Garmin MapSource U.S. Topographical CD-ROM Reviews

• US Topo 24k

  
  By A3FTGSL4MODIT7 on 2006-02-01
  The maps are high resolution and very usable, but only cover the National Parks and no topo information for areas outside of the parks.
  
  

• Beware! Amazon is selling an unidentified back level version.

  
  By A3CBIREOHNELD0 on 2007-05-08
  Six weeks after purchasing US Topo National Parks, I called Garmin technical support with a problem. I was informed the version 2 sold to me by Amazon had been upgraded to version 3 in April 2006. Garmin also said they would not upgrade my software to version 3 because I had not paid the MSRP. Since it was over 30 days, Amazon does not provide an return option or upgrade to make this right.
  
  With other Garmin products on Amazon's web pages, it is stated that there is a more recent version of the product. This is not the case with Amazon's webpage for the US Topo National Parks. The web page does not identify the version of the mapping software.
  
  Buyer Beware !! Amazon is selling a back level version of this mapping software.
  
  

• Inferior product

  
  By A1H4IQ4C28DT4N on 2005-01-01
  I was forced to purchase this since it is the only product usable for hiking trails which can upload to my GPS unit. However my initial impression viewing the maps on the computer screen is very disappointing. At least in Big South Fork where I am planning a trip, the trails are very incomplete. The ones which are present are very difficult to see in dotted grey on a white back ground. They do not contrast well with the road (solid grey) and jeep trails (hatched grey) or the contour lines (brown). The only use of color is blue for streams.
  Unless you have to purchase this for use with a Garmin GPS unit, I recommend DeLorme's Topo USA which gives you the same level of detail for the whole US for the same price as this one region. Plus you get more up to date trail information, much better legibility, vertical profiling, and 3-D views!
  
  

• Very accurate and useful for the included parks

  
  By A7QWB0G58H9XJ on 2006-11-05
  The maps that are included are very useful for hiking in the covered parks. The trails are very accurate and auto routing support makes it comfortable. But im my opinion the price is too high for that small amount of parks. Usually you visit 1..2 parks a year, so the maps become outdated by time and there is no free update.
  
  

• Love this as much as Yosemite!

  
  By A2EUTFNAZK9Y41 on 2007-11-06
  First of all this product is just unbelievable!
  Let me address the other reviews quickly:
  - Go to the Garmin website and look at exactly what you are buying
  it details what parks, etc are included
  - I bought V2 from Amazon. V3 came out maybe a couple months later.
  I contacted Garmin and they actually sent me a COPY of V3 before
  it was even available to the public. Garmin customer service is
  just amazing!
  - This is going to be outdated? Um, huh? What are you talking about?
  Look at a USGS 7.5 map. THAT is what you are getting! The trails
  have not moved in literally centuries. Some trails are re-routed
  for various reasons but the topo ain't gonna change in your
  lifetime. I have hike nearly all the trails in Yosemite (no kidding)
  and the trails on the maps will get you there my friend.
  OK...
  So, IF YOU HIKE IN: Lassen, Glacier, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, or
  a few other in the West (actually quite a few others). Then you
  want this!
  With an eTrex Venture Cx or equivalent you can:
  - Load these maps
  - AUTO-ROUTE the TRAILS on the maps
  - see the profile of a trail that you auto-routed on the GPS
  - Have the entire park maps (7.5 degree) (20 ft. elevetion between
  topo lines) IN YOUR HAND
  I hike extensively in Yosemite and this product is one of those
  gadgets that I would buy over and over again.
  My wife and I also spent a week in Glacier NP and it was the bomb
  there too!
  Now if only Garmin would release a TOPO with this detail for the
  entire state..
  Hope this was helpful to you.
  
  
• Great product for Garmin GPS hikers
  By AC3Q6N0I5EP8I on 2006-08-14
  Excellent product if you hike in one of the areas covered by this electronic map. Contrary to the name, it covers much more than just National Parks. It covers many National Forests and State Parks as well. Just check the coverage against your area of interest and if you have a match, it is well worth the purchase.
  
  
• 24k topo west
  By AY925YW01ASZI on 2007-03-04
  This map software is great, with a couple of exceptions. It is supposed to be National Parks West Region, but it includes the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (which is NOT a National Park); however, I like that it's included because it's in the LA area where I live. On the other hand, the San Bernardino National Forest, 60 miles east of LA, (again, NOT a National Park) is included, whereas the Angeles National Forest (just above LA) is not. Why one and not the other? The lower echelon of Garmin technical support has failed to give me an answer to these questions.
  
