Mac-compatible program to store and view GPS waypoints

Hey everybody,

I'm looking for info regarding what you all use to store GPS waypoints. I'd guess that a good number of you use computer mapping programs to catalog and store GPS coordinates for shooting locations. I'm thinking about getting a program to do this on my laptop. Hopefully something with road and topo capabilities. I don't want or need to buy a hand-held GPS unit yet, nor do I have any desire to geotag my photographs.

All I'm looking for is a simple, straightforward program that lets me save locations, and view them on both street and topo maps. Does this exist? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
-Alex

Sounds like what you could use is Google Maps. Create your own and add your own "waypoints". It's pretty easy to do - and you can obtain the GPS coordinates from Google Maps to add your own points. You can access it, print it, and share it on the net.

Just a suggestion.

I have that, and I have a handheld GPS. I installed topographic maps on the WinXP VM machine and converted them for exporting into my Mac. From there I use Garmin's software for recording locations, and for planning hikes with the family.

Just out of curiosity, what good are long/lat co-ordinates if you don't have the hardware to find them? You can buy mapping DVDs from Garmin and simply use them on your computer. These aren't inexpensive; however. A topo map of the U.S. is about $120 and a North America City Map is about $100.

I checked with a geologist who is a fellow Mac-ophile. He uses GPS linking to photos extensively in support of his tracing and mapping of faults all over the world, while also displaying them in a number of ways directly onto maps. A whole lot of data is tagged to the GPS coordinates along with the photos. It works so well that he's able to print maps with overlayed photos of such quality that he's able to use them directly from his computer in publications.

Come to find out, at least a year ago there was no Mac software that met his professional need for GPS tagging to photos. As a result he owns a PC exclusively for the software to do the work. He uses his iBook for everything else, but has to lug the PC as well.

He needs to upgrade his iBook and is investigating Macbook Pro and software at this moment. So far he has concluded the best solution for him may be using the twin processor feature to allow running the PC software on a Mac.

The program he's using would meet your needs admirably (I forgot to ask what it is), but it may also be more than you need. If you have the capability of running PC software, it would open doors. He said there are several programs available.

Thanks for the helpful responses so far! Here's what I have to say:

David,

I've thought about doing that, but the only drawback is that I can't access Google Maps without an internet connection. It'd be absolutely perfect if Google had some way of making it downloadable like Google Earth or something. Maybe one day..

Robert,

I've looked at the Garmin DVD's and they don't run on Mac, so that wouldn't work for me. There are a few reasons I want to start storing coordinates now. I am a visual person, and moderately obsessive compulsive when it comes to photo stuff . I like the idea of being able to see everything on a map. I do have the hardware to find some of them. I can use coordinates for trailheads, roadside locations, and birding spots by simply plugging them in to my automobile's GPS. Ultimately, though, I plan to purchase a Garmin Oregon unit...Just not too soon. It can be used with topo and road maps, in the car, and on foot.

Hank,
I COULD run boot camp on my Mac and use a windows program. That seems like what I'll have to do if no other options pan out for me. I'd prefer not to, but if it's the only way, then I'm gonna do it, in which case I'd likely buy the Garmin programs. I do believe they may be a bit more than I currently need, but I could grow into it, so to speak.

Garmin's software - you can get Garmin Roadtrip which runs on the Mac. I have it. For Garmin's GPS it came with MapSource (PC-only). I also got the U.S. topographic maps from Garmin (PC - not Mac) and installed them on the WinXP VM (I run Fusion on my McPro). Garmin offers a map converter which allows me to convert the topographic maps to files that I can install in RoadTrip. Now - since I have Fusion and WinXP on the same machine I didn't have to do that - I could just stick with the WinXP software.


National Geographic also has topographic maps for a lot of the U.S. I saw them over at L.L. Bean the other day. Not sure if they are Mac-compatible or if they would install on the Garmin GPS. My guess is that the maps would be installable onto the GPS since the map formats are standardized to some degree I believe.

You can also check out the Geocaching forums (free accounts). There you can find some good deals on used (and sometimes new) GPS units.

FYI: Here is a screenshot of the topographic map in RoadTrip. This shot happens to show Shenandoah National Park around the Skyland area.

Alex -

I'm not completely clear what you are after, but I am a big fan of MacGPS by James & Associates. A great product, terrific support, good guys and a long track record (sorry for any pun). I use it extensively for breeding bird surveys with my wife, nest locations and backpacking. I'd urge you to take a look at it. Larry James is very good about answering any questions.

Hey Jim,

You can report back to the MacGPS folks that your post resulted in a sale. I passed on your remarks to my geologist friend, and after reviewing the site, he slapped plastic. His only remaining problem is with the software for GPS capable pocket cameras. The newest Nikon software for geotagging photos is PC-only.

Does anyone know of alternative software for Nikon that will work with Mac? Or should he move on to another brand of camera with Mac-compatible GPS tagging software?

Jim, that's what I've been looking for for a long time. I just "slapped plastic" myself and it's downloading now.

Thanks!

Alex, that's interesting because I checked the Garmin website before posting and they said available for either Mac or Windoze. At least the topo map was. Maybe the road map isn't.

Hank,

the latest version of ViewNX does allow you to geo tag your photos on the Mac. Not the fastest but quite easy to do if you have only a few images to do.

As for tagging photos on the Mac here is what I do:

-make sure my Garmin GPS and camera have their time synchronised (close anyway)
-take my GPS with me when taking photos
-take photos
-back at the computer, download photos and track log to Mac
-run GPSPhotoLinker with the track log and then pointing to the photos
-now my photos are geo-tagged

The latest version GPSPhotoLinker only works on OS X 10.5.x but there is an earlier version for 10.4.x. The software is donation-ware, so if you get some use of the program, donate to the developer.

cheers,

André

Thanks Andre!

I'll pass your procedure along to my friend. He's off to New Guinea next week, so I'm betting it will be after his return two weeks later that he gets around to trying it. I'll probably put the two of you in touch if he has questions.

I thought folks would be interested in what my geologist friend had to say after buying MacGPS Pro on Jim's recommendation:

"I bought the MacGPS Pro today and downloaded it. I am still figuring
out all the bells and whistles, but it is a good program for
downloading GPS data as text files, or plotting GPS data on a variety
of map bases including USGS topo which are free, or even on Google
Earth images. It is at least as good as good or better than the Garman
mapping software that works only on a PC, and a lot cheaper - $59..
Thanks for the tip. It even has the capability to reference New Guinea
maps, although I have to buy that map software - $75. It will be very
useful for me. It can not do the photos directly, but can indirectly
link the photos with maps using the time stamp method like
GPSPhotolink. I take thousands of waypoints each year in my work, and
keeping them sorted out is a real challenge. Being able to do it on a
map is great. Retire the PC."

Wow, fabulous information! Just what I have been looking for to help with a project I am about to begin! Thanks so much.

I haven't been able to find any free electronic USGS topo maps. Only pay sites, including the USGS itself. Anybody want to help me out?

I'll check with my friend, Steve. Phone's tied up at the moment, and it sounds like a long conversation is under way!

Here is the site where he's getting the maps for Alaska. He said to check here for the rest of the country and purchase or free downloads.

Thanks, buddy.

I'm glad I could help. I hope everyone gets as much use out of and enjoys MacGPS as much as I do.