Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Idaho - Plenty of Detail
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A lot of people have been complaining about the lack of detail on MapSource. Well, I've got a different story to tell. MapSource Topo covers the entire USA in 3 CDs (West, East, AK/HI). When running the program, go to Edit/Preferences and move the "Map Detail" bar from middle to high. Dirt roads, trails, streams, lakes, and all contour lines are displayed. I live in Idaho and was able to evaluate the trails in Idaho. You can print maps with MapSource too. The software does say that the scale is like the 1:100000 USGS maps; maybe some folks didn't realize what this meant before they bought it. Learn the USGS scales before you buy and then you won't be surprised. If you want a step-by-step map, then buy the USGS 1:24000 series paper maps. However, MapSource is sufficient; it would be senseless to attempt a scale as large as 1:24000 on a small screen device such as a GPS. If you want 1:24000 maps, get National Geographic's Topo Series for your state...it's great!!! It also allows you to export waypoints and routes to your Garmin. It just won't load the actual map...only MapSource can do that. Also, I've read the raving reviews about Maptech. What most people don't tell you is that Maptech and MapSource serve different purposes. MapSource is made by Garmin and can load tracks/waypoints/routes AND the actual map to your Garmin. Maptech can NOT load a map into your Garmin; Maptech is only good for loading waypoints/routes and then you have to PRINT the map. Instead of Maptech, get the National Geographic Topo map for your state; its less expensive and is quality stuff; it's the best for printed maps. And one last thing... There are settings within the Garmin that determine how much detail a user will see. If these settings are turned to normal or medium, then don't expect to see the details (with or without MapSource). I rate MapSource as 5 stars (best) because it delivers exactly what it promised. I'm very happy I made this purchase. Happy hiking...
Rating:  - Definitely lacks detail
I got this software for use with my Garmin eTrex Summit, and found it to be less than adequate for my work. As a botanist in the northwoods, I cover a lot of territory each season. I need to be able to view accurate and complete topographic maps, plot my tracks and markers on these maps, and orient locations by legal description -- Township, Range, and Section line -- so that I know, for instance, when I'm crossing property lines, say from public to private land.Mapsource's topo maps have few contour lines and omit many dirt roads, small lakes, and many other details. Most importantly, Township, range and section lines are omitted. In it's favor, Mapsource is easy to use. And the price is good: The entire U.S. for $100. I later obtained MapTech's Terrain Navigator software, and it works much better for me. The details are almost as complete as USGS topo maps. Township, range and section lines are included, as are complete contour lines and even some abandoned, bermed roads (on public land). MapTech is not, however, as intuitive as Mapsource. And MapTech costs much more in relation to the area covered: I paid for one small part of our state. So if you want maps for the whole U.S. and don't necessarily need details, get Mapsource. If you want USGS-quality maps with excellent detail, look at others, including MapTech.
Rating:  - Too little contrast
I have used several Garmin units and maps with unabashed delight. After recently receiving my Etrex Vista and TOPO Mapsource map I set out into the mountains above Palm Desert. The Vista worked flawlessly but I soon discovered that the TOPO software presented a background gray that is almost identical to the track color, rendering the track almost invisible. In addition the intermediate elevation lines were very faint. Adjusting the contrast did not solve this problem. As soon as I unloaded the TOPO map, the track became clearly visible.
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