.

EOTopo200K is a Work In Progress so I'll hold off with any criticism. They are providing a product which uses the NATMAP data you like and are in the process of updating it. I bought their product in anticipation.

There are other maps around but I don't use them much. If you are in Victoria the Spatial Vision maps are very good too. I don't know about the quality of other state based maps so I won't comment.

WBS

Hi

Some confusion here between maps and mapping systems/programs. You state that "the maps have a feature where you can superimpose a satellite picture over the maps" .

This is a feature of the mapping software ..not the maps themselves. What mapping software are you referring to? Is it the one that came with Natmap a few years ago - not sure it is still around? Natmap 250K maps can be viewed in many gps/mapping programs e.g. OziExplorer, Memory Map, Trackranger, TwoNav, Global Mapper, CompeGPS Land, ArcView, MapInfo (some of these can utilise both raster maps and vector maps). Some of these programs allow overlay of one raster map on another (map on top is made partially transparent). Hema also have a couple of gps mapping programs for android and/or apple products that utilise the 250K data as well (4WD Maps and Hema Explorer).

Then of course there the range of GPS units that can utilise vector maps (and in some cases raster maps) - main player is Garmin I suppose. Magellan seems to have slipped in recent years...some smaller companies such as TwoNav produce good units. As an example, two Garmin GPS compatible products (Garmin Topo and OzTopo) have capability to show all of Australia with street level detail which neither NatMap/EoTopo have while also showing "outback" tracks/creeks/rivers/topography. Not sure of how up to date tracks are, but no doubt many not shown.

So what is your question - what is the best mapping system or what are the best maps?

Best gps mapping system - no such thing - depends on your particular requirements and what hardware you choose (e.g. do you want/need street by street nav, raster maps, vector maps, in dash, on window, outdoors, hybrid, Hand held, laptop, tablet, phone).

Best Maps - again depends on requirements. There is no fully up to date "map" of all of Australia and there never will be (due to tracks/roads always being built etc). Garmin Topo and OzTopo are the go if you are running a Garmin unit. I think there is an equivalent Magellan product.

As far as raster maps go starting with 250K is a good beginning. There may however be more detailed maps of specific areas so just a case of researching - the EOtopo maps are largely the same as Natmap at this stage but may have some better detail in select areas of some peoples interest. Larger scale maps (100K, 50K and 25K) are available for some areas - but as with Natmap many are getting dated. As you mention it is also possible to view satellite images and for select areas high resolution air photo images. It is possible to cache this data for use in the field in some programs ...or make your our own "maps" for use in same programs.

Cheers
Greg

Maps that load onto my laptop rather than a mapping system is my priority.

With NapMaps the satellite picture can be layered over the map to show the actual, though dated, condition of the tracks. (I might not have been clear about this.)

I can use a Garmin hiker's GPS to get my coordinates then apply these to the NapMaps in the bush on the laptop. Cumbersome, but effective.

What might be ideal is a system where travellers put updates on the maps themselves, providing they aren't added by people who change road signs on the Tanami Road, for fun.

You know Mick , it can be a bit of work but we have had sucess by scanning paper maps into Ozi-explorer and then calibrating them.

On some occasions I even draw on tracks or draw tracks onto paper then scan them in.

Generally though I like to be able to use the really versatile track following features of my Garmin 276c GPS.
So for anything where I can't get a known good map/track I go thru this process and create the tracks manually into a *.gpx file which can then be used either in laptop or GPS.

By doing above - while it takes time I get the latest stuff with all the little specials that often don't not even get included or deliberately left off some maps.

You old guys are pretty smart.