Garmin MapSource, Google Earth, Terra Server

Wed - December 21, 2005

Garmin MapSource, Google Earth, Terra Server - mapping tools

I am using Garmin MapSource Topo and BlueChart quite intensively for planning my paddling trip and then documenting them on line. I am loading MapSource maps into my Garmin GPS units.

The recent upgrade to MapSource provides a link to Google Earth . You can simply choose "view in Google Earth" to see your waypoints, routes and tracks over satellite images directly in Google Earth. This is a wonderful tool, although it doesn't provide the same resolution everywhere. In some areas, you can zoom in Google Earth to see individual cars and waves in rapids while in other areas the resolution of satellite images is much worse. I am still using USGS aerial photos from Terra Server to explore diversion dams on South Platte River.

I am working on a little series of articles combining different mapping tools with GPS tracks from my paddling trips, with my memories and with my pictures where possible. The first example will use South Platte River in eastern Colorado, the second - Colorado River in Professor Valley in Utah.

Wayfarer on paddling and photography

Wed - December 21, 2005

Garmin MapSource, Google Earth, Terra Server - mapping tools