Garmin 24K Topo Maps

**wshive** · 03-07-2010, 03:01 PM

I was just wondering if anyone has used this software and if the BLM boundary info is complete and accurate? Been thinking about getting it but it's kinda pricey...

**Kit Fox** · 03-07-2010, 04:06 PM

I've never noticed BLM boundaries on my Garmin Topo Maps. Sadly, their are only a few map builders (hobbyists) who have the ability, and the know how to build custom maps that feature BLM boundaries. BLM is also notorious for buying new parcels, or trading them for other parcels. This means that your maps can me obsolete very quickly.

**Caninelaw** · 03-07-2010, 04:18 PM

wshive - might check this thread -

http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/...ml#post2202312

You could probably sell the GPS for $75 or $80 at least and that would make your cost on the 24K topo about $70 or less. Just an FYI...

**wshive** · 03-07-2010, 04:20 PM

Do you have the 24k maps? Those are the only ones that are advertised as having BLM info. The standard 100k US Topo maps do not.

**wshive** · 03-07-2010, 04:42 PM

Caninelaw, I only see the Topo US 2008 maps bundled with the Venture. They are not the 24k resolution maps. If I'm mistaken, can you maybe post a link to the item?

**Caninelaw** · 03-07-2010, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by wshive

Caninelaw, I only see the Topo US 2008 maps bundled with the Venture. They are not the 24k resolution maps. If I'm mistaken, can you maybe post a link to the item?

ok, just looked at it again and I guess it is the topo US 2008 maps so it's not the 24K, sorry

**feelinducky** · 03-08-2010, 09:53 AM

Try "All topo" by iGage. I was in Wyoming last year and was talking with a warden. They us All Topo because it shows property lines. You may want to call iGage and ask them. It's $249 kinda steep but you can print all the 7.5 min quads. You can't download them to your Garmin but I think thats a little overated. I've downlioaded maps to my garmin and they are kinda small. I didn't know that the Garmin map software shows BLM lines, I'll have to check that out.

**wshive** · 03-08-2010, 10:47 AM

Just to be clear, it's ONLY the 24k resolution maps that advertise having BLM info as part of their features (that I know of anyway).

$249 is definitely too steep for me. At that cost, I'd rather pull up the online maps and cross reference with my garmin maps manually. Just thought it'd be nice to have BLM boundaries delineated on my handheld while scouting...

**feelinducky** · 03-08-2010, 11:05 AM

Where can you find the BLM boundaries online?

**wshive** · 03-08-2010, 11:15 AM

Try this:

GeoCommunicator Home

It's slow but seems to have a lot of info.

**acousticmood** · 03-14-2010, 12:58 PM

I'd love to get BLM info on my Garmin. I didn't see it in the description for the 24 k topo that I saw- can you show the link of where you found it?

**BobcatJerry** · 03-14-2010, 06:44 PM

Garmin 24K maps do not show BLM lands, state, or other public property. I have notrh central. They do show park boundaries, and USFS lands in green on there maps souce, but not sure about it on the actual GPS.

You can purchase transparent maps and even download them for free. Some companies offer maps that have all POI, contour lines, etc. along with the BLM boundaries. google BLM maps for GPS and you will get a bunch. They look ok, but cost. I am trying to make them myself.

Geo communicator above ins a great map, but I don't think you can tranfer maps or layers to your GPS. You can, and I have made map layer with the BLM lands for Google earth That I can switch on and off, and refreshes itself whenever I move around on the map. Really cool and helpful in planning. I may be wrong, but I don't think they can be used on your GPS. It is a great map for seeing roads and their labels. Play with the filters on the side.

At GPSFileDepot - Custom Maps, Ximage hosting, tutorials, articles and more for your GPSr you can down load 24k maps for certain areas or states. They are as good as Garmins or better. There is one map, filter your selections to transparent maps, and you will find one called Western ownership. It gives you these transparent maps for Arizona and Colorado. Free, I'm waiting for other states. You use your gps to see where you are and you switch this map on and it shows you the boundaries, then you turn it off to keep using the GPS as normal. I haven't tried it in the field yet.

I have downloaded 24K maps for Hawaii, Idaho, Arizona, Indiana, Ohio, and New Mexico. My friend used Indiana for hunting last fall and it looks great. I bought Garmin Great lakes and they only offer it as a n SD card, so you cannot pull it onto mapquest and look at it. I suggest to never buy the micro SD cards as they can only go into your unit. When I go from Ohio to Kentucky, I have to buy a new card, and take it out and switch them. They are not labeled and I can see myself losing a micro SD card in leaf litter pretty easily.

This is my first post, hope this helps some, as I have been researching this a bunch lately.

**BelchFire** · 03-15-2010, 09:46 AM

With a first post like that, let me be the first to encourage you to post again soon! Welcome to JHO, BobcatJerry.

**BobcatJerry** · 03-15-2010, 07:27 PM

Thanks, Glad I found the post. Loading some maps right now and I'll let you know how they look. I'm loading non Garmin maps, just to make sure they load in. Wish I had found these maps prior to buying the 6 disc I own. Would have saved a Bunch of money. When I get the time I'll try to build a BLM map for Idaho. Might be a while though.