Posted by Martin Beebee on August 27, 2006 at 9:07 AM
Hi Everyone,
Given the increasing difficulty of finding the USGS topo maps I grew up relying on for my outdoor adventures, I’m looking into topo map software. There seem to be two major contenders: DeLorme Topo USA, and National Geographic TOPO!, both of which appear to have similar features. The main difference is the price: Topo USA is $50 for half of the U.S., while National Geographic is $50 per state. That’s quite a price difference when you start adding it up. (And yes, I’d want multiple states.)
So here’s the question: Do any of you have either of these packages? Can anyone say whether the National Geographic software is worth the much greater expense (or is it just a brand thing)? Any other feedback on this kind of software you want to throw in for good measure?
Thanks!
Martin
Posted by Andy Richards on August 27, 2006 at 9:46 AM
Martin: I have the DeLorme Topo USA and the Street Atlas Version. I think it will really depend on what you want it for. I haven't looked at the NG software. I personally found the information in the Topo maps to be too much for my needs. I suspect that if you do a lot of hiking, it is more useful. I also suspect part of it--for me--is a function of not really being very good at reading the Topo grids.
I find myself using the Street Atlas 99% of the time. It has a surprising amount of detail, including secondary and minor roads, and is pretty accurate. The Topo appears to have similar roads detail, and also has the Topo grids. There are also "3-D" views. I found them to be not that useful to me. Again, it is probably a function of map skills and needs.
Seems like, for $50, its probably worth giving a try--vs. $50/state (assuming, of course, that you will be using it in multiple states.
Martin:
I've been using the National Geographic software for a couple of years and it is perfect - actually it is nothing more than the actual USGS quads that have been scanned in, which is exactly what I want. There are other features (like shading and building a profile of your tracks), but I mostly just use the maps, which are seamless. I have used a bunch of other software packages and unless they are scans of the ACTUAL USGS 7.5 minute topo maps they are generally worthless and will often include details that are inaccurate.
Tim Ernst in Arkansas
www.Cloudland.net
Posted by Gary Minish on August 27, 2006 at 1:40 PM
Martin; I haven't tried the software yet but DeLorme also sells the Atlas & Gazetteer for each state. These are the paper versions of the USGS quad maps with extra information. Since you brought the subject up though, I think I'm going to do a little more research myself and try one of the software versions so that I can easily print out a focused section and then scribble notes all over it
Useful info! I've been using MapSource with no complaints, mostly because I got it at the same time I bought my GPS and BlueChart software. The latter is the software version of marine charts, and so far there doesn't seem to be any substitute that lives up. Anyone tried using the DeLorme topos on the same GPS (Garmin in my case) simultanious with the Blue Charts?
Discussion
4 repliesGiven the increasing difficulty of finding the USGS topo maps I grew up relying on for my outdoor adventures, I’m looking into topo map software. There seem to be two major contenders: DeLorme Topo USA, and National Geographic TOPO!, both of which appear to have similar features. The main difference is the price: Topo USA is $50 for half of the U.S., while National Geographic is $50 per state. That’s quite a price difference when you start adding it up. (And yes, I’d want multiple states.)
So here’s the question: Do any of you have either of these packages? Can anyone say whether the National Geographic software is worth the much greater expense (or is it just a brand thing)? Any other feedback on this kind of software you want to throw in for good measure?
Thanks!
Martin
I find myself using the Street Atlas 99% of the time. It has a surprising amount of detail, including secondary and minor roads, and is pretty accurate. The Topo appears to have similar roads detail, and also has the Topo grids. There are also "3-D" views. I found them to be not that useful to me. Again, it is probably a function of map skills and needs.
Seems like, for $50, its probably worth giving a try--vs. $50/state (assuming, of course, that you will be using it in multiple states.
I've been using the National Geographic software for a couple of years and it is perfect - actually it is nothing more than the actual USGS quads that have been scanned in, which is exactly what I want. There are other features (like shading and building a profile of your tracks), but I mostly just use the maps, which are seamless. I have used a bunch of other software packages and unless they are scans of the ACTUAL USGS 7.5 minute topo maps they are generally worthless and will often include details that are inaccurate.
Tim Ernst in Arkansas
www.Cloudland.net