MapSource Topo Reviewer's Comments
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For those that like to travel over earth and water may find in Garmin's MapSource Topo the guide they need. Our “TopTenREVIEWS Bronze Award” winner includes an exceptional navigational aid system for rivers, streams and coastal areas to guide boaters and divers safely around dangerous areas or to historic shipwrecks.
This product is easy to use and includes an automatic route generator and turn–by–turn directions. However, it does not include the customization tools that DeLorme or Magellan offer such as draw tools and 3–D images, and for these reasons scored below our #1 and #2 choices.
MapSource Topo Screenshots. Click to Enlarge
Ease of Use:
MapSource Topo is easy to navigate.
Feature Set:
MapSource Topo is so simple to use that even a beginner can experiment and explore multiple routes. This software offers automatic route generation, multiple route calculation, detailed turn–by–turn directions and an undo button. But Garmin MapSource Topo is compatible with only Garmin GPS locators.
Points of Interest:
Like Garmin's MapSource City Select, MapSource Topo includes over five million POI, but unfortunately, few of these have anything to do with rural or outdoor type travel.
Map Customization:
MapSource Topo does not offer draw tools. You cannot customize maps by adding text, freehand images, illustrations or notes. Unlike other topo programs we reviewed, MapSource does not have a 3–D mode or have the ability to create an elevation profile.
Safety Features:
MapSource Topo US has a compass and a status box that runs alongside the GPS locator.
Ease of Setup:
We didn't have any problems installing MapSource Topo US.
Help / Support:
MapSource Topo offers technical support by phone and email. When we submitted email questions, we never received a response, so had to rely on the FAQ section of the homepage instead.
Summary:
MapSource Topo US, although easy to use, does not offer customization tools, applicable POI or useful features like an elevation profile. The technical support is difficult to access and it is a bit pricy for the features offered.
©2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.
