I have begun researching mapping GPS units for use while on camping trips. I have not come across one that has campgroud data in it. Is there such a unit?
If you talking hand held, I don't think so. If you talking automotive (car) most have POI that have campgrounds. Bill
Note: Some might have add on software that would have this. But I not aware of any at this time. Most hand held's are for tracking or finding out where you are, and how to get back. I find adding the point I start at as a waypoint, then use the tracking feature or trails feature. It's a piece of cake finding your way back. You can add a Topo map if you like to go back country, or a water navigation package if you like the water world.
Remember that most data in a unit like that is at least 2 years out of date. I would be more interested in one that takes POI files and use the site listed above, or one like it, to periodically download updated lists. I have the Garmin Nuvi 660.
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I believe the OP is looking for a hand held since he mentioned Mapping GPS. I have the Gamin GPA 76CSx which I purchased at West Marine on sale. I played with it today so see what goodies it may have in response to your question.
It comes with a base map program that runs on any laptop and limited POI's. I have also purchased the Topo Mapping software, after being out in the country side it's nice to know where cliffs are mountains are in route to your destination.
The base program only gave Interstates in the area and limited waterways, generally you were looking at big brown area with towns. The Topo cost about $60.00 if you shop around and $80.00 on the shelf. It also gives some basic points of interest (POI).
I has little or no places to eat. But had parks and attractions. It also would also plot the major roads to and from you waypoint if so set up in the software. I didn't purchase this unit as a road planer but more of a back packing get me home type of unit.
In the Topo software, you can enter in waypoints or tracking routes you wish to follow and down load them into the hand held.
I original purchased the Magellan handheld. I returned it when I found out I had to purchase each state indivualy ($80.00 each). Although it offered 3D I felt the cost would have been out of reach when I'll be going cross country. The Gamin offered a Topo of the hole US in the package of $60.00.
You do have to load down the Topo maps for the area you going to be in from the computer, this do to the memory size of the hand held. But that's like 10,000 square miles. If you have any other questions. Please PM me. I will be away for a few weeks but will respond. Bill
Garmin;s Topo data for Colorado, GPSMap, Rhino, and certain Etrex handhelds includes campgrounds and other outdoor recreational facilities as points of interest. Information can be found here.
My experience is with the 1:100,000 U.S. Topo. The information has been pulled from a relatively old USGS 1:100,000 National Map of the U.S. database that no longer gets updated. I know this data set very well, I bought it in the '90s to populate a GIS I was building for the company I worked for.
The 1:100,000 U.S> Topo data is not routing data; it is for map display only. The GPS will not use Topo to tell you how to get from here to there, it just shows you where you are on the map, in relation to all the features on the map. Also, there is limited supporting data, i.e. a recreational facility information includes a symbol or classification, a name, and a GPS location. No addresses, no phone numbers, no URLs to additional databases on the WWW. But it is a very large amount of useful data for the price.
Garmin offers national Topo data sets for Canada and Great Britain on CD. I have no experience with those data sets. To some extent there is routing data. The data for Great Britain is Ordnance Survey, and the price is dear.
Garmin offers 1:24,000 Topo map data for national recreational facilities, e.g. selected National Parks, Shorelines, Forest and certain state parks. This is packaged on CD, for U.S. East, Central, and West (a little over $100 each package). This has a great deal more detail than the 1:100,000 data, and is routable. I've not bought it, because none of the places I hike, bicycle or frequently visit are covered.
Garmin is just now starting to offer full 1:24,000 coverage regionally on MicroSD cards in $100 packages, e.g. Northwest=Washington+Oregon, West=California+Nevada. This data is basically for the new Colorado series of handhelds, although some earlier Etrex and GPSMap models with SD slots can make partial use of the data. Roads and trails are routable, and recreational facilities are covered in fine detail.
My old GPSMap 60C will hold 56 MB of 1:100,000 Topo data. In most of the country, that will cover several states. Even a small mapping GPS will hold a larger area than you can hike, bicycle or ATV in a couple of days.
If I were looking for a new handheld today, I would probably consider one of the new Colorado models for features, capability, and size of display, although it is tempting to wait for the Oregon to come out, because of the slicker packaging (touch screen).
These, however, are pretty expensive ($500+), compared to the cheap automotive GPS units now hitting the market. For less than half the price, a color Etrex Vista or Legend will do a lot for you on the trail or in a small boat.
Delorme is offering a handheld GPS (Earthmate PN-20) to be used with their TopoUSA dataset. This one is bundled with TopoUSA 7.0 at $350 to $400 (different accessories). Read about it &forge_prod_pses=forge_prod%3DtRuzF7eTukKjbFpcQK6TQbCG%253AS%7E">here. (until Delorme changes the URL).
The emphasis here is the map data, not the GPS unit. The handheld GPS is competent, but nothing special. The data, however, is special.
TopoUSA is a mapping dataset that Delorme maintains themselves, to produce their state Atlas series (about $20 per state on paper). It is moderate resolution, typically around 1:150,000. It is sold primarly for use on a computer, as an alternative to buying $1000 worth of paper atlases. The underlying software also handles higher resolution downloadable data that you can buy through Delorme (1:24,000 topo, NOAA nautical charts, aerial and satellite imagery). Street routing and POIs are supported by data from Delorme's Street Atlas USA.
If you look at Lowrance and Magellen, you will also find something like what you are looking for. Different choices in data, different choices in handheld units.
While not exactly what you may be looking for, The "Trailer Life Campground Directory" on CD can be used with a GPS on your laptop.
DW and I use it when we are headed out to the unknown and want to find a place to spend the night. If you already have a handheld GPS and a laptop, it's much less expensive than any of the other options.
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