Just got the Garmin GPS Legend for my birthday. WOW! What a cool toy! I don't think that I will ever get lost (I mean confused) ever again. Does anyone have the Garmin Topo maps CD's? And if so do you want to sell or loan them to me? Thanks all.

Matthews
I got the National geographic set for the NE off e-bay for $49, they are much better than the Mapsource topo's but you cannot download to the gps (garmin only accepts garmin mapsource) I use mine all the time on the laptop to correlate the hunting data I have gathered to maintain a historical database so to speak. I want to be able to reference past years hunts and look for patterns etc. If you have a laptop also look on ebay for the streetatlas software, I just picked up 8.0 for $15. This allows you to use the gps on the road with live tracking on the laptop. It also allows point to point plotting. Cool stuff to keep use entertained on those long trips.

mathews, welcome to GPSing.

I've got versions of Mapsource for Canada, but no Topo (no product exists for Canada) unfortunatly.

You can check out www.gpscentral.ca - they're based out of Calgary, Alberta, but have some of the best prices I could find.

Thanks for the info guys. I am kinda in shock as to how much money Garmin wants for the topo cd set.

Mathews
Which unit do you have? The Garmin topo collection leaves alot to be desired IMO the detail on the Nat Geographic if much better (more accurate as well. Sure wish that they would come up with a software patch to allow that to be loaded to the Garmin GPS. I think the files may be to large for the units. A recommendation would be to get the new NiMh rechargeable batteries, enough for 2 full loads and a car charger as well. My GPS III+ eats up batteries in less than a days hunt.

Mathews
Before you buy a bunch of stuff for the GPS check e-bay for the items. The cables are 1/2 of what Garmin wants and there are plenty of software deals for the maps as well

I have the legend by Garmin. Nice unit and it does not appear to eat thru the batteries to much. I guess I could always buy the Nat Geo and just print out the map for the areas I will be hunting. Ebay does have the topo by Garmin, but so far there are not any good deals. Thanks for the tip!

with the nat geo maps you can still down/upload tracks, waypoints, and routes to one another, you just do not have the topo info on the screen. We record everything for the day, tracks and mark all sign then take it back and load to the maps to see exactly what we have done and what is there. We can then clear out tracklogs, and misc waypoint data that we dont need on the gps proper and have a clean unit for the following day. If there is info that we will use the following day that of course is saved on the gps. The entire thing is saved on the map asa file and remains intact until the season is over. That is when I take and archive the data (merge it into a master map) sounds like alot of work but is really very simple. You can also see what the other hunters do and you will be surprised at how far you did not walk during a given day even though your legs are tellin ya 4 miles you most likely did 2 on the gps. If you do go for the NiMh batteries check out www.sunbattery.com good deals, good product. Get to know that unit real good and by all means dont make it your only source of nav aid, Keep and use the compass and map as you always did, MURPHY LIVES

try this web site there prices are pretty good i think they have the topo for $79 brand new

www.gpsdiscount.com

GPS eats batteries....get these. I bought some and they last a long time. You'll save money in the long run. I have an Eagle Accu-Nav (about 8 years old...ancient, but it works well). It uses six alkaline AA batteries over the course of a day long hunt (intermittent use). When I got the MAHA 1800's I tried them by sitting the GPS on my deck and let it run continous. I figured they would last about 2 hours. They lasted 5 and a half hours. I was amazed.

These aren't cheap, but they are good. Definitely pay the extra few dollars and get the 12V cord for use in the truck.

http://www.thomas-distributing.com/mh-4aa180.htm






Visit my hunting homepage.... http://www.geocities.com/hogshooter_2000