Garmin TOPO Australia

[ChrisMember]

Does anyone use it?

Is it better than Shonkey Maps and worth the $200?

Cheers…
Chris………..

[Jeffrey SmithMember]

I use it Krusty and find it works well, haven’t used Shonky maps though so I can’t compare the 2.

[Jeffrey SmithMember]

Just another thought but unless you want head out and blaze your own trails, you don’t really need it. I got both the street and the topo maps. The topo is interesting to see the terraine of a planned route but you can get the same effect with google earth. You just copy your route onto google earth and away you go.

The street maps have most of the fire trails on them anyway. When I road from my place to Buladelah, I used the Garmin street maps and google earth to work out where I was going. Google Earth had a few more of the fire trail names than the Garmin but I got through with no problems.

[Dwayne OMember]

the SHONKYsoftware is a free download anyway & you can install both to the gps at the same time & simply switch between the two…
Just use the Garmin topo as the main mapping & if you have probs in an area switch to Shonky & see if there is more detail,,,

So go for it

[ChrisMember]

Thanks fellas..

[TrentMember]

You could always download it to try it out then buy it if it’s worth the $$$ I’m pretty sure it has been uploaded as a torrent if you look around.

[GregMember]

I have the Garmin Topo maps and have mixed thoughts…

I really like the terrain features, using the topography to see whats coming up, but and it is a BIG BUT… the topo lines are the same size and colour as the trails, so its hard sometime to distinguish.

Most places I have been, including back of the Blue Mountains, Victorian high country, Snowys, Tasmania and Border Ranges have been on the street maps.

So, I keep them loaded but only turn them on when the terrain is getting a bit lumpy or on private land as the tracks are on the topo’s.

If you get right out and amongst it, get the topos but if you are on fire trails or non single track trails, the street maps are fine and pocket the $200.

[Dwayne OMember]

Isn`t there a menu where you can change the contours ???
My Garmin is adjustable as far as thickness of line etc (but I have no colour)

[GregMember]

Not on the 660 with Garmin maps. I believe you can change if you use other topo maps on it… I just can’t remember the brand.

I love the Zumo but this is one of only a couple of criticisms of it – and I know I am being picky.

[Dwayne OMember]

I normally have the topo contours turned off in the Map Menu on my GARMIN MAP76, then tracks are clearly definable.
Works well with Shonky Maps full Topo as well

Cheers

[GregMember]

I wish you could do that with the Zumo 660 and Garmin Topo maps… I guess that when we hit the back of Bourke, there won’t be many contour lines to get in the way…

[Dwayne OMember]

:laugh: I reckon you may be right there mate , flat as a tack it will be :whistle:

Good Luck

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