PC mapping software for Etrex

Hi...I've just been given an Etrex as a gift, and I'm a GPS virgin. I need
to get hold of some XP-compatible map software for a desktop PC, and looking
through the results of a Google search has only served to confuse. Would
anyone care to point me to some meaningful reviews or make some
recommendations please? Or maybe there are some FAQ's I can look through.
I'm in the UK, so will be looking for Ordnance Survey maps.
I also need an interface cable, but am squirming a bit at paying the Garmin
price!
Thanks,

Tom H.

On Sat, 13 Aug 2005 17:21:39 +0100, "Pidgeonpost"


Oziexplorer and scan your existing OS maps.


You can buy the connectors for next to nothing and make your own if
you can use a soldering iron or buy the cables ready made from pfranc

http://pfranc.com/

http://www.pfranc.be/pf/connect.htm

You can get a cable from EBAY for about $10. That's where I got mine.
Works great!

Pidgeonpost wrote:


Here is another great site for almost everything related to GPS:

http://gpsinformation.net/

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)

Pidgeonpost wrote...

eBay is a good source for genuine Garmin accessories - including cables.
Don't shy away from US eBay sources. USPS is cheap and delivery to the UK
is usually 5 days so you can take advantage of the lower prices t'other side
of the pond. The other option, as has already been suggested, is pFranc. I
think that pFranc distributors can also supply serial/USB adapters in case
your PC doesn't have the required serial interface.

Regarding software - either the free version of OziExplorer or GPS
Trackmaker. A good free source of OS 1:50,000 mapping (provided you don't
need large areas) is www.streetmap.co.uk. If you zoom out your map until
it's showing Landranger 1:50,000 then you can copy individual 1km square
tiles (right click and select copy) and paste them where you will.
Calibrating is easy since they are bounded by gridlines.

David