Which GPS should I buy for snowmobiling?
How do I install your maps?
I can't get the map to work.
How do I get rid of all the clutter on the Lowrance versions?
The trail map won't overlay on the topo map in Mapsource.
I installed the blue/purple/orange version of the Garmin trails only version, but the trails still show up red.
When are you going to make a map for <insert state>?
How do I transfer tracks and waypoints to and from my GPS to my computer?
I have a Mac. Can I still use the maps?
Why does anyone need a GPS? Aren't paper maps good enough?
I'll never use a GPS. Half the fun is trying to figure out how to get somewhere and exploring.

Q. Which GPS should I buy for snowmobiling?
A. This is the most frequently asked frequently asked question. If you're going to be using it for snowmobiling, your best bet is a Garmin, because there are more tools available to make Garmin maps, and therefore more user-made snowmobile trail maps are available for Garmins. Lowrance and Magellan make good GPSrs too, and I do have maps for them as well. While they're certainly useable, the Garmin versions are generally better because they're easier to install and can be transparent, along with other less important benefits.

Which model you choose is up to you. Definitely get one that can accept maps and isn't just limited to tracklogs and waypoints. Think about what features are important for you, and what you want to spend. Also think about things such as available accessories, water and cold resistence (important for snowmobiling), etc. The 60Cx (or CSx which also includes an altimeter) is the popular choice among snowmobilers. The LegendHCx (or Vista HCx) is also a very nice unit and a little cheaper. It has a little smaller screen than the 60Cx, and while the 60Cx has a nicer button configuration, the Legend lasts longer on a set of batteries. Both use standard MicroSD cards and have high sensitivity antennas. The 276c has a nice big screen, but it's also a really big unit, and uses proprietary memory cards that cost more than standard MicroSD. All these units are used by many snowmobilers and can stand up to the cold.

When looking at Garmin products, keep this in mind:

H = High sensitivity antenna
C = Color screen
S = Altimeter and compass
x = Removable memory card

Here's a comparison page showing the specs and features of the above units.

Another good option for snowmobilers is the Garmin Rino series, which is a combination GPS / two-way radio and is great for snowmobiling groups. If you and your party all have them, the location of each member will show up on the other members' screens.

You're better off sticking with the handheld "outdoor" units. The automotive ones (the Nuvi and Street Pilot for instance) are a little tricker to use with third-party maps (such as the ones here), and they aren't waterproof. However, they will work. Also, as far as I know, it's not possible to make maps for TomToms or Delorme GPSs (or any other brand for that matter), so if you want to use gpssledmaps.com maps, get a Garmin, Magellan, or Lowrance.

By the way, if you've used my maps on a Garmin unit other than the handhelds recommended above, let me know. If you've tried them and they haven't worked, I'd be interested to know that too.

Q. How do I install your maps?
A. Instructions for Garmin users with Mapsource
instructions for Garmin users without Mapsource
instructions for Magellan users
instructions for Lowrance users

Q. I can't get the map to work.
A. You can e-mail me with your questions and I'm happy to help, but I get a lot of e-mail so please read through this FAQ and the instructions on the map pages first, and also check the forum for answers or post your questions there, so I or others can help. If you e-mail me or post, please give a detailed description of your problem, what GPS model you have, which map you're trying to use, etc.

Garmin: The most important thing to do is to make sure you have the newest version of Mapsource (if you have Mapsource) and the newest firmware for your unit. These are available here: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download.jsp

Magellan, Lowrance: I'm not experienced with Magellan and Lowrance GPSrs, so I'm afraid I can't help much. Try posting in the forum.

Q. How do I get rid of all the clutter on the Lowrance versions?
A. Instructions here

Q. The trail map won't overlay on the topo map in Mapsource.
A. There's no way to view the trails map over the topo map in Mapsource. That only works on the GPSr.

Q. I installed the blue/purple/orange version of the Garmin trails only version, but the trails still show up red.
A. Make sure you have the latest version of Mapsource installed and the newest version of the firmware for your particular Garmin GPS. Both are available from here: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download.jsp
Some people have reported that even with the firmware update, the Garmin Rino 530 won't display the custom colors.

Q. When are you going to make a map for <insert state>?
A. If it were up to me, I'd spend all winter snowmobiling around the whole country and recording trails. Unfortunately, that's not possible, so I rely on users of this site to record trails and send them to me, and/or states to collect the data and make it available to me. Once I get enough trail data to make it worthwhile to make a map, I make a map. If I don't have a map of your favorite riding area, please do record data and upload it in the data exchange. It's very helpful when people take a little time and try to clean up and properly name the trails they track. Not only is it time consuming for me to clean up tons of data, but if I don't live in the area the data is from, it's hard for me to tell if the data is correct and accurate, what trails should be called, etc.

Q. How do I transfer tracks and waypoints to and from my GPS to my computer?
A. This varies from unit to unit, so check your instruction manual. Most units come with software and cables (either parallel or USB) to do this. There are also many third-party programs out there to do it. For Windows, try GPSBabel or EasyGPS. For Macs, try GPSConnect or MacGPSBabel.

Q. I have a Mac. Can I still use the maps?
A. I'm primarily a Mac user myself (I have a PC and I also run Parallels on my Mac - mostly for making maps), but unfortunately I have to say that in the GPS game, you're pretty limited unless you have a PC. But all is not lost. Using the data from the Data Exchange will be no problem for you. GPSConnect will allow you to upload and download the GPX files. You can use the Magellan and Lowrance maps since they can be installed onto a memory card just by putting the card in a card reader, plugging it into the computer, and copying the files over manually. For the Garmin versions, it'll be trickier.

Garmin announced in 2006 that they'd be releasing Mapsource for OSX. In August 2007, they finally released a thrown together application to upload maps to your GPS from a Mac. The problem is, you need a PC to set it up! Yep, it's sort of like a solar powered flashlight. The process involves running a program on a PC, converting the installed maps, copying them over to a Mac, and then using their new program to upload the maps. I was going to convert my maps into the Mac format and make those available for download so that Mac users wouldn't need a PC to do the conversion, but unfortunately Garmin's map converter program crashed during the conversion on both PCs I tried it on. So as of now, there are no Mac versions available.

If you'd like to try the conversion yourself, the app and instructions are here.

Q. Why does anyone need a GPS? Aren't paper maps good enough?
A. The main advantage that GPS maps have over paper maps is that you're able to see exactly where you are. A map isn't much good if you don't know where you are, and it's not hard to lose track of where you are on poorly marked trails, or out on a big lake with no landmarks. I've heard more than one person say their GPS saved them when they were out on a lake in whiteout conditions. GPSs also give you the ability to see your top speed, distance travelled, etc., and you can record your ride and share it with others or overlay it on a map. However, ALWAYS carry one or more trusted paper maps and get all the information you can about trail conditions and hazards before riding in an unknown area.

Q. I'll never use a GPS. Half the fun is trying to figure out how to get somewhere and exploring.
A. Then feel free to not use a GPS, but having a GPS with you doesn't prevent you from exploring. In fact, it allows you to explore even further off the beaten path without having to worry about not being able to find your way back. And if you break down or you or a member of your party gets injured, it'll be a lot easier for help to find you if you give them GPS coordinates rather than saying "Well, I see some trees and the trail curves up ahead."