View Full Version : Maps...HELP!!!!!!



dubord207
10-05-2009, 07:26 PM
Somebody laid out a colored topo of the general area we cached in at Eustis with all the caches shown.

I'm told that the folks that absolutely creamed the rest of us newbies at the Rally use maps as well.

We have MapSource. Not sure if it would be a good kindling to start a fire, but that's what I'm thinking.

So how do I get a handle on this? Is the Delorme program the way to go? I'd love to have a map with caches I'm going to hunt for a day to take along. HELP!!!!:)

WhereRWe?
10-05-2009, 07:33 PM
Delorme Street Atlas (http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10120&minisite=10020&minisite=10020) is the way to go - unless you need the detail of Topo.

When we go on a caching trip, we always print maps of the area with caches indicated. Makes it easy to plan a route and to check-off caches as you log them. And you'll find it has many other uses as well...

:D:D

TRF
10-05-2009, 07:54 PM
Somebody laid out a colored topo of the general area we cached in at Eustis with all the caches shown.

I'm told that the folks that absolutely creamed the rest of us newbies at the Rally use maps as well.

We have MapSource. Not sure if it would be a good kindling to start a fire, but that's what I'm thinking.

So how do I get a handle on this? Is the Delorme program the way to go? I'd love to have a map with caches I'm going to hunt for a day to take along. HELP!!!!:)


Might cost you a beer but I'd be happy to show you a little about mapsource and nRoute. :D

Team Richards
10-05-2009, 07:55 PM
I made the map a the event with the DeLorme Topo program it will let you print 3x3 6x6 etc. Pretty easy to use once you get used to it (like anything else) You can drag and drop PQ's.

hollora
10-05-2009, 07:57 PM
I made the map a the event with the DeLorme Topo program it will let you print 3x3 6x6 etc. Pretty easy to use once you get used to it (like anything else) You can drag and drop PQ's.

Now we know who made that map! You are the best TR!;)

Team Richards
10-05-2009, 08:00 PM
Now we know who made that map! You are the best TR!;)
Sorry I didn't know it was anything anyone wanted to know.
My plan was to color code the challenges and put it on the bulletin board. but I ran out of time, and forgot to bring tape to tape the maps together...ooops.
Next year I'll do better.

hollora
10-05-2009, 08:13 PM
Sorry I didn't know it was anything anyone wanted to know.
My plan was to color code the challenges and put it on the bulletin board. but I ran out of time, and forgot to bring tape to tape the maps together...ooops.
Next year I'll do better.

Oh my - like you didn't do enough - you did wonderful! ;) Someone said those were all in one big protective bag - I don't remember that - but they were nice - to take the maps and sheets and see where you might want to go. Were they in one big bag or was each sheet in a protective 8 1/2 x 11 page?

Thanks for all you do.

There are a ton of mapping programs out there. It isn't just having the program - but - also knowing how to tweek it to do what you want.

My son is doing a ton of mapping stuff for the ATV club he belongs to and for himself - blows me away with what he has and what he can do.......right now his priority is ATVing.

I have a terrain program and don't even know how to use it. It was recommended by someone who taught a GPS course I took - can I find caches better? Not really! LOL

dubord207
10-05-2009, 08:26 PM
Thanks for the responses. OK, Dave, of Team Richards, so if you want to help us with this you are invited over for a gourmet meal, piano concert featuring James Taylor, Elton John, Billy Joel and any other artists from that gendre that you and Holly like. Or we'll babysit the boys for a weekend, watch your house, walk the dog and iron your shirts! We promise not to teach Willaim and Jacob how to make martinis!:)

Team Richards
10-05-2009, 08:31 PM
[QUOTE=hollora;58118]Someone said those were all in one big protective bag - I don't remember that - but they were nice - Were they in one big bag or was each sheet in a protective 8 1/2 x 11 page?



The maps I made were not in any protective cover I had some of the single page protectors but I didn't use them. I didn't see any other maps at the event but it is more than possible that I missed them. The ones I made were on the TB table.

Team Richards
10-05-2009, 08:38 PM
Here is a sleeve that's 33x47 give or take.
http://www.secol.co.uk/MAPSLEEVES.SHTML

squirrelcache
10-05-2009, 08:53 PM
Delorme's Topo8 can be easily set up to be used as Topo....or Street Atlas style! I believe Street Atlas is just handier if you need the extensive POI databases. I do it all the time.....and even color code my levels of terrain/difficulty. I've even been known to set up layers of Dif/Ter that can be switched on/off.

Team Richards
10-05-2009, 09:08 PM
Thanks for the responses. OK, Dave, of Team Richards, so if you want to help us with this you are invited over for a gourmet meal, piano concert featuring James Taylor, Elton John, Billy Joel and any other artists from that gendre that you and Holly like. Or we'll babysit the boys for a weekend, watch your house, walk the dog and iron your shirts! We promise not to teach Willaim and Jacob how to make martinis!:)
Love to help. If you want to see the Topo before you buy we can set up a time for you to see it. I may even have an older ver you can have if you want give it a whirl

squirrelcache
10-05-2009, 09:22 PM
I pumped Dan up about the idea in Eustis before the event. I thought he said he has Topo7. Dan I'm sorry I gave you the hi-speed low drag lesson on it. I understand if you're more visual in learning and can def. relate. Don't hesitate to speak up.

hollora
10-05-2009, 09:33 PM
[QUOTE=hollora;58118]Someone said those were all in one big protective bag - I don't remember that - but they were nice - Were they in one big bag or was each sheet in a protective 8 1/2 x 11 page?



