National Geographic Back Roads Explorer

Rating:
Summary: Should have read the reviews....
Review: Bought this at the Apple Store on an impulse and boy am I sorry. Ditto what the other reviewers said plus there's no hardcopy documentation and what is on the .pdf help file is laughable. Here's another thing, on the USGS 1:100K level, the maps consistently DO NOT line up and are often cut off. C'mon guys, how hard is it to scan in a map and line them up? If you're happy with 1:100K or 1:500K,or need a fine quality state/county map or even a road map with elevation info, then this might be for you, but don't expect to go hiking with it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Topo
Review: I bought this for desert and mountain 'off road' exploration and camping. In that capacity, I am completely satisfied with its seemless scrolling, map labelling and GPS downloading features. I can plan my routes, mark and print the highly detailed maps, and have it ready to go. Upon return, I can add small non-descript roads, trails, mine locations, etc that I find in the field via my GPS. I used to spend 20 to 30 dollars for paper topo's for outback trips. Now, I'll literally save hundreds with this software. And because this software doesn't require mega 3D computer capabilities, I actually installed this software in an old Pentium 1, with a 130 meg processer, and it works flawlessly! Now, I have put my old, and (formerly) no longer used computer to work in the garage for my trip planning. Something I couldn't do with the Regional State Series because of it's computer system requirements. The only potential drawback to this software is the lack of level 5 mapping. This software actually goes to 1:25,000 scale, but the only difference I can ascertain from pure 'level 5' is the missing gridlines and details. This system includes elevation cross section detail, and for my purposes, that makes up for any missing level 5 details. Comparatively, Delormes Atlas's are 1:150,000 scale, this software is full level 4 or 1:100,000 scale... and 1;25,000 as well, it's awesome. And if you really need to get closer, you can zoom the area you want. Overall, if you must have the level 5, which is 1:25,000 scale with level 5 detail, get the regional or state series sofware. But for the price, with 50 states of seemless 1:100,000 topo, and the system requirements, this software is exceptional. Tred Lightly!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Topo
Review: I bought this for desert and mountain 'off road' exploration and camping. In that capacity, I am completely satisfied with its seemless scrolling, map labelling and GPS downloading features. I can plan my routes, mark and print the highly detailed maps, and have it ready to go. Upon return, I can add small non-descript roads, trails, mine locations, etc that I find in the field via my GPS. I used to spend 20 to 30 dollars for paper topo's for outback trips. Now, I'll literally save hundreds with this software. And because this software doesn't require mega 3D computer capabilities, I actually installed this software in an old Pentium 1, with a 130 meg processer, and it works flawlessly! Now, I have put my old, and (formerly) no longer used computer to work in the garage for my trip planning. Something I couldn't do with the Regional State Series because of it's computer system requirements. The only potential drawback to this software is the lack of level 5 mapping. This software actually goes to 1:25,000 scale, but the only difference I can ascertain from pure 'level 5' is the missing gridlines and details. This system includes elevation cross section detail, and for my purposes, that makes up for any missing level 5 details. Comparatively, Delormes Atlas's are 1:150,000 scale, this software is full level 4 or 1:100,000 scale... and 1;25,000 as well, it's awesome. And if you really need to get closer, you can zoom the area you want. Overall, if you must have the level 5, which is 1:25,000 scale with level 5 detail, get the regional or state series sofware. But for the price, with 50 states of seemless 1:100,000 topo, and the system requirements, this software is exceptional. Tred Lightly!

Rating:
Summary: False promotion
Review: I received National Geographic Back Roads Explorer as a gift because I needed USGS 1:100,000 maps for an area in Alaska, for use with GPS. The carton containing the product says that it includes these maps for all 50 states. It does not. For Alaska it includes 1:250,000 maps, without the required detail, and 1:63,000 maps which appear to be no more than very blurry magnifications of the 1:250,000 maps, with no additional detail. Email to National Geographic was referred to TOPICS Entertainment, who seem to have purchased the right to use the National Geographic name and logo. TOPICS Entertainment does not respond to the email referred by National Geographic, nor to email sent directly to www.topics-ent.com. So, be wary of claims on the carton, and don't assume that the product is backed by National Geographic.


Rating:
Summary: Don't bother
Review: I received this as a Christmas gift and had to return. Was not compatible and couldn't load on a brand new computer. Software gave no ability to customize the installation. No help from the Nat. Geo website support. Went thru the entire install and at last bar.....sorry, disc couldn't finalize hit finish to continue and it kicks you out completely to start over again.

From the other poor reviews, I'd have to say I'm glad I returned.

Rating:
Summary: Be Careful
Review: This product has many wonderful maps to use with a COMPUTER but BEWARE you can't load the maps onto a GPS so unless you want to carry a laptop on your next hike - skip it. The product information is misleading by stating the program has the the ability to load maps to a "device" apparently this does not include a GPS so I ask what's the point? What a disappointment.

Rating:
Summary: CD shuffle game
Review: Too many CD's that must be swapped in/out. Also misleading claims about down loading ability to GPS devices etc. I would not recommend this for the serious user.

Rating:
Summary: Too many CDs!
Review: Which would you prefer? 17 different CDs to keep track of and constantly switch in and out of your computer, or 1 or 2 DVDs? This product may be good, but I made a mistake by not waiting until it came out on DVD.