Looking for GPS mapping software for off-road trips

Hi All. Just wondering if somebody could tell me if there is a program similar to Microsoft Streets and Trips that has more geographical references (mountain ranges, elevations, landmarks, and possibly topo map ability)

I bought Strets and Trips 2009 yesterday, with the GPS locator, and it is an awsome little product but not what i wanted as I do a lot of off-road expedition style trips into the desert, and not only need on road mapping and tracking but off road and other information like mentioned above available to me.

Thanks

Ben

Hi Ben,

Welcome to Laptop GPS World.

National Geographic and DeLorme Topo are two products that come to mind. Hopefully you will get more feedback from users who are more familiar with these and other PC topo programs.

Here's one discussion that can get you started: Best Map Software Vendor

Great, thanks for your reply Marvin!

Hi Ben,

I'm an expedition style explorer/offroader too. I drive a Land Rover and run a website for offroaders in the Pacific Northwest (Northwest Overland Society).

My company, Spatial Minds, makes Overland Navigator which is being designed specifically for backcountry vehicle dependant exploration. I'll try and post up more information in a day or two, but until then check out the website and let me know if you have any questions.

The product has large touchscreen friendly buttons, but is also very compatible with traditional laptops. All functionality can be controlled via user configurable keyboard shortcuts which is a lot easier than using the mouse touchpad to click on a small toolbar icon or open a menu. If you do want to use the mouse touchpad the big buttons are easier to hit when bouncing down a road. Instead of File->Open->Browse to open a GPX track, GPX tracks on a USB stick/memory card are automatically displayed when it is inserted. It has high contrast buttons and waypoint symbols, and a few other UI components that are different from traditional desktop software to make using the software in the field a little easier.

Regards,
Craig

Hi Craig,

That's a nice looking program. Too bad it's only useful in the US.

...ken...

Thank you for the reply Ken.

Map-packs for other parts of the world will be added as we are able to locate suitable maps.

Craig

Hi Craig,

For Canada you might want to look at these topo maps and then talk to Dale and see if the two of you can work something out. He's using government map data that's available to the public and some software he wrote himself.

...ken...