Best Topo Software for Windows?

[DUTCH]

What's the current best topo software for Windoze? I have heard good about the National Geographic Topos? Are they still considered to be the best? It doesn't look like they've been updated in a while.

[Karma]

HI Dutch,
I have Nat Geo Topo but I have not used it very much. For over ten years I have depended on My Topo's Terrain Navigator software. It, quite simply, is the best topo software I have seen. It is filled with ability and the maps are first rate and very nicely reproduced. I do think that Nat Geo is a bit easier to use and learn but the trade off is Terrain Nav is much more flexible and capable. It is also more expensive. But you almost always get what you pay for. The need to know exactly where you are or to plan treks accurately makes the added cost worth it.

I assume you will be using the software on the trail. For this TN is great. For navigating cities it is less good because that's not its purpose in life.

I run TN on a Panasonic Toughbook lap top mounted on a RAM articulated mount. It is interfaced to a Garmin GPS which gives real time vehicle tracking. The map source is entirely the USGS topographic series at several different scales. On the trail I use the 7 1/2 minute (scale 1:24,000) maps. On the highway I switch to the larger scale of 1;100,000 or 1:250,000. This is appropriate for the road speed and distance covered.

If the USGS has mapped the area of interest you will see it on your computer. If they have not then..... The USGS maps are not always up to date but Nat Geo suffers the same problems.

[DUTCH]

Thanks for the response. When you say the TN is "more expensive", you're not kidding. $299/state for the Win 7 compatible version vs about $50/state for the NG. I doubt if I would need a 6X more expensive version. The difference could get quite large if I wanted more than one state.

Again, thanks for the well informed response.

[Flounder]

I was recently informed by our in-house contact at Nat Geo that the Topo series is slated to be discontinued.

[Karma]

Thanks for the response. When you say the TN is "more expensive", you're not kidding. $299/state for the Win 7 compatible version vs about $50/state for the NG. I doubt if I would need a 6X more expensive version. The difference could get quite large if I wanted more than one state.

Again, thanks for the well informed response.

HI Dutch,
So, you really were not after the "Best" Topo Software as you post title indicated, right? You really wanted the cheapest but did want to say so, right? Don't feel bad. I have 10 TN states. All states west of Texas, including Texas, except Oregon and Washington. But most were bought on sale. Still, a significant amount of money, over $1000. I must think this is a good package to spend that kind of money.

You asked for Best, were given the Best, but are going to settle for less. I'm disappointed. Be careful about what you ask for.

Sparky

[DUTCH]

HI Dutch,

You asked for Best, were given the Best, but are going to settle for less. I'm disappointed. Be careful about what you ask for.

Sparky

Thanks. When the Best is too expensive, Better will have to do; and one never knows unless one asks.

[DUTCH]

I was recently informed by our in-house contact at Nat Geo that the Topo series is slated to be discontinued.

Narrows the field, doesn't it!

[Karma]

Thanks. When the Best is too expensive, Better will have to do; and one never knows unless one asks.

HI Dutch,
Very true.

Sparky

[fishbum]

Don't discount (pun intended) DeLorme TOPO North America -For $99 it includes their vector detailed maps of the entire US, Canada, and Mexico, and for $29.95 you can get a Map Library subscription to download (and keep) color imagery and USGS quad maps for offline access in the field.

I'm not exactly sure why TN is considered the best, or what it can do that DeLorme TOPO cannot do... And I have both.

[DUTCH]

I've been comparing NatGeo's Topos vs DeLorme; and I like the DeLorme a whole lot better. For one thing, it will zoom in a much more than NatGeo and the routing feature is great.