1 comments about Lowrance CA-10S Cig Plug Power Cable with.

1. I use the cig plug adapter in many rental cars and it works fine. I think its bulky and I don't like that you can bend the pins on the back of the GPS that plut into the cable if you're not careful. It also feels "cheap." The one that came with my GPS stopped working and the fuse didn't even pop so I bought this replacement. On the motorcycle I use the hardwire directly to the fusebox. I think it's a better quality cable but clearly not practacle for most people in most cars.

No comments about Digital Concepts LCD Screen Protectors for all GPS Units.

No comments about MAGELLAN 730345 PC/CBL W/ CLA F/ MERIDIAN/SPORTRAK.

No comments about Cobra GPA 12VC 7-Foot Power Cord for GPS 100, GPS 500, and GPS 1000DLX.

5 comments about TOPO! National Geographic USGS Topographic Maps, New Mexico.

1. I now have their latest TOPO! 4.5, but cannot use it with my California State series maps. I've been exchanging e-mails with their customer support and they basically just recycle cut and paste's from their web site. At first I took their instructions (often contradictory) seriously and did everything they said, but none of it works. To make sure I tried it on a different computer. No go. The software often hangs up for long time, so anything you try kills a lot of time. I think it is just a very badly written code with no backward compatibility. I'm going to start looking for another product.



2. With TOPO, it makes a big difference if you copy the maps from the CDs to your hard drive. That results in a much faster and better experience. Directions for copying the maps to your hard drive are on the Topo web site. Some reviewers do not realize that.
   
   The digital maps are an extremely good value compared to paper maps!! Live Map Updates is a feature of version 4. You can download the current maps and street overlays for the quads you are interested in! And that is free.
   
   I have used versions 2, 3, and 4 of this product. Version 2 was excellent. Versions 3 and 4 are incremental improvements. On Amazon, it isn't always clear which version you are buying. Go by the dates -- version 4 was released in 2006.
   
   The software is excellent. My only complaint is that it is a bit complicated to install. I don't think it has ever crashed on me. I use it a lot, and discover new features all the time. It is not hard to learn. GPS support is great, in my experience.



3. Do not waste your money on this horrible software. Even on a 2.4 GHz, 2 GB RAM MacBook Pro, it staggers to run. It takes an average of 20 seconds just to change zoom levels and pans incredibly slowly. Try drawing a route and half the time the whole thing freezes and crashes and you have to start over. I'll say it again - DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!



4. TOPO! has the worst user interface ever created. It doesn't follow the standard user interface designed by Apple, Adobe, and Microsoft.
   - There's no hand tool to move around the map--rather you have to move your cursor to the edge of the screen and click to push the map around. Hard to control and creates lots of cursor movement
   - The tool to draw routes is hard to control



5. this product (CA version) is listed for $149 at Amazon and at $99 at the National Geographic website and at REI. What's up with that? 50% over the MSRP?

No comments about 4.3FltscrenGPSCasPro.

1 comments about Arkon GPS043 GPS Accessory - Anti Glare Sun Shade for 4.3 inch GPS Screens.

1. I purchased this for an Nuvi 880 and/or 785t. First problem, you have to bend the wires that connect the shade to the unit, otherwise the top part of the shade cuts off part of the top of the screen. Also, there is hardly any material on the top and especially the sides (very shallow screen) so in the morning or late afternoon, the shade does little to prevent glare regardless of the sun angle. Given how shallow the screen actually is, if sun glare ever was an issue (not all that often) I find I had to tilt the screen to avoid the glare whether or not I was using the shade. I have since discontinued using the shade as ineffective and as few times as glare is a problem, I just tilt the screen slightly.

No comments about Garmin GPSMap 430 Chartplotter US Lakes.

5 comments about National Geographic TOPO Map (Texas - Windows).

1. This piece of software is what I have been hoping for for since I bought my machine. It is the most elegant and detailed mapping system that I have used. With the Garmin Vista Cx it works flawlessly. You can download any or all of the map data from the disks into the "Topo" file and it runs very well on my powerbook G4. It will upload all waypoints, and routes. It will download all waypoints, routes and tracks! The maps are gorgeous! The interactive web feature is cool but young. It has a geocaching feature. The 3d maps are sweet! It downloads updates and new map layers almost perfectly (had to manually download the software update). I only wish that waypoints symbols would transfer to and from my unit but I can easily live without them. Load the Mapsource maps to your device (Garmin "x" series saves to swappable memory microSD cards) and use Topo! from your laptop.



2. I've used TOPO! for eight years and it's the best there is for mapping software. I own software for 10 of the western states and use the program almost daily. I use the program in my laptop and when hooked up to my GPS, I have what amounts to a super detailed car navigation system with a 17" screen. As new maps become available, you can download them free into your computer as needed and it's a very easy procedure. Also, free upgrades are available on-line and that's an easy procedure too.
   
   To make the state series most useable, you need to add Back Roads Explorer, which gives much more detailed up-to-date street and street name information.
   
   The only caveates with this program is that you need a relatively fast computer and lots of memory so you can copy the whole program to your hard drive so you don't have to constantly change cd's. Also, expect to take some time to fully get to know this program.



3. I bought this software because I am a grad student and I had to survey alpine sites around the state of Colorado. I thought it would be great. It was not. The biggest problem is that the maps are out of date. For example several hiking trails are missing. I drove up at least ten roads that had locked gates that were not on the map. Many roads are not labeled or not labeled correctly. It was good for putting waypoints in my GPS, but that is all it was good for.



4. The PC version works ok but if you own a Mac, you are out of luck. Major glitches of very basic uses (such as unable to upload waypoints from a spreadsheet to your GPS!! Both upload and download buttons and pulldowns send you to a download only option). It is one of the few Mac apps that will lock down your computer and not respond to force quit.
   
   The interface is bizarre. Want to find a place? - go to "Edit". Want to find a coordinate? - go to "View". Want to find customer support? - go to the back of the room.
   iMac 2.4 ghz OS 10.5.4, Topo 4.5.0



5. GPS Compatibility...
   
   As advertised, TOPO! works well with GPS units. I use it with a Garmin Vista Cx GPS frequently. Other people's negative reviews concerning GPS compatibility probably stem from their assumption that they should be able to download the maps themselves to a GPS device. No, you can't do that with just TOPO.
   
   As advertised, you CAN download waypoints or routes before a trip, which becomes extremely helpful when you feel lost. And you CAN upload waypoints and tracks after a trip, which is very interesting to map where you've been.
   
   General Comments on the Software...
   
   This is an excellent product which I always use before going exploring or mountain climbing. I discover new features in the software all the time. I don't think the program has ever crashed on me, and it is not hard to learn. 5 stars!!

2 comments about Garmin BlueChart g2 Vision SD Card, Lake Huron / Lake St. Clair.

1. I ordered this item in Feb 2007. The product that I recieved was last year's release of Mar 2006. After varifying with Garmin the latest version is Jan 2007 I returned it for credit. Amazon can't tell you what they have in stock so you just have to wait until they run out of last year's stock or settle for informatin that is a year old.



2. The Garmin BlueChart Vision SD Card I recently purchased was exactly what I expected. The card was received on time as promised and operates great. No problems encountered with this product