|
| 
| Brand: National Geographic
List Price: $99.99
Buy New: $85.95
You Save: $14.04 (14%)
New (2) from $85.95
Rating:  21 reviews
Sales Rank: 70052
Format: Cd-rom
Media: Electronics
Operating System: Windows 95, 98, NT, ME, 2000, or XP
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 10 x 8 x 2
MPN: Kansas and Nebraska
Model: Kansas and Nebraska
ISBN: 1597750379
UPC: 749717205215
EAN: 9781597750370
ASIN: 1597750379
Release Date: April 1, 2006
Promotion: Data not available Terms and Conditions
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Great maps, poor backward compatibility September 9, 2006
Stephen W. Hinch (Santa Rosa, CA USA)
8 out of 10 found this review helpful
UPDATE 1/1/08: I just got a Mac after always previously using Windows. Great news--when I installed this 4.0 software, not only did it work fine, but it also corrected the two most serious objections I previously had with it. I now have no problems importing waypoints from my Garmin GPSmap 60CSx, and the software is now compatible with all the states I own from the previous Version 3 software. I don't know whether this is unique to Mac or whether it now works just as well with Windows, but when I did the installation, it automatically went to the National Geographic web site and downloaded a software update. I still give it 4 stars because of some of the other non-standard user interface choices, but these are easy enough to get used to. I didn't change the rest of the review, so keep this update in mind as you read it.
National Geographic topo maps are great if your understand their strengths and limitations (I have the Nevada version but they all work the same). First, don't expect to import the actual maps into a GPS receiver. These maps are raster-scanned directly from USGS 7.5' topos; GPS receivers use vector-graphic maps that are only available from your receiver's manufacturer (and they are much less detailed than NG maps). But you should never expect your GPS receiver's display to completely replace a paper map anyway. It's too small to show much detail, and if your receiver fails, you'd be out of luck. NOTE: Magellan has just introduced the Triton series, which is the first product designed to import maps from Topo!. This is a great advancement, but I haven't yet evaluated it to see how well it works.
Since these are based on USGS maps, they have the same high quality including tons of detail, but since many USGS maps are more than 10 years old, you won't necessarily get up-to-date information. Since topographic features don't ordinarily change as frequently as man-made features, you're usually OK, but keep this in mind.
These maps allow you do a lot of other things with your GPS. You can create waypoints on the computer, either by placing a marker on the map or by entering in the latitudes and longitudes of your points, then transferring them to the GPS. This is much easier than manually entering the info through your GPS user interface. You can also download tracks from your GPS receiver onto the map to see where you've been. And you can draw intended journeys directly on the map screen, then measure the distance and elevation profile of the route. The elevation profile is a bit noisy, but you get a pretty good idea of how much elevation change you'll experience on a hike. The tool you use to draw the route on the screen could benefit from an improved user interface, but with a little practice you can get pretty good at it. If you make a mistake, hold down the right mouse button to erase the error. One thing I like is that you can print out a custom paper map, and if you print using your inkjet on NG's waterproof paper, you can get a custom color map that really is waterproof. This latest edition is designed to work with USB receivers like the Garmin GPSMap 60-series. This is a tremendous advantage compared to the previous edition. BUT please note that it isn't completely compatible with the new GPSMap60CSx. It doesn't import waypoint names properly, they end up being simple numbers starting at 001. For some reason this isn't a problem with the older GPSMap60Cs.
The main objection I have is that it isn't easily compatible with the previous edition. In my case, I had the prior edition for California, and expected the California CDs to work with the new software. But for some reason they don't. So I have to leave the old edition installed for the California maps and the new one for Nevada maps. Fortunately I can use the USB capability of the Nevada software to download the California waypoints and tracks from my 60CSx. I then have to save the .tpo file, launch the old edition software and pull up the California map, then import the .tpo file. Very inconvenient, but at least there is a way to make it work. I guess they would prefer I buy a new edition of the California maps.
The only other thing to note is that they still haven't completely adopted Windows user interface conventions. For example, there are no scroll bars on the side and bottom of the map to allow you to move the map on your screen. You have to move your cursor to the edge of the map, watch for the cursor to change to an arrow, and hold down the mouse button. The direction of scroll depends on exactly where on the screen your cursor is. Another observation is that there is no EDIT menu, so I can't easily cut and paste data into other applications. But these are relatively small concerns that you can quickly adapt to. All in all this is a very valuable tool that I highly recommend.
 0 stars. Ripoff. Can't download maps to GPS April 9, 2008
M. Gilkey
8 out of 13 found this review helpful
After spending $250 on a GPS, $40 on a memory card, and $100 on this software (all at the advice of REI (yeah, I bought it from REI, not Amazon)), I saw that the fine print of the software says you can't download the maps to your GPS.
What's the point of having maps sitting on your computer hard drive that you can't download to your GPS? My computer hard drive isn't going hiking. My computer hard drive isn't hunting for difficult-to-find street. My computer hard drive isn't doing a search and rescue mission. Oh, but if your computer hard drive ever DOES want to go hiking, it won't get lost. You, on the other hand, will be lost and out $80-$100 if you buy this software.
