IMO Garmin should take the lead with some very high quality Terrain maps or at least update the Topo Maps to better quality.
I am talking about the Terrain maps from Google maps. They are the very best and most pleasing to look at Topo maps in the world. They really give a very good representation of the terrain. Take a look at the mountains of Colorado or Mount St. Helen and see just how wonderfully valuable maps of this quality would be to outdoorsman. I would gladly pay $200 for maps of this quality verses $99 for the average quality 100K Garmin Maps.
At the very least, I would like to see Garmin update their Topo maps to the same quality as the National Geographic Topo maps. Talk about beautiful Topo maps! Wow!
There is nothing wrong with entering into agreements with Google or National Geogrpahic to make use of their maps. The maps are already there, all that is needed is to adapt them to the Garmin GPS's.
Garmin charges a lot for their maps compared to Delorme and other competitors. People do not mind paying more for a superior product. The superior products are already availabe in the forms mentioned above. I would like to see Garmin take the lead and put these maps on their GPS's.
Regards,