GPS receivers and computers work best as a team. With the relatively small screen size of a GPS receiver, it’s easiest to plan your routes using GPS maps on your personal computer. But are these computer maps the same as what you see on your GPS receiver?

Raster GPS Maps For Your PC

The GPS maps you use on your personal computer are caller “raster” maps. They can provide a lot of detailed information but they also require large amounts of computer memory and processing power. Raster maps also require good screen resolution for the detailed map information. Your computer can provide both the power and good screen resolution for these raster GPS maps. However, your GPS receiver doesn’t have the memory, processing speed or high enough screen resolution for these raster maps. That’s why for your GPS receiver you’ll need:

Vector GPS Maps For Your GPS Receiver

The maps you use on your GPS receiver are called “vector” maps. These maps are based on plotted lines and points instead of an image. This way of storing map data takes up much less memory and is also easier for small GPS receivers to process. Since there isn’t as much detail, the lower resolution screens of GPS receivers are able to display these vector maps with good results.

Where To Get Vector GPS Maps

The vector maps for your GPS receiver will come from the manufacturer of your receiver. Each manufacturer uses proprietary mapping data so any maps for your GPS receiver will need to be purchased from them. Most GPS receivers include a basic “base map” of the region of the world it is purchased in. This is a very limited map and most users opt to purchase at least the 1:100,000 scale maps available for their GPS receiver.

Maps are generally available in either topographic format or city format. If you plan to use your GPS receiver mostly for hiking, fishing, skiing, etc. then you’ll naturally want the topographic format. And if you’ll be using your receiver for navigation in and between cities then you’ll opt for the city navigation maps. If your GPS receiver has “auto routing” capabilities, keep in mind that those capabilities may only be enabled when city navigation maps are installed.

Examples of Vector GPS Maps:

Topograhical Maps:

• Garmin MapSource United States Topo

• Magellan MapSend Topo 3D USA

City Maps:

• Garmin City Navigator North America

• Magellan Direct Route US

Where To Get Raster GPS Maps

The raster maps for use on your PC might come from one or from many different sources. Perhaps the best low-cost GPS maps available right now are from Google Earth. If your GPS receiver is supported (and it probably is), you can use the Google Earth software for $20/year. This paid version enables the ability to upload and download GPX waypoints and tracks between your computer and GPS receiver.

Other raster maps of all sorts are available from a variety of vendors. It is important to make sure that whichever raster map software you choose is compatible with your GPS receiver. If you have any doubts make sure to ask the software vendor before you purchase the map.

Examples of Raster GPS Maps:

• Google Earth (Mac & PC)

• National Geographic TOPO! (Mac & PC)

• MacGPS Pro (Mac Only)

• Microsoft Mapoint (PC Only)