gps route planning - more modern? google earth?

[uptimejeff]

Any recommendations for modern route planning software?

I have a gpsmap 541s
The garmin homeport software is really basic....
I'd like to see the garmin or noaa maps overlaid with satellite imagery (google earth) so I have a better picture for route planning.

I feel like I'm looking at the manufacturer's suggestion (homeport) which feels 5 years old.. when there is probably something much much better.
Maybe a combination of products?

I do all my research in google earth.. I even like to lay my route in google earth but I haven't found a way to tie this into my gps device... would be nice to better integrate with it.

Any recommendations appreciated (mac is preference, but PC is OK too)

Thanks

 

[chuck1]

I use Garmin Mapsource great product. You may want to check into activecaptain.com and Rose Point Navigation Systems Coastal Explorer.

 

[skibum]

I don't have a Garmin, but I use this site.

It says that you can export the routes to a .GPX file. Let me know if it works.

 

[uptimejeff]

I don't have a Garmin, but I use this site.

It says that you can export the routes to a .GPX file. Let me know if it works.

the geogarage site looks really great...
It has a web browser plugin that communicates directly with your GPS, even ones which are loaded with an SD card...

it overlays satellite imagery and marine charts and allows you to control transparency.. I've added a couple routes. They are easy to add and edit.

best I've seen yet... still want to explore others though.. will post anything else useful I might find.

thanks

 

[Havana Shamrock]

If your garmin accepts the g2vision cards it will over lay satelite"google maps " over your charts

I also use geogarage marine at home to lay out a course. You can up load directly to Garmin devices from this site i havent tried it yet.

 

[rondds]

Jeff
Not sure if this is helpful to you but another intersting site it activecaptain.com. It has satellite, road and NOAA chart combos. I'm not sure it has the capabilities to "talk" to your GPS - probably more so geared towards cruising - almost like a user-created guide book.

http://www.activecaptain.com/X.php

 

[chuck1]

Jeff
..... I'm not sure it has the capabilities to "talk" to your GPS - probably more so geared towards cruising - almost like a user-created guide book.

http://www.activecaptain.com/X.php

The whole route planning function is in the works as we speak. Spoke with Jeff at activecaptain a couple weeks ago about it. Should be out any time now.

 

[Pietro]

If your garmin accepts the g2vision cards it will over lay satelite"google maps " over your charts

I also use geogarage marine at home to lay out a course. You can up load directly to Garmin devices from this site i havent tried it yet.

Joe, do you mean I can plan a route on the geogarage site, load it in a SD card and then plug the card into my Garmin?
I have a brand new 4008 with g2vision.

 

[uptimejeff]

Joe, do you mean I can plan a route on the geogarage site, load it in a SD card and then plug the card into my Garmin?
I have a brand new 4008 with g2vision.

With geogarage, you can plan your route. It's really easy to add and edit routes. you can keep a list of your routes and waypoints (all remembered with your userid).
It has the option to export gpx or if you install the garmin communicator plug-in, the site can communicate directly with your device (serial/usb or SD card).

This is all new to me.... (thanks to recommendation in this thread)....
On my mac, the communicator plugin does install but I get an error when trying to save to my device (SD card). I'll try a windows box tomorrow.
Regardless though, I've entered a bunch of routes and with the easy editing on a large screen, I've fine tuned them based on chart + satellite. I couldn't do this planning on my gps 5" screen....

Now.. I just need to figure out how to save the route and make it readable on my GPS which doesn't have Serial/USB, it only has an SD card....

Note- I do have G2vision, but really the satellite images don't help much on a small and low-res screen (540s)... it's much easier to pre-route on my computer.

Jeff

 

[ActiveCaptain]

Route importing, archiving, sharing, and exporting to other software and devices is most certainly coming in ActiveCaptain. It's all I'm working on right now. Everything but sharing will be out in the first wave. I'm collecting feedback on sharing issues now (share all routes, share some, require sharing, allow private routes, etc?).

We'll also be combining route planning with our point-of-interest data so you'll be able to get a list of bridges or hazards you'll encounter along the way in the Trip-Tik kind of display. Advanced planning is also possible like:

- Show me the least expensive place to get fuel within X miles along my route travel.

- Show marina discounts and slip prices within X miles of my destination.

- Compare my route plan against friends' plans to see if we'll be near each other.


The possibilities are endless...

 

[Creekwood]

Any recommendations for modern route planning software?

I have a gpsmap 541s
The garmin homeport software is really basic....
I'd like to see the garmin or noaa maps overlaid with satellite imagery (google earth) so I have a better picture for route planning.

I feel like I'm looking at the manufacturer's suggestion (homeport) which feels 5 years old.. when there is probably something much much better.
Maybe a combination of products?

I do all my research in google earth.. I even like to lay my route in google earth but I haven't found a way to tie this into my gps device... would be nice to better integrate with it.

Any recommendations appreciated (mac is preference, but PC is OK too)

Thanks

I wonder if there is a way to use the iPAD Navionics app and export the routes in some way. Come on you techies out there. Do something really useful:wink:

 

[rondds]

Looking forward to it Active Cap. Great site already. Thanks.