Garmin nüvi 550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

I purchased a Garmin Nuvi 550 for my son for Christmas in Dec 2008. In February, when I began travelling for my work, I purchased the same unit from Amazon for myself. I have carried it in my briefcase and use it in a rental car to assist with locating my client site. However, I pulled it out one day in June, some 4 months after purchase and found that it just turns on, and then shuts itself off. I emailed the tech support at Garmin and am still looking for assistance to resolve this. The unit has not been damaged, I have charged the battery in the car and through my computer, with no resolution. I have sent my Amazon receipt to Garmin so that they know this unit was purchased legitimately. However, still waiting (some 3 weeks now) for instructions on how to get this unit repaired or exchanged for one that works.

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Delorme Earthmate PN-20 Handheld GPS (with Topo USA 7.0 & 1-GB SD Card & Reader) Review

Prior to ordering the PN-20 the only GPS I had used was the navigation in my wife's car. I selected this unit so I could do some geocaching and, since my wife sells real estate, I thought it would be nice if we knew her signs were on the right property. Based on reading reviews, I was expecting a capable device, a poor instruction book, and a fairly steep learning curve. I was not disappointed in any of these areas.

Yesterday, after loading some maps we took it around Hood Canal and went up to Port Townsend. We had the top down on the miata. If you zoom out a bit the unit did a pretty good job of tracking where we were, with useable maps that let us see where we were. As others have said, you don't see very far down the road like in a road navigation system, but you get lots of contours, points of interest, and things to talk about along the way. Although I have made the trip many times, I can't believe how much I learned new about the area we were travelling through. The battery lasted about 10 hours.

Now about the instructions. There should be a card telling you to go to Delorme dot com and click on technical support. Then you need to visit the forum and read the stickies on how to install the SD card, how to install the Topo disks, how to get around the endless frustration you will experience if you hit the software cold like I did. There is a wealth of material in the forum that can lead you out of the frustration you will be feeling if you embark on your own to figure out this device.

It is ironic that a device that is intended to provide guidance is packaged by people who can't create a simple route of instruction to get you up and going. But the good news is that if you go to the forum you can learn to do some amazing things. I have located my first geocache and I have learned how to get corners of property coordinates into my pn-20 to the point that we can better assess where the property really is and that the sign is probably in the right spot.

In sum, I think the Pn-20 is a bargain and plenty capable of meeting my needs.

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TOPO! Explorer Deluxe Review

This isn't the 1 to buy. Topo! uses USGS data. It is a long way from what we have come to expect and use when compared to Google Earth. As you zoom in, the maps get fuzzy. If you export these maps to a gps unit, the maps look the same as on the computer. Zoom in and they get fuzzy.

The engine that Topo! is built on seems to operate in in an odd way. Certainly not smoothly as in Google Earth. The data on the DVD is only basic. You have to connect to the web and the "store" to see more mapping detail. It isn't a free standing program that can be used in the field unless you have already downloaded the detailed maps.

Need topo maps for your Magellan? Try Topo USA. Topo! isn't the 1 for you.

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Garmin nüvi 500 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

This little box is a mixed blessing. you will have a love hate relationship with the 50 something women's voice. I bet Cal Trans road workers have found 100s of these little boxes at the side of the road, thrown from vehicles as drivers lost their last bit of patience with the little demon. I bought this Item with the intended use of a little driviing , a little hiking, a little mountain biking, just what it was designed for. Here are the facts. It stranded me in a small town some place in New Mexico. I took the advice of the little box instead of my wife and paid for it dearly. I spent 30 minutes trying to get back on the freeway I didn't want to get off. My wife just smirked and said ask the women in the little box. The little women just kept repeating herself, " In .2 miles turn right... turn right " While hiking she lost her way and couldn't see the forest through the trees. Good thing I knew where we were so I could get us home safely. The topos are pretty weak. Well there you have it. Don't expect much and at times you will be amazed at what it (she) can do.

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Garmin TOPO Topographical Maps of Australia (micro SD/SD Card) Review

TOPO Austrailia microSD/SD Card







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Magellan 950-0116-001 TOPO Topographical Maps of Canada for Magellan Triton (SD Card) Review

Magellan Canada TOPO SD Card







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Garmin US TOPO 24K Topographical Maps of United States Mountain Central Region (microSD/SD Card) Review

For the first time Garmin is beginning to roll out 24K Topo maps on very convenient microSD cards. ( includes SD card adapter ) No computer needed, just put it in your unit and go. No fuss, no muss !

All I can say is it is about time !

They are starting with the western states and going east. If your state is not covered yet, please be patient. They are all coming.

This is the highest level of mapping detail available for your Garmin unit. They work best on the new Colorado and Oregon series units as you will see see 3-D views and color terrain shading on these units only. Very Nice !!

These are a must have for hikers, geocachers and any outdoor enthusiasts.

Highly recommended !!

