Your GPS Device is Only as Good as It’s Maps
Portable GPS devices have become very popular in recent years. These handy devices assist drivers in not only being able to view maps and directions on screen but to listen to instructions allowing them to keep their eyes on the road. They are great assistants which can help in avoiding traffic tie ups and quickly finding alternate routes when needed. Locating businesses and other services when in unfamiliar surroundings is simple with these geographical geniuses. However, like any good human navigator, a GPS device must have the right maps to perform the job expected.
Garmin GPS devices come with current maps preloaded. Buyers simply need to be aware of how they wish to use the device in order to select the device with the maps that will be most useful. Some maps are designed for automobiles and thus focus on road maps, others have trail maps geared toward hikers, snowmobilers, and other outdoor enthusiasts, while others are designed for marine use.
The Garmin GPS devices that are used most commonly make use of road maps. Obviously, for consumers in the US, road maps of the 50 states are the focus, but for those who travel it is simple enough to purchase maps to assist them during their trip. Maps for Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Brazil, Mexico, and many other countries are available and, in fact, there is the option of a World Map although it offers less detail.
For US consumers using their GPS device for outdoor activities, the US TOPO 24K is a handy tool which offers detailed topographical information, points of interest such as public facilities and fuel locations among many others, as well as detailed coverage of trail information within parks and designated forests.
The level of detail offered by the different maps varies and should be matched to the tasks it will be asked to perform. For instance, Garmin Roads and Recreation Maps provide maps detailing highways, local, county and residential roads for all 50 states as well as exit information that lets users know what businesses and services are present at a given interstate exit. The City Navigator maps however have a greater focus on highway and primary road maps as well as detail for urban and residential areas.
With new construction, changes in points of interest, services, and businesses, even GPS maps must be updated to remain accurate. Updated maps are published periodically and can be purchased through the Garmin website or selected retailers. Installing updates is simple as long as you have an hour or two of time and a good computer. Finding the maps that suit your needs and keeping them updated is key to having a GPS device that meets your expectations.
About the Author
Readers are encouraged to visit the author’s electronics store, Home Media Store. For more information about Garmin GPS devices in general be sure to stop by her Garmin Nuvi 660 or Garmin Nuvi 350 webpage.
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National Geographic Topo! Software–Alaska $15.00 |
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Back Roads Explorer Topo Maps National Geographic CD-ROM No Reserve $9.99 |
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National Geographic TOPO! Weekend Explorer 3D (Phoenix Area+ area Nat. Forests) $12.99 |
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National Geographic Topo MI, OH, & IN PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo Mid-Atlantic PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo New Mexico PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Alaska PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! AR, LA & MS PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Arizona PC/Mac 2006 Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! California PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Colorado PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Hawaii PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Kansas & Nebraska PC/Mac Ver $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! MN and IA PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! MO, OK & AR PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Montana PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! NC and SC PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! ND and SD PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Nevada PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! New England PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! NIB All States Available $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Oregon PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! PA and NJ PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Texas NIB PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! TN and KY PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Utah PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Washington PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Wyoming PC/Mac Version $47.00 |
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National Geographic Topo! Topo Texas Mapping Software – PC & Mac Compatible $40.00 |
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National Geographic TOPO! Montana Map CD-ROM (Windows), New $42.82 |
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National Geographic Back Roads Explorer Topo CD-ROM Software $25.00 |
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National Geographic My Town TOPO! Map Coasters, Set of 4 For more than 10 years, National Geographic’s TOPO! map software has been a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Now we’re able to use these seamless USGS topographic maps to create home decor featuring maps of your favorite places. Provide any U.S. address and artisans in New England will create a cork-backed, four-tile marble coaster set that reproduces a map of your location. The map will show t… |
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GARMIN 010-C0936-00 Topo NW Territories Canada MicroSD Card $86.14 Product : GARMIN TOPO CANADA NW TERRITORIES MICRO SD W/ SD Manufacturer : GARMIN CHARTS Manufacturer Part No : 010-C0936-00… |
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GARMIN 010-C0931-00 Topo Manitoba Canada MicroSD Card $86.14 GARMIN 010-C0931-00 Topo Manitoba Canada MicroSD Card. Garmin International is pleased to announce that TOPO Canada preprogrammed microSD cards with SD adapter now include Digital Elevation Models. This DEM data will provide elevation profiles and 3D map viewing on compatible units such as the ColoradoTM series units. Region coverage and content has not changed with this update…. |
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GARMIN 010-C0937-00 Topo Ontario Canada MicroSD Card $86.14 Product : GARMIN TOPO CANADA ONTARIO MICRO SD W/ SD ADAPTER Manufacturer : GARMIN CHARTS Manufacturer Part No : 010-C0937-00… |
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National Geographic Maps Adirondack Park Explorer 3D $24.95 Adirondack Park Explorer 3D gives you the five Trails Illustrated maps for the entire 5.8 million acre park in one seamless package. You can automatically highlight trails, view the maps in 3D, use the maps with your GPS, and print beautiful custom maps for your next outing. Four map levels make it easy for you to find your destination, and to create and print beautiful, detailed maps for your adv… |
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Garmin MapSource U.S.A. Topographical Map CD-ROM (Windows) $46.00 Weve mapped every hill and valley. Download data from the MapSource TOPO U.S. 2008 DVD directly to your compatible Garmin GPS. Now you can enjoy topographic mapping detail no matter where your adventures take you. TOPO U.S. 2008 features digital topographic maps for the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. It is available in two different formats making it easy and convenient to load da… |
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Garmin Oregon 550T 3-Inch Handheld GPS Navigator with 3.2MP Digital Camera (U.S. Topographic Maps) $599.99 The navigator with the photographic memory–Oregon 550t combines rugged outdoor touchscreen navigation with a 3.2 megapixel digital camera. Add preloaded U.S. topo maps, along with high-sensitivity GPS, barometric altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass and microSD card slot. The result? A multipurpose device that will make your biggest adventures even more memorable. Oregon 550t combines rugged… |
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Garmin MapSource TOPO! US 24k West Topographic Coverage for Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada (DVD) $82.41 Topo U.S. 24K Topo U.S. 24K DVD gives access to a wider coverage area than Garmin’s Topo U.S. 24k data cards. The new Topo U.S. 24K West DVD provides up-to-date detailed 24k topographic coverage for Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada. Built-in DEM (digital elevation model) data supports 3-D terrain shading and route elevation profiles to help estimate terrain difficulty. With routable road… |
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iGage Weatherproof Paper 8.5×11 – 50 Sheets $26.00 Ideal for extreme outdoor, marine, and field use, iGage’s weatherproof paper absorbs ink in almost any situation, including underwater. The paper is made of a coated, single-layer, porous synthetic film with inherently superior ink absorption qualities, regardless of whether you’re using a standard ink pen, highlighter, whiteboard marker, or permanent marker. Simply scribble or jot your handwritte… |
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Yosemite National Park, CA – Trails Illustrated Map # 206 (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map) $9.55 43270… |