The maps I made were not in any protective cover I had some of the single page protectors but I didn't use them. I didn't see any other maps at the event but it is more than possible that I missed them. The ones I made were on the TB table.

K - yeah - those were the ones I saw but I thought someone said something about those being in protectors (Trick or Treat perhaps??)

I am ok with it because I wipe out maps any way. Destroy Delormes...........that's life for me...............

dubord207
10-06-2009, 06:53 AM
We finally got Map Source to work, but of course we have no idea how to put caches on it. I have to go to Portland tomorrow so I'll stop and get the Delorme Topo. Anything else I'm going to need to get started on this?

Thanks for all the offers to help....I'm going to need it!:)

squirrelcache
10-06-2009, 07:40 AM
There are Many ways of doing it.......all depends on what you're comfy with and works for you. GSAK is the most important.....gives you the most flexibility. From there you use what mapping gives you the best features. I like to use the mapping on the LT for ease of seeing it all. I dump from GSAK to the GPSrs and Topo8. Then using mapsource I lay out a route and put that on the Nuvi.

The hardest part...is getting your team all on the same sheet of music......so many different ideas, personalities and interests.

Team Richards
10-06-2009, 07:42 AM
I have to go to Portland tomorrow so I'll stop and get the Delorme Topo. Anything else I'm going to need to get started on this?
:)

You shouldn't need anything else.

eebee
10-06-2009, 01:55 PM
It was me who was asking about the sleeve that I thought the map at the TB table was in. I've been looking for a sleeve like one that Aefuss used to have. It had 9 (3 x 3) protective pockets that were joined together and you just slid your 8.5 x 11 pages into them and it would fold up. Very handy for printing out large maps of an area. I couldn't remember for sure, but I thought that the one that Dave did up was in one of those and was wondering where he got it.

I'm loving this thread because I've been wanting to create maps of my caches and routes, too. I love to have a paper 'visual' of where I am going on a caching trip and don't know how to go about it. I was talking to Mainiac about it at Eustis, too, and he showed me a quick demo. I now have a copy of Topo USA 6 and a copy of Mapsource and am trying to figure out the best way to do it.

brdad
10-06-2009, 03:00 PM
9 - 3X3 pockets almost sounds like a floppy disk or CD protector for a notebook?

cano
10-06-2009, 03:12 PM
9 - 3X3 pockets almost sounds like a floppy disk or CD protector for a notebook?

When I need a map of geocaches I just open my PQ in google map, then zoom out the web page (ctrl + mouse wheel) and zoom in on google map. This way I will get a high resolution picture of the map. Next I just print it to PDF file, do some changes if needed and print it on paper.

pm28570
10-06-2009, 05:01 PM
You're opening the ZIP file from GC.com?



When I need a map of geocaches I just open my PQ in google map, then zoom out the web page (ctrl + mouse wheel) and zoom in on google map. This way I will get a high resolution picture of the map. Next I just print it to PDF file, do some changes if needed and print it on paper.

squirrelcache
10-06-2009, 05:09 PM
I've protected maps several ways over the years. Try a large Topo Map protector, clear and heavy duty. You can also try a more budget operation using the new Ziplocs: 24x32 & 24x20...you get several for around $5.

hollora
10-06-2009, 05:23 PM
I've protected maps several ways over the years. Try a large Topo Map protector, clear and heavy duty. You can also try a more budget operation using the new Ziplocs: 24x32 & 24x20...you get several for around $5.

A great idea = those big zip locks! Great for a lot but I didn't think outside the box to use it for large maps. Thanks for sharing.

Team Richards
10-06-2009, 05:26 PM
It was me who was asking about the sleeve that I thought the map at the TB table was in. I've been looking for a sleeve like one that Aefuss used to have. It had 9 (3 x 3) protective pockets that were joined together and you just slid your 8.5 x 11 pages into them and it would fold up.

Something like this
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6629800.pdf

eebee
10-06-2009, 05:32 PM
9 - 3X3 pockets almost sounds like a floppy disk or CD protector for a notebook?

Sorry, I meant each of the 9 pockets (in a 3x3 layout) holds a regular 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper and they can be folded up to the size of one 8.5 x 11. I think he said he got his at DeLorme but was disappointed that they didn't carry them anymore :-(

Cano, that sounds like it might do. I'll give it a try but I would really rather have a larger map and therefore a larger area covered.

It would be nice to have a workshop at a caching event sometime for those of us trying to work this out :D

eebee
10-06-2009, 05:36 PM
Something like this
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6629800.pdf

Hey, you're good! :D That is almost it! but without the coil spine thing. It just folded up on itself.

brdad
10-06-2009, 05:39 PM
Sorry, I meant each of the 9 pockets (in a 3x3 layout) holds a regular 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper and they can be folded up to the size of one 8.5 x 11. I think he said he got his at DeLorme but was disappointed that they didn't carry them anymore :-(

Ah, I thought I was hearing something incorrectly!

hollora
10-06-2009, 06:14 PM
Hey, you're good! :D That is almost it! but without the coil spine thing. It just folded up on itself.

Yes he is!