Customer Reviews

Topo USA 7.0 National Edition [Old Version]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

Topo USA 7 is the 1st version of this program I've bought. I have previously owned Street Atlas USA and right from the very first version I was impressed with the completeness of the maps. Even dirt roads in campgrounds, trails and markers are included. The maps are far more accurate and inclusive than any of the on-line maps and with the addition of the GPS receiver, you have a laptop GPS!

My only complaint is with the interface. They have removed the menu bar and replaced it with arcane hieroglyphics (icons). Now when I need to find something, I have to hover over every icon to let the hint come up so I can read what it does. Very hard when you are trying to find a particular function. I don't use the program daily, therefore I can't remember them. However, I can read, so the old menus worked great. They were well organized and it took little or no thought to find what you were looking for.

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.

It's true that this software is not at all user-friendly. The interface is confusing and the help files are sparse. That being said, once you "master" it, it is well worth having. The maps contain excellent detail. You can use it to create custom routes that you can load onto your GPSr and get turn by turn directions. You can use Netlink to download even more detailed maps for $30/yr. It's probably the best value out there.

I guess what you need to decide is what is more important, map quality or a snazzy user interface. Ideally you should get both, and that is why I have only given this three stars. But if you are looking for high quality maps and software with a lot of functions, it is worth it to figure this software out.

I have been using Delorme TOPO for about 9 years and this is the best TOPO yet. The last version that I used was TOPO 4 which used separate CD's for various regions. TOPO 7 on the other hand has all of the U.S. on one DVD, which you can copy to memory. I was at first reluctant to buy it because I thought the DVD would have to be in the computer during use--not so. This is very thoughtful of Delorme.
TOPO 7 is especially useful with the Delorme PN-20 GPS which I also purchased (They come as a bundle). Delorme has greatly improved and simplified the interface with this edition. Just having TOPO maps of the entire U.S. would be worth the price, but the program is very powerful and useful besides.

As to the comments about the software being too complicated, think how much work each of you put into learning spread sheets and word processors. I have used a GPS for 9 years and I still learn something new now and then. It is not so much the product as it is the application, which is quite complicated. However, stick with it and you will find many uses for the maps. I constantly refer to the topo maps when I am reading news on the internet. I can quickly find the elevation and other information about locales in the news.

I would suggest for anyone wanting more information from current users of TOPO 7 and the PN-20 go to the Delorme site and read the reviews and also go on their forums. You will get a much better idea of what the software can do.

I like this program. I was having problems with version 5.0 and an older laptop but version 7.0 is working great with a new Vista machine. They have made some improvements in version 7 that I really like. One is the ability to resize or hide both map windows. In version 5 the data window (with topo or DOQ coverage) could only be expanded to about 3/4 of the display. Also the new version allows a "hybrid" map with the street layer overlaid on the USGS topos. I was also having trouble with the old version 5 communicating with a new Earthmate GPS. I was worried if the new software would solve that problem, but it did. The new software connects very easily with my receiver. There must have been some compatibility issues with the older software and the new Earthmate. Version 5 worked with an older GPS receiver but not with the new Earthmate. One thing I don't like is that I can't seem to un-check "shaded relief" as a default. It un-checks for the current project but not for new projects.

I use this at work. I'm a geologist with the state of California and this is better than the GPS units and software we are assigned. Because of a disability I no longer do any field work but I have colleagues who use this with the PN-20. In a car I can't beat Topo 7 with a good laptop.

This is especially good for a lap tops in the field. Great tool for anyone traveling off road.

First let me say this will also include some commentary on the DeLorme PN20 GPS and Magellan 330 (defunct) because many people will buy these products together or will try using Topo USA with other GPSs. I currently own 6 (yes, I know - wretched excess) GPSs
I have had at least 3 iterations of DeLorme Topo USA and even more of Streets (first software I ever bought other than TI-99/4A modules) It is a bad interface in both cases. Way too many places to input info before something gets done. The help is extensive but they use terms that are not explained in the Help section in trying to explain things. If DeLorme uses jargon they need to reference that or explain it through searching the index or topics. In many cases there is no way to know what they are talking about unless you stumble all over there program to find that button/menu/drop down/pop up alternate screen...etc.. Routes, Waypoints and Trails are all hard to deal with and also require opening many different menus to complete a task. I also have the Magellan software and Maptech Terrain Navigator. Not nearly the bells and whistles but much more usable. I have a Magellan 330 and a DeLorme PN20. The Magellan is 5-6 years old and only holds 8MB of data. It has a bigger screen (by about 25%), redraws maps twice as fast, very comfortable in the hand and has very well designed buttons. The DeLorme PN20 is none of these. It is the best value considering the extras it comes with but it is a brick with a screen fit only for those of us fortunate enough to be able to have our vision corrected to 20/20. It's buttons are like pushing on WARTS! I have yet to take it into the woods on a hike (well once...the LAST time). I use Topo USA because it is the only game in town. Programs that rely on USGS actual maps (not USGS data like DeLorme)like Maptech USGS Quads are very expensive and the road data is 25-or more years out dated. DeLorme has FANTASTIC support though. Your talking to 'Merican engineers there not Filipina secretaries that have to get home and get the rice in the cooker. The kicker is my Magellan will almost never hook up with the Topo 7 or earlier versions. It works fine with Maptech and of course Magellan. Topo has settings for Magellan w/without waypoints and neither will work on a consistent method. Once in 20 tries it hooks up for no reason. I have a serial connection but DeLorme recognizes that by making COM as well as USB ports available. I have also hooked it up with a serial to USB connector/software and have down loaded the DeLorme serial emulator. I also understand the whole NEMA and port settings drill, no help. Very frustrating. I think the most damning thing to DeLOrme is instead of at least fixing the PN 20s problems they continued to market it in even more expensive models with compass and barometer. I understand it is faster but it needs an ergonomic redo from the beginning. Big screen, real buttons.
Then I would only have to fight with TOPO USA after I get home.

I used Topo USA 4.0 for years and though there is a learning curve I have enjoyed the upgrade very much.

Pros: 3D Graphics, inexpensive fee for access to topo maps and satelite imagery, includes street maps

Cons: Only has maps for US, no Canada, Mexico, etc; can only transfer maps to a Delorme GPS device; software takes some orientation time

I have had this software for a few weeks and have had a chance to learn the program, and WOW!!! This software has amazing mapping capability and with the $30 subsciption to the Delorme map library, the topo and satelite maps make this the best mapping program on the market (and the best value). I can not only see an aerial view of the topo area, but it overlays the satelite pictures to create a virtual simulation of the terrain! The only thing I would like to see changed is the availability of more maps of other countries. I am currently using a Garmin handheld GPS device, but with these features I am looking into purchasing the Delorme PN-40 so I can have the 3D maps in my handheld (the PN-40 has a dual core processor to handle the imagery, that is why it will not work on other brands). With this product coupled with the PN-40, I feel that Garmin has got some real competition brewing here!! By the way, If you are considering buying a Delorme handheld GPS, This software comes with it, so do not bother buying it seperately.