I would really like to see a mechanism to download terraserver maps on a PC.  I've been a BCN user for over a year--and only JUST updated to 2.2 from 1.x.  Why did it take me so long?  Because downloading a 30 mile x 30 mile terraserver map on my HP IPAQ over 802.11 wireless is a real chore.  When it gets to the 4 grids, BCN will actually lock up about every 25% of the progress.  I then have to reboot the IPAQ, and BCN notices it's 25% of the way, downloads another 25% and hangs again.  I gotta keep repeating this until the maps are downloaded.  After dealing with it and getting 30x30 maps of my favorite cities and parks, I was chagrined to find that the .BMD files were not compatible with the 2.x files--and I'd have to do this all over again.

I finally took the plunge and am trying an upgrade to 2.2.  And yup, it dutifully locks up every 15-25% or so.  I think it must be a memory leak or something...  Or maybe it's very sensitive to connectivity to terraserver?

Anyway, I truly wish there were a way of creating those freaking files on a PC and then just let me COPY the thing onto a chip.   It'd be faster, and IMO probably a lot more reliable.

Hell, give me the source and the file format and I'll do it for you.

Suggestion dont do it wireless. With my iPaq hw6515 I use the HP cradle and make sure in your active sync  in connection settings highlights my computer is connect to the internet. With me I have no data plan with my cingular cell service.to save money. I am still downloading maps threw BCN but I am using my computer internet connection to the cradle to my ipaq to BCN program;saves me money and is faster than a wireless reading.
Have a great day
Jerry

Jeepman,

Do you just increase the size of the map?

What I do is start with my main area @ 1:4(I usually do a 5x5 area)...then progress out in the direction I wish to cover. And, as I get to the points where I want high detail coverage, I will do a smaller 1:1 map of that particular area. If I'm using a map for geocaching, I'll go ahead and import my cache files... Then from the list of waypoints use them as my center points for my downloads. Sorry this got so lengthy. Hope it helps.

I have USA Photomap but I don't use it for BCN. I just find the area I want to get most of the time by running a track and marking waypoints along the way. Then i'll go back and use those points as centerpoints for my downloads.

If it were possible to creat BCN data files on a PC, it might be possible to create maps for other contries as well, which would be really cool.

I thought there was something a little odd about that screenshot!! Now you've got us all chomping at the bit to get our dirty little paws on it. If you need an early, early beta tester that is just another average user let me know.... I'll be all over it! 

Me three!

And something that I don't remember anyone else mentioning is that you'll probably greatly increase your sales base by implementing a desktop version.  I know lots of geocachers who carry old Pocket PC's or Palm devices sole for "paperless caching"; i.e., downloading and storing the cache info on a PPC instead of using up reams of paper printing hard copies. 

If they can now run BCN from a memory card in that same non-internet capable PPC, even if they don't use the GPS feature, it's well worth $30 for access to detailed topo maps and aerial surveys.