Buzzillions.com - Garmin Mapsource 24K Topo National Parks Reviews www.buzzillions.com

An Incredible Product!

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:00:01 GMT

An Incredible Product!

AAB from Bishop, CA

This software will place over 1000 7.5 USGS Quad maps as the basemap on your Garmin GPS receiver (I am using the west version). I am using this on the GPSmap 60CSx and the maps are incredible! 40 foot contour lines are marked in light grey with darker gray on larger intervals, trails are show and clearly visible in dased light red lines, lakes/streams in blue, and even seperate background colors for glaciers, marsh areas, etc. (Another review indicated the same color was used for trails and contour lines - this must vary by receiver). I compared in detail the printed USGS maps with those that appear on the GPS and the accuracy is perfect. Even better on the GPS - you can zoom in and out and moving the cursor around shows elevation (you can now even calibrate the GPS altimter with map elevation data). Read more

They finally put the crayons away

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:01 GMT

They finally put the crayons away

Westcliffe Willie from Westcliffe,CO

Even though I have included one "con" I'm still giving this product a five star. Call me old fashion, but I enjoy having the ability of looking at a "how to" book and the screen at the same time in order to figure out new computer programs. This program does not come with an instruction manual. You must teach yourself using the "help" function. I do have to say, the program was easy to learn, even without the booklet. I've been using Mapsource Topo US for about the past 5 years. I have the GPS Map 76C, so I wanted color to go along with my color screen. The graphics on Mapsource were awful. The maps actually looked like they had been drawn in with crayons. The accuracy of the trails for the most part were just as bad as the graphics. Sometimes, I'd be standing on the trail and the mapsource program would show me off by 1/4 mile and even more on occasion in the south Sierras. And I know the trail had never moved from its original position. With the 24K Southwest, I can now di … Read more

Update to "Bad Experience so far"

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Update to "Bad Experience so far"

Climber Chris from Saint Paul, MN

Just wanted to update on my product code issue I mentioned in my review. Garmin eventually got back to me. Turns out v3 (which is what is shipping now) doesn't require you to register or unlock it - even though the printed and on-line directions state you do. If you just run the installer and skip the unlock step it will function just fine. I'm still incredibly frustrated that this wasn't mentioned anywhere in the product materials or on-line help. Also, for this product, You have to install it on a PC first before transferring it to a Mac w/the bobcat software. Everything is working fine now for me once it got installed. Good quality maps, works well with my Legend HCx. I would have given it 5 stars if not for the confusion earlier. Read more

If you have a garmin gps you need this!!

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:01 GMT

If you have a garmin gps you need this!!

johnd123123123123 from phoenix, az

i love this software. i ahve a map60csx unit and am an avid backpacker. i previously bought the mountain south sd card 24k topo, and had trouble with it. although the interface on the gps is the same as the dvd the sd card does not allow you to plan trips easily. it takes way to long to navigate throughthe topo maps on your unit. what you need is the ability to access everything on your computer and then transfer to your unit. and that is what the dvd offers. loaded with every peak and trails, wilderness, roads and also what a lot of poeple dont know is it navigates though streets and nieghborhoods. so you can navigate to your traihead. i love this software. Read more

Good topo

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:00:01 GMT

Good topo

old doc g from TX

Used in Arches on day trips simply to use it. Used in backpacking trips in Canyonlands and the Grand Canyon too. 95%+ accurate. On one trail in Arches we found that it did not exactly follow the given trail. Used solely in 3 day trip down the west rim of the GC because I lost the topo on the decent. Helped us navigate out of the campgrounds where there are multiple trails but only one leads where you want it to and it is too hot to make mistakes. Read more