The Bottom Line -
I like the new MAPTECH Terrain Navigator 5.03. Not
particularly a fan of the product when I reviewed the package
several years back, this new edition is a much improved and
polished mapping product. I actually had the feeling I was
playing a video game while fiddling with some of the bell and
whistles.
I agreed to review this product with one caveat - I would need to put a
package together that represented a familiar working area. I
reviewed it based on my specifically defined area (three CDs that
covers my stomping ground in north Georgia, western North Carolina and
eastern Tennessee).
I was concerned about how long it would
take me to get comfortable
using Terrain Navigator. Also, how much of a problem
would three CDs be to use?
A tutorial made the whole initial
learning process easier and had me creating maps almost immediately. Printing
functions were excellent and offered many color and image-sized options. I
can promise I will be using this
software and future upgrades for years to come. And because you create a CD library, switching between
data sources was not as irritating as I first thought.
My three year old Dell Dimension XPS T600 MHz
machine handled the installation to perfection. The computer rarely
bogged down with loads of data that has to be processed. This
software works on Windows 95, Pentium-class CPU or better that has
a CD ROM and at least 32 MB of RAM.
Each state or region's package comes with up
to 300 USGS topo maps in both 1:24,000 and 1:100,000 scales.
Also included is an enhanced digital CD that does all the tricks
making the topos searchable and measurable. Every package
also has an installer CD.
"Terrain Navigator offers the
highest quality map images, both on-screen and in-print; easier to
use software with GPS integration, seamless maps, and unique 3D
views." says Maptech representative, Martin Fox.
"Each state or region sell for under $100 - less than 4 cents
per quad! Our goal is to offer the best product, at the best price
for the outdoor adventurer or professional map user."
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