I just upgraded from the Garmin western Canada topos to the Backroads Mapbooks setup, I'm impressed. The detail is completely different. I was having issues before occasionally with roads missing, or the map showing me several hundred metres (or even km's) away from the proper road. The topo and waterways detail seems to be the same, but trails and roads are in much more detail and the Backroads maps shows the smaller side roads that the Garmin maps usually don't. Well worth the $150 if you're looking to run good detailed GPS maps. LR

 

Yep. If you're just interested in the main FSRs, then Topo Canada is fine and a much better value. But for REAL exploring, you really owe it to yourself to spend the extra bucks and get the Backroad Mapbooks product. And like I mentioned in the article, the points of interest really add another level of enjoyment to your 'wheeling trips.

...lars

 

I bought the SD card version to use in my Nuvi as my hand held unit is very basic. So far I am very happy with my purchase. The level of detail is great and you can zoom in to about 20 meters. The only negative thing is that the Nuvi (at least mine - a 250) does not do routing, so you can't create a route in Mapsource and down load it to the unit. You can upload and download waypoints though. You also have the option of which maps to use on the Nuvi - turn both on and it is information overload on the screen! I just keep the backroads map off when in the city and vice versa when off road. When you buy the SD version it also allows you to download a copy to Mapsource as well. I like the big screen of the Nuvi as well. Great product!

Derek

 

I bought the SD card version to use in my Nuvi as my hand held unit is very basic. So far I am very happy with my purchase. The level of detail is great and you can zoom in to about 20 meters. The only negative thing is that the Nuvi (at least mine - a 250) does not do routing, so you can't create a route in Mapsource and down load it to the unit.

Really? I assumed that all the car-mount GPS units could do routing. In fact, yours MUST do routing, at least with its built-in maps, right?

BTW, the way Garmin handles routing between Mapsource and the GPS unit is this: if you create a route in Mapsource, all it will upload to the GPS are the points in the route. So, at a minimum, you'll have the start and end points of the route. If you include any via waypoints on your route, those will be uploaded as well. What it won't do is upload the actual turn-by-turn information. That means it's always the GPS unit itself that has to calculate the turn-by-turn instructions of a route, even if you create the route on Mapsource. I'm just pointing this out as a bit of trivia.

...lars

 

I guess I should have worded that differently. The Nuvi does not remember tracks as you move unlike my hand held. It does routes using the map info in the unit, like take me from where I am to Squamish etc. I tried creating a route in Mapsource from an FSR to Jane Lakes. Mapsource calculates the route using main roads and then a straight line from the end of the closed main road to the end waypoint. Even changing the setings in Mapsource it won't used the "unclassified roads" to get to the destination. Am I doing something wrong? If I want to plan a trip from A to B I guess the easiest way would be to just mark a waypoint at every turn and upload all the waypoints? Also I should add that I don't have the City Navigator map in Mapsource, only the Backroads map and the base map that comes with the program.

Derek

 

It does routes using the map info in the unit, like take me from where I am to Squamish etc. I tried creating a route in Mapsource from an FSR to Jane Lakes. Mapsource calculates the route using main roads and then a straight line from the end of the closed main road to the end waypoint. Even changing the setings in Mapsource it won't used the "unclassified roads" to get to the destination. Am I doing something wrong?

No. It doesn't appear that Mapsource will use unclassified roads as part of its navigation solution, and that makes sense to me since it doesn't know if those roads are suitable for a vehicle or not.

If I want to plan a trip from A to B I guess the easiest way would be to just mark a waypoint at every turn and upload all the waypoints? Also I should add that I don't have the City Navigator map in Mapsource, only the Backroads map and the base map that comes with the program.

Yeah, if you can't load track logs into your Nuvi, that you pretty much have to create a bunch of waypoints. I guess a waypoint at each intersection or turn-off.

...lars

 

just compared the firt region you had in your article with magellan software and its very simillar to the garmin version. sure looks like the backroad mapbook offers much more detail.

