Hey guys!

I have a question...I have a Garmin etrex Vista Cx GPS unit and I want to get some Topo mapping software for it. What I want is to be able to SEE in the GPS unit the topo contour lines, etc. But seems like the only mapping available is the propietary Garming Topo software.
Now, seems like I have (2) options: to buy the DVD/CD topo software or to buy the SD topo micro cards...What's the pros and cons of each? Please give some pointers.

What I want is to not having to download maps to the GPS every time I head out the door. I still want to use the National geographic Topo software to plan my routes, waypoints, etc...what do you recommend??

Thanks for your help!

Hmm...thats a tough one. I don't have experience with anything other than the Garmin TOPO software, so I can't give comparative advice, but I can tell you I am thoroughly impressed with Garmin's product and it should be able to do everything that you want it to.

Once you download the maps onto you GPS, you won't have to do it again unless you want to change the areas over topo coverage. You can just update the points, routes, etc without changing the maps.

Hope this helps

Do you know if I could download the whole DVD US topo maps into the SD micro card...I can get a 2GB micro card...

Well I have to give up and call Garmin...after being on hold for about 10', I talked to this nice guy and yeah my options are 2, buy the DVD or the preloaded micro SD cards (same detailed maps), with the cards I do'n need to download anything I just plug them and I'm ready...with the DVD topo map software I need to buy an additional SD card (the more meory the better!) and then download the maps to the card..the tech guy said that I can fit about a 1/3 of the US in the 2 GB card...I think that is enough

I think the DVD and the extra SD card for maps storage have more flexibility, so I'm going to do jus that...thanks for the comments!!

Glad you got it figured out. I've never heard of the SD cards...my RINO 130 doesn't have them, just a built in memory.