Gear Review: National Geographic TOPO! State Series Mapping Software

National Geographic's TOPO! State Series

Whether planning a trip or out physically on the trail one of the first things to reach for is a map.  Maps aid in planning and navigating.  National Geographic’s TOPO! State Series Mapping Software takes mapping to another level.  The TOPO! State Series features seamless topographic maps of an entire state.  The Maps can be viewed at a scale of 1:24,000; 1:100,000 or 1:500,000.  There are also two scales of atlas reference maps.   The maps in the TOPO! State Series can be customized and are printable making the mapping software useful not only while in front of the computer but also while in the backcountry.

Routes, Elevations, and other options

National Geographic’s TOPO! State Series is a great tool for those who venture into the backcountry.  The software has a plethora of tools and features that allow users to create and print maps.  Plus the software will connect to GPS units so that routes, waypoints and tracks can be transferred back and forth between the software and GPS.  Some of the tools the TOPO! Software features include the ability to zoom, center, pan/drag, add notes, symbols, text, photos, waypoints, trace routes, build elevation profiles and a compass tool.  I find these features really personalize the maps to me.  Adding spots where I camped, fishing spots that are good (or not so good), and noting overlooks along with pictures taken from them really make it feel like my map.  Users can change multiple preferences and settings such as coordinates in UTMs or Latitude/Longitude, elevation in feet or meters and distance in miles, kilometers, feet or meters, compass coordinates relative to either true or magnetic north and much more.


To me, the most valuable tools to the TOPO! State Series are the route tool and the build elevation profile which allows me to trace out a route and build its elevation profile.  Users can customize the color of the route, the line type of the route and line thickness of the route.  Once the route is marked the software can build an elevation profile of it.  This helps me see how steep or flat the trail is.  Adding this profile to the map comes in really handy in determining progress while on the trail and helps me know what’s ahead.  Once the route is traced out I can use the GPS Route feature to break it up into however many GPS waypoints I want.  From there I can export those waypoints to a GPS and take it out in the field to help me navigate my route.  I can also import routes from my GPS to the software.

3-D Viewport

One of my favorite features of the mapping software is the 3D view.  I think it’s really cool to see the 3D view of the terrain, I definitely get a better feel of how steep the terrain will be in this view.  The user can do a fly-thru when combining the 3D view with a traced route for a more interactive view of the route. The user can control the speed of the fly-thru, can have the viewport spin around so one takes in 360 degrees or can adjust the view so that it’s anywhere from the standpoint of someone at ground level to a bird’s eye view.  The 3D view has lots of options and it can be fun just to play around with the different settings.  I can exaggerate the terrain, make the map larger and even can change the view to display a bird’s eye view looking down on the 3D map if desired.

With and without relief shading

The software features optional relief shading and US Streets.  The relief shading is very helpful to me because it adds depth to the map and allows me to read the terrain easier.  The US Streets is handy for navigating around town and more importantly how to access trailheads.  It highlights most streets and their names.  Moving the cursor onto them will bring up a display box showing the street name and in some places the freeway exit number.  I like that users can turn these features on and off if desired.  Sometimes the streets are so close together it’s overwhelming and hard to read.  Turning off this feature quickly removes this problem.  Other times it really is nice to have the US Streets function on so that I can tell what street I looking at. This helps me to know what street to look for when driving.

Street settings feature

Route notes and photos

Adding notes, photos, text and symbols to maps really gives the maps a more personal feel for me.  I can attach links to photos I take at the summit of a mountain and place that link at the summit of the mountain.  I can also add any notes or captions I want.  For example with the summit shots I might add ‘View from the summit looking west’ or ‘Me at the summit’.  Adding symbols can be a blast.  There are numerous symbols available in a variety of colors.  The symbols submenu includes shapes, arrows and recreational categories.  The color of the symbol can be chosen by the user as well.  In the Shapes Menu the user has many options to add circles, squares, triangles, polygons, stars, plus symbols, flag symbols and quite a few others.  In the Arrows Menu users can add two types of arrows then designate which way to point them.  The Recreational Menu has all sorts of cool icons such as a teepee, a picnic table, a fish, a camera and many more. 

Route and text tools

Adding text to the map can be a great option for a number of reasons and doing so means I’m much more likely to pay attention in that area when on the trail.  So when I add a ‘Watch for Moose’, ‘Scree Section’ or something similar I will be more alert when I see that note out in the field.  Latitude & longitude or UTM lines can be also added to the map with the grid settings tool.  The user can specify the spacing in seconds or meters as well as the line type of the grid.  The Compass Tool can help obtain a distance and bearing between any two points and mark it on the map.  This can be handy when navigating off trail.  I simply select my anticipated starting point and where I would like to go.  The software gives me an arrow, distance and bearing to that point.  I can have it print this right on the map so it comes into the field with me.  I can also build an elevation profile of this direct distance and bearing.

Symbols

The TOPO! Software also has a tool for adding GPS Waypoints and is great for those who wish to use National Geographic’s TOPO! State Series with a GPS or other handheld unit such as a PDA.  These GPS waypoints can be added wherever the user wants and is another option if a user does not want to trace out a route or just wants independent waypoints.  The user can import or export data from the TOPO! State Series to the device.  National Geographic has a tool which has the program check for live map updates.  So when updates to maps are done users don’t need to go purchase a new version of the software.  This is a very good thing as users purchasing the TOPO! State Series are likely to be using the software for multiple trips.

Compass tool and grid settings

Once customized to the user’s desire the maps can be printed or exported to a PDA, disk or clipboard.  The program allows users to set the print area.  I really love this feature.  Before, when I had to purchase maps, the area often was in the side, bottom or corner of a map.  It also was not uncommon for me to need numerous maps to show the entire trail.  The only way around this was to get a map with a scale with less detail than I’d like. When ready to print the map other options can be added such as a scale bar, compass, whether or not one wishes the notes or elevation profile printed, etc. National Geographic’s TOPO! State Series mapping software is a great tool and resource for backcountry enthusiasts whether they are planning a trip, physically out in the field or reviewing where they came from.  It allows users to examine, customize and print topographic maps for an entire state.  Its versatility and the breadth of coverage will have people using it for years after purchasing it.

Manufacturer	National Geographic
Minimum System Requirements	Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000, ME, NT or 98. Pentium processor or better, 64 MB RAM + 8MB video memory, DVD drive Macintosh OS 10.4 or higher, 350MHz G3 or better, 128 MB RAM + 16 MB video memory, DVD drive
With TOPO! You Can	Import Geocaches and GPX files Export detailed maps to other programs Print oversized maps Stay current with easy and automatic LiveMap updates
Maps Include	(2) National Geographic Atlas Maps USGS 500,000 Scale Maps USGS 100,000 Scale Topographic Maps USGS 24,000 Scale Topographic Maps
Price (MSRP)	$49.95

This story was originally posted April 17, 2011.