Garmin GPS - Garmin Topo US 2008 questions

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Garmin Topo US 2008 questions

Dave Smith

2007-09-14, 4:33 am

I'm new to GPS, just got my first receiver, an etrex Legend.

I'm into mountain biking, hiking and kayaking. I'm thinking that the
Topo US 2008 would be good mapping software for me but someone posted
a very unflattering review of it on the REI products page. REI also
offers National Geographic's GPS USA for $25. Has anyone used that
software and if so might it be good for me? For $25 vs $100 for the
Garmin I'm tempted to try it just based on price.

Thanks very much in advance for any help.

Bill Smith

2007-09-14, 10:33 am

"Dave Smith" <sally@cox.net> wrote in message
news:hu0ke3luarpvsm6
p5ighl4sbds8405qkek@
4ax.com...
> I'm new to GPS, just got my first receiver, an etrex Legend.
>
> I'm into mountain biking, hiking and kayaking. I'm thinking that the
> Topo US 2008 would be good mapping software for me but someone posted
> a very unflattering review of it on the REI products page. REI also
> offers National Geographic's GPS USA for $25. Has anyone used that
> software and if so might it be good for me? For $25 vs $100 for the
> Garmin I'm tempted to try it just based on price.
>
> Thanks very much in advance for any help.

I like the new 2008 Topo. A big improvement over last version for the most
part.

Now, National Geographic's GPS USA runs on your computer, not your GPS.
Garmin Topo USA 2008, while you can view it in MapSource, is primarily a map
package for uploading to a GPS. That's why there is a price difference.

--
Smitty
Somerset, PA

Dave Smith

2007-09-15, 4:33 am

On Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:23:05 -0400, "Bill Smith"
<kb3gun-nospam1@wpia.net> wrote:

>
>"Dave Smith" <sally@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:hu0ke3luarpvsm6
p5ighl4sbds8405qkek@
4ax.com...
>
>
>I like the new 2008 Topo. A big improvement over last version for the most
>part.
>
>Now, National Geographic's GPS USA runs on your computer, not your GPS.
>Garmin Topo USA 2008, while you can view it in MapSource, is primarily a map
>package for uploading to a GPS. That's why there is a price difference.

Thanks Bill.

I have a lot ot learn about this stuff. We Smiths need to stick
together.

gps_dr

2007-09-15, 4:33 am

On Sep 14, 9:57 pm, Dave Smith <sa...@cox.net> wrote:
> On Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:23:05 -0400, "Bill Smith"
>
>
>
>
>
> <kb3gun-nosp...@wpia.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks Bill.
>
> I have a lot ot learn about this stuff. We Smiths need to stick
> together.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

For Colorado, it uses about 3 times the space of the old one.
The places I've checked in the state have 50' elevation contours vs
~160 or so before.
They were basically useless with the old version. However, looking at
the map on the GPS allowed me to figure where I
was on a "real" map w/o trying to find coordinates on both.

For planning a hiking route, DeLorme TOPO USA/3Dquads or National
Geographic TOPO! is better.

Larry G

2007-09-16, 7:33 am

On Sep 14, 11:23 am, "Bill Smith" <kb3gun-nosp...@wpia.net> wrote:
> "Dave Smith" <sa...@cox.net> wrote in message
>
> news:hu0ke3luarpvsm6
p5ighl4sbds8405qkek@
4ax.com...
>
>
>
>
> I like the new 2008 Topo. A big improvement over last version for the most
> part.
>
> Now, National Geographic's GPS USA runs on your computer, not your GPS.
> Garmin Topo USA 2008, while you can view it in MapSource, is primarily a map
> package for uploading to a GPS. That's why there is a price difference.
>
> --
> Smitty
> Somerset, PA

you basically have one single choice of maps for your GPS unit - and
that is Garmin Mapsource (unless you want to get into the "hobby" of
doing your own maps).

But you have many more choices for mapping software on your PC that
can also transfer waypoint, track and route data between your PC and
your GPS unit.

So... you've got what you got for the unit.

I have used several different PC mapping software products and I
prefer NGeo.

So.. one can say ... personal preference... but I note that many
others apparently also prefer NatGeo for the PC.

.... which... as a commentary... is inexplicable to me... as I would
expect the grand daddy of GPS to have the best PC software and
especially so over a company that does not produce GPS units (National
Geographic).

.... go figure...

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