Free CANADA Topo Maps for GARMIN GPS'S

[gpsfun]

Go to www.ibycus.com. Download is 1.52 GB's, long time , do it over night.

[BRP Fan]

Yipe I downloaded it and installed it and it works great!!!!
I have the starter high speed and it took like 14 hours to download, but it sure was worth it!!!

[TOOTHPICK]

I downloaded this topo in Feb and I love it. I find it better than the regular topo Canada. Took a while to do it, but well worth it.

[Maxter]

I also downloaded this in Feb. Have been comparing it to mapsources Topo Canada. I have also been following along on their web forum. They have been continuously doing updates on map sections all over the country. I am still trying to determine the accuracy of it, but overall it looks Great.

[gpsfun]

Maxter, did you pick up on the one posted April 17,2008. Version 1.33?

I have been planning a trip to northern Alberta. Richardson Backcountry. and have compaired this topo with Garmin Topo Canada v2 and the Garmin sucks in this area. eg. Richardson Air Field near 57 53 082N 111 03 060W.
There is a company in Edmonton that has a DVD called Discover Canada Topo that sells for $60.00 that seems to have the same data on it as the Ibyscus, but no green color and uses the words Wetland/Watercource insted of the word Vegetation. Both are Garmin Supported in MapSource.
The Canadian Gov. have a free site, http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca that looks the same, so maybe this is where the get their Mapping Data from.

[Toban]

I just downloaded this over the weekend and it's great. it took about 3 hours and installed right into Mapsource. Very nice program from what I've played with so far. It doesn't seem to have quite the same detail as the paper maps but it's pretty close.

[Maxter]

Originally Posted by gpsfun

Maxter, did you pick up on the one posted April 17,2008. Version 1.33?

I have been planning a trip to northern Alberta. Richardson Backcountry. and have compaired this topo with Garmin Topo Canada v2 and the Garmin sucks in this area. eg. Richardson Air Field near 57 53 082N 111 03 060W.
There is a company in Edmonton that has a DVD called Discover Canada Topo that sells for $60.00 that seems to have the same data on it as the Ibyscus, but no green color and uses the words Wetland/Watercource insted of the word Vegetation. Both are Garmin Supported in MapSource.
The Canadian Gov. have a free site, http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca that looks the same, so maybe this is where the get their Mapping Data from.

Ibycus is just a young guy from Calgary, but he sure seems to grasp what all is involved. If you want to follow along and see how things have progressed etc. you can follow him on this BB forum thread at Groundspeak.com
There were many updates being done so I am only at v1.22. I will have to get a more recent file. It does explain somewhere in the thread (link above) as to what he was using and he did say that he renamed the green areas to vegetation, but cannot remember just what it was that the green originally represented in his source data.

[Powerstroke2000]

While waiting for this download, I thought I'd ask if there is a similar place to get Topo U.S.A? Or even partial topo's for the U.S.?
I have a couple of 2 GB micro SD cards, and thought I could store the Canada topo on one, and whatever else available for the U.S. on the other.

I assume these maps will work on most Garmin handheld GPS's, although I currently have the Garmin Rino 530 hcx.

Thanks.

[rayf]

works great on the rino 530hcx

[jd2210]

I'm borderline retarded when it comes to my GPS. I have a couple of 76Cx's I use for work. If I want to keep it on file I assume I need to download the DVD version and then burn that to DVD. After that what? Do I just install it right on the handheld or do I need some other software as well?

[gpsfun]

Originally Posted by jd2210

I'm borderline retarded when it comes to my GPS. I have a couple of 76Cx's I use for work. If I want to keep it on file I assume I need to download the DVD version and then burn that to DVD. After that what? Do I just install it right on the handheld or do I need some other software as well?

You do not have to do the DVD download, you can download direct, follow the download instructions.
you need to have a Garmin MapSource Software installed in/on your computer, you will not need any additional software. Just treat it as one of Garmin's MapSource Programs for installing it to the 76CX.

Bruce

[rws]

Originally Posted by jd2210

I'm borderline retarded when it comes to my GPS. I have a couple of 76Cx's I use for work. If I want to keep it on file I assume I need to download the DVD version and then burn that to DVD. After that what? Do I just install it right on the handheld or do I need some other software as well?

Just to add to what gpsfun said...

download ibycus Topo here

Open the zip file and extract it to directory of your choice...double click Setup.exe to install the topo map into Mapsource. You can then upload the topo maps to your GPS.

If you don't have a Mapsource product you can get a free copy by downloading and installing Garmin Training Center(just install it no need to run it) and then install the latest Mapsource update. You'll now have a working copy of Mapsource to use for maps, tracks, routes and waypoints.

download Training Center here

download Mapsource update here

[Maxter]

Originally Posted by rws

If you don't have a Mapsource product you can get a free copy by downloading and installing Garmin Training Center(just install it no need to run it) and then install the latest Mapsource update. You'll now have a working copy of Mapsource to use for maps, tracks, routes and waypoints.

Thats a cool trick I didn't know.

[puddle_jumper]

I was out for a ride and found a tupperware box with about 10-15 dvd copies of the Ibycus Topo V2.1 disk. Don't know how they got there..
Gps Coords:
N50 26.426'
W097 58.372'

In case someone doesn't feel like downloading for 20 hours, I figured I'd mention it.

[Falconatv]

Originally Posted by puddle_jumper

I was out for a ride and found a tupperware box with about 10-15 dvd copies of the Ibycus Topo V2.1 disk. Don't know how they got there..
Gps Coords:
N50 26.426'
W097 58.372'

In case someone doesn't feel like downloading for 20 hours, I figured I'd mention it.

Sounds like you found a "Geocache"
http://www.geocaching.com/
If it was one it was left in the spot you found it by someone who should have included instructions of what it is if found by a "muggle" AKA-noncacher

"Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment."

[rws]

Originally Posted by Falconatv

Sounds like you found a "Geocache"
http://www.geocaching.com/
If it was one it was left in the spot you found it by someone who should have included instructions of what it is if found by a "muggle" AKA-noncacher

"Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment."

Sounds more like he placed a Geocache....

[FREAKING LOST]

I need help....I downloaded the ibycus torrent.......But when I try and burn it on to disk ......no work for me.....is it possibly a bad download? It comes up with some error code.....I am green at this stuff.....If some one could help I would Appreciate it thank you. I do have nero. amd it has worked for me other times. Must be just a silly thing.....I have lots of time to learn THANX IN ADVANCE.

[FREAKING LOST]

Whoops I just had Nero set to save image.....Not burn.....Burning now.

[timbo143]

I came across this thread when searching for sources of topo maps for my new Garmin Montana 600 Handheld GPS (my 1st ... bought myself as a pre-retirement gift). Found it very helpful so joined Trackshare.com forums.
Just wanted to say Thanks

[TOOTHPICK]

Welcome aboard.