File this one under speculation. Earlier this year, Garmin announced Topo U.S. 2008, which offered minor improvements over the previous version of Topo U.S. I've got a review copy and hope to have a full write up on it in the near future.
What I don't understand though, is why they would give this product a name with a year attached. The type of improvements that Topo U.S. 2008 offered aren't likely to sway anyone towards an annual upgrade, unlike City Navigator.
Which brings me to conclude that by this time next year, Garmin will announce a next generation topo product. This would likely include the ability to display one or more of the following:
- 1:24,000 scale topo maps
- USGS topo maps
- Aerial photos
Garmin units, for now, display only vector maps -- data sets made up of lines and points. The last two features listed above would require a unit that can display raster imagery, ala the DeLorme PN-20 and the Magellan Triton series. Raster imagery -- maps and aerial photos -- are image files which eat up a lot of memory. It is likely that an entirely new line of handhelds would be required to display raster images.
Yesterday I wrote about Garmin's failure to innovate. I'm hoping that today's post turns out more prescient than that one. Pure speculation on my part, but I just can't wrap my head around another reason for them to name their product the way they did.
If it ever appears (its already two months late) there may be a competitor for a new generation of hand-held Garmins using raster imagery. Its the long promised Satmap Active 10. Both specification and pricing look seriously interesting!
See here: http://www.satmap.com/eshot/index_1.php
You don't seem to have picked this one in your thorough and newsy blog - so I'm hoping I might have prompted you to investigate further - will the Satmap be any good - and just when is it gonna' make it into a forest near me, and will it do more than UK mapping?
Posted by: Steve | August 28, 2007 at 08:35 AM
No, I haven't covered it, but your comment is a good reminder that I should. It's hard for me to keep up with all the happenings on the other side of the pond. I sure would love to see it make an appearance stateside though.
Posted by: Rich Owings | August 28, 2007 at 08:42 AM
I wonder if they are following Microsoft in the naming of thier products, IE Exchange 2007, SQL 2005 etc.
You know, lets follow the Big Dog.
Posted by: Brent | August 28, 2007 at 10:40 AM
What I don't understand is a 2008 version released in 2007. Does that mean the a possible 2009 version will be released in early 2008 too? Could be bad marketing for Garmin. It makes me believe I must wait until 2009 for a new model, therefore I should consider the already available (or soon to be) Magellan Triton and Delorme PN-20, or even the Bushnell.
Posted by: Jake | August 28, 2007 at 12:14 PM
Well, they announced Topo 2008 at the end of may 2007. Remember though, this is all conjecture on my part.
Posted by: Rich Owings | August 28, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Does anyone know if (and what) major improvements Garmin made in Topo 24k V3 versus Topo 24k V2?
Posted by: Sam | May 01, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Not sure. It may have DEM data on it, which would display relief in MapSource. You might want to ask at Groundspeak. Here's a search I did but I didn't see anything...
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?act=Search&CODE=show&searchid=bf6c9f22cf928fb28d4253c503357091&search_in=titles&result_type=topics&highlite=%2B24k
Posted by: Rich Owings | May 01, 2008 at 04:25 PM