Since the introduction of the PN-Series GPS receivers over two years ago, DeLorme’s customer service representatives have helped countless customers determine which of these two software titles best suits their needs. Long-time subscribers to the DeLorme Professional Newsletter may recall that we addressed this same issue in a late 2007 edition; however, as the question is still being posed, it is worth revisiting this topic.
To begin, let us quote from the 2007 article:
“Both XMap 5.2 and Topo USA can be used to transfer maps and data to and from the PN-20, however there are key differences between these two software packages that reflect the intended use for each product.
Topo USA was developed as a recreational mapping software product and it excels for such applications as hiking, biking, hunting and off-road navigation. Combined with the PN-20 it offers a powerful set of tools for planning and undertaking virtually any backcountry adventure.
XMap, which includes all of the features and functions of Topo USA, was designed to specifically meet the needs of the professional user and it achieves this by offering several mechanisms for integrating third party data into the software.”
While the XMap and Topo USA have been significantly upgraded since 2007, the fundamental distinctions remain the same. Topo USA is intended for recreational use and XMap has been designed for professional applications.
Both products contain the same core mapping functionality and include many of the same features and functions including routing, drawing and annotation, 3-D terrain modeling and much more. Because there are such similarities and common functionality, the upgrade path is a painless one for Topo USA users who want to take their mapping to the next level.
For most users, XMap Professional—the entry level edition of the suite—is a perfect stepping stone from recreational mapping to more advanced spatial technology. So what data does XMap Professional support that is not compatible with Topo USA?
- Shapefiles
The most common GIS file format, shapefiles are freely downloadable from thousands of online data libraries. Shapefiles can depict property boundaries, nesting sites, schools, subway lines or almost any imaginable geographic feature.
- XMap OpenSpace files
DeLorme’s GIS format offers a simple way to share data layers with other XMap users. DeLorme provides several free OpenSpace layers for download including Township, Range, and Section boundaries, ZIP Code polygons, and NGS Benchmarks. - Scanned or digital versions of paper maps
Using XMap’s ImageReg tool, you can import an image, such as a scanned map or aerial photograph, and precisely align and scale it to create a geographically referenced map layer. - Third-party aerial imagery
Many national, regional, or local government agencies offer aerial imagery or other raster data at no charge. The most common formats for this imagery are GeoTIFF and MrSID, both of which are supported by XMap. As an example, all of the topographic maps for Canada can be downloaded from the Canadian government and can be viewed in XMap. - Your data
XMap offers a geocoding tool that gives you the ability to import spreadsheets, databases, and even text files that contain a location component, such as a street address or coordinates. Each record is represented by a user-selectable symbol and is positioned at the correct point on the map.
All of these map layers can be transferred to the Earthmate PN-Series GPS receivers and can be displayed alongside DeLorme’s renowned topographic maps and Map Library layers.
XMap also includes a number of functional advances when compared to Topo USA:
- Phone Search which offers searchable access to over 150 million phone records for the U.S. and Canada.
- Voice-controlled navigation and voice recognition capability, allowing you to control certain features of the software using verbal commands.
- Map feature customization including user-selectable contour intervals, shaded relief control, and flexible dual map windows.
- Advanced layering functionality, allowing selected map features to be displayed on top of aerial imagery
In XMap, you will find all of the features and functions you love about Topo USA enhanced with an array of powerful mapping tools that help you make maps like a pro.
