Custom Topo Maps for Rucking

[Jelf]

Originally Posted by PSM

Here's a quick, printable, DIY online site I like: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.html

To start, click on the Gmap4 button at the top. On the map, using the upper right dropdowns you can switch between several map types.

I use it for "boondocking" in the RV, hiking, and Jeeping. I used to print the maps on waterproof paper, but my old printer can't handle it anymore so I just use plain paper and plastic sleeve. I've never used the distance scale as navigation here is mostly terrain association, so I can't say how accurate it is. It's, at least, a good planning aid.

Pat

Thanks for the kind words about Gmap4. I am the developer of that browser app.

I know that the army uses MGRS coordinates. Here is a link that (1) starts Gmap4, (2) shows the Google aerial for most of the USA and (3) shows the MGRS grid on top of the aerial. Zoom in and the grid becomes more detailed.
http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap...ansparent=true

If you change the basemap, the grid remains.
To turn the grid off, open the basemap menu, go down to the Overlay section and click MGRS. Click it again to turn it back on.

The grid comes from a GIS server operated by the ESRI company. The grid is delivered to your screen as a bunch of "tiles" (think checkerboard). Sometimes a few tiles might not appear or be slow to arrive.

I am currently working on an upgrade that will let you (1) search on MGRS coordinates and (2) display MGRS coordinates in the lower right corner of the screen (map center and cursor).

Joseph, the Gmap4 guy

[JYD73]

Search and download for free USGS Topo maps, current and historic. Some are available in 1:25,000. If you're poor and don't have a lot of resources, you can make custom maps by downloading the pdf and take over into Photoshop Elements and customize your map for 8.5x11 printer. You can also take this to a local printer that has a large plotter and can print the whole map out for you. Note that any map in UTM is also MGRS as MGRS is abbreviated UTM.

http://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=262:1:608365488

[rojoAZ]

be wary of some USGS maps as their scale is 1:45,000 which can throw off the scale of the Army issue compass squares off by a bit. Be careful what you buy and if need be use some geo referencing to find your point.