View Full Version : which mapping software
I'm looking to get some mapping software and can't decide what to get.I'll use it for weekend to week long backpacking trips,also some canoe camping. I'm looking at DeLorme Topo 6.0 and National Geographic Topo. Anyone know what the difference between the two is, or anyone have any experience good or bad with either one. Thanks for any help.
I'm looking to get some mapping software and can't decide what to get.I'll use it for weekend to week long backpacking trips,also some canoe camping. I'm looking at DeLorme Topo 6.0 and National Geographic Topo. Anyone know what the difference between the two is, or anyone have any experience good or bad with either one. Thanks for any help.
I've used Delorme since they started 20 or more years ago. They keep getting better.
fiddlehead
12-28-2006, 23:41
I have Delorme Topo 3.0 and it's awesome I've had a lot of experience with it and create routes, look at things in 3D before planning my routes (great for snow travel above treeline) as well as printing maps with gridwork added (you could then gps the crosshairs to figure out where you are, etc)
My version is from 2001 but still very accurate. I don't kow anything about the Nat. Geographic one.
terrapin_too
12-29-2006, 00:04
I've got an ancient version of DeLorme. Runs pretty well on my newest PC. I love the 3D views. I enjoy doing "flyovers" of Katahdin and looking it at from all sorts of angles.
i like the garmin topo's the shelters are even there. used from springer to neels gap they were great.
Toolshed
01-14-2007, 19:41
If you are using it just for drawing maps and planning, I am partial to National Geographic Topo - State Series. They are actually scanned USGS topos that are stitched together. The amount of detail and info is amazing. Depending on the version, you can plan routes and upload waypoints to you GPS (and Reverse). Problem with NG is that each state (some are 2 states and the NE is CT/RI/MA/MN/NJ/NY/VT/NH) are $99. Several areas can get expensive. If you are looking for the AT, you can check Gamin Topo 24K. National Parks East. you can even sample it online. It also includes the entire AT.
I have never touched delorme and cannot tell you about it. (other than the atlas)
If you are using it just for drawing maps and planning, I am partial to National Geographic Topo - State Series. They are actually scanned USGS topos that are stitched together. The amount of detail and info is amazing. Depending on the version, you can plan routes and upload waypoints to you GPS (and Reverse). Problem with NG is that each state (some are 2 states and the NE is CT/RI/MA/MN/NJ/NY/VT/NH) are $99. Several areas can get expensive. If you are looking for the AT, you can check Gamin Topo 24K. National Parks East. you can even sample it online. It also includes the entire AT.
I have never touched delorme and cannot tell you about it. (other than the atlas)
However, USGS topos are usually not up to date with current relocations and such. I rather use the ATC maps.
The Weasel
01-15-2007, 12:28
I'm looking to get some mapping software and can't decide what to get.I'll use it for weekend to week long backpacking trips,also some canoe camping. I'm looking at DeLorme Topo 6.0 and National Geographic Topo. Anyone know what the difference between the two is, or anyone have any experience good or bad with either one. Thanks for any help.
I used MapTech's TopoScout in 2000 (it's still available - this is the "product tour" (just looked it up)
http://www.maptech.com/products/tours/index.cfm?TOUR_TYPE=at
I liked several things a LOT:
1) It prints the trail as an overlay so there is a "dark line" for it without further work, although the darkline can be removed.
2) I could print maps easily at about 1"=2000' scale on regular paper. This meant I could actually navigate and identify where I was from the trail, which was helpful a LOT. I carried sections with me (usually 5-9 days) and had my son send me long stretches (200 miles) to my break towns, so I carried about 10-15 pages at a time, which was the same weight as a large map. Others at shelters liked the maps too.
3) They have the FULL Guidebooks. I'd print the Guide pages on the back of my maps, which meant that total would be very light, without carrying the actual guidebook. That eliminated the Data Book too.
3) My son would mail me elevation charts for my bounce box, which I used to annotate my "dailies".
4) When I'd finish a "page", I'd leave it at the nearest shelter with the shelter register.
5) They have a huge number of pictures of the trail, including (as I recall) every shelter. Neat to look at. I didn't print most of these.
6) Very easy to use and flexible.
The Weasel