Laptop GPS World

I am going to be heading out into northern Alberta and BC this next year and am putting together a gps nav system for my truck.

A little knowledge background for me. I have used hand held gps enough times with search and rescue. And computer setup is no problem for me since I am a Sys Admin for all Linux and windows computers in a small software company.

But I don't know what is available to setup. I have an idea of what I would like to put together, I hope someone can give me a direction to go or some brand names/ software recommendations.

What I have:
Truck
Clevo M570RU laptop( running windows XP, Linux if needed)
RAM Mount Laptop system (in the mail)

What I need:
GPS
Software
Guidance to setup the system I would like.

Here is where I find out if what I want is doable. Try not to make fun of me as I am unsure if the systems could be integrated as such.

I want to buy a good Handheld GPS that I can use for Search and Rescue, skiing, Hiking, hunting, geocaching etc. I would like topographical information available. Bonus if I can put city maps on it.
And then plug said GPS into my laptop while driving be able to use all GPS information on laptop and see myself on laptop similar to navigation systems. With the laptop saving all paths and trip information as well as the gps.

Save and overlay all paths/routes taken onto maps on the laptop.
Sync the GPS to the laptop in a similar manner to palm pilots
Add notes to specific points on the laptop

Im sure I will think of more once I start playing, But this is something I have never worked with so im lost other then what I can find on google.
I guess my first step is getting a decent handheld that can still interface with my laptop.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks if you can help me out.

Hi Charon,

Welcome to the forum!

I'm hoping someone more familiar with handheld Garmin units will give you some feedback. I think most of Garmin handhelds can be connected to a laptop for the purpose of transferring waypoints. Not all of the units may be able to provide GPS signal for your laptop, but for that you could just buy an inexpensive USB GPS unit.

__________________
Marvin Hlavac

Laptop GPS software reviews | Stores offering discounts to our members: Semsons & Co. Inc. and Deluo Electronics

Charon,

This is the first time I've dropped into this particular forum. I hope this isn't too late to be useful and that you see it.

I won't try to give advice on the hardware side because I have not done very much of the sorts of things you want to do. I suspect Garmin will have the best selection of devices to do what you want. I have a friend who does a fair bit of hiking and camping in the mountains of BC and Alberta. He recently bought the GPSMAP 76CSx. He is an engineer so he did quite a bit of research before making the purchase.

What I do know from personal experience is that no matter what unit you get, the maps make all the difference. The Navteq maps that Garmin and other companies (Microsoft, etc.) sell as their "North American" products are quite awful anywhere outside of major population areas, especially in Canada. The geographical features (lakes, rivers, parks, etc.) are truly horrible.

Garmin has two Canadian products. One is Metroguide Canada v4 and the other is Topo Canada v2, both made from DMTI data. Both products are getting a little old and need to be updated but, even so, they are hugely better than the Navteq-based products in the areas you mentioned. Garmin's Cartography department has indicated that an update for Metroguide Canada is supposed to be in the works.

If you see this message and are interested in seeing the differences for yourself, I can point you to specific areas using the Garmin online map viewer that will illustrate the differences rather dramatically. We could also have a discussion of whether Topo Canada has any advantage for you, versus Metroguide Canada.

...ken...