  
• Amazon is Shipping the Current Version
  By A13LGJZ6A39BP1 on 2008-01-17
  I recently received this CD and for those who are wondering, Amazon IS shipping the most current version, which is Version 3.
  
  
• Amazon - Full Disclosure about this product
  By A2H5QF8TJGTY6B on 2008-06-23
  The description, "covering national parks, national forests, and some state parks in the Eastern U.S" is not true. Unlike Garmin's website, which does give the full list of locations (below), Amazon is not forthcoming. Too bad. Back it goes.
  
  ===================
  
  Arizona
  * Grand Canyon NP
  * Petrified Forest NP
  * Saguaro NP
  California
  * Channel Islands NP
  * Death Valley NP
  * Joshua Tree NP
  * Lassen Volcanic NP
  * Mojave NP
  * Redwood NP
  * San Bernadino NF
  * Santa Monica Mountains NRA
  * Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP
  * Yosemite NP
  Colorado
  * Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP
  * Colorado NM
  * Dinosaur NM
  * Great Sand Dunes NM and Pres.
  * Mesa Verde NP
  * Rocky Mountain NP
  Hawaii
  * Haleakala NP
  * Hawaii Volcanoes NP
  Montana
  * Glacier NP
  New Mexico
  * Bandelier NM
  * Carlsbad Caverns NP
  Nevada
  * Great Basin NP
  Oregon
  * Crater Lake NP
  Texas
  * Guadalupe Mountains NP
  Utah
  * Arches NP
  * Bryce Canyon NP
  * Canyonlands NP
  * Capitol Reef NP
  * Glen Canyon NRA
  * Grand Staircase - Escalante NM
  * Moab NP
  * Zion NP
  Washington
  * Mount Ranier NP
  * North Cascades, including:
  Lake Chelan NRA
  Ross Lake NRA
  * Olympic NP
  Wyoming
  * Grand Teton NP
  * Yellowstone
  
  
  
• 24K Topo
  By A1JC3H0UCN8DEW on 2006-08-30
  Now that I'm moving to an area that is covered by this mapping, it's worth purchasing. Previously it just didn't cover an area that I hiked in. Having this detailed info it great.
  
  
• not for Macs
  By AK8MCJNHXWTLE on 2008-05-27
  Do know that this product does not work yet on Macs. So you need a PC to load it onto your Garmin device.
  
  
• Great, it covers it all.
  By A3HLCBU1QYR4V9 on 2007-05-09
  If you like to us your GPS in the woods this is a must.
  I got it for Geocashing and it is a lot of help.
  It only lack hiking trails but I like it!
  
  
• Nice but could provide broader coverage.
  By A3U2RZHI34HHON on 2007-12-14
  This map set does what it advertises but it is strictly limited to the national parks and forests that it lists. A much more useful mapset would be one that covers a broad range of 24k topos such as provided by Maptech or National Geographic.
  
  
• Nice
  By A20E6LM4K39UKD on 2008-03-25
  I purchased these maps for a weekend backpacking trip on the Cosby Loop in the Smoky Mountains. The map was very detailed and closely matched paper maps we purchased of the park. All major trails were on the map and it was helpful in planning our trip. My only complaint is the high price for this product. As an avid backpacker, purchasing all three National Park segments is expensive, and added to the price of the gps unit itself, seems unwarranted.
  
  
• Disappointing
  By A1DZ3I20HL7B3S on 2007-04-02
  Not that much more detailed than the standard US Topographic maps. Some data seems particularly dated. Garmin products are expensive and not that user friendly. Their interface needs to be brought into the new decade.
  
  
• Their software is very bad. Difficult to use, expensive, full of errors and gives a lot of problems (a package costs over $100 a
  By A2K4I7IMWGCG8R on 2007-02-16
  Their software is very bad. Difficult to use, expensive, full of errors and gives a lot of problems (a package costs over $100 and it doesn't even work).
  
  
• Confirmation of version number
  By A3S7OTETP6OZ8N on 2007-10-13
  As of October 2007, Garmin's web site states that V3 is the current version and lists 010-10448-00 as the part number. Amazon, however shows 010-10215-12 at the top of the page but shows 010-10448-00 down in the product details.
  
  Can anyone who has purchased this recently confirm that they have V3, 010-10448-00. Thanks
  
  
• Installation Crashes All MapSource Applications
  By A310BT04RF4V34 on 2008-02-15
  I just received my US TOPO 24K National Parks West CD and installed it. Now I am unable to access any MapSource application. All I get is an error message and a request that I email it to Garmin Tech Support. A Tech Support phone number is given, but there is no extension for software problems. I am running Vista Home Edition and I previously have been using City Navigator NT North America 2008 and it has worked fine. Needless to say, I'm a bit hacked that not only is this software inoperable, but it has made my other MapSource applications inoperable as well. In other words, this application isn't just worthless, it has negative value since it has destroyed my other working applications.
  
