Topo Maps

[+Halevib]

I'm new to geocaching and have been using a friend's 60csx. I am looking to buy a Vista Hcx, a 60csx, or a Oregon 400t. Leaning mostly towards the 60csx or Oregon 400t.

 

My question is will the base Garmin US Topo (1:100,000) be all that I need to cache with? Should I invest in the 1:24k topos? and if I do The only ones available to the East Coast (that I've been able to find) are National Parks. Are there other Topo maps out there that I can (or that you would recommend) that I put on the GPS. What about Map Source software to manage my waypoints, tracks, and POIs, etc.? I know that Garmin offers one..??

 

I would just appreciate some general info, advice, and opinions. I'm sure I'm probably not the first one to ask these questions - so If I'm missing the obvious answers or if there is another thread that will help me out with this - please, point me in the right direction! :-)

 

Thanks a lot for the help!!

Edited April 21, 2009 by Halevib

[snowfleurys]

On the Vista and 60 the base is very general - the 1:100k would be an add on product. Road and topo data is usefull for geocaching but not necessary. Topo maps with ~'1:24k contours' for most States are available from gpsfiledepot.com - none currently for VA as the source data is not very good for about 14% of VA. I believe most of the Garmin GPSrs included Trip and Way Point Manager with includes MapSource.

[+Halevib]

*bump

[+Redwoods Mtn Biker]

Here is a great source of free topo maps. You'll need MapSource, which you can also get for free.

[jmundinger]

I am satisfied that I got what I paid for when I purchased Topo 2008 for use with my Vista hcx. However, you don't need Topo 2008 or any other map, for that matter, for caching. All you need (and all you will actually use) is a gps that tells to the direction and distance to a known/defined location. All of the recreational grade gps units do that within reasonable margins of error - those with high sensitivity receivers do it with a little more accuracy. Having the map installed on the unit will give you the assurance that you are in the right grid square - i.e. it will give you a picture similar to the map that is displayed in the cache description. But, beyond that it won't do much to help you find it.