GPS map downloads

[punkassslacker]

Does anyone know of any websites that have free downloads of city maps? I know their is a company that sells regional/state maps with all the cites and streets and stuff but they want like $75. I'm looking for a good map of CA, NV, and AZ

[pphat]

There's some free and legal map data that's been made available... do a search for GIS and map data. Or check out the USGS map data that's avaialble online. Most of it'll drive you nuts either figuring out how to use it, or using the free tools available to display it... but you'll learn lots about GIS.

I'd check out GEM (see below).

Microsoft's Streets and Trips 2006 has a really easy interface, good map data, cost $30-45 depending on where you pick it up. I think DeLorme's Street Atlas has better map info (they build their own map data rather than buying it from the same source 90% of the car/gps companies buy their data) also sells for 40-50 dollars pending on where you order it.

If you're looking for free, and don't mind doing a lot of clicking, check out GEM, which can cache the map info off of Google Maps:

http://www.schaik.com/gps/googlegem/googlegem.html

Free, but turns of GPS access after a while if you don't pay the $20 shareware fee.