Custom maps for handheld gps?

[steeliedrew]

What programs are you guys using to create custom maps for your handhelds? I'd like to create some custom topos of a few areas I hunt and then save those to a micro sd to use in my rino 650. it's my understanding I can subscribe to Garmin Birdseye and do this but I'd like to hear what your experiences have been.  I believe if I were to create a custom map on google earth I would still need the Birdseye subscription on my rino in order to view the high resolution map files. 

Thanks for any info.

[steeliedrew]

update:

I decided to try and make a map. Went on google maps and pulled up a topo of the drainage I hunt elk in. cropped out the area I wanted and saved as a JPEG file. Then went into google earth and zoomed in on said drainage. then clicked the "add image overlay" button. Matched up the overlay image with the google earth map below it and saved it as a Kmz file. I then connected my rino to the computer and drug that file into the "custom maps" folder on the garmin drive.

To make sure it was calibrated I marked a waypoint on the custom map and took a coordinates reading. Then I closed out of the map and disabled my custom map. Then I enabled the huntinggps maps and went to that waypoint and came up with the same coordinates on that map. Seems like it worked out. might have to try and do a custom map for a local blacktail spot so I can truly cross check the coordinates on foot.

I'd still like to hear how you guys are making custom maps and if so what programs you're running.

[Bob33]

I've been creating custom maps for my Garmin units for many years. They consist primarily of lines and polygons (areas) versus images. For example, I create my own custom maps of Washington hunt area boundaries for GMUs, deer and elk areas, and so forth. When loaded I can instantly see what GMU/Deer/Elk area I am in (or not in.) I've made custom maps for things like the training areas on the Yakima Training Center, for No Shooting zones in King County, etc.

The data is publicly available here:
http://geography.wa.gov/GeospatialPortal/dataDownload.shtml

You need a few basic tools to convert shapefiles into something that a Garmin GPS can understand. I bought ExpertGPS for around $60 but the rest of the tools needed are free downloads.

[scottcrb]

tagging

[steeliedrew]

I've been creating custom maps for my Garmin units for many years. They consist primarily of lines and polygons (areas) versus images. For example, I create my own custom maps of Washington hunt area boundaries for GMUs, deer and elk areas, and so forth. When loaded I can instantly see what GMU/Deer/Elk area I am in (or not in.) I've made custom maps for things like the training areas on the Yakima Training Center, for No Shooting zones in King County, etc.

The data is publicly available here:
http://geography.wa.gov/GeospatialPortal/dataDownload.shtml

You need a few basic tools to convert shapefiles into something that a Garmin GPS can understand. I bought ExpertGPS for around $60 but the rest of the tools needed are free downloads.
 

Good infor there Bob33.  Is expert GPS the program you're using to create and save your maps as knz files? The one I made last night turned out good but for some reason I'm only able to view the topo overlay part of it. The google earth sat image isn't showing.  I suspect this is because I'm not subscribed to birdseye. Any ideas why it isn't showing?

[scottcrb]

was thinking of adding birds eye this year too. is it worth it?