Maybe I missed this but I've never seen this link published here on the NE forum. If you are looking for free Garmin compatible topo maps (Mass is the only state east of the Mississippi) check out this site:

http://www.gpsfiledepot.com

The Mass maps are here:

http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/29/

I haven't tried them myself but will next week to see how they the compare to Garmin's Topo 2008.

GO$Rs

Awesome! I loaded it into MapSource then onto my 60csx without any issues. I like the little tutorial they have on switching map sets. I didn't know about that feature until now.

Thanks, GO$Rs!
tony

p.s. Do you get to claim a FTF on this too?

Thanks! We just upgraded from 60cs to 60csx & for the first time bought Topo 2008 with it. Old GPS is going to my dad & now we'll be able to give him at least MA topo with it.

I know someone who would really enjoy some free nautical charts / maps for Mapsource / Garmin 60cs if you ever find some. Say something that covers MA coastline / Cape Cod or even MA freshwater. (wink wink)

I've had a chance to use these maps for a few weeks and I've found them to be be pretty good especially considering they are free. Some observations:

- Road data is more accurate than Topo2008. More roads are included in the free maps and more accurate than the Garmin maps (this is a common complaint with Topo2008)
- Water data is much more detailed than Topo2008. There are many streams, small ponds and swamps on the free maps which don't show up on the Garmin Topo maps
- Contour data isn't as detailed in the free maps -- the free maps have 50' contours the Garmin maps are 25' contours.
- The free maps seem to draw a little slower than the Garmin maps.

I haven't noticed any major errors in the new maps.

GO$Rs

The free maps appear to have fewer of the non-driveable "roads". For instance, it doesn't show as many of the fire roads around the Wachusett Reservoir as the Garmin topo maps do.