GPS NEWBIE: Need advice for Hiking software

[myselfnjit]

HI
I am brand new to GPSing and am wondering what would be the best TOPO software to purchase for hiking and trail navigation. I hike primarily in the Adirondacks and Catskills. I have a Magellan explorist 210. Also, if I need to buy a few packages, how would I use them together?
thanks

[redhawk]

For Accuracy, best maps and easiest interace and file handling, National Geographics Topo!, hands down.

Just behind that Terrain navigator and then Topofusion.

Understand that none of the above can upload MAPS to the GPS but they can upload (& download) waypoints, routes and tracks to and from any gps.

Delorme's Topo USA is a good buy in that it gives tyou the whole country for under $100.00, but the maps have lousy detail and I have found big time inacuracy's in them.
Same basemap as Garmins Mapsource Topo (inaccuracies and all) and you can't upload the maps into your GPS.

If you have a Garmin, you need mapsource to upload maps to the gps but that is all I would use it for. I would use a different program for planning and up/downloading my data.

[myselfnjit]

Software for Magellan

I have a magellan explorist 210. Would I need to buy Mapsend Topo 3d and then the national geographic?

Will I be able to see elevation lines, streams and things of that nature?

Would mapsend topo 3d do this alone?

Sorry, I just got this thing and dont really understand much yet.

thanks

[TheNatrix]

For Accuracy, best maps and easiest interace and file handling, National Geographics Topo!, hands down.

Just behind that Terrain navigator and then Topofusion.

Understand that none of the above can upload MAPS to the GPS but they can upload (& download) waypoints, routes and tracks to and from any gps.

So with the National Geographic Topo you can't download the full maps into your GPS if its a Garmin, just the waypoints? I'm slightly confused and ignorant with GPS matters. I'm still a compass guy.

[Wildernessphoto]

So with the National Geographic Topo you can't download the full maps into your GPS if its a Garmin, just the waypoints? I'm slightly confused and ignorant with GPS matters. I'm still a compass guy.

This is true...The software for the units is proprietary so if you have a unit, you have to use the same companies software for base maps. The NG TOPO! will accept tracks and waypoints when they are downloaded/uploaded from GPS to computer

[myselfnjit]

Software questions

So I should get Magellan Mapsend Topo 3d and then use NG Topo to help with waypoints and tracks. This will lay the tracks over the mapsend maps? Is this correct?

Has anyone used Mapsend topo 3d? Is it any good for hiking trails?

I still have a couple of days o return the gps so if the magellan software that I have to have is garbage then please let me know, it would be a lo of help.

thanks

[Kevin]

So I should get Magellan Mapsend Topo 3d and then use NG Topo to help with waypoints and tracks. This will lay the tracks over the mapsend maps? Is this correct?

This is correct, but I've had no experience with that GPSr unit or its software so I couldn't tell you how accurate the maps are. The Garmin Mapsource maps are very accurate (although Redhawk has found some flaws). This doesn't help you, though, because I believe the mapsource software only works with Garmin products.

[myselfnjit]

ok well will I be able to see elevation lines, streams and such? If anyone has used the mapsend I guess this is my question.

[redhawk]

ok well will I be able to see elevation lines, streams and such? If anyone has used the mapsend I guess this is my question.

Not familiar with the Magellan software but if it doesn't have elevation lines or show streams then it's not topo software is it? Based on that assumption, I would assume that the answer to your question would be yes.

[myselfnjit]

i suppose you are correct! sorry about being a little foolish, you have been a lot of help. I will get mapsend and then probably ng topo.

thanks again