Ease of Use:  

We found the product easy to load, and relatively simple to use. After installing the program on your computer, just hook up a Garmin GPS and transfer the information over. This will mean you can plan your trip on your PC, hook up the GPS on the day of, and off you go.

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 on conventional roadways, and an undo button. But Garmin MapSource Topo is compatible with only Garmin GPS locators.

A nice feature which helped solidify TOPO U.S. 2008 in the number four spot is its Digital Elevation Model (DEM) coverage of the location you’re in. This will be a fun tool for those outdoor enthusiasts. The only qualm with this feature we discovered was that it does not offer auto-routing for off-road trails, so the directions of routes created on TOPO are displayed in a straight line, instead of on a turn-by-turn basis.

Product Features:

• Usgs Topographical Data At 1:100.000 Scale
• Terrain contours, topographic elevations
• Summit locations with elevation
• Trails and rural roads; city neighborhood roads
• Coastline, lake and river shoreline; wetlands; perennial and seasonal streams
• Allows you to plan your next outdoor adventure on your PC and download routes, waypoints, and map detail to your compatible Garmin GPS
• Lakes, reservoirs, waterways, rivers, and streams with icons to represent boat ramps, dams, campgrounds, and trails

Points of Interest:  

We like that TOPO has complete coverage of all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico. Previous versions did not include Hawaii and Alaska; however, the maps do not cross the border into regions of Canada and Mexico that do not already have a large city or highway integrated into the map.

TOPO is a nice add-on to a City Navigator because it allows you to put in road profiles anywhere in the U.S. making travel planning much easier.

Map Customization:  

MapSource Topo does not offer draw tools. You cannot customize maps by adding text, freehand images, illustrations or notes.

Safety Features:  

MapSource Topo US has a compass and a status box that runs alongside the GPS locator.

Ease of Setup:  

One of TOPO’s best features is how easy it is to set up. Insert CD, dink around for a while to make travel plans, connect GPS and you’re ready to go.

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.

We were impressed with the TOPO U.S. 2008’s many features. Its ability to recognize everything from side streets to small trails makes it a good candidate if you’re looking for Travel and Map Software. The only thing we’d like to see from TOPO, and didn’t, was auto-routing for trails.