  
• Very Useful Maps for Visiting Our National Parks
  By ABXANRX4GPYRZ on 2008-04-12
  Nice detail. They look great and work great on my Garmin Colorado 300 GPS.
  
  Before ordering be sure to take a look at this product on the Garmin Website to be sure the park you need is included in these maps.
  
  If only Garmin would offer 24K topos for all 50 states like the National Geographic Society does. Unfortunately the NGS maps do not work on Garmin units. ( only Garmin maps work on Garmin units ).
  
  
• Nice Maps
  By ABXANRX4GPYRZ on 2008-04-12
  Nice detail. They look great and work great on my Garmin Colorado 300 GPS.
  
  Before ordering be sure to take a look at this product on the Garmin Website to be sure the park you need is included in these maps.
  
  If only Garmin would offer 24K topos for all 50 states like the National Geographic Society does. Unfortunately the NGS maps do not work on Garmin units. ( only Garmin maps work on Garmin units ).
  
  The price is too high and coverage too limited for me to score this product higher.
  
  
• Preliminary -- more later
  By AH1BU34HQ98FR on 2008-04-21
  Just received Garmin US TOPO 24k, Natl Parks West, V3 (ver 3.02)
  I live on east coast and use the us topo 24k, Natl parks East, and love it. I'll get an opportunity to use this SW in the my GPSMAP60CSx in MAY.
  
  
  
• Detailed Maps!
  By AJ27U8S10ZF0B on 2008-06-26
  This mapset provides detailed topo maps for Eastern National parks only. Be sure it includes the parks you want maps for. It includes NO topo maps of the areas surrounding the parks.
  The mapset has excellent detail and is up to date but the first map you should purchase is USA topo. If you want more detail for National Parks, then purchase this series of maps.
  
  
• Not what I expected
  By A3C228BTJ7YNGT on 2008-07-08
  The small amount of area covered is just not worth it. Also, while it says it covers national forests, it does not cover the Angeles National Forest, just north of LA and one of my favorite hiking areas. The use of color is limited and makes the trails difficult to see and follow. I had high hopes for this product but unfortunately it is a flawed presentation of the data and I returned it.
  
  
• Detailed and Accurate Enough, But Expensive
  By AWPODHOB4GFWL on 2008-07-27
  Unfortunately, the Garmin hiking GPS units do not have detailed maps, so I needed to buy this particular software for all the eastern National Parks (and the Adirondack State Park). The area covers most every park from Florida to Maine. You do need to purchase a small memory card that is inserted into the battery compartment of your Garmin handheld for data storage. I bought a 2 GB Sandisk card to make sure I had plenty of memory. The maps are at a scale of 1:24,000 (from USGS maps) and are not extremely detailed, but will get you to wherever to want to go (and return). There are plenty of accurate points of interest (POI) such as visitor's centers, camping and picnic areas, wilderness campsites, ranger stations, restaurants and lodges, trail names, summit elevations, peaks, roads and hiking trails, etc. You can even download specific quadrants of areas to your liking without having to download extra information you might never need. I have been able to share trails and waypoints from friends and download them into my handheld for easy use. It's not the most detailed mapping data, but it is enough to get you where you want to go (and back again).
  
  The Mapsource program has a ton of valuable tools for use on your PC (or MAC). Most all of your hiking and mapping needs can be accomplished on your computer before (and afterwards) so you can save all the valuable data you need or have acquired. In fact, there are almost too many tools to grasp, making this a worthwhile (if slightly over-priced) piece of software.
  
  
• Works as advertised
  By AY02C0NM34BLT on 2007-08-24
  Very detailed. Trails are hard to see on the Nui. But then the nui was not designed specifically for this. I like it.
  
  

• Garmin - Mapsource Metroguide Cd Rom V5
• Garmin MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager (010-10215-04)
• Garmin MapSource CD ROM (USA TOPO)
• GARMIN 010-10448-00 US Topo 24K National Parks West Region CD
• Garmin MapSource City Navigator, North America DVD-ROM for Garmin StreetPilot GPS Units

• Garmin MapSource Topo U.S. 2008
• Garmin Map 64 MB 60Csx With Barometric Altimeter & Compass
• SanDisk Micro Secure Digital 2 GB Memory Card (SDSDQ-2048-A11M) Retail Package
• GARMIN 010-10816-00 City Navigator North America NT
• GARMIN 010-10578-00 Carrying Case