TOPO 2008 Accuracy Check
I anticipated disappointment with TOPO 2008, based mostly on the reviews here. My main concern was the inaccuracy of the maps at maximum zoom. My initial testing is that TOPO 2008 shows that it is dead-on ACCURATE (albeit, a 100K map). How do I make such a claim:

While waiting for the installation disk to arrive, I read and went through the process of creating my own 24K map, based on the excellent article "How to Make Custom TOPO Maps for Your Garmin Mapping GPS". See http://home.cinci.rr.com/creek/garmin.htm. This was the creation of an .IMG
file and involved the following steps:

Target: Three Forks AZ

1. Download the high resolution Digital Elevation Model .TIF file from USGS, http://seamless.usgs.gov/
2. Render the data into an .MP file with Dem2Topo (major elevation 100 ft, minor 10 ft: many contours)
3. Re-render .MP file into the Garmin .IMG format, using cGPSmapper, During this activity, I also added several .SHP files that provided color and the rivers in this area.
4. Configure MapSource to see and load the new .IMG file.

I then created a track and waypoints in MapSource (essentially a coordinate system test). When TOPO 2008 arrived, I loaded both into MapSource. Surprise, the track and waypoints were overlayed in TOPO 2008 were precisely the same, river to river, contour to contour.

TOPO 2008 certainly does not have the quality of my self-created map or any 24K map. The process that I followed to create an .IMG file was work intensive and did not provide me with a map with roads, trails, etc. So, will I return TOPO 2008? Probably not. For what it costs and how much mapped area it contains, it is worth having even with the low resolution. Like any other convenience product, I will use it when I want quick results and go the manual route when necessary

Garmmin Mapsource
Hello

I like this item but the hidden unlock code had me ready to throw it in the trash. After I found the unlock code between the shipping package card board everthing worked fine.

I was only able to down load one state (SC) into my Garmin Etrex but it works fine & I would recommend for cars, bike or hiking.

Kevin

Could be more detailed
These maps are almost essential if you have an etrek unit. The maps that come with the etrek are woefully deficient and you need to upgrade them. But even these maps could be more detailed especially for the hiker or geocacher. For topographical maps, these are not very detailed and if you want to route plan cross country you will need much more detailed maps. However depending on what maps you get, you can set waypoints on the more detailed maps and transfer them to the etrek and they will overlay the Mapsource maps.

Room for improvment
I had this software navigate me through the United States from North Dakota all the way down to to Texas and South end of florida. It did quite well however I was at times awed by how well and accurate it was. Then other times I was awed at how inaccurate it was(usually only out on the open road that it would be out by so much). Bottom line I am glad I had it along.

Better than nothing, but not by much.
Highlight: The actual Mapsource program, for transferring maps to your handheld Garmin. Lowlight: The actual TOPO map included on the DVD. For my area, it has some kind of datum error, off by almost .1 mile. Contours seem OK, placement of POI not so much. Found a much better Colorado topo map on the Web.