Topo USA users

**Don 944 LA** · 02-02-2005, 03:06 AM

Who here is also using Topo USA ???
for those that don't know, it's a topographical GPS setup with more features than I would ever use. It also can have 2 screens (1) 3D (1) 2D side by side thats pretty cool.

I've been running a Com splitter to send the GPS antenna data to 2 separate com ports (1) Dest 3.1 (1) Topo USA, and have BOTH embedded into CentraFuse.

Just wondering if anyone is using it, so I can talk ideas and how-to's with ...

**Troy McClure** · 02-02-2005, 08:43 AM

I have version 4.0 but I just use it as a standalone app. I'm big into trout fishing and hands down this is the best software for finding hard to find trails and streams that the normal person usually wouldn't think about touching.

Troy

**Skipjacks** · 02-02-2005, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Don 944 LA

Who here is also using Topo USA ???
for those that don't know, it's a topographical GPS setup with more features than I would ever use. It also can have 2 screens (1) 3D (1) 2D side by side thats pretty cool.

I've been running a Com splitter to send the GPS antenna data to 2 separate com ports (1) Dest 3.1 (1) Topo USA, and have BOTH embedded into CentraFuse.

Just wondering if anyone is using it, so I can talk ideas and how-to's with ...

Tell me about this com splitter if you would. I made a refference to such a device a few weeks ago and got made fun of by a bunch of people for thinking such a device existed. I have a need for such a device too.

And why can't multiple programs use 1 GPS signal?

**jjh221** · 02-02-2005, 10:32 AM

I use 5.0 but not in the truck, more like troy here...

**IntellaWorks** · 02-02-2005, 10:37 AM

Well to anwser your questions about why many applications can't read from 1 COM port is simple, the COM port just wasn't designed like that. It was designed to talk to a single device..

If I'm an application reading from COM1 I have exclusive privlages to the data, no other application can get this data its the way Serial Comminucations work... HOWEVER think about the problem at hand, an app... one APP can read the data... that app can be anything, so through software you can make a driver and a shell app that reads whats comming in from the actual COM port that has a GPS unit attached it. Then that AP emulates as many other COM ports as your OS supports with the replicated GPS data on each virtual port.

You would then, point your first GPS app to the first virtual port (COM2) and your second app to the second virtual com port (COM3)

Active X GPS gate

**Troy McClure** · 02-02-2005, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by jjh221

I use 5.0 but not in the truck, more like troy here...

I do use it in the truck but only when I am in the general area of where I want to be. That is when I switch from iGuidance to Topo. The ability to see a stream 500 yards off of the roadside and knowing the terrain I am going to face to get to it is invaluable.

This was actually the main reason I pursued making a car PC, just to get me to my fishing spots but one day while looking for a better route to get home I punched up Topo and tried to get directions. Interacting with Topo like that is quite difficult on a touchscren so that's when I decided I would use iGuidance for normal daily driver stuff.

Troy

**jjh221** · 02-02-2005, 11:39 AM

troy,

you wouldnt have been from ohio?

Edit: sorry... i dont use it in truck because its just to slow. Also i dont think it is to accurate for driving.

**Don 944 LA** · 02-02-2005, 11:41 AM

The com port splitters can also record to a log, then replay at different speeds and then when you open the GPS apps you can " Re-Live " your driving like it was getting the data realtime.
The one that I use is Franson GPS Gate. There was a user her on these boards that came up with an app that splits the com port and also has a compass to display. There are many others, but GPS gate seems to work best for me ALTHOUGH, it has a very hard time closing sometimes and I have to do a hard boot on the system, as Topo/Dest won't close and neither will the splitter, but I think I have other issues.

here's a screen cap :

**Skipjacks** · 02-02-2005, 12:21 PM

Oh my god that data looks awesome! Does that have the full road maps like the regular GPS programs?

Can you use it to navigate through city streets like the other programs?
I just looked at the software on the product site and I'm unsure of a few things...

What comes with the package? Do the satalite images, topographical maps, and road maps and all the other stuff it can use all come in the box for $90? Or do you have to purcahse the different elements seperately?

**Don 944 LA** · 02-02-2005, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Skipjacks

Oh my god that data looks awesome! Does that have the full road maps like the regular GPS programs?

Can you use it to navigate through city streets like the other programs?
I just looked at the software on the product site and I'm unsure of a few things...

What comes with the package? Do the satalite images, topographical maps, and road maps and all the other stuff it can use all come in the box for $90? Or do you have to purcahse the different elements seperately?

It's a 7 CD set.

I only needed CD1 for application, and CD7 for Pacific coast maps
It has a " Directions " function, but I do not believe that the intention is to have a Navigation setup, more of conventional GPS app, but the data is more extensive as you can see. I would have loved this back when I off-roaded all the time.

check out this post : ( embedded into CentraFuse )
replacing RADIO button with another Application ??

I think this app is a good addition to the mix, but doesn't really replace the Destinators, Iguidance etc .... thats why I have Both embedded into CentraFuse