Registered: Sep 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Posts: 14

New Guy - Best Map/Atlas ?

Hi! I'm new here. I'm awaiting arrival of my (refurb) Visor Prism.

Anyway, what is the best US Map/Atlas for my Prism? I don't need something as sophisticated as a GPS. But I would like something where I can get an over view of say a state, and then be able to drill in to city, street...similiar to what can be done in the Yahoo map site. I can plan ahead on my tirps, so I don't need ALL the US in my Visor all the time - If I plan a trip to Wisconsin, so example, I can download Wisc data before I leave on a trip.

Thanks in advance.

- Brian

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Visor Prism

Registered: Sep 2002
Location: lawrence, ks
Posts: 22

i have the magellan gps module for my prism, and it came with map companion 1.1. i used it for a road trip for the first time yesterday on a trip fr lawrence, ks to tulsa, ok. i loaded all the maps of the places between here and there that i wanted, and it worked flawlessly. i had a detailed map of tulsa with the destination preload so i had only to "follow my nose" so to speak. i've read various reviews that say there is better software, but this prog suited me quite well. i think the cd-rom is fairly pricey. (about $80 if i remember from when i was looking at the software for my gps stand-alone).

mapquest has an option send your route to a pda - i haven't tried it, but if it works, it'd be cheaper, and you wouldn't have to buy/use anything else. i'll try it this week, and post another reply.

you must download and install avantgo on your visor:

https://ami.avantgo.com/setup/specify_device.html

http://www.mapquest.com/

good luck, and let me know how it works if you get around to it before i do.

Registered: Sep 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Posts: 14

Expo,

Do you know where I could purchase the Map Campanion CD seperately?

- Brian

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Visor Prism

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Petersburg, AK
Posts: 131

Mapopolis

Although not quite as handy as Mapquest's resources I have found Mapopolis quite good. I'm somewhat fortunate though since most of my state's maps are free still. Enjoy your Prism!

Registered: Sep 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Posts: 14

zieak,

Mapapolis so far has been my leading choice. Can you tell me, elsewhere I heard that the maps expire after 9 days? Or is this just if you don't register with them.

The subscriptions did not seem too expensive to me. But I need to figure out what level of service I need. I'll try to email them about this.

- Brian

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Visor Prism

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Petersburg, AK
Posts: 131

They have "demo" maps available that are time limited. I don't know how long the limitation is though. Check those out and you get an idea of the basic maps contents. The Enhanced maps are handy with their address information too. I'd just go with the demos for a little while and see how often you'll use it. I definitely like having a map of the area whan I travel. Now if I could only download the yellow and white pages for the area too!

Registered: Sep 2002
Location: lawrence, ks
Posts: 22

map companion

i don't know what big sporting goods chains you have up there, any one of those will have map companion (and more). ask around about where the gps units are, and then ask the attendant there where the cd-roms for gps units are. you might even be able to ask for a demo to see if that's what you want.

sh

Registered: Sep 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Posts: 14

delirium,

I'll keep looking. I tried Mapopolis - but the graphics just sucked on my Prism - pretty much useless.

I wanted to try MapQuest. But it was a pain to jump thru all the hoops that wanted just to down-load a map, so I just gave up. On top of that there did not seem to be enough detail on the map I setup to really be usefull.

The GPS springboard is looking better and better.

- Brian

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Visor Prism

Registered: Sep 2002
Location: lawrence, ks
Posts: 22

i think i tried mapopolis, and i don't know if it was going to be of any use anyway.

i understand about all the hoops on mapquest - i did all that yesterday, but i still haven't really gotten to try it. from what i can tell, i think that the programs bundled with the gps unit are as good as most. i may be wrong, but they've worked well for me.

btw, how much detail are you looking for? i've seen one on the handango site (i think) that allows you to customize and add points of interest onto the supplied maps (that you've chosen) as you go (if you have the gps module) via a pulldown icon menu. i didn't get a chance to download that app - YET! i'll spend some time tomorrow and try to hunt it down. i do all of that on my laptop which went kaput last night.

even if you're not sure you'll use it, you should get the gps. i downloaded a $50 rebate form (don't remember where), bought
the gps springboard for $123.98 at wal-mart (clearance), and ended up happy as a lark. i've used it while mt. bike riding, out just goofing around, etc. i've also used it to mark fishing spotsas well as take out points for paddling adventures. it's also a great tool for your co-pilot to just goof around w/. i used it to teach my daughter (10 y.o.) about azimuth, and basic compass reading. there are so many different ways to get it to display the info you want, that i can't imagine anyone being unhappy w/ it.

sh

Registered: Sep 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Posts: 14

Delirium,

I did try a different one last night - Quo Vadis. This was actually pretty good but I have not check out how many maps they have availabable. I'm going to double check. but as I recall it is kind of pricy.

- Brian

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Visor Prism

Registered: Sep 2002
Location: lawrence, ks
Posts: 22

quid pro quo vadis

i think that i looked at that one as well, but wasn't about to put that kind of money out. i found that site when i was doing research about which gps module to buy.

if it turns out to be worth it's weight, let me know.

thanks,

sh