RE: Topo Maps
Gps don' t go hunting or fishing with out it , worst thing to ever happen to the backwoods brutes, I bought my 1st about 7 years ago gave it to a friend, inhertited a Garmin GPS III, picked up a new 1 on Ebay for $100 , Magellan Gps330 .
Once you get use to it , you won' t know how you did without. we look at the maps at night , discuss where we were that day and plan on where we will be the next . I still carry a map and compass(2 sometimes i don' t believe 1, pre gps days) , just in case it fails ,and extra batteries.
Having both a Gps and topo maps you can learn to use both rather quickly , get a local map and a Gps and practice where you live.
I prefer the magellan , it seems a little easier to use , and the antenna on the Garmin doesn' t seem to be real sturdy , hate to break it off and then need it.
Good Luck