Notices

Hi,

This might be a bit of a talked about topic before, but there seem to be so many mapping applications out there, but I can't get any to do exactly what I want.

I have purchased a Topographical map set which I can use on MapSource (Windows based software) and also put onto a Garmin device.

What I want to be able to do is use this map (its tiles) on my N900.

I thought maperro would be able to do this, but I have tried and tried to get my maps into it to no avail. I've also installed a bunch of other mapping apps to the same outcome. I can't find anyway to use my own maps with any of them.

So, I was wondering if anyone has experience getting their own maps onto N900, what app they used and how they did it.

In addition, it would be good to have a local map set from google/google sat, stored on the device.

Basically, I want fully mapping (my purchased map and also google) with all (specific) tiles downloaded permenantly onto the device, without the need to connect to the Internet at all.

Any pointers, most appreciated!

The main problem is the fundamental differences between the map types that are out there. Garmin use a vector format, while most of the N900 GPS applications use image tiles and then wedge in a (network required) 3rd party system (such as google) to handle the routing. I can see why this approach is popular, it's easier to code and often results in a faster user experience.

Garmin maps on the N900: Navit can read Garmin formats with a little tweaking. It does everything you require.

The biggest negative for Navit is that there is no one single simple interface, you've basically got to either write your own, or use a 'skin' someone else made - the majority of interface definitions don't work well, or don't work at all on the N900, so you're left scratching your head on a regular basis. Navit documentation is not so good - in fact it's terrible - but having said all this, once you work through it, the end result is worth the effort, it's a good program.

I prefer open street maps in favor of anything commercial, only because it has far more detailed coverage.

Hey,

Thanks for the reply.

I installed Navit but am a little stuck with what to do next. Infact I'm completely lost when you say "here is no one single simple interface, you've basically got to either write your own, or use a 'skin' someone else made"...

Doesn't the app simply let me load my maps and voila?!

Cheers!

It would be nice if it did let you install maps straight from the interface, then away you go. :-)

The effort is worth it though...

Flandry has a great post that should get you up and running, it can be found here

Note, however, that libgarmin doesn't support routing AFAIK. I haven't had any use for garmin-type maps, but i believe someone ran into this problem. It's somewhere in the last ten pages of the navit thread.

Have you looked into OSM to see if it has sufficient detail of the area of interest?

With OSM, how would I get them all on the device (for the region I want) so I could use them fully whilst offline / no data charges.

Thanks

With OSM, how would I get them all on the device (for the region I want) so I could use them fully whilst offline / no data charges.

Thanks