HOW TO USE GARMIN BASECAMP WITH GPS TOPO MAPS (SOME BASICS); A REVIEW OF GARMIN TOPO U.S. 24K WEST & OTHER GARMIN BASECAMP MAPS
2/26/10

FIRST SOME PROS & CONS ABOUT BASECAMP: PROS: This is a really cool program. You can find any area on the map, blow it up to whatever size you want, print out a paper copy with UTMs and/or transfer the map to a Garmin (at least) mapping GPS, which shows you exactly where you are on the map, etc. It works great in general and is easy to use ONCE YOU FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE IT. Excellent tech support is available via email (through [...]) or phone. It apparently works well on Mac (OSx 10.4 or later) as well as PC (I have it on Vista). CONS: NO INSTRUCTIONS EXIST (as of Feb. 2010)! It has many, but not all, of the trails that are on USGS or Trails Illustrated topo maps (although you can compensate for this by adding "tracks," perhaps with assistance from a topo map that shows where the trails are). Apparently route lines have to at least... Read more

I'll cut to the bottom line: As far as I can see, this is the best topographic mapping product available.

It's better than computer maps from DeLorme, National Geographic or other vendors, and much better than Garmin's earlier "MapSource" product. Maps displayed on one's PC or Mac (I've tried it on a Mac) are visually compelling, with very high resolution and near-perfect accuracy. There is also an excellent user interface -- you can browse, zoom, rotate or tilt to your heart's content. Even better, these high-resolution maps (unlike anything from other vendors) can be downloaded directly into your Garmin handheld. Most recent Garmin models are supported.

Today while out hiking I was astonished at the detail and resolution on my handheld -- 40 ft topo lines make a enormous difference when deciding whether the hill in front of you is a mountain or a molehill.

The only downside I have noticed is that there aren't very many hiking trails indicated... Read more

Pros:
Route-able Roads and Trails
24K Topo Detail

Cons:
Dark Colors and Poor Contrast
Missing Trails
Trails aren't named
No BLM or State Lands

My comments are limited to Colorado and I'm comparing the Garmin maps to another 24K topo set by Above the Timber. On a recent 3-day backpack I used the Above the Timber maps 95% of the time, Garmin 5%, readability was the key. The good news, both map sets reside inside my Garmin GPS and switching is a breeze.

In my opinion a 24K Topo is a back country map used for foot, horse or other slow travel. This map set combines the excellent route-able Navteq highways and also route-able trails, that's slick. However due to an overly dark set of color choices, it's very difficult to see the trails to make an intelligent trip and/or route selection. Having the routing engine choose your route based on time or distance misses the human dynamic of most scenic. Not seen a routing engine that... Read more