MyTopo maps - Any experience? Mine is going horrible.

D

Downhill Trucker

Joined
Jan 10, 2013
Messages
24
Hey folks, hoping someone out here has some experience with Mytopo custom maps.

I placed an order on February 15 and I'm still waiting on my map. On February 26, I received an email that the map was being held up by the GPX overlay. They asked me to send the GPX file. I have no idea what a GPX file is! That is why I am willing to pay 16 bucks for a map! I built the map on their software linked through Backpacker magazine's website. I sent him a link to the site. I did not here anything back again. On March 17 I once again inquired about the status of my map. They responded that they were manually creating the map. So on March 23, I once again emailed them about the status of my map I have not heard anything back.

To say I am disappointed is an understatement. I have been dealing with vendors in the outdoor industry for over 30 years. Most of these companies are very consumer oriented, so I have been spoiled. MyTopo has been completely horrible at communicating and getting me a map in a timely fashion Imagine if my trip was sooner? You would think a map company would want repeat business. Maybe they have just given up on my order???

Sorry to rant, but just curious if my experience was an isolated one. I have never felt the need to complain about a company in the forum.

MORE IMPORTANTLY... Looks like i need a company that can actually create a custom topo. Thankfully, my trip isn't until July.

Many Thanks...DHT
 
leghog said:
I've only ever used their USGS Quads. No problem there.
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I've always just used USGS quad maps myself. But as you might know, I am old school. Many state highway departments carry them as do some of the better outdoor stores. And you can order direct from the USGS. It can be a pain doing the overlaps and not all quads are to the same scale. Also, some of the more remote quads are from older surveys that haven't been updated in years.

I made a "custom" of my favorite river trip years ago, fitting the pertinent sections into vinyl sheet protectors for ease of use. That was an expensive investment using sixteen maps. But it served me well for several decades. I still have it stored with my river gear and guide books.
 
It has been several years but I did order a custom map from MyTopo and they not only did all the custom features I ordered but they got it here in a very timely manner. I got the largest map size and selected a very specific area at 1:24000, UTM marks, waterproof paper and custom folded. I have used that map a lot, a very favorite area I often go and explore and have many notes and marks of my own on the map now with a fine Sharpie pen.

However I have not ordered from them recently so I can't say if things have changed all that much. They sure used to be very user friendly.
 
Every USGS Quad I've gotten from MyTopo has been 1:24,000. I like that the MyTopo Quads extend beyond the normal USGS Quads for accurate overlapping with any/all of the surrounding Quads. I've found them to be a cost effective source for topo sheets. I also often have access to a plotter making it then extremely more cost effective.
 
1:24000 is the most detailed scale offered with the custom maps and that of course is the most detailed scale available for USGS Quadrangles. The thing about custom created maps is you can choose areas that you might normally have to carry several USGS Quads but now have it on one printed map. I got a 36"x48" map for a seamless specific area. That is the treat of a custom. You are not butting up maps against one another or taping them together as in the days of yore. With their software you can move your specific area around until you have exactly what you want. That is what the OP is talking about.

You can use their software at MyTopo or upload a GPX file. It sounds like they have a confusion going on and their communication with him is not very professional. They should have cleared it up even if he has to go through the software steps on their site again for his custom area.
 
SwiftDream said:
1:24000 is the most detailed scale offered with the custom maps and that of course is the most detailed scale available for USGS Quadrangles. The thing about custom created maps is you can choose areas that you might normally have to carry several USGS Quads but now have it on one printed map. I got a 36"x48" map for a seamless specific area. That is the treat of a custom. You are not butting up maps against one another or taping them together as in the days of yore. With their software you can move your specific area around until you have exactly what you want. That is what the OP is talking about.

You can use their software at MyTopo or upload a GPX file. It sounds like they have a confusion going on and their communication with him is not very professional. They should have cleared it up even if he has to go through the software steps on their site again for his custom area.
Click to expand...
Since I cover sheet fronts with clear shelf paper, then fold and glue the map into aviator folds, I don't have any issue with taping sheets together.
 
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