Are you a hiker, a biker or maybe just an outdoor enthusiast looking for the ultimate backcountry experience? You will definitely have the quickest route to adventure with Delorme Topo North America 9.0. As its name suggests, this topography GPS mapping software is brimming with clever off-road mapping features – including customization tools that help you easily create 3D elevation profiles, examine distances and grade for your next trip of North America. DeLorme Topo offers top-quality customer support, and this GPS mapping software is available on either CD or DVD.
This GPS mapping software is more functional and efficient than previous Topo maps have ever been. DeLorme has given Topo a major upgrade that defines landmarks and gives better contour features. Some of these include adding an additional 11,000 national forest trails as well as the ability to sync pocket queries for geocaching. Topo has also added over 210,000 new or updated streets to ensure you always know where you are. Also included in this great mapping software is a complete coverage of the United State, meaning that Hawaii and Alaska are not left out. The only trouble is that it's confined to only the U.S.; the maps do not reach into regions of Canada or Mexico that don'thave a large city or highway already integrated into the base map.
We found that Topo North America 9.0 offers more features than our No.2 pick OziExplorer or out No.3 ExpertGPS pick that is why it is our No.1 pick for GPS mapping software.
You probably couldn't use DeLorme Topo North America 9.0 GPS mapping software blindfolded, but pretty close. The GPS mapping software is quite intuitive; for example, all the operations are organized in folders with clearly defined headings on selectable tabs. Delorme Topo offers online tutorials that help in that rare event that you are unsure how to use certain features.
So, for the hiker, the biker and other outdoor enthusiasts, DeLorme Topo GPS mapping software has it all. The topographic maps are top quality with markings and coloring similar to traditional paper topographic maps but with the added bonus of interaction and customization ability. The cheapest paper topo maps we could find online were $2.95 for one 24K Quad Topographic 7.5 min x 7.5 min map, and this software includes the entire United States for less than $100. We felt we were overlooking something because we couldn't find any missing features in this GPS mapping software.
In addition to some of the great new features Delorme Topo has added, this mapping software is now GPS compatible as well. In vehicle features it includes a NavMode which allows you to operate the system all through voice commands. Also provided is a full-screen view while you travel to your destination. This is a great safety feature.
However, this mapping software still comes with a serial port connection for your laptop. This ensures that you can still get realtime tracking in your automobile in the event that your GPS battery goes dead. You can plan your trip at home and then print the maps to take on the trail just to make sure you have a backup in case your GPS goes out. Topo North America 9.0 also adds a street over -lay grid to the topographic maps.
The decisive factor was when we discovered the elevation profile feature. Most topo products offer this, but none to the extent of Topo North America 9.0. Once you go through the painless process of creating an elevation profile, you are given stats pertaining to that profile, such as climbing distance, grade, elevation gain, descending elevation and more. Topo North America 9.0 also provides an easy-to-operate 3D mode that is displayed alongside the 2D picture of the same area, which we think is a brilliant idea.
Additionally, DeLorme Topo offers you the functionality of being able to virtually fly across the landscape. This offers a view like never before. You have the ability to jet across rivers, lakes, streams and mountains all without ever having to leave the comfort of your own home.
One of the latest and greatest additions to Delorme Topo North America 9.0 is the image tagger. This allows you to tag the exact spot where you took the photo of that amazing waterfall while rock climbing.
DeLorme Topo comes fully ready with these features:
- Uses topographical data at 1:24,000 scale
- Terrain contours, topographic elevations
- Summit locations with elevation
- Trails and rural roads; city neighborhood roads
- Coastline, lake and river shorelines; wetlands; perennial and seasonal streams
- Major roads for visiting Mexico
- Ability to share custom maps on the internet
Delorme Topo GPS mapping software has an easy-to-use POI search tool. Are you a camping enthusiast that can't wait to find the next hidden camp spot or an explorer that is eager to find the next national park hot spot? Delorme delivers again. This mapping software also offers an optional download for campground information from 16,107 state and national parks.
We did think that this mapping product would be easier to use if it labeled the names of smaller roads on the map at all times, but instead you have to place your cursor on the road in order to see its name.
Are the kids complaining that you spend too much time in the car driving to different destinations and not enough time actually exploring new areas? With multiple waypoint tracking you can insert as many stops on your trip as you like. Have you thought about all the great scenery you will encounter on your trip to Yellowstone National Park but don't want to see the same setting on the drive back home? DeLorme Topo solves that problem in a snap with their option of creating multiple routes.
Now that you have added in plenty of stops to keep the kids occupied and keep their brains fresh, how do you know which waypoints are what and which ones are the most important ones to visit? By using DeLorme Topo GPS mapping software, you can customize your routes with personalized notes, mapnotes, internet links, freehand drawings, and symbols. You can even add roads to the map. This will make traveling and hitting your specific POIs easy and enjoyable.
The map edits are printable and the map detail is clear and sharp. DeLorme Topo North America 9.0 comes with a free bonus CD with aerial and satellite images of many popular locations along with free downloads for more destinations, at a reported value of over $50.
DeLorme Topo North America 9.0 GPS mapping software offers a comprehensive phone list of travel contacts for road construction updates, weather updates and hotel information.
You also have the ability to use this mapping software with voice commands, which creates a completely hands-free environment. This is much safer, especially when you're traveling on rough terrain or in heavy traffic.
DeLorme Topo North America 9.0 GPS mapping software is a breeze to install and get up and running. We didn't run into any glitches whatsoever.
We found Delorme Topo North America 9.0 GPS mapping software's help section to be full of FAQs but were unable to find a telephone number for questions.
Delorme Topo North America 9.0 is all-around effective and easy-to-use navigation topo software. Because it includes a solid feature set, an intuitive interface and high interconnectivity, it definitely makes the great American road trip to those hiking and biking spots much easier than ever before.
DeLorme Topo North American 9.0 also offers a very good price for all of the available features that it provides.
