Garmin Topo for the Outdoor Adventurer

Garmin Topo

By Anne Ahira

In recent years, GPS (Global Positioning Systems) have become far more effective and efficient than they were in the past. In fact, when they were first introduced, most devices had a hard time pinpointing your exact location.

Oftentimes, this would result in poor directions, since it was only possible to locate a participating GPS device within a few hundred feet of its exact location.

But a modern GPS device can honestly be said to pinpoint your location, often to only a few feet. This makes directions far more accurate and it is unlikely that you will ever get lost if you simply follow the maps and information provided by your Global Positioning System.

However, there are still places on the earth where GPS cannot find you. Just like cell phones, these devices rely on signals and if you do not have a clear view of the sky, there is virtually no chance that you will receive directions from a GPS device.

Who are these people who are traveling to these hard to find places? Well, more often than not they are the adventurous type. They are hikers, mountain or rock climbers and sometimes even skiers. These folks literally stake their lives on receiving accurate, up to date information about the trails and territories they travel in.

For that reason, one of the most respected names in GPS technology and a market leader sells a series of CDs that contain digital maps of almost any region in the country. They are called Garmin Topo (short for topography) and they have been a godsend to adventurers all over the globe.

What do they do? Well, the Garmin Topo discs gives users information (in the States) that is similar to the U.S. Geological survey, which means that they are small scale maps.

These maps provide adventurers with the most recent information on some of the most challenging hiking trails and out-of-the-way places in the country. And the Garmin Topo disc are not relegated to the contiguous US, they also have maps of the great states of Alaska and Hawaii.

What do they offer? It is possible to find a precise updated map of even the most obscure hiking, skiing or snowmobile trails in any part of the country. The Garmin Topo also includes elevation contours, geographic names, summits, and elevations.

Why is it necessary? Although most folks try their best to avoid planning everything to the smallest detail (where’s the fun in that?), it is important to at least know where you are going.

And the fact is that most GPS devices may not work in certain out-of-the-way places. So they should never be relied upon, especially on long hikes or outdoor excursions.

The Garmin Topo solves the problem of outdoor interference and gives you the ability to successfully plan your trip, at least when it comes to the directions. And as any adventurer, hiker or skier knows, there is nothing more terrifying than being lost on an unknown trail without any reliable way to find your way back home. The Garmin Topo is the most effective way to prevent this undesirable scenario.

Here's Garmin Topo Selections:

Garmin MapSource TOPO! US 24k Southwest Topographi...	Customer Review: This map comes with a new, and almost unuseable PC-based mapping product called BaseCamp. Their older product - MapSource - is old, creaky, and error-prone, but far superior to BaseCamp. I suggest you not buy this mapset unless you have MapSource.So... Read More	(9)
Garmin MapSource Topo! U.S. 2008...	Customer Review: I purchased this product as a means to operate a 255w off-road. Not only are the maps not detailed enough, the graphics are poor even on the best graphic system. As a general overview of an area, this product will do just fine, however, if you real... Read More	(153)
Garmin MapSource TOPO! US 24k West Topographic Cov...	Customer Review: this really has a lot more to it the the regular topo map from garmin. on the regular garmin us topo maps i got everything from the rockie west on a 2gb card. with the 24k topo i had to use 4gb card for just the 4 states and i had to leave off the ... Read More
Garmin US Topo! 100K Topographical Maps of United ...	Customer Review: Was a plug and play with my Garmin 60csx! Kind of on the pricey side, but they are good maps.... Read More	(14)
Garmin MapSource TOPO! US 24k West Topographic Cov...	Customer Review: I received these topo-maps about two weeks ago and used them for road navigation (car) and trail navigation (MTB) so far on an etrex Vista HCx. My overall impression is mixed I have to admit.From the start:Installation is nice and easy, just pop in t... Read More	(3)