Dec 20, 2012 Background Garmin designs GPS that will be used in a wide variety of environments. Over time users found that some GPS were sophisticated enough to be used for a couple different tasks and began to try and customize their GPS so one device 'could do everything'. While this approach sometimes works in practice only a few devices are originally engineered to be used cross-functionally. Design limitations are eventually exposed when a person tries to use a car GPS for off road or hiking use. The same can be said for maps provided and distributed by Garmin.

TOPO US 24K West PART NUMBER: 010-D1456-00. These highly detailed maps include terrain contours, topo elevations. Download Requirements. TOPO 24K maps feature our highest level of topographic detail (1:24,000 scale), complete with terrain contours, searchable points of interest and turn-by-turn.

Intended Use of Garmin City Navigator (CNNT) and Garmin TOPO Garmin City Navigator CNNT is usually updated four (4) times a year. Three (3) of the quarterly updates have minor road changes and POI updates. The fourth release CNNT XXXX.3 is the one that includes most of the major road updates for the past year. It generally takes about a year for a change to show up on your map after someone reports a field update.

This is subject to change of course contingent upon when Navteq (now called ) delivers mapping to their end customers. Companies like Garmin and others buy their map data like any other wholesale product and then use it on their GPS. The Flaming Lips Zaireeka Zip. Garmin TOPO is updated and delivered approximately once every four (4) years. The reason it takes so long for a new release is that maps core function is to display topographic information and that changes relatively very little over time. Garmin is distinctly aware of these two mapping products differences and has conceived, created and deployed these products with specific end uses in mind.

The same can be said for their aviation and ocean mapping products. Core Topic The greater off road vehicle, hiking, biking and motorcycling community has begun to use both Garmin TOPO and Garmin CNNT as primary maps for navigation without either understanding or accepting the differences between the two products and how they are positioned by Garmin. Garmin City Navigator (CNNT) is intended to be used anywhere there are roads. Whether its off road or on, City Navigator typically lists any road from a simple dirt trail, fire road, county road, private property road all the way up to interstate freeways. At some point, off road riders assumed that since the product is named City Navigator it must be intended to be used mainly on city streets or paved roads. That would be a mistake. The product is positioned to be routable, updated quarterly and be used by any Garmin that has the technical certification to utilize routable mapping.

The actual product of choice for off road navigating would be Garmin City Navigator (CNNT) regardless of what country its created for. According to, 'City Navigator (CNNT) gives you everything you need to travel on the road. They go on to add, 'It includes MapSource® or ® software for Windows® to transfer waypoints, routes and tracks between your computer and your device'. If one is to thoroughly understand and accept this premise for on and off road adventuring, they would choose Garmin City Navigator (CNNT) in all but the most odd or extreme situations. In most situations, Garmin TOPO isn't necessary and is not recommended to be used by the off vehicle or off road motorcycle community. These communities have erroneously assumed that the Garmin TOPO product MUST have better detail for off road adventuring. That would be incorrect.

Garmin City Navigator (CNNT) is the product of choice when navigating any roads. Garmin TOPO is intended to be used while hiking or hunting. According to, 'The TOPO map series provides detailed topography including terrain contours, elevations, geographical points, even 3-D terrain shading on compatible devices.'

While TOPO does include information on, 'interstates, state highways, local roads and trails' it is designed to use those roads to get from place to place. As it is not routinely updated as Garmin City Navigator, it should be used primarily for hiking, hunting and general outdoor work. When referring to trails, Garmin means walking trails, bike trails and hiking trails.