TOPO! opinions

[Tough_Boots]

Hey folks, I got the new REI catalog for the sale starting in a couple days (it looks like a good one). All National Geographic mapping software is 25% off so I was thinking about buying the TOPO! Arizona package. I've done a little research on it and know I can't put its maps on my Garmin but that's not really an issue for what I do. I typically hike with just the trail and hydro data on mine because I find if I put topo maps on it, the screen is just too busy for me to make sense of. If I go off trail, I just keep a physical map handy but I rarely go off trail unless its planned or I'm already pretty comfortable with the area. What I really want to use it for is trail data. I talked to a guy at REI and he told me it includes trail data but couldn't tell me how detailed. I'm actually not sure I would believe anything he said because I was in there looking for maps of the Mazatzals and the Sierra Ancha and he didn't know what those were . So after losing a little faith in REI, I thought I'd ask you all. Is TOPO's trail data worth buying it and is the 3D rendering any better than what I can do on Google Earth? Is there anything amazing I should know about the software?

[joebartels]

If you're looking for precision accuracy it's the way to go, nothing is better. It's the only reason I boot up Windows. Ten years ago it was an absolute must, not sure if I would buy it now...

[big_load]

Topo! Arizona is well worth it, especially at the current price. The trail data is only as good as the source material, which is pretty old in some cases and some trails have been rerouted. However, I've found it more convenient than other tools to do what I want.

[Tough_Boots]

What about being user friendly? For instance, can I point and click on trails or sections of multiple trails to create one track or do I have to trace? Can I save tracks in multiple formats and also use with Mapsource?

[big_load]

You have to trace, and that's one thing I dislike. It also creates routes instead of tracks, and they don't export nicely. (They export as a bunch of waypoints that obscure the map). Other aspects of the user interface are inferior to Mapsource, but I can get by with it. Topo! does play very nicely with Mapsource. It will import (and export) to .gpx format, it will import tracks from Mapsource and displays them nicely. Clickable, routable trails are a nice feature in the new Garmin 24k series, but apart from that people don't seem very down on that product, especially regarding the quality of map data. What I'm really paying for in Topo! is the quality of maps and the ability to select the precise area I want with my grid and annotations.

What I normally do is trace a route for printing and mark key waypoints. I send waypoints directly to my GPS from Topo!, and play with tracks in Mapsource before converting to gpx format for Topo!.

[base871]

That makes it 75 bucks at REI. You can find the state TOPO! programs all day long for 49 on ebay brand new. With free shipping. I even found utah for 25. Take the 25 bucks you save and use it towards gas to go somewhere!

[fairweather8588]

TOPO is a great product, and you can always check their website for trail routes that others have already uploaded for free

[big_load]

That makes it 75 bucks at REI. You can find the state TOPO! programs all day long for 49 on ebay brand new. With free shipping. I even found utah for 25. Take the 25 bucks you save and use it towards gas to go somewhere!

REI lowered their price on the states series to $49.95 not very long ago.

[ssk44]

I use computer topo software in conjunction with my GPS for every hike I do. I personally use (mytopo tn-Terrain Navigator). I'm not a fan of the National Geographic software because it doesn't use official USGS maps and it uses overlays at time for roads that can be very inaccurate and misleading. Terrain Navigator is user-friendly, very accurate, works in conjunction with Google Earth, and is compatible with most all popular GPS units and brands.

http://maptech.mytopo.com/land/index.cf ... N=64771680 (mytopo tn-Terrain Navigator)


These are some good examples of mytopo Terrain Navigator maps from one of my hike posts. These maps also show personal overlays that can be added as desired. The first two maps are 1:24,000 scale and the third map is 1:100,000 scale.

http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=11072&start=0 (Sample Maps)


:GB:

[toddak]

I mainly like it for the ability to select and print only the exact area I want, otherwise I mainly use it to upload just a few key waypoints for navigation. I usually do a sanity check on GoogleEarth to compare the topo with the satellite view for the area I'm going to (and then never assume that either one of them is absolutely correct when I'm actually there). Overall seems straightforward and easy to use, good product, even if a bit pricey.

[Tough_Boots]

thanks for all the info, folks. I'm bummed that you have to trace trails on TOPO. It seems like a pretty stupid oversight by the software developers (as well as only exporting as a pack of waypoints). I'll have to do some thinking on this purchase.

[ssk44]

I'm bummed that you have to trace trails on TOPO.

I’m not sure about recent trails, but all existing older trails throughout Arizona are noted on USGS topo maps. Terrain Navigator uses USGS maps. The hand drawn lines you see on many of my maps are off-trail suggested routes.

[JimmyLyding]

I recently purchased the DeLorme Topo! software for the Western States because I have a trip or 3 coming up. I stayed away from the National Geographic version because of its "credit" system. You get 25 prints/downloads for free, and then you have to purchase more when those are used up. That didn't sit well with me even though the Nat'l Geographic version is supposedly easier to use.
Joe B. told me that he wasn't that impressed with the DeLorme version, but the last version he used was 2.0 and mine is 8.0. It does look complex, but it seems to have a lot of cool features. Very nice 1-D and 3-D maps.

[joebartels]

You can do 3D fly through on TOPO! as seen in the beginning of this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N95Un6dPPn8

I'm bummed that you have to trace trails on TOPO. It seems like a pretty stupid oversight by the software developers

I know borders and streets are selectable on DeLorme are trails now selectable?

You get 25 prints/downloads for free, and then you have to purchase more when those are used up.

Glad I have the old version

[base871]

The map credits dont apply to the state software. Only explorer and explorer deluxe.

[tahosa]

I've used TOPO for over 10 years, and just love it. I can change the format and grid lines to use with UTM's, And when I get home upload my track and then I have a trail on the map. Scaling the map as low as 10 K is an awesome feature, especially when you want to see some detail.
Here is an example of what a section of the San Tan Park looks like, after you upload your tracks and make notes etc.

[joebartels]

bump

I know borders and streets are selectable on DeLorme are trails now selectable?