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Garmin TOPO! Topographical Maps of Kansas (CD-ROM) Review

Allows you to export tif images with GIS/CAD world files for easy upload into Programs such as Petra. Downside is that if you are looking at a large area, you have to continuously change out disks (there are 5 or 6 of them).

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Garmin TOPO! Topographical Maps of Mountain West North (Micro-SD/SD Card) Review

I purchased this to up-grade the base maps on my Garmin. Easy, easy upgrade, just insert the card wait 30 seconds during initial installation and have all of the Northeast in the GPS. Having detailed topo, road, RR, powerlines and even hydrologic details is worth it when out hiking in the boondocks. I esp. like the information on springs and streams, it has precise locations of 4 springs within 1 mile of my house. It really makes geocaching with my son easier and more informative. With accurate topo and stream information it is much easier to figure out a way to hike into to an unknown 'cache. I am planning a trip out west and plan to purchase the appropriate card for that area to make outdoor activities more fun.

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Garmin TOPO Topographical Maps of Australia (DVD) Review

TOPO Austraila DVD







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TOPO! Explorer Review

This product is based on a web browser so it takes about twice as many clicks to accomplish anything as you would be used to with a native Windows or Mac application. It seems to defy common sense user interface standards, for example, you have to click buttons that are greyed-out.

I have never been able to accomplish anything useful with this program as it has a knack for locking up just before I save. I am using the Mac version on a machine that far exceeds the minimum system requirements.

There is a lot of promise here for a great application so I will wait for a future update before I pass final judgement. I really want to like this.

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Garmin US TOPO! 100K Topographical Maps of Southcentral Region, United States (microSD/SD Card) Review

I purchased this to up-grade the base maps on my Garmin. Easy, easy upgrade, just insert the card wait 30 seconds during initial installation and have all of the Northeast in the GPS. Having detailed topo, road, RR, powerlines and even hydrologic details is worth it when out hiking in the boondocks. I esp. like the information on springs and streams, it has precise locations of 4 springs within 1 mile of my house. It really makes geocaching with my son easier and more informative. With accurate topo and stream information it is much easier to figure out a way to hike into to an unknown 'cache. I am planning a trip out west and plan to purchase the appropriate card for that area to make outdoor activities more fun.

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Garmin US Topo! 100K Topographical Maps of United States Upper East Coast Region (microSD/SD Card) Review

I purchased this to up-grade the base maps on my Garmin. Easy, easy upgrade, just insert the card wait 30 seconds during initial installation and have all of the Northeast in the GPS. Having detailed topo, road, RR, powerlines and even hydrologic details is worth it when out hiking in the boondocks. I esp. like the information on springs and streams, it has precise locations of 4 springs within 1 mile of my house. It really makes geocaching with my son easier and more informative. With accurate topo and stream information it is much easier to figure out a way to hike into to an unknown 'cache. I am planning a trip out west and plan to purchase the appropriate card for that area to make outdoor activities more fun.

Buy it here now!

Garmin TOPO Topographical Maps of Alaska (microSD/SD Card) Review

I purchased this to up-grade the base maps on my Garmin. Easy, easy upgrade, just insert the card wait 30 seconds during initial installation and have all of the Northeast in the GPS. Having detailed topo, road, RR, powerlines and even hydrologic details is worth it when out hiking in the boondocks. I esp. like the information on springs and streams, it has precise locations of 4 springs within 1 mile of my house. It really makes geocaching with my son easier and more informative. With accurate topo and stream information it is much easier to figure out a way to hike into to an unknown 'cache. I am planning a trip out west and plan to purchase the appropriate card for that area to make outdoor activities more fun.

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Garmin TOPO! Topographical Maps (Canada) Review

I recently bought the Garmin Topo Canada software for my eTrex Venture HC, even though a search on Garmin's site did not list it as compatible software.

I found it worked exactly like the Garmin US Topo (more on this) and loaded on the eTrex without any problems.

The Canada Topo does a nice job listing all major and minor roads, streams, mountains, and hiking paths in SW Canada (my favorite area). I was also pleased with the high road detail in Banff, Lake Louise, Calgary, etc. Oddly, it did not list the famous "tea houses" above Lake Louise, though it did list the paths leading to them. It also omitted the famous Prince of Wales hotel at Waterton and the paint pots above Johnston Canyon.

Garmin still resists updating their incredibly clunky software. Instead of a single DVD, Garmin still ships four CD's requiring switching out disks to load maps, a real chore when your path leads between map sections. Plus the software still operates like it did under Windows 95! Slow, awkward, expensive and clunky, but it does work.


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Garmin US TOPO! 24K Topographical Maps of Western United States National Parks (CD ROM) Review

While I am sure the detail for the parks that it does cover within in California is ok (haven't used it in real life). The overall coverage/offering the west coast product provides seems sparse. There are ZERO sections outside of national parks within California which are covered. For myself I was hoping that the West Coast Topo 24K CD would give me forest information as well.

