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Reviews > Software > Topographic Mapping > Magellan MapSend Topo Mapping Software > Owner Review by Shane Steinkamp
The Magellan MapSend Topo Mapping Software is manufactured by: Thales Navigation. WEB: www.thalesnavigation.com or www.magellangps.com YEAR OF MANUFACTURE: Unknown. Copyright 2002.
I have run the software on both Windows 2000, and Windows XP Pro operating systems. In all cases, my systems meet or exceed the Recommended Requirements. The MapSend Topo Software will work with any Magellan GPS unit capable of accepting detail map uploads. This Owner Review was written as part of my Magellan SporTrak Topo reports, and those reports should be referred to for some understanding of the functionality of the GPS unit. I am an able navigator, and I have successfully gone out and back without the use of GPS technology or digital mapping software. This is my first foray into digital mapping software. In the process of testing the Magellan SporTrak Topo GPS unit, I've run at least 20 sets of batteries through it, and I have long since lost track of the amount of time I have run it on the car plug. I have carried it through eight states (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina) and collected over 7,000 miles (11,265 km) of telemetry using the unit. I have used it for highway travel, trail walking, bushwhacking, mapmaking, boating, geocaching and to locate National Geodetic Survey Markers. In all of this the MapSend software has been used to plan trips, upload detail map data to the GPS; create, manage, upload, and download waypoints and routes; to download and examine tracks and their associated telemetry, to make maps, and to look for promising areas for exploration. INSTALLATION Installation of the software is exceedingly simple. Following a few onscreen prompts causes the software to install itself. TAKING A TEST DRIVE The first thing I did was to install and start the software and to familiarize myself with the controls. Both keyboard and mouse controls are provided for most features. I will avoid detailing the controls of the user interface. Magellan provides the manual on their website, and no useful purpose would be served by replicating that information in this report. The help section is very easy to understand, simple, and brief; and the user interface is intuitive and friendly. I never actually referred to the help section until I started writing this report. I will, instead focus on the usefulness of the software and its interface with the SporTrak Topo unit. I will say that the software interface isn't entirely 'clean'. As a software designer myself, I notice these little things. As none of this affects the functionality of the software itself, I will simply note that things could be a little neater and move on. DATA HARMONY A GPS unit is a servant that answers the question, "Where am I?" In addition, the SporTrak Topo unit has mapping and tracking features that interface with the MapSend Topo software. The Magellan SporTrak Topo provides a level of functionality above simply providing data wealth by translating that data into graphical outputs in the form of on screen maps, elevation profiles, track profiles, and terrain projections. The MapSend Topo software can be used to provide the GPS unit with a much more detailed map than is available from the basemap built into the unit. Additionally, the MapSend Topo software can be used to download and analyze the telemetry captured by the GPS unit. The father of general semantics, Alford Korzybski stated, "A map is not the territory it represents, but if correct, it has a similar structure to the territory, which accounts for its usefulness". While Al was speaking metaphorically about something else, his words are applicable to our subject. If our map is sufficiently detailed, and our position accurately represented, our map will have significant usefulness. If our map is insufficient, and/or our position not accurately represented, then it may be useless. The more detailed and accurate it is, the more useful it will be. It will be necessary to examine each of these functions in turn, and see how detailed and accurate they are. In all honesty, I have not been entirely thrilled with the accuracy of the MapSend maps. I will also admit in all honesty and fairness that I might be nit-picking, but I will lay out my findings and let the reader decide. CONNECTING TO THE GPS UNIT The SporTrak Topo unit comes with a 9 pin serial cable for connecting the unit to a PC. My primary use was on an IBM laptop computer which does not have a 9 pin serial connector. In order to connect the unit, I purchased an IOGEAR USB 9 Pin Serial Adapter, which has worked flawlessly between the systems. Once connected to the PC, all upload and download functions are handled through the MapSend software. FUNCTIONS The primary functions of the MapSend software have to do with handling Waypoints, Routes, Tracks (and Trackpoints), and Regions. Trackpoints
Trackpoints are saved by the SporTrack along the route of travel. Simplistically, track points allow me to do complex things like build trail maps and simple things like backtracking the way you I came. Essentially, Trackpoints are automatic temporary Waypoints. Once uploaded to the MapSend software, the track appears as a yellow line. (See above image.) The image is of my track along the Clear Springs (Talley) Trail. The track has 707 individual data points, covering 10.166 miles (16.360 km). The Control Center is visible in the right frame of the screen, and provides the user with several fun, interesting, and useful tools. Tracks can be loaded from saved files, saved to a file, uploaded and downloaded from the GPS unit, deleted, modified, and searched. The control panel shows the coordinates and elevation of each recorded trackpoint. The track can be played back in real time by using the VCR like controls to play, stop, rewind, and fast forward. While the playback is running, the heading, average speed, time, and trip distance covered are displayed. The playback can be played back in real time, or at advanced rates set by the user. I can actually watch my virtual self walk the virtual trail in real time. Where I stopped for a break, the icon stops and takes a break for as long as I took my break. 'Cool' is probably the best way to describe this... The elevation profile is also shown in the grid. In the image above, observe the elevation grid in the lower right corner of the screen view. There was a lot of up and down during this trip. I really liked this feature, especially for map making. Using the built-in Print function, maps can be printed straight from the screen display.
