Topo USA Question

[+Jim W]

As I understand it the Topo USA map does not have auto-routing, so what is the advantage of using Topo USA when Geocaching ?

[+gpsblake]

There is no advantage except you'll know if the cache is on a big hill or mountain something you'll 99% likely to know before looking for it.

[Glenn W]

In many (but not all) cases, the trail or stream channel that leads to the cache will show up on the topo map. Even though TOPO USA doesn't autoroute, you can manually set up waypoints (ahead of time) at each branch in the trail to ensure you don't take the wrong turn.

 

You can certainly get by with with a good paper map and a simple non-maping GPSr, but it's far easier if your receiver displays the map, and automatically fixes your location on it.

 

BTW: the 24K scale National Parks Topo software will auto route, but the coverage is limited to the National parks and some national forrests.

 

GW

Edited August 31, 2006 by Glenn W

[+H2OBob]

Topo lets you know if there is a stream, swamp, cliff, or other ostruction between you and the cache. Also, if there is a Jeep trail that goes nearer to the cache than the road. It can save lots of walking.

 

No autorouting, but you can set waypoints along a route, then convert them into a route, and download it to the GPSr. Takes a litttle time, but it works.