Using a GPS without installing topographic maps is like navigating inside a game of Pong: all you see is a prosaic dot cavorting around the screen. Though the Garmin GPSmap 62 is a professional-grade global positioning system, not all models come preloaded with detailed maps. In this tutorial you'll learn how to easily install topo maps into your unit in just a few minutes. The standard worldwide basemap that come equipped on models like the 62S may be fine for some folks that use their GPS sparingly, however, it only shows roads and major bodies of water. This is fine if you are trying to find Lake Ontario, but troublesome while hiking a remote trail. The Garmin 62 has the ability to display detailed topographic maps scaled at 1:24,000.

Buy Garmin Inreach Explorer+: Everything Else - Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Garmin MapSource TOPO! US 24k West Topographic Coverage for Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada (DVD) at Amazon.com. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users.

So what does that mean? In that scale, one inch on the map equals twenty-four thousand inches in real life. For those of you like me that fail to grasp measurement conversions, twenty-four thousand inches equals two-thousand feet. Like all topographic maps, elevation is represented through contour lines. Learn to read the contour lines and your wilderness treks will be much easier.

Though outstanding navigation programs like Terrain Navigator are on the market, most users wishing to install maps will gravitate toward Garmin's TOPO U.S. It is a cost-effective and easy to use program that is available in a DVD and SD card version. If you are contemplating the pros and cons of an SD card installation versus a DVD install, I have come up with a few points that may help you make your decision. Advantages • Installing maps from the SD card requires no computer and no computer software installation.

• The SD card maps are the quickest and easiest way to install maps on a GPS. • The SD card is less expensive than the DVD. Disadvantages • There is a chance that you could accidentally overwrite your SD card. Once you do, there is no way to retrieve that data. • If you have multiple GPS units, you'll need an SD card for every device; this could get expensive. • The TOPO 24K DVD has a larger coverage area. For example fourteen states are covered by the DVD for the Northeast, whereas nine states are covered by the SD card.

On the inside of the battery compartment, you'll notice a small metal bracket: this is the slider that holds the SD card in place. Slide this bracket to the open position by moving it toward the antenna. If you ever forget which way this widget is designed to move, the words 'OPEN' and 'LOCK' are printed on the unit, just millimeters way. Once you've reached the open position, gently swivel this sliding bracket upward. You will most likely have to use a fingernail to pry this up.

I personally wouldn't use any tools to move this slider, just let your nails grow another day or two if you can't quite get it. Hey Bankscottage, good to see you! Most, if not all, of Garmin's units are great for hiking and biking. Though I just got my 62, I used my previous 60 on my bike.

I just set the routing preference to 'follow road.' Though it won't give audio directions like an auto GPS, the routing arrows are easy enough to follow. They even make bike mounts for their units. When you go hiking, just change your routing to 'off road.'

3d Crack Stone Letters on this page. Colorado Drivers License Previous Type Nm. The Etrex has been a popular model with bikers and hikers. Thanks for the comment!