 On
of the best tools to use when preparing for a hunt in a new area is a topographical
map. A topo map is invaluable as it can show you features such as
ridges, bottlenecks and wooded areas that are key to wildlife movement.
I'm excited about Mytopo.com because it is a web site designed to supply
you with a map that you can uniquely center to cover your hunting spot.
Unique because you determine the area to print. The best feature,
however is since your using the Internet, you can preview your map, enabling
you to see every detail before purchasing. Mytopo.com also gives you three
scales to choose from: 1:24,000 standard, 1:30,000 to cover 150 square
miles or a close up of 1:15,000 which covers about 40 square miles.
The maps are printed using U.S. Geologic Survey topographic maps. Reference
grids such as longitude and latitude may also be added making them great
when used in conjunction with a GPS unit or compass. Mytopo.com
maps are printed on synthetic paper making them virtually indestructible,
especially to tears and water. This makes them a great companion
to roll or fold and place in your backpack.
To show you how easy it is just log on to myTopo.com right from bowhunting.net.
You should have no problem searching and zeroing in on the area or areas
you need. Towns, campgrounds, counties, townships, rivers and creeks
are just a few of the many searchable features contained in the myTopo.com
database. I quickly located my favorite hunting spot in Ohio based
on a small little known village. I was also truly surprised that a one-acre
pond showed up in one of my best hunting areas. Now that is detail.
The maps are attractively priced at $14.95 and this includes personalizing
each with titles and sub-titles. It is fun and fast to create a custom
made detailed map using myTopo.com. Best of all you don't have to
go anywhere special to do it, just right from the convenience of you home.
My map arrived within five business days. When my map arrived I quickly
scoured over it looking for new details that could help me on my next hunt.
I was amazed at the detail. At a nearby State Forest, which encompasses
a lake, a lookout tower as well as gas pipelines and wells were marked.
Islands within rivers, which are known to be hiding places for trophy whitetails,
stand out against the blue coloring of the river. Even a small early
settlement cemetery was plainly visible. Elevations also are clearly
marked at 20-foot levels with ridges and ravines clearly detailed.
These maps also make nice gifts. I plan on framing mine
and displaying it in my hunting cabin for all my friends to see and utilize.
I guess this is requested quite a bit because in the near future myTopomap.com
has informed me that they will soon have available frame-ready glossy maps.
Design: 5 out of 5
The attention to detail is phenomenal with these maps. Grass
airport landing strips, small ponds and even backpacking trails are clearly
marked. Longitude and latitude markings allow for use with a compass
or GPS unit. I don't know what else myTopo.com can do to produce
a better map.
Ease of use: 5 out of 5
Anyone who has access to the Internet can order one of these maps from
the convenience of their own home. Hunters, of whom I am included,
like things simple when planning upcoming scouting and hunting trips.
These maps are easy to read and determine terrain layouts.
Value: 4.5 out of 5
The only way I give any item a five in value is if it is free.
These come close and being tear resistant and waterproof they will withstand
years of use. I plan on framing mine so as long as a major earthquake
doesn't change the lay of the land I know I can count on it for years and
years.
MyTopo.com
www.MyTopo.com |
