I found this program called USPhotoMaps. It's a program that downloads map images from Microsofts TerraServer. The best thing of all is it's free and it integrates with a GPS. You can load Topo maps, Satellite images, and in some areas color high definition Urban maps (Greater Seattle is covered). There are also a few utilities that can be used with it to help download regional data, obtain landmark data, and elevation data. This is the coolest free software of it's kind I have found yet, and the latest revision is 12-19-2004, very current.

You can locate the areas you want to go to on a topo map, create a waypoint and upload them to your GPS. Fun times with the GPS I got for Christmas!

Here's the link -> >> JDMCOX Software <<

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with JDM Software nor do I obtain any benefit by supplying a link to this site.

I just found that today and was planning to download it tonight. Have you tried uploading the maps to the GPS yet? What model are you using?

great subject. if the maps are windows biitmaps then you can use them in a freeware chart plotter program called seaclear. you can find it at http://www.sping.com

USAPhotoMaps is rock. I've used it for the last couple years now.

Here's a great freebie to go along with it: EasyGPS . Do yourself a favor & grab it now. In addition, I have State files for it with tons of landmarks, etc. PM & I'll make them available for you.

Degree/Minute/Second Converter is a must have in any GPS toolbox. It converts to/from different formats which REALLY comes in handy when your unit & any programs you like to use together displays in disparate formats.

I've got some other programs for astronomy like Sunrise/Sunset calculators etc.. Just call me Mr. Utility. I'll be happy to answer any questions, search, or try to provide utilities for your use. I don't program anymore but if I ever need anything, I'll download 6 or 7 5-STAR programs, install them all, & throw away all but 1 or 2. Ease of use, small memory footprint, practical, nice standard interface, etc are all requirements I adhere to. Free is good too ;P

Have fun!

So far I don't think you can upload the maps, which is what I was originally after, but you can load the waypoints you develop in the program onto your GPS, and that's half the battle right there. Combine the way points with a laptop and your GPS and this is crazy cool but then I'm a GPS neophyte so what do I know :p

I'd really like to have a full topo of the state in the GPS including elevations so I'll keep looking too.

It's way cool-- thanks for the tips. I wish I could upload the maps themselves but it looks pretty easy to upload the waypoints.

I've noticed that the Lakes and Hotspots maps for Washington are pretty lame-- they only include a few of the lakes I would want (Moses and Roosevelt) and not Potholes, Chelan, or the rivers. I got Bluechart, which is great for the Columbia and Snake, but it overwrites the upper Columbia portions of the basemap on my GPSMap 76CS with a really bad map-- no islands or usable shorelines. I didn't expect to get depth readings for that area since it's not officially navigable (and I already know the depths anyway) but it would be nice to have shorelines for navigating in the fog.

I like QuakeMap - http://www.earthquakemap.com/. It has all the features of the previously listed application but it leverages both the usgs topo database and color aerial maps. It also has built in support for geocaching (http://www.geocaching.com/) if you're in to that.

Don't forget the cool application NASA World Wind !

it can all be done for free using seaclear from http://www.sping.com

if you can get the map up on your screen you can save it using prnt screen. then use seaclear and laptop and gps to put a dot on the map that is you.

you can also photograph paper maps using your digital camera.

get seaclear and read instructions