The TOPO! expansion pack consists of three CDs inside a tri-fold cardboard package. The first disk is a setup disk and the other two contain map data. Installation instructions are printed on the package; there is no manual. Also included in the package is a registration card.
Product Installation
Since I did not own the TOPO! State Series software before starting this test, I had to install this software before installing the Expansion Pack (which is the focus of this review). Once that was completed, I poked around the software a bit so I could note differences after the expansion pack was loaded. Then I began the expansion pack install. I followed the instructions printed on the package and installed easily, probably in around 10 minutes. I only needed to insert the first disk; but at one point I had to insert one of the disks (any of the 10 disks) from my California TOPO! CDs. I did find it somewhat annoying that the program installation did not autostart.
In order to open the TOPO! program to use the expansion pack, you now have to go to where you installed the expansion pack. I would think that you would open the State Series TOPO! program, but the installation creates a new directory for the expansion pack. I believe at this point I could uninstall where the State Series TOPO! was previously installed, but I have not tried this yet.
Software navigation, toolbars, etc
After installing the expansion pack there are now several new buttons on the State Series toolbar. In the picture below, the toolbar on the top is after the expansion pack was installed.
It's easy to get 3-D views of the current trail you're looking at by pressing the 3D button on the toolbar. You can also do a flyover of a trail if you click on a trail then click the flyover button. This is a neat feature and I'm looking forward to figuring out how helpful it is on the trail.
The street data is integrated onto the maps on the TOPO! program, almost like it's been there the whole time. The new street data is now in red and it's easy to locate streets in a familiar area. It only took a couple minutes to locate my house and most of that time was letting the maps load as I zoomed in.
So far, the TOPO! expansion pack seems to be pretty user-friendly. Since I don't have a lot of experience with the State Series software, I'm still figuring out exactly how that works. As time goes on I'm sure the software will become easier to use. But since the software doesn't come with a manual, figuring everything out is pretty much trial and error. Though I will try and use the online help features if questions come up.
National Geographic Website
I think the website is helpful in explaining what each software package is for. The descriptions aren't too in-depth, but I had a pretty good idea
of what to expect before I got the software in the mail. I especially like the screen shots of the software in action. I think this is extremely helpful in showing exactly what to expect.
I think the website also makes it very clear what I needed to have in order to make the program work (specifically system and software requirements).
There's also a list of all the GPS units that are compatible with the TOPO! software (which includes Garmin, Magellan, and Eagle/Lowrance models that are too numerous to list).
It should be noted that at the time of this initial report, I do not own a GPS unit. I do think it is likely that I might own one before the test period is over. The website also links
to customer support pages. They have a simple email based support system as well as phone numbers to contact customer service representatives with technical questions and a separate phone number for
non-technical questions. There is also a comprehensive list of FAQs regarding product installation and use. It appears that these FAQs are focused on the State Series software and not this
particular Expansion pack. Even though customer service phone numbers and an email address are there for further questions, hopefully I won't need to use them!
First Use
In order to see what this product can do I wanted to take a look at a hike I've recently completed. One of my last hikes was a day hike to Mt. Henderson peak in San Diego County.
This is a 4 mile (6.5 km) round-trip hike with 1500 ft (460 m) of elevation gain and loss (at least according to my trail guide). The trail is a paved fire road to the peak
with steep sections mixed with more gradual inclines; after the first 1/4 mile (.4 km) it's uphill the whole way up.
I was easily able to find this trail on the maps. After I located the trail, I traced over it and then did a "fly-over". The fly-over seemed like it was an accurate portrayal of the elevation gain I experienced while hiking the trail. The fly-over path doesn't stick to the trail exactly, it tends to cut switch backs and it really is only flying over the trail, not following it exactly. But it follows the trail close enough to where it should be helpful. The following picture shows the map of the trail on the right, the fly-over view on the left (this is just a shot that I took while I was "flying" through the trail), and the bottom is the elevation profile.
Over the next 6 months I plan on going on several trips into the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests.
I also have tentative plans to head to Lassen National Park for a multi-night backpack at the beginning of July.
Hopefully that will work out. Other trips for the summer include 2 extended weekend trips to the Sierras in August.
Elevations will range from sea level to 10,000 ft plus (3,000 m). Any precipitation should be mild to moderate (hopefully!). If I'm not backpacking I usually get out somewhere to
do a day hike close to every weekend.
I plan on using the TOPO! Expansion Pack to assess trails before I actually set foot on them.
I hope that this will be useful in helping me decide whether a particular trail will be difficult and
possibly help me decide how long I should give myself to hike a particular trail. I will also be using the software to create driving directions to trailheads and other locations. I will compare how easy it is to use this feature compared to just using MapQuest. I will also be printing maps to use in the field.
Thank you to BackPackGearTest.org and National Geographic for allowing me to test this product.
And a special thanks to National Geographic for providing me with the TOPO! State series software for California in order to complete this test.
Read more reviews of National Geographic gear
Read more gear reviews by Jennifer Pope
