Magellan MapSend Topo 3D US GPS Software

By captain  Jan 11, 2007

Think Twice

By T  Jan 6, 2007

Pros: No problems Uploading except for stupid limitations

Cons: Everything!!!

Long Story Short
Bought Meridian Gold $199 in 2002
Bought mapsend topo as magellan software is the only software that will work with magellan products
I rate it at 3 stars it was nothing special, small screen.

Decided to upgrade to Explorist XL $350 in 2005
Oh... but, low and behold, my old software will not work with my new unit... confirmed by magellan after 10 calls and hours of holding. So i decided to take it up the A$$ and was forced to buy new mapsend 3D.

After installing on to my PC, Im looking at the maps, and i notice, theres no dirt roads!! I searched and searched for options and on web forums. There is dirt roads on the old madsend. This is a complete disgrace, I thought i was getting an upgrade!!
I will never buy a Magellan again EVER.

PS: This is not the only problems iv had with the magellan company this is just the icing.
PSS: Many online stores are advertising the New Mapsend 3D with the old mapsend cover Pic.

MapSend Topo 3D USA Software Version 1.0

By Yahoo! Shopping User  Dec 26, 2006 | 1 out of 1 found this Magellan MapSend Topo 3D US review helpful

Pros: Mediocre at best... if you can get it to work

Cons: Horrible software! Impossible to load!

This was probably the most frustrating software I've worked with. I received MapSend Topo 3D USA version 1.0 bundled with my Magellan 500LE Explorist GPS. Disc 1 of the MapSend software loaded fine, but disc 2 was another story. After getting several error messages, I finally called customer service. Guess what? My call was routed to New Delhi! The techs were pleasant, but there was a definite language barrier. They didn't understand my problem, and tried to tell me I had to purchase an "unlock code" which I knew wasn't true. After some intense searching, I finally got ahold of someone at Magellan in So. California. (It wasn't easy to get this local phone number!!) The Magellan Rep. was very helpful, and explained the software was defective! Magellan actually knew about the problem, but decided to sell the software anyway and let the customer find out the hard way that it doesn't work (After trying to install it for hours, I might add!!) I was sent replacement Installation CD's, which, after some involved reading, finally installed on my computer. Then trying to get the maps transferred to my GPS proved to be another significant hurdle! UNLESS YOU HAVE INFINITE PATIENCE, AVOID THIS SOFTWARE AT ALL COSTS! Magellan should be embarrased and ashamed to be affiliated with a program that is essentially junk.

Terrible Detail

By DeanJ  Oct 17, 2006

Pros: IDK

Cons: Detail

We bought this thinking the maps would be current. Big mistake. I have 5 year old DeLorme Topo 2.0 (they are up to 6.0 now I think) software that has way more detail than this. Buyer beware!

The trails.com software that is mentioned in the ads costs an additional $49.00 year.

Magellan is an obnoxious company!

By Christopher  Jun 28, 2006

Pros: It works -if you read the directions

Cons: The software is VERY user Unfriendly. Only fair graphics.

I'm fairly computer literate so, like most people, I thought I could ignore the directions and figure out the software on my own. Boy was that a mistake! I wasted about four hours trying to get the software to send a map to my Explorist 600. It just wouldn't connect no matter what I did.

When I finally read the instructions I was amazed. They tell you to ignore the functions on the screen that claim to transfer the maps. You are told to chose a third option (transfer to hard drive), then use a hidden piece of included software (magellan conversion manager) to convert the maps and make the transfer. It works but is quite slow. I can only assume that Magellan did this on purpose to deter piracy, but having fake icons and such on the software hardly seems like a professional approach.

The topographical maps themselves are only fair. They are nowhere near as detailed as an actual topographical map and you can't copy the entire US as one map, even though it's what you paid for.

-Chris