 

Looks like a fantastic little tool. I find for where I go and what I do the Backroads Book is very reliable but this just steps it up and if I can work it into my Nuvi great.

 

Hey guys, I'm going to make an update to the article. The database of POI's that Backroad Mapbooks created is in the TourGuide POI format and that format is only supported by a small-ish number of Garmin units. Some of the Nuvi's and other car-based units support it, but, afaik, none of the handhelds do. I found a list of units (dated 2007) which support the TourGuide POI format: nüvi™, zūmo™, and the StreetPilot® c550, 2730, 2820, 7200 and 7500.


...lars

 

Hey guys, I'm going to make an update to the article. The database of POI's that Backroad Mapbooks created is in the TourGuide POI format and that format is only supported by a small-ish number of Garmin units. Some of the Nuvi's and other car-based units support it, but, afaik, none of the handhelds do. I found a list of units (dated 2007) which support the TourGuide POI format: nüvi™, zūmo™, and the StreetPilot® c550, 2730, 2820, 7200 and 7500.

I was just trying to figure out where the POI info was. That sucks. Is there some way to convert that info?

 

Got a reply from Backroad Mapbooks. They said they're working on it right now, and it might be available as early as next week.

...lars

 

So these maps being viewed in MapSource, are they the same quality as the ones you can load in to OziExplorer? The $49 CDs? It's impossible to find an example of the quality on their site, but if those screenshots you posted are the same, I might invest in the digital editions.

If enough people start using either the computer-based or mapsource based versions we can really start trading waypoints and POIs.

Also, they don't state which Garmin units support the maps - I know some Garmins don't allow certain maps to be loaded (mostly the older ones, though).

And I also just noticed they have 2nd editions of most of BC now. Spiffy!

 

So these maps being viewed in MapSource, are they the same quality as the ones you can load in to OziExplorer? The $49 CDs? It's impossible to find an example of the quality on their site, but if those screenshots you posted are the same, I might invest in the digital editions.

The only difference is that the digitally scanned ones you're referring to have the points of interest that can be viewed in Ozi et al. The GPS maps version has the POI's in a format that only a select few Garmin models and software can view.

Road detail, water detail, topography detail are the same.

If enough people start using either the computer-based or mapsource based versions we can really start trading waypoints and POIs.

Also, they don't state which Garmin units support the maps - I know some Garmins don't allow certain maps to be loaded (mostly the older ones, though).

And I also just noticed they have 2nd editions of most of BC now. Spiffy!

Basically, any units that supports user-uploadable maps will supports these maps. Some features of the maps won't be supported, though. For instance, my 60CSx won't display the POI's (well, it won't display most of them...it does display campsites) or 3D contour shading.

...lars

 

Further to the last question...

I just booted up my digital edition of the Backroads Mapbooks maps...they don't have contour lines. Maybe the newer edition does? Also, the Backroads Mapbooks GPS maps version has more roads but my digital edition maps are probably old.

...lars

 

I hunted all over the city today looking for the B.C SD Version but with no luck, everybody sold out even the DVD Version so I ordered online. Looking forward to trying it out and according to the folks at Deakins it should work just fine with my Nuvi 265WT but I'm wondering if I'll still get that sexy voice telling me how to get there "turn left on decommissioned road now" .

 

just bought the cariboo edition sdcard cuz of this thread...waaaaaaay more detailed than garmin topo canada.

 

Just got word from Backroad Mapbooks; the POI's that come with the GPS Maps products are now available in Custom POI format, so those of us with older units (and/or Mapsource) can view the data. The download is only available to registered customers. Go to this link: http://www.backroadmapbooks.com/shop/account/

Instructions are as follows:

Once you sign in you will have to click the RED “Customer Login/Account info” button again which will take you to your account information menu. Under “My GPS Products” click on “To check my products” which will take you to your registered products page. Click on the appropriate product (e.g. British Columbia – SD) which is to the left of the green “Mapsource Version” button.



The next screen allows you to download the file.