Waypoints A waypoint is a point along the way. Catchy, isn't it? A waypoint is a point on a map that can be named and saved in a file or uploaded to the GPS's memory. Waypoints created by the GPS unit can likewise be downloaded to the software. Waypoints are primarily used for creating routes. A waypoint is entered into the receiver’s memory by entering data, editing data, calculating data (projecting) or saving a current position. A waypoint is created in the MapSend software by calling the Place Waypoint function. Think of a waypoint as a point of interest such as a trailhead, a town, basecamp, or an interesting geological feature - but they can be anything, even just a point in the middle of nowhere. In the image above, I have loaded my waypoint set for the Clear Springs (Talley) Trail. I have bridges noted as 'B#'; Mile Markers, Water Sources, the parking lot, and even where I left the car are all noted. The next time I want to go to Clear Springs, I can just upload my waypoints and tell the unit to take me to any of them. Waypoints can be created with various symbols, and edited, deleted, renamed, and even moved. Waypoints will also print out, so that's another tool for mapping.
A route is often referred to as a GOTO route. It is simply a plot from one point to another. The simplest route has a starting point and a single destination point: I am here and I want to GO TO there. All that is required to create a GOTO route is having the destination waypoint. This waypoint can be one that has been saved earlier (which is stored in the User Waypoint List) or any of the landmarks that come with the SporTrak in its built-in database. Whether the route is a simple GOTO or a more complex multi-leg route, it needs stored waypoints to use as its starting and destination point. If it is a multi-leg route, then each leg must have terminating waypoints. There are actually three routes saved in the above image. They are all denoted by the blue lines. Routes are covered in some detail in my SporTrak Topo review. Routes are of no practical use inside the software, but will print out on the maps if desired.
Regions Regions are selected areas of the detailed maps contained in the MapSend Topo software that can be uploaded to the GPS unit in order to increase the level of detail within the selected region. In the above image, I have created a region called La-Ms-Al (Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama). It is denoted by the green outline. Any number of regions can be created, but only four can be uploaded to the GPS unit, and the total size of the regions cannot exceed the GPS unit's memory space. THE MAPS The MapSend Topo roadmaps are very detailed, but slightly dated - and that is actually to be expected. I did find several roads, the vast majority being new construction, that were not noted on the maps. This is not troubling to me. Any map is actually outdated by the time it is printed, and digital maps are no exception. What is more troubling is that I found some instances of roads, railroads, and other features that do not exist in reality and have never existed. On top of that, the maps are not entirely accurate in terms of features and points of interest. This can cause significant errors in small scale navigation on the ground. I have provided some examples below.
