Garmin now sells both 24k and 100k so you can pick and choose. They also sell via dvd or pre-loaded on microSD card. If you buy the sdcard version I don't believe you can import on to your computer so your better off buying the dvd and then sending it to the gps.
Some of the free downloadable ones are very nice and they will layer on top of other maps if they are made transparent so they can supplement your existing maps.

Is there graphic software with which to create/draw objects as overlays on GPS maps? Examples: a circle centered at a specific lat/long with a radius of xx feet/miles/meters/km; a rectangle formed at given lat/long; polygon with corners at specific lat/long points. A line from point A to point whatever with all the waypoints in between.

There are a few map editors out there
http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/

Note that the 100,000 series maps are pretty much useless for hiking; many of them are really out of date with respect to cultural features, like highways, which is alos the case with many maps in the 24,000 series; there at least the topography is dead on.

@Ponder.

My point of reference was to digital maps provided for a Garmin gps device not paper maps, thus the description of 24k, not 1:24,000

Per the info on TOPO U.S. 24K West DVD, it seems that Ponder is correct. Garmin's 24K refers to 1:24,000 maps.

Hikermor, I am still mulling units & over the last few days I have been rethinking my position, which coincides with your recommendation of the Foretrex 401.

I went back to some forum sites that mirror my type of lifestyle, training and needs and in the end I don't need mapping as much as I need the ability to plug in a grid coord (MGRS or L/L) and get there. As I wrote before I always have a map & compass on me, plus have a Gtab, iPhone & Garmin nuvi, that cover any city, road based traveling I need. I can easily use the 401 grid coord to find myself on any map.

REI sells these, so I will use my rebate to grab one next month to try out.

Thank you for being honest with your thoughts even though at that point in the thread it wasn't the popular consensus, even of my own.

If you don't need the Foretrex 401's barometer and electronic compass, the Foretrex 301 has the same high sensitivity receiver and is a tad less pricey. Both are very good receivers. I use a Foretrex 301 for all my non-mapping GPS needs.

Has anyone evaluated or does any have a Garmin Forerunner that they could provide a review on? I'm specifically considering the Forerunner 610 model.

I saw a post where MDinana said his wife had one, but didn't say the model or review it.

It's quite pricey, but I need/want both a new watch and another GPS (maps not necessary).

I had a HighGear compass watch but I had it strapped to some luggage and it got snagged in an airport x-ray machine, ended up busting out both edges of the plastic part of the case where the pins for the straps attach and the crystal seems to have a crack or at least a bad scratch. Given that the two items individually could total to close the cost of a Forerunner, I may seriously consider it if I can get some first hand reviews.

Thanks,

buckeye