topomaps
 

i found a topographical map program out by NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC. it claims to have any road (even back roads) and also the local names of hollows, streams, and hills of anywhere in the united states. you can also add notes to different locations and can be used hand in hand with any pda. has anybody used this particular program and if so how would you rate it compared to others out there similar?? thanks

RE: topomaps
 

what's the link?if this is true, i am going to be there alot...

RE: topomaps
 

I use mapcard.com and it's ok. They are topo maps, but like all topo maps, they haven't done an air survey in maybe 30 years.

RE: topomaps
 

this program is not on a website. i saw it at Sams Club a couple weeks back. it was something like $120. everything is supposed to be current. it comes with like 16 disks. i told my wife if she was going to get me anything this year for christmas, this would be the gift.

RE: topomaps
 

Why not just use www.topozone.com ?

RE: topomaps
 

Be careful of the phrase "current maps" or similar phrases. They usually means the latest or current US Geological Survey maps. Many sites use these maps, such as TerraServer.com, Topozone.com, and Mapcard.com.

If you use a GPS I recommend ExpertGPS at http://www.expertgps.com/default.asp

It allows to to travel an then overlay your track on the topo and aerial maps. You can also scout a large area quickly, finding funnels, creek bottoms and other desirable features. You still need to get on the property and check the details, as the maps don't show every feature, but they help eliminate a lot of the property as potential hunting area. If you spot a feature on the map then you can mark it, print the map and later investigate it on foot.

Remember that the maps may be 10-20 years old, but most of the areas haven't changed that much. On one property that I hunted, the map showed open fields, but the farmer retired and planted pine trees. Once on the property, we knew where there were small pines and great bedding areas.

RE: topomaps
 

Just a couple of points for you to consider, No digital map can be more accurate than the original it was copied from. Topo maps produced by NOAA or USGS are accurate to within +/- 1 arc second or about 80 to 100 feet depending on your location and distance from the equator.
Most Topo maps have been "Photo" revised within the past 20 years but the landscape on a 50 year old map will be very similar to one produced last week. Urban areas are subject to the greatest change and areas where new development has occured. Wild areas rarely change significantly unless some catastrophic event has occured to change them and I include manmade activities in that categorie such as dams and road projects.
Digital maps are fun to play with at home and in conjunction with a GPS, you can do a lot of neat things with them, the problems begin when you want to go outside of your office or living room. How long is your longest extension cord? How much battery does your laptop have available? How big and how fine is your printer? A brand new off the shelf 7.5 min topo from NOAA or the USFS will cost you about $5 to $7 and is on good quality paper which will last for years. I am not putting down the digital mapping programs, I own several and have been using them for my job and for personal use since they were first made available , that's nearly ten years now. I also have a large collection of Topo maps that are used in the field and for research. Get the best tools available and learn how to use them, but don't think that any of them are a guarantee.