 Hi, I'm new to the GPS world and I'm waiting for a friend to be a mule and bring me back a Garmin eTrex Vista Color from the US. I'm currently looking at the software side and was wondering which to purchase i.e. MemoryMap, Track-Logs. I've just had an email from walkingworld.com about the Garmin TOPO software, its looks fantastic but I need to know if I can plot routes with it just like the other types or is it different ?
TOPO seems to make your Garmin GPS display the map on-screen just like an Ordnance Servey map i.e. with real features like rivers, tarns, trig points, footpaths, bridleways and those funny rings around mountains....contour lines!
Anyone know more about Garmin TOPO ??
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| Edited: 08/02/06 20:57 |
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Personally I use Memory Map on a PC and export routes via cable to my Garmin Geko. As a back up I carry a integrated GPS/PDA system with the relevant map sections from Memory Map.
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Thanks Dave,
Do you know if the TOPO software allows you to plot your own routes or is it just detailed mapping data that downloads to the GPS unit ?
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I believe that the Mapsource package allows for the transfer of routes.
However, I think that the Memory Map option at £150 for complete 1:50000 scale UK coverage is a better buy. GPS transfer of routes is very simple and could be combined with the contour maps for basic mapping.
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The Garmin TOPO is a stripped down version of the OS map (same, type of thing as Magellan, I think). You do not get the full OS map on screen. There is a download/evaluation on the Garmin website. Use the link below - on the right of the screen there should be a further link to the TOPO mapping. Garmin TOPOIncidently, if you import a GPS from the states make sure you get a European unit otherwise the built in basemap will be the States and that cannot be changed by the user.
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Hi Peter,
If this is the case with my new GPS unit what is the downfall of it? How do a change the basemap and get it to work in the UK.
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 Just a side question... the Garmin Etrex Vista Colour does appear to be a lot cheaper in the US.
It comes with the US basemap - but can you just buy the UK full / topo maps and it is then as good as a UK sourced one as I thought once you had 'better' maps the basemap were effectively redundant?
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| Edited: 09/02/06 12:00 |
I know you cannot change the basemap - they are built-in. I do not know if you can "overlay" the TOPO stuff as suggested by Barking Mad.
The USA sourced model will work in the UK but the base map will not be any use. I use a Legend C (with a UK basemap). The base map is not really much use. To get anything like the full functionality of the unit additional mapping is required. I have European Metroguide but that is still not good enough in the hills. I remain to be persuaded that TOPO mapping will be that much better. A friend of mine has bought the UK TOPO for use with a 60CS so I am awaiting with interest a play with that setup. I will report back in due course.
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I am pretty sure (but would not claim 100%) that if you put the UK detailed maps (Mapsource, Topo etc.) they basemap becomes redundant.
Or at least on the UK model Garmin GPS I have when the 'better' (more detailed) Mapsource maps are available the basemap is ignored.
So I would 'assume' it would be the same - i.e. buy a US model and buy the UK detailed maps.
Just saw the price of the Garmin Topo maps - £149 seems quite steep to me - pity you can't just buy the regions you want!
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Isn't it annoying... Etrex Vista Cx in the US for $310 (about £175)- but £300 in the UK.
If it works it would be worth getting the US model and the saving pays for the UK Topo maps! ;)
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Thanks for all the help people. Peter, it would be good to hear how you get on with the TOPO your friend has on his 60CS.
My GPS unit + bike mount was £150 but free delivery, unreal! Ripp off Britain at work again.
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 Looking at the advert for TOPO in Trail, the small print states "Maps are not printable". IMHO this is a very serious draw back, even if the GPS can display the map. Mine cannot.
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Yes that is a real shame - £150 is a lot to pay and would be 'nice' to be able to print a copy as well on A4 as a backup!
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I will get back to you on how my friends set up works. Meanwhile, Walkingworld have a review of the Garmin TOPO Garmin TOPO ReviewI also understand that the TOPO Mapping will not print. Good reason not to purchjase in my eyes. I am coming to agree with Barking that the TOPO mapping will probably display on a GPS screen in preference to the Basemap. I say that cos my instruction book talks about displying the map highest up in the "hierarchy". The instruction book also advises consulting the Garmin website about determining where in the "hierarchy" any map is. I have looked and can't find anything - sure it must be me. But my guess is that anything downloaded to the GPS is likely to higher in the "hierarchy" than the base map. I will let you know more once I get a chance to play with my mate's.
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I think that's right - on the review it actually says:
"On our device (we were using a Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx) the topographical map displayed automatically if one was a available."
So the basemap is just that - basic mapping (and from what I remember it really is pretty basic) until you load one of the higher quality / more detailed maps.
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Hi does anyone know if the UK topo maps for garmin vista XC includes hiking or walking trails? Also is there anything I need to select or setup to enable the GPS to be used in the UKk Thanks in advance, Marnie Olson
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 Marnie. No the British Topo maps do not show paths. This is the big failing of them. The French Topo map does show paths. Seems it is a matter of licensing from the different map authorities. Topo maps, the same as any other Garmin map, used with Mapsource will print out whats showing on the screen. I agree 100% with other people that Memeory Map is a far better product. You can currently get all the UK National Parks maps for £30. These are 1:50 scale but got to be a bargain at that price. To use the GPS in the UK you would normally set it up to read the Position as British Grid rather than Lat/Long. This will probably also automatically set the map datum as Ord Survey GB . Units can be whichever you prefer, statute or metric.
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Marnie, If, by "trails" you mean pre-loaded routes, then the TOPO doesn't. It does show some footpaths but in my view without sufficient detail to enable accurate navigation. The TOPO is not a substitute for a proper map. Your GPS unit will work in the UK but to co-ordinate the readings with a proper map, set the GPS to "British Grid" in the system setup units menu.
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The UK TOPO will not allow any printing. I understand that is a limitation of the Ordnance Survey. In truth, the TOPO has such limited functionality that I question the worth of it. Would I buy it again? No I wouldn't. I agree with Brian, that other mapping products are much better value and more use. I use Tracklogs rather than Memory Map but even I would agree that MM is a better product than TOPO. Tracklogs charge £10 for each National Park at 1:50,000.
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