Our Maps

Our maps are designed to be fully compatible with the following Magellan GPS units:

• eXplorist 210, 400, 500 / 500LE, 600, and XL
• Triton 200, 300, 400, 500, 1500, and 2000
• CrossOver GPS

We produce them in two formats:

Vector (.imi) Format)

These maps are derived from GIS data composed of geo-referenced points, lines, and polygons that a GPS unit can render on the fly as an on-screen map. These work with:

• eXplorist 210, 400, 500 / 500LE, 600, and XL
• Triton 200, 300, 400, 500, 1500, and 2000
• eXplorist, 310, 410, 510, 610, and 710 New!
• CrossOver GPS
• MapSend Lite
• VantagePoint

Our vector maps cannot be used with Magellan eXplorist models 100, 200, and 300 because these units lack the capability of having files and or maps uploaded to them and will not work with older Magellan units with similar capabilities to the other eXplorists such as the Meridian and Sport Track series because of differences in the file structure used by those units.

Raster (.rmp) Format)

These maps are derived from geo-referenced images (scanned maps, satellite images, etc) that a GPS unit can display relative to your position as an on-screen map. These will work with:

• Triton 200, 300, 400, 500, 1500, and 2000
• VantagePoint

Our raster maps will not work with the new eXplorist X10 series.

About our Vector Maps

Our current collection of vector maps is derived from data provided by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) drawn from the Canadian National Topographic System (NTS) and Canadian Vector (CANVEC) Databases. These datasets depict detailed ground relief (landforms and terrain), drainage (lakes and rivers), forest cover, administrative areas, populated areas, transportation routes and facilities (including roads and railways) and other man-made features.

Our vector maps are formatted to as closely as possible to conform with the NTS Standards and specifications for maps in colour and use of conventional signs within the limitations the software used to render the map files. For the most part, these maps are viewable at the zoom level of 2.5km or less. Maps are viewable at the zoom level of 2.5km or less. The closer the zoom level, the more detail that will be visible.

Sample CANVEC Vector Map at 100% Resolution - Map 011D12 South End Halifax, NS shown. Click image to enlarge.

About our Raster Maps

Out of all of the Canadian data that is available, we have decided to use the 1:50,000 scale TOPORAMA dataset available from Natural Resources Canada to produce Triton compatible maps for the entire Canadian landmass.

The benefit of using this dataset over the similar CANMATRIX dataset is that the TOPORAMA files are digital representations of the 1:50,000 CANVEC dataset whereas CANMATRIX files are made from scans of paper maps. Because of this, TOPORAMA files are smaller than their CANMATRIX cousins by a factor of two or three and range between 2 and 6 MB for a 1:50,000 map sheet and the image quality does not vary greatly from map to map.

Another advantage of the TOPORAMA over CANMATRIX is that the TOPORAMA files were originally produced using LAT / LON coordinates whereas CANMATRIX maps need to be re-projected for them to allow GPS units to show the proper position on the map. While reprojected CANMATRIX maps are reasonably accurate, the reprojection process distorts the image. This combined with the fact that the image was originally a scan of paper map results in a somewhat pixel-ated final map. On the other hand, TOPORAMA files are a higher quality images to begin with and since they do not need to be reprojected, they make better looking maps.

To see what coverage is presently available in this format, click here.

Sample Toporama at 50% Resolution - Downtown Halifax, NS

At this point, we are not planning to make extensive use of other data except for custom orders. If you would like a map made using any of the imagery below or something else, please contact us and we'll see what we can put together for you..

TOPORAMA	CANMATRIX	CANIMAGE
SPOT 4/5	Hi-Res	Online Maps

Registerd uses can access samples of all these map types as well as the ever growing TOPORAMA collection by selecting "Raster Maps" from the menu at the top of the page.