The maps are useful, but they are flawed. At low zoom levels no flaws are apparent. (B-1) However, at higher zoom levels the position indicator is rarely on the road as I drive along. In fact, at high zoom levels, several errors are apparent. Referencing the table above: A-1: Interstate 10 through Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The west bound lane obviously doesn't do that... A-2: Earhart Expressway off ramp in Jefferson Louisiana. The track is off - and hence the reported position on the map - by 422 ft (128.6 m) It should be noted that the unit is reporting a nearly perfect position when plotted on a USGS paper map, but the overlay with the maps in the unit and the maps in the Mapsend Topo product is obviously imperfect. A-3: Clear Springs Mississippi. While bushwhacking, I set a waypoint to the road using the map screen. And, as evidenced by the track, missed the road by 175 ft (53 m). Plotting the coordinates on a USGS paper map proves that the SporTrak Topo is reporting the coordinates correctly, but they are not being translated to the onboard map or being translated by the MapSend Topo software accurately. B-3: Interstate 10 across Mobile Bay in Alabama. The taken waypoint, and associated track, puts me 264 ft (80.45 m) off the bridge and into the bay. If I were navigating the bay in a boat in a heavy fog, 264 ft (80.45 m) is obviously a dangerous error. At the time, the unit was reporting 3 meter accuracy - and plotting the waypoint on a paper map proves that the coordinates are on the bridge, but they aren't plotted properly on the electronic map.
Here is one example that is typical. Santa Rosa Island in Florida. Observe Santa Rosa Blvd coming in from the left, and then stopping. The pickup point is 34 ft (10.4 m) due south, and the road continues. Obviously the road doesn't do that. The road is contiguous. If the bottom of the island in the image is examined, there is a shoreline shift that is identical to the road shift - 34 ft (10.4 m). This shift does not exist and is an artifact of (I'm pretty sure) two maps being 'stitched' together. Moving 22 mi (35.4 km) due west along the map reveals another similar shift. It's quite easy to find them by following roads. There are places where these errors seem to be cumulative, causing the error to be as great as 0.19 mi (0.31 km) in the worst case I experienced. Admittedly these errors are small, and when navigating over a distance of several miles, they have little impact. While backpacking, however, these small errors can be very important. It can mean the difference between finding a water source in the dark and not finding it, for instance. These small errors are legion, and must be allowed for when using the maps to navigate over relatively short distances. I missed a road by 422 ft (129 m) in easy terrain and this was no big deal. 422 ft (129 m) in bad terrain - and bad weather - could put me over a cliff. Bottom line: I do not trust the map at small scales, and sometimes it fails to be a useful reference. The topo map is similarly flawed, but again the differences are small. The topo maps are not very detailed, and I have included a side by side comparison of a USGS map (on the left) and the MapSend Topo map (on the right). I have found many inaccuracies in the contour lines, and to make matters worse, the contour scale seems to change - and the contour lines shift - when the zoom level is changed on the map screen of the GPS unit. As one example, the thin gray line that comes down the center of the MapSend Topo map and runs right through the middle of the lake is a 300 ft (90 m) contour line. There is obviously no such contour in the middle of a lake! In the Santa Rosa Island image above, the contour line visible as a faint gray line likewise does not exist. Santa Rosa Island is a 'desert island' and is mostly flat with a few dunes.
A more detailed descripton of this issue can be found in Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd's Magellan SporTrak Color Field Report. As I said above, it is very possible that I'm nit-picking, but I don't find the maps accurate for small scale navigation - anything less than about a mile (1.6 km). Of course the question arises, "Well, what WOULD be satisfactory?" I don't honestly know. I do appreciate that you can't squeeze cheese out of a rock, and that nothing - least of all a map - is perfect. The unit is capable of resolving a position down to an accuracy of three meters. In my opinion, it would be really nice if the map plotting was accurate to within that distance as well. I still like the MapSend Topo software, and I use it quite often, but I don't trust it, and I make allowances for that lack of trust. I wouldn't use it as my sole navigation map in heavy terrain to be certain, and it isn't good enough to navigate off road flawlessly in places I have never been before. The MapSend maps do not replace my paper maps at all, but do augment them considerably, and the mapping feature makes it easier to mark the paper maps because it will at least put me in the ballpark of where I need to make my marks. Someone more knowledgeable about all this than I is probably saying, "Well, of course, you idiot! That's what it's for!", and maybe it is. It isn't, however, what I expected when I got the unit based on Magellan's claims - but I will readily admit that my expectations were probably higher than the current state of technology can provide at