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Using Garmin's TOPO 24K Maps with a Nuvi 255W

 
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 9:33am

Howdy from snowy Nebraska!

I like to hike and I am interested in getting Garmin's TOPO Maps for either the Northern Plains or the North Central part of the nation and wonder if anyone has some experience using these with a Nuvi 255W. I'm am wondering if they are worth the price.

My big questions are:
Are these TOPO maps helpful/effective in keeping to the trails in state and national parks and for doing some trailblazing in these places? I don't want to invest $70-100 that won't really help me do more in my hikes.

Is it better to use these maps with something like a Garmin eTrex, or if using a Nuvi and the TOPO Map for hiking the trails would be just fine?

Any other benefits of the TOPO Maps?

Thanks a bunch!

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Tue, 12/08/2009 - 10:39am

Hiking with a Nuvi

The Nuvi line has limited battery life as they are designed for automotive use and readily available power. If you are going to be spending a lot of time on the trails - more than an hour or two - then the Etrex would be a better choice. For getting to the trailhead, use the Nuvi.

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ɐ‾nsǝɹ Just one click away from the end of the Internet
Tue, 12/08/2009 - 1:15pm

.

As stated above, the limitations will be more with the unit than with the maps.

In general, nuvis are relatively fragile and not really suited for use in hiking situations.

However, if you want to see how it will work, I would recommend trying out these free maps before purchasing maps.

http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

These maps are very good and may be all that you need. You can put them on on your nuvi and try it out.

Personally, I would use a waterproof handheld in a hiking situation regardless of the maps.

Tue, 12/08/2009 - 2:10pm

Go eTrex

I second all that's been said so far.

Regarding the eTrex, be sure to go the little bit extra in price for the "H." Get an HCx rather than a Cx for the much improved satellite reception.

I haven't tried Garmin's 24k series maps since I found 24k free maps that are Garmin-compatible elsewhere on the web and they do a fantastic job. I do have the Garmin Topo USA (100k?) maps and they work well with the eTrex.

As MM wrote, check here to see if you can find free Garmin-compable maps:

http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

Aha, Nebraska:

http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/162/

Tue, 12/08/2009 - 3:05pm

Topo Maps

I gotta go with what's been said above. The TOPOs at GPS File Depot are excellent. In fact they are better than Garmins 100K maps, as most of File Depot's maps are 24K. and the land owner maps are excellent.

And they are free and you can install them on any Garmin compatible unit. Also there are tutorials for the process.
Go for it!

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If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there.
Fri, 12/11/2009 - 8:45pm

Definitely go with GPS File Depot

These state 24K topos are great. I have collected as many state sets as I need, installed them on both my nuvi and on my handheld Legend.

The handheld is really the only way to use in the field though...the nuvi just will not be reliable enough...both battery life and durability.

I would not bother paying for the TOPO's.

Sat, 12/12/2009 - 12:24am

Thanks a bunch for all your advice!

Thanks for all of your suggestions! I downloaded map that included Nebraska and Eastern Iowa. I'm pretty impressed. Maybe after Christmas, I'll look in getting an eTrex.