HikeArizona.COM

I just bought a Garmin eTrex 30x and I'm considering getting Garmin's TOPO U.S. 24K Southwest maps. But it's $130 - so I want to make sure I'm getting the best maps for my use, which is hiking, both on trails and off. Thanks!

OshaD wrote:I'm considering getting Garmin's TOPO U.S. 24K Southwest maps.

This is the one I prefer to use.. shop around for better pricing or find a friend ;) ..

@Grasshopper
Thanks! (It's cheaper on Amazon.)

@OshaD
or free on Hikearizona
http://hikearizona.com/garmin_maps.php

@The Eagle
Dude!

Though I have a eTrex base model I still use a compass and a USGS topo map 7.5 min. quad. I have friends that use GPS with loadable maps. They usually ask to look at my maps and ask where did that mountain come from ? I usually reply during the Laramide Orogeny about 65 million years ago.

Although I've used the for ages, I don't find the maps on a GPS very satisfying. There just isn't enough area to give proper context. I consider the GPS map a convenience for cross-checking where I plotted the reading on a paper map (which I never go anywhere without). The GPS map is also handy for casually tracking progress if you're on trail. It really comes up short for serious route finding if you don't have a downloaded track.

Regarding the original question, I have Garmin's 100k maps, which are generally OK for what I described above as well as the National Geographic Topo! 24k maps (now discontinued in that form) and a few other downloadable maps. The 24k maps are OK if your close enough to something that you can zoom all the way in. Otherwise, the greater detail turns to distracting mush.

Damn I may have to buy a Garmin. So far I have just been using the Sun the moon and the stars. Maybe I need to upgrade.

@Widowmaker Sun, moon and stars? Their next appearance in NJ is scheduled for mid-May.

Thanks everyone for all the help. After trying it out, I decided to return the GPS unit (and the maps DVD) and brush up on my compass and paper map skills.