...lars

 

Got to try it out yesterday, we went up north of Squampton towards the Elaho and then into the Ashlu. I used it in my 60CSx and my Nuvi good detail and some of the trails that popped up on screen I wouldn't have expected to be there. Must remember to use my glasses more, you forget when ya get older.

 

Thanks for the reply, Lars. Basically, I want to use a laptop with the same quality/shading/POIs that are illustrated in the screenshots you took of the maps being viewed in that program. If I could get those exact maps in Ozi or some similar app, I'll certainly make that purchase. Maybe I should email Backroads Mapbooks, because they have a couple different digital versions, I just want to make sure I get whatever is best.

 

They do have the contour shading. I just contacted them. As for the POI's, they will definitely have them...even their 1st edition Digital Map products had them.

You can see some of their samples here:
http://www.backroadmapbooks.com/shop/pages/digital-editions-features-benefits-pv-c-32.html

...lars

 

its funny how it shows my and neighbor's driveways as UNCLASSIFIED ROADS, lol.

there is a spring in the back corner of my 12acres that is a foot wide, shows that too.

are some snowmobile/quad trails mixed up with walking trails, but no biggie, and some arent even show, which I dont mind, the less traffic the better.

only gripe is having to DL the mapsource, out in the bush its not possible to DL 1.3g file on dialup, so did it at the coffee shop in town, but took 3 tries, shut down twice at 400mb...

just make it available in the box you buy, you have to go online to get the genkey.

 

OK, I'm goinna throw in a bit of an updated review from my experience with the maps. I've been up in Tulameen for the last week setting up geocaches with Jordy and Kris (errr.. while Jordy's been stuck working! Poor guy) so I've been using the maps a lot all over the whole Princeton general area. The detail on the Mapbooks version is awesome.. However the ATV and sled routes are highlighted and it wipes out the trails/roads (trying to find the Ashnola Traverse amongst the mass of new logging up there). For this reason I like the layout of the Garmin maps. If I could turn off the highlighting then the backroads Mapbooks would be a whole lot better when navigating through motorized recreation areas. LR

Edit: One more issue I forgot to mention. The Garmin topos show logging/FSR roads as 'roads' usually, and typically have the main roads named. I'm finding that that Backroad maps show/draw them basically the same as trails, often calling them 'unclassified/unknown' roads even when they're main haul roads. Since I have both the Garmin and Backroads maps on SD card, I'm seriously considering throwing the Garmin maps back in to my truck GPS unit and keeping the Backroads version saved for a portable GPS unit I can mount on my ATV. They definitely seem to be more recreation orientated rather than navigation orientated. I guess there's good and bad with that, but I find that its not suitable (at least with my Nuvi) for navigating in the truck.

I've been impressed with the Backroads Mapbook detail (it even shows driveways!) but I find the detail's too overkill a lot of times, and its not the same format as in the map books. It shows everything from driveways to hiking trails to FSRs as the same (dashed line). I guess the best way I can say it is that they're trying to show too much of the small detail and they forgot to show the important stuff like logging roads in clearer detail. I think the layout of the Garmin maps with the extra trail information of the Backroads version would be the best. I tried following the Backroads map with the GPS version when we were slogging through the freshly logged area on top of Placer Mtn, and I found that they weren't flowing together nice enough to make clear sense when it mattered most (it was a slightly time sensitive day). My .02 on the matter. LR

 

i used the book religiously, and i went through a few copys on my adventures. i love the gps version too, but still take the paper copy with me. It is better for seeing the big picture. i have actually started printing the maps i need from the digital version and leaving the whole book at home. with my etrex, i can also load different basemaps and switch between the two. i stopped using the garmin topo maps when i switched to one called ibycus. they are better than the garmin maps and best of all, totally free. it is a big download though. both the ibycus and anything from backroads map books are great products. my .02

 

Is there even a DVD version for upload on GPS that dont have SD cards? ALL stores and the online shop only has the SDversion

 

Tx, try contacting Backroad Mapbooks directly. They could sell you one or point you to someone who can.

...lars