GPS Map-Making Software
Global positioning systems (GPS) connect us as never before. Whether you are using a portable handheld unit or navigation system in your car, you always know your location. Today's GPS units are more sophisticated and precise because of advances in the technology. A GPS is also more accessible and affordable. Most smartphones include some type of navigation software. Since GPS can track our movements, it only makes sense that we should want to share them with maps. Many options exist, each with possible uses.
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GPS Unit Software
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Handheld GPS units will often include map-making software with the unit or at an additional cost. Examples include Map Source sold by Garmin and Trimble's TerraSync. The advantage of these software programs is the seamless integration with the GPS device. Often, these types of software are entry-level programs, which are very intuitive and easy to navigate.
MapMyWalk
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MapMyWalk is one in a series of web applications built for those who want to track their training and workouts. Users can create maps on the website or import data from their Garmin GPS unit. There are free and paid memberships available. GPS maps can be printed, included with paid memberships. The advantage of this map-making software is the accessibility of your map data. The site also offers smartphone map-making software with paid memberships.
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Google Earth
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Google Earth is a free Google application for creating and viewing maps with 3D options. Users can input data they collect from their Garmin or Magellan GPS units into the program to create custom maps. It also integrates with geocaching applications through Geocaching.com. The program is slick and easy to use. Like many map-making software programs, it creates its own proprietary file format. While very attractive, the program can be a memory hog, especially on older computers.
GPSed
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GPSed is another web-based map making software that can integrate GPS data from your smartphone. The site includes software downloads for Blackberry, iPhone, and Windows Mobile devices. GPSed differs from other map-making software with the inclusion of pictures. Simply start the device when you begin your trip. Take pictures along the way with your smartphone camera. When your trip ends, all your captured data is uploaded the main website. You can modify your map and share it with others.
ArcGIS
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On the high end of the scale is ArcGIS. ArcGIS provides numerous applications for a variety of industries and city planners. This type of software takes GPS data and uses it in a geographic information system (GIS) to create maps for resource management, city parcel management, and other uses. Use of this map-making software requires knowledge of the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) programming language.
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