If you thought National Geographic was a reputable organization, they're not! (And I guess the same is true of REI.) And does Amazon warn you about this -- not that I've found so far.
my opinion after a few hours use of Nat. Geographic Topo States softeware May 12, 2006
F. Holmes (Az. United States)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Before I bought this product I found it difficult to find reviews of Nat. Geographic topo state software as well as MapTech Terrain Navigator software, so I am giving this input for future customers. MapTech provides a demo. I'd say I prefer MapTech's 3D to Nat. Geographic's 3D version. Nat. Geographic provides more features such as greater grid spacing options. But don't expect either to print with the resolution of the regular 1:24,000 USGS maps; both software brands have to default to a larger scale to get that kind of resolution and clarity at least with ink jet printers. National Geographic Topo's 50% default setting results in an approximate print scale of 1:31,000 which results in very good clarity. However even at 1:24,000 they are legible (although a bit fuzzy). They will both save you money verses buying the regular topo maps (after 20 or so store-bought maps considering your ink and paper costs) plus they give you advantages if you use a gps unit especially in overlaying grids, trail markers, etc., on the printed-out maps. But don't forget it takes more than (4) 8 1/2" x 11" printouts to match one regular store bought 1:24,000 topo map.
Better than the Garmin counterpart, but still not good! November 10, 2006
Thorsten (Palo Alto, CA, USA)
7 out of 10 found this review helpful
The best part of this package is the possibility to have all maps in hiking friendly 1:24000 scale. Though these maps are not really up to date, not really recommendable for power hikers in the CA bay area. Also on the down side is the strange user interface, you really have to get used to it. Considering some crashes of the software itself I can only give 3 stars. But it is at least the best GPS mapping software I know, among the blind the one-eyed is king...
Great maps, poor backward compatibility September 9, 2006
Stephen W. Hinch (Santa Rosa, CA USA)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
UPDATE 1/1/08: I just got a Mac after always previously using Windows. Great news--when I installed this 4.0 software, not only did it work fine, but it also corrected the two most serious objections I previously had with it. I now have no problems importing waypoints from my Garmin GPSmap 60CSx, and the software is now compatible with all the states I own from the previous Version 3 software. I don't know whether this is unique to Mac or whether it now works just as well with Windows, but when I did the installation, it automatically went to the National Geographic web site and downloaded a software update. I still give it 4 stars because of some of the other non-standard user interface choices, but these are easy enough to get used to. I didn't change the rest of the review, so keep this update in mind as you read it.
National Geographic topo maps are great if your understand their strengths and limitations (I have the Nevada version but they all work the same). First, don't expect to import the actual maps into a GPS receiver. These maps are raster-scanned directly from USGS 7.5' topos; GPS receivers use vector-graphic maps that are only available from your receiver's manufacturer (and they are much less detailed than NG maps). But you should never expect your GPS receiver's display to completely replace a paper map anyway. It's too small to show much detail, and if your receiver fails, you'd be out of luck. NOTE: Magellan has just introduced the Triton series, which is the first product designed to import maps from Topo!. This is a great advancement, but I haven't yet evaluated it to see how well it works.
Since these are based on USGS maps, they have the same high quality including tons of detail, but since many USGS maps are more than 10 years old, you won't necessarily get up-to-date information. Since topographic features don't ordinarily change as frequently as man-made features, you're usually OK, but keep this in mind.
These maps allow you do a lot of other things with your GPS. You can create waypoints on the computer, either by placing a marker on the map or by entering in the latitudes and longitudes of your points, then transferring them to the GPS. This is much easier than manually entering the info through your GPS user interface. You can also download tracks from your GPS receiver onto the map to see where you've been. And you can draw intended journeys directly on the map screen, then measure the distance and elevation profile of the route. The elevation profile is a bit noisy, but you get a pretty good idea of how much elevation change you'll experience on a hike. The tool you use to draw the route on the screen could benefit from an improved user interface, but with a little practice you can get pretty good at it. If you make a mistake, hold down the right mouse button to erase the error. One thing I like is that you can print out a custom paper map, and if you print using your inkjet on NG's waterproof paper, you can get a custom color map that really is waterproof. This latest edition is designed to work with USB receivers like the Garmin GPSMap 60-series. This is a tremendous advantage compared to the previous edition. BUT please note that it isn't completely compatible with the new GPSMap60CSx. It doesn't import waypoint names properly, they end up being simple numbers starting at 001. For some reason this isn't a problem with the older GPSMap60Cs.
The main objection I have is that it isn't easily compatible with the previous edition. In my case, I had the prior edition for California, and expected the California CDs to work with the new software. But for some reason they don't. So I have to leave the old edition installed for the California maps and the new one for Nevada maps. Fortunately I can use the USB capability of the Nevada software to download the California waypoints and tracks from my 60CSx. I then have to save the .tpo file, launch the old edition software and pull up the California map, then import the .tpo file. Very inconvenient, but at least there is a way to make it work. I guess they would prefer I buy a new edition of the California maps.
The only other thing to note is that they still haven't completely adopted Windows user interface conventions. For example, there are no scroll bars on the side and bottom of the map to allow you to move the map on your screen. You have to move your cursor to the edge of the map, watch for the cursor to change to an arrow, and hold down the mouse button. The direction of scroll depends on exactly where on the screen your cursor is. Another observation is that there is no EDIT menu, so I can't easily cut and paste data into other applications. But these are relatively small concerns that you can quickly adapt to. All in all this is a very valuable tool that I highly recommend.
|
|
|
We'll be adding even more exciting features to assist you in the coming year.
Thank you for shopping at the Depot.com online shopping depot.
©2008 Depot.com | |
