Average Rating: 
Rating:  - The problem is not with the amount of detail...
The Mapsource TOPO product in theory has plenty of detail for what you use it for. It has the equivalent of a 1:100,000 scale Topo map, showing major features, contour lines, trails, etc. It also provides additional streets, highways and roads that don't come on the Etrex Vista base map.However, there is a major problem with the viewability of the topographical map information on the screen of your Etrex. The Mapsource TOPO maps have some sort of background shading. Perhaps this is color detail (e.g. green means vegitation). The problem is that on the screen it is just dark grey. With this dark gray background on your Etrex screen, you can barely, if at all, see any other map features, your route, waypoints or tracks. Therefore, loading the Mapsource TOPO map on the Etrex practically renders the Map screen on the Etrex useless in the back country. I found this out the hard way on a hike up in the mountains, when I really wanted to be able to make out what was on the map screen. In case you think I just don't know how to adjust the screen contrast on my Etrex, I tried that, with some very minor improvement. Other than uploading maps to your Etrex unit, you can use Mapsource TOPO to create routes and waypoints when you plan your hikes and then use the software to upload the data to your Etrex. However, as an avid National Geographic TOPO user, I find these tools in Mapsource to be way less user friendly. If what you really want is software to help you plan trips, routes, etc., you definitely need to buy National Geographic TOPO. In summary, if I had to do it all again, I would save the [money] and not buy the Mapsource Topo product. ...
Rating: - Garmin MapSource vs. Map Tech
I spent three hours online comparing different software for my Garmin E-Trex Vista, using my favorite little Northern Minnesota lake as my destination. I checked the difference between Garmin Mapsource Topo and Recreational, and found little difference. Sure they showed the lake, with pointy shorelines, and one big hill. It was kinda cool. Then I discovered Map Tech!!! The difference was breath-taking! Every little hill, a swamp, the reeds by the shore, and every subtle curve of the shoreline was shown in amazing detail! Instead of spending [$$] on the Garmin, and only being mildly excited, I spent an extra [$$], and got a map that gave me the confidence and peace-of-mind to explore all those unknown woods around the lake, with the full confidence of knowing every inch of the terrain. But only if you PRINT them. I was dissapointed that you can't load the maps into the Garmin Vista, only waypoints. So now all I can do is mark the trail the map so clearly shows on the computer, as waypoints against a blank field on the GPS. The only thing it didn't show, was the dirt road that led to the lake, which was an official Dept. of Natural Resources boat launch. Go to Maptech.com, and check out your favorite area for yourself.
If you want to load maps, then go hiking, MapSourse is best. If you want to plan a hike on the computer first, Maptech is best. (Haven't checked Nat'l Geographic).
Rating:  - Retract my last coments
I had said not to buy this item because it was an old version. That was not true. There are 2 versions on the product. The application is version 4.09 (the newest shipping version). The maps are version 3.02. They are rarely updated. Amazon is a great place to purchase this item.
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