Topo Map Software

Does anyone print their own topo maps?

What software do you use?

Which is best?

Several companies put out topo software. It looks like the National Geographic is the most popular. What are you using?

rionada

I have been using NG TOPO and have been happy with it. I have no idea if it is the best or not. I have been able to find previous releases cheap on Ebay. I do not know what has changed but since they are made from scans of USGS maps which are several years old I don't think that I am missing anything. I have also been able to find GPS coordinates for many of the trails that I have been using so I have been able to create a map for my destinations.

I download the files for free from http://libremap.org/ and print them on a large format printer using photo software.

I knew that you would know!!!

Both great ideas.

I'll try the free map download tonight, and if that doesn't work I'll check out ebay's older versions.

Thanks Alot - sounds like the perfect answers.

rionada

I have used libremap like was mentioned, and it works great. Recently I have been going to this site.
Free topo maps

Thanks FinallyMe,

I checked out the site. Do you print free maps right off the site, or did you join? Do you have any tricks or tips?

rionada

You can download any TOPO for free from the USGS store in PDF format. Printing entire maps on 11x17 paper works pretty good or you can print partial maps on smaller sized paper.


http://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/usgs/maplocator/%28ctype=areaDetails&carea=%24ROOT&layout=6_1_61_48&uiarea=2%29/.do

I switched from NG Topo to memory-map --- I like their windows mobile app on my smartphone better than the one for NG Topo, and with memory-map (and upgrade to their base product) I can import free maps from places such as libremap, or buy them on DVD from memory-map.com

Overall the tools are similar; NG Topo used to be buggier. It was primarily a cost decision to switch, as I wanted to get maps for the entire Appalachian Trail (14 states) and didn't want to pay NG Topo prices for all of that. I haven't used memory-map extensively, but what little I have used it it's performed well, and their customer service was very good too.

Under "print from your computer", I click on "landscape". This puts it in a picture format. Then I usually copy it to a word document and print that. You could just print the photo. It ends up what I would do to a USGS map that I would have purchased. If I buy a full size map, I usually copy the parts I need and take the copy, not the full map. I can also print multiple copies of the same map and give my boy scouts a copy for themselves. I used to do the same with Libremap project, but this site is easier for this purpose.

Im a cartographer here in New Mexico, this is also where I get my TOPO's.

Hi Iam
So are you in Clovis?
Welcome
Jim

Yep I just moved out here from Michigan. Fresh outta college.

Now you can say you've been to the middle of nowhere. (I can say that because I've been there).

Do take the time to go over to Carlsbad Caverns. They're awesome. See if you can schedule a special spelunking trip. It's well worth the time.

Tango61

WOW! This thread has opened my eyes on available topo maps. I have a Garmin Colorado and the maps in my computer but often you want more detail and versatility. That's what I like about Memory Maps.

Eric

Awww, how I miss New Mexico. I am originally from Ohio, spent ~19 months in NM, and now stay in Florida. It was NM that got me started in backpacking. My favorite place to visit was White Sands, and favorite backpacking was in the high deserts of the north. (SF, to Taos areas)

As for topo maps, I also download mine from the USGS store. I then use Acrobat reader with GeoPDF plugin (now called TerraGo) to view them. This was a great solution with my netbook and GPS reciever for it, as I got great GPS with a 10" screen and good, free maps. However, now that I am going to focus on packing lighter, this is not going to be as feasible.

What is the resolution of the PDF? Is it as good or nearly as good as the original map?

All of the ones I have downloaded, seem to be as good as the original map, but I have not printed one. They are listed from 21x25 inches or higher and from 4.5-10 megabytes.

Do they tell you the dpi used when scanning?

I have scanned USGS 7.5-minute maps at about 100 to 150 dpi and they end up about 1Mb per quarter of a map (or about 4 mb for an entire map) when I convert to PDF file. This resolution is pretty good. The lines start to get fuzzy when magnified past 500% in Adobe Reader. These print up pretty nicely. When I scan, I do not scan the white area of the margins. So if the downloaded PDFs show the entire border area, you lose some resolution, but it should still be OK.

To save on weight, you could also print on both sides of the paper. Just be sure to not print an adjoining map on the back side. It is nice to place them side-by-side. I print quarters of 7.5-min maps on regular letter size paper and this works out very well.

One thing to consider, is that if printed on regular paper, with home printers, the ink will run and smear very badly if the map gets wet. I am not sure what the USGS does on their regular maps but they can get wet and the ink never runs or smears. There is waterproof paper but it is expensive and heavy.

I am curious- has anyone tried to "seal" printed maps with a mix of Silicon sealer and mineral spirits, like they recommend for seam-sealing tents? There might be some spray stuff out there that prevents the bleeding problem.

I just keep my home-printed maps sealed in a gallon ziplock bag. Lots lighter than laminating or that stupid heavy, almost unfoldable waterproof paper (like the almost useless Earthwalk Press maps of the Wind Rivers). If you have to move a new map to the top top, do the unsealing in your tent or with your rain jacket spread out over both your head and the maps. I've seen some map sealer stuff you can paint on maps, but I prefer plain paper plus plastic bag. The package folds up more compactly and I can write on the maps in case of need.

I have the National Geographic TOPO software for WA and OR and last spring ended up buying the Wyoming set on sale.

I spray the map printouts with Krylon Clear Acrylic. It doesn't make the paper water proof but it keeps the ink from running if it gets a few drops of rain.

I print my maps on normal 8X11 paper and put them in a plastic sheet cover. Then I heat seal the end that was open. Sometimes, I have several pages and just leave the top open and put all the sheets in one sleeve. I keep the map under my jacket in the rain, and take it out occasionally. This is generally enough protection. Most my trips are overnight. I would be more substantial for longer trips.