National Geographic TOPO

[GeoBobC]

I lost my XP PC, and had to start over with a new PC on Vista. What an experience.

 

Anyway, I have a tray full of old NG Topo programs: State series, Backroads Explorer, etc. I know the state series use a 2.x topo exe. The Backroads Explorer users a 3.4.3 version.

 

I want to get to a 4.x version so I can upgrade to 4.2.8.

 

What's the cheapest way to get to 4.x? I've seen Pocket Topo programs for around $20. Do they use a 4.x engire?

 

Yes, I tried contacting NG Topo support. Another experience. "Check our website. If that doesn't work email your question and you might get an answer. Then again, you might not".

[+Renegade Knight]

Looks like the cheapest way is to buy the upgrade kit.

 

I'm running 2.X on Vista. Tried the 3.X upgrade and it didn't handle waypoints the way I like so I went back.

[+Timpat]

I have the old Regional series for the Northeast, but I think it is kin to the State series as the update to v.3.x worked at the time. I bought the 3-D upgrade for about $20 a while back that brought me up to v.4.2.7. (I'm still running XP).

[Pacific NW]

Recently had the same experience here. You'll need to buy the Topo 4.0 upgrade from NG. It comes as a set of CDs for $19.95. Link

 

Topo 4.0 runs okay on Vista, but the first couple of times I ran it the computer hiccuped. Seems to be running fine now. If you have installed any Topo programs on your new machine the best bet is un-install all of them and start fresh with the 4.0 upgrade. Then you'll need to activate your older CDs, such as those in your state series from within the 4.0 program.

 

BTW the wait time for NG to send out my upgrade was s-l-o-w. Not exactly great customer service either. I think they have one person answering the phones.

[GeoBobC]

Thanks. I ran out and bought Pocket Topo today for $25 at the local REI. It comes with 4.x version. It should work, hopefully. Thanks for the tip about uninstalling first.

[Pacific NW]

Hope you get everything working OK.

 

The 4.0 Topo update I got has 3 or 4 CDs in the package, one is for the installer, the others hold the data for the new 4.0 features (3D views, updated street layer, USB support, etc.).

[Grasscatcher]

Thanks. I ran out and bought Pocket Topo today for $25 at the local REI. It comes with 4.x version. It should work, hopefully. Thanks for the tip about uninstalling first.

 

The v4 you got with PT will work fine.

Then go to the link below and see what you ver you need to upgrade to for what.

[NG TOPO

 

State Series 4.2.8

BRE 4.2.3

NPE 4.3.2

Old Regional series 2.7.7

 

Here's wiki for NG NG Wiki

Hunt around there and you'll see instructions on installing different versions.

Just FYI....the TOPO Explorer you'll see mentioned there ain't ready for primetime yet. It will only confuse the issue. But the other information is good.

[GeoBobC]

FYI: Pocket Topo came with 4.2.3. I was able to download the 4.2.8 update from NG and it works fine now. Problem solved.