Topo USA 7.0 National Edition :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
DeLorme's Mapping Topo USA maps offer a variety of controls, including traditional push-button zooming, which drills in/out while keeping the map exactly centered. See the terrain in vivid detail using the 3-D map views and controls. These realistic views also retain the various elements you add to your trails, MapNotes, GPS waypoints and Draw objects. The split-screen framework lets you see 2-D and 3-D maps side by side, with linked Draw tools that move and update in tandem. The 3-D software engine has been completely rebuilt for this new version. DeLorme employs several powerful search capabilities within the software. Add your own images, live Web URLs, and diagrams and documents to the maps. Embed photos and diagrams showing fleet personnel what they will find at each location. Embed URLs next to your important stops on the maps for easy access when additional information is needed or updated online. New in this version, this easy-to-use program lets you link your digital photographs to a GPS log so you can see exactly where you took a picture along your trip. This handy toolbar runs along the top of the interface and offers access to commonly needed options, including GPS settings, the Measure tool, MapShare and Routing functions. Provide Field Crews with a Whole New View System Requirements - Microsoft Windows XP or 2000 Service Pack 3 and higher, 128 MB RAM, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or later, Intel Pentium III 600 MHz or higher processor, 700 MB free space, DVD-ROM Drive and 3D-capable video card with 32 MB VRAM
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Customer Reviews

Some of the Worst Software Ever

2008-07-13
I've been a computer consultant for over 20 years and therefore I've seen a lot of software I'm unfamiliar with at first. On most systems, I can figure out how to do the basics relatively quickly. But not on this software. Let me also add that I helped design and build custom navigation systems for the US Navy, The Coast Guard and even Special Forces units, so I am no stranger to navigational software. But Topo USA 7 defies all logic. There are endless hoops that you have jump through to upload a map to the Earthmate PN-20, so I assume it's similar to other units as they are yet another menu deeper. The help files are scanty and poorly organized. I play around with geocaching and have always entered the files through GSAK software into a Garmin ETrex which was OK. But Gsak doesn't support the Earthmate, so I tried using the Topo ware. It downloaded and displayed the file and the location correctly, but following directions in the Help file and from the Earthmate manual failed to get the file on the GPS. The GPS itself is great and easy to use for the basics without a manual, but you'll need other software to make the unit workable for uploading waypoints and such, which I still haven't figured out. I don't know if DeLorme reads reviews about their products, but if they do, I hope they revamp their development team as this software is incredibly hard to use out of the box. In addition, you can't set Start and Finish waypoints by right clicking like you can in almost every other program. The Help files say you can, but there is no option on a right click to do so. And the help file opens in place of the regular window which means you have to minimize it to go back to the map and there is no way to split screen it. Or if there is it's not in help files either. Want to set a route between two waypoints? You can't. You can do it OK in the GPS but not on your desk top unless you know a specific address to put in the Address book. Not very handy for geocaching especially away from developed areas. And since this is all a proprietary interface between the GPS and the Topo software, you can't use another program to get around the short comings of this absolutely awful software. It is without a doubt the worst software I've ever run across.

Clunky interface

2008-02-26
Although DeLorme Topo has the reputation as the best of its kind, I find it unyieldy and unusable. Its user interface in no way reflects standards established since Windows 98. Adding, editing, deleting waypoints is more of an adventure than actually being on the trail -- you never know the effect of any one tool, nor how perform simple edits. Worse, although the interface has two panels (one for a macro view, one for close out), zooming in or out inexplicably affects the other panel. Sorry, I find this software unusable, except perhaps to print maps of very localized areas. Forget trying to create a route to upload to your GPS.

Staying with Garmin

2008-02-14
I purchased the Street Atlas / TOPO 6.0 / Blue Logger bundle a year ago. At the time I used a Dell XPS running XP Pro. Some setup issues, especially with TOPO 6.0 and the blue tooth Blue Logger. Finally got that sorted out.

Computer upgrade in July 2007 - more power and VISTA. Everything worked fine except Delorme. A real challenge getting TOPO 6.0 to work at all - still not fully functional. TOPO refuses to connect with the Blue Logger, even though the computer connects quickly. The Blue Logger is discontinued.

If you already have TOPO 6.0 you may be eligible for a free upgrade to 7.0 if you have a certain chip in your computer. I am sticking with Garmin.