the current cost of the MapSend software. On pure hearsay, I understand that some other Magellan mapping software products do not experience these shifts. Magellan's explanation for these problems is found in the Appendix of the manual: "Position on map is not exactly on the road. It could be caused by distance shifts to the map. Use map data for reference and do not rely completely on it." I don't know what 'distance shifts to the map' means exactly, but if it means that the maps simply aren't as good as they might be, then I'll accept that. Magellan's response to inquiries is: "Thank you for your inquiry. We are in the process of evaluating new resources for our mapping data. We do not have an update available at this time. We are currently evaluating different mapping data sources for near future updates. Unfortunately the problem you have described is not a simple update that can be downloaded from the Internet. The type of update you will need would be to the mapping database and not to the software application. This type of an update will need to be distributed on a CD-ROM. Our current plan is to provide map database updates in the future, please register your product online to receive information on any updates. Thank you for choosing Magellan Have a great day." Hector Flores Technical These errors aside, I am pleased with the functionality of the MapSend Topo software, and I would not buy a GPS unit without some kind of software like this. Maybe maps are for suckers, but I'm one of the suckers... The software is particularly useful for trip planning. Two weeks after receiving it, my first trip with the SporTrak unit was from New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, to Greensboro, North Carolina, USA - a round trip distance of approximately 1,800 mi (2,900 km). I very carefully set waypoints along the Interstate and then detailed my route, including a turn by turn route to my destination once I reached Greensboro. I mounted the unit on my dashboard using the car mount and plugged it into the cigarette lighter using the external power cord. I left the paper maps at home in the spirit of experimentation. From the start, the small shifts in the maps was confusing. After some getting used to these small errors, my navigation was much more successful. The detail of some features in the map is impressive. We took a trip to Houston, Texas, USA, to visit family. Again I loaded the detail maps out of MapSend Topo and used it while driving. I noticed that even small stock ponds were shown on the map. I had no trouble with the route, and although I had never been to Granny's new house, the unit led us right to it with no problem. A week later I used the SporTrak to navigate my way in the dark through Homochitto National Forest in Mississippi to the Clear Springs Campground and the Talley Creek Trail trailhead. By this time I was very much used to the shifts and plotting errors in the map and was able to compensate for them perfectly. I arrived without incident and used the SporTrak to find an old campsite in the dark. It was on continuously in order to make a map of the Talley Trail, and that is where some of the above examples are pulled from. As can be seen from the above maps, my little mapping project went quite well. I was able to mark bridges, trail splits, campsites, mile markers, road crossings, and several other important features. I found the topo maps to be quite basic, but the road maps were fairly good. Even forest service roads were marked fairly well. Some features are not as detailed as they could be - especially water features. Many rivers and streams are noted by nothing more than a single line when in reality they can be many yards (meters) wide. I am fairly happy with the Magellan MapSend Topo software, but I really wish that the maps were just a little better. THINGS I LIKE 1. Very easy to use. User friendly. 1. Map errors. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES I have prepared a list of additional resources for those wishing to learn more about Global Positioning Technology (GPS) and other fun stuff to do with GPS units that is beyond the scope of this report. This is hosted on my own hiking website and are not a part of this report. *** Thank you for your time. Shane Steinkamp Read more reviews of Thales Navigation gear Read more gear reviews by Shane Steinkamp Reviews > Software > Topographic Mapping > Magellan MapSend Topo Mapping Software > Owner Review by Shane Steinkamp | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
I have a
theory to explain this, and having collected and studied quite a lot of telemetry, I
think I'm right. No large map is a single map. Large maps are
made up of smaller maps, and the basemaps in the SporTrak are no
exception. Where the maps 'stitch' together, inaccuracies occur.
There is an almost predictable pattern at times.
To make matters worse, the overlay of the topo map over the
roads map is usually off, causing points of interest and other landmark
features to be shown on the map where they obviously are not. Travel
across the southeastern United States proved to me that this is not a local
problem. I have found the topo maps useful in only a basic way, and
I do not entirely trust them. The image to the left shows Mount Ann
in Massachusetts. The contour lines are easy to distinguish.
The Summit icon is obviously NOT at the summit, and is in fact off by
almost 200 feet (70 m).