Please note, while package delivery was PERFECT and the dollar amount was better than any local store... I personal feel I just wasted some cash.

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Garmin TOPO! Topographical Maps of United States Mid Atlantic 2008 (microSD/SD Card) Review

GARMIN 010-C0908-00 MapSource Topo 2008 Mid Atlantic MicroSD Card. Now you can get all the detail of Garmin MapSource United States Topo 2008 without messy unlock codes and time consuming downloads. Garmin has created Pre Programmed MicroSD cards that contain the same MapSource Topo data you know and love broken down by region. Saves you time and money. Plan your next outdoor adventure with the help of MapSource United States Topo. This card contains detailed topographical coverage of the Atlantic Coast from Savannah GA to Atlantic City NJ. Also includes coverage throughout the Carolina, Virginia Delaware Kentucky Maryland and Tennessee as well as most of Georgia and West Virginia.







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Garmin TOPO! Topographical Maps of Western Great Lakes Region (microSD/SD Card) Review

I purchased this to up-grade the base maps on my Garmin. Easy, easy upgrade, just insert the card wait 30 seconds during initial installation and have all of the Northeast in the GPS. Having detailed topo, road, RR, powerlines and even hydrologic details is worth it when out hiking in the boondocks. I esp. like the information on springs and streams, it has precise locations of 4 springs within 1 mile of my house. It really makes geocaching with my son easier and more informative. With accurate topo and stream information it is much easier to figure out a way to hike into to an unknown 'cache. I am planning a trip out west and plan to purchase the appropriate card for that area to make outdoor activities more fun.

Buy it here now!

Garmin MapSource U.S. Topographical CD-ROM Review

While I am sure the detail for the parks that it does cover within in California is ok (haven't used it in real life). The overall coverage/offering the west coast product provides seems sparse. There are ZERO sections outside of national parks within California which are covered. For myself I was hoping that the West Coast Topo 24K CD would give me forest information as well.

Please note, while package delivery was PERFECT and the dollar amount was better than any local store... I personal feel I just wasted some cash.

Buy it here now!

Garmin TOPO! Topographical Maps of Midwest (microSD/SD Card) Review

I purchased this to up-grade the base maps on my Garmin. Easy, easy upgrade, just insert the card wait 30 seconds during initial installation and have all of the Northeast in the GPS. Having detailed topo, road, RR, powerlines and even hydrologic details is worth it when out hiking in the boondocks. I esp. like the information on springs and streams, it has precise locations of 4 springs within 1 mile of my house. It really makes geocaching with my son easier and more informative. With accurate topo and stream information it is much easier to figure out a way to hike into to an unknown 'cache. I am planning a trip out west and plan to purchase the appropriate card for that area to make outdoor activities more fun.

Buy it here now!

Garmin TOPO! Topographical Maps of Upper Midwest (microSD/SD Card) Review

I purchased this to up-grade the base maps on my Garmin. Easy, easy upgrade, just insert the card wait 30 seconds during initial installation and have all of the Northeast in the GPS. Having detailed topo, road, RR, powerlines and even hydrologic details is worth it when out hiking in the boondocks. I esp. like the information on springs and streams, it has precise locations of 4 springs within 1 mile of my house. It really makes geocaching with my son easier and more informative. With accurate topo and stream information it is much easier to figure out a way to hike into to an unknown 'cache. I am planning a trip out west and plan to purchase the appropriate card for that area to make outdoor activities more fun.

Buy it here now!

Garmin US TOPO! 24K Topographical Maps of Washington and Oregon (microSD/SD Card) Review

It beats the heck out of the base map that came with my Oregon 200 but leaves a lot to be desired. Quite a lot of roads & trails in my local forest, (Deschutes) are not shown and some that are shown do not exist. In spite of all the copyrights and warnings it appears to have been taken straight off a Forest Service topo map I obtained from them a couple of years ago. I looked at points of interest and found it had not been updated in several years. Many listed are gone years ago. The city part streets are also about 3 years old. Better then the base map's 10 year old update. I only wish that Garmin would let me correct the errors I know of on my computer then re-load the map on the GPS!

All that being said, The Oregon 200 with the topo map is one heck of a tool for trecking, ATV'ing or driving the forest! Do bring a good compass though! and if you got room in your pocket a paper topo map.


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Garmin TOPO! Topographical Maps of Mountain West South Region, United States (microSD/SD Card) Review

I purchased this to up-grade the base maps on my Garmin. Easy, easy upgrade, just insert the card wait 30 seconds during initial installation and have all of the Northeast in the GPS. Having detailed topo, road, RR, powerlines and even hydrologic details is worth it when out hiking in the boondocks. I esp. like the information on springs and streams, it has precise locations of 4 springs within 1 mile of my house. It really makes geocaching with my son easier and more informative. With accurate topo and stream information it is much easier to figure out a way to hike into to an unknown 'cache. I am planning a trip out west and plan to purchase the appropriate card for that area to make outdoor activities more fun.

Buy it here now!