maps compatability

Hi Greg,

What do you mean by Magellan Maps will have far better detail than Natmaps?

Is that overall, or topography or roads maybe?

I've used Ozi/Natmap combo for years but interested in hearing about others if it may serve my purposes.

Cheers
Alan

Hello Alan

I only have the older Magellan DAST (DiscoverAus Streets and Tracks) which shows street level detail for all cities and variable quality "bush" track detail as one would expect to find on a ~25K map (as out of date/inaccurate as it maybe in certain places). Can’t vouch for completeness or accuracy in any particular area but I suppose there are shortcomings in many areas but same goes for most mapsets. Newer versions of the Magellan product (which I don’t have) also have contours. The current versions of Garmin compatible Oztopo and Garmin Topo are similar in detail.

As you know Natmap is a 250k scale mapset - it doesn’t have streets (obviously not relevant for some applications). Scale could be an issue - main highways are represented by 160m wide red lines, secondary tracks by ~60m wide lines (ouch! again depends on application - no big deal for some obviously). Quality of track detail is variable - in some areas the Natmap appears to have good track detail beyond that displayed on the DAST map (good stuff)...but in other areas more tracks are visible on the DAST (and Oztopo) product. Suppose if I needed to back up my comment “Magellan maps will have far better detail than the Natmap 250K” in court would go with the lack of streets and a relative lack of track detail overall (but not all areas) – can I go now:)

If I was for some reason limited to one choice would head down the OziExplorer/250K path (only because I like OziExplorer not specifcially the 250K maps) – but why limited yourself to one map option? You can never have enough maps.

Cheers
Greg

Thanks for that detailed answer Greg.

I may start investigating other options...I guess when travelling you pass through towns etc, so a more detailed street level option would be advantageous.

And I agree. You can never have enough maps!!!

Cheers
Alan

I would not under normal circumstances suggest any one map set as everyone has different needs/expectations etc. and I don’t have a crystal ball (well not one that works). Only headed down the Magellan path a little way in this instance as Al already had a copy so he may as well give it a bash before trying something else. DAST is a serviceable product...and if I had a (normal) Magellan GPS would still use it – never bothered trying it with moving map so not 100% sure how well the software I suggested will go there.

Main trouble map users have is trying before you buy – many options these days and it’s difficult to gauge what gps/software/map combination may be best for your intended purpose. Would be nice if there was a shop somewhere where you could walk in and look at it all in one place.

Cheers
Greg