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Please tell me what hand-held outdoor GPS brands have the widest selection of the best software at the best prices?

I've made up my mind to buy a GPS. I'm looking at models roughly comparable to the Garmin GPSMAP 60Cxs. I can find detailed hardware information on the various brands and models, and I can find descriptions of specific software products. But I cannot find anything about comparative software availability to help me choose the hardware model I want.

My first priority would accurate and detailed topograph and trail information for new and unfamiliar routes. I expect to use the unit most of the time for convenience navigating city streets in strange cities and hiking familiar backcountry trails, so I want in the widest possible selection of software. But my most critical use would be when I strike out on a new trail in unfamiliar terrain. I'm a bit of minimalist when I leave civilization behind, but I am not fanatical about it.

Is there such a thing as open format GPS software for models in this class? If so, what is likely to be the most standard format? Do some manufacturers allow third parties to create software products for their models? Which models have the best selection of the best software now; and which ones will have the best selection in the future both for backcountry navigation and city and highway navigation? Do the map software products for GPS allow users to add information from a computer before loading the GPS?

How important are maps in a GPS when hiking in unfamiliar backcountry? I can plan my hikes using lot's of good software products that run on my PCs, but I assume that if I change routes or get lost, such a planned route would not be nearly as much help as a map in the GPS. On the other hand, I can get paper maps to take with me and just use the GPS to pinpoint my position. But finding the right maps for a distant new area is difficult at best and completely impractical in some situations.

--JG
and, with a lot of effort, obtain paper maps to carry with me on a hike.

Generally for maps that you can upload to your GPS you're limited to those that are the same brand (Garmin's MapSource products for Garmin's receivers, etc.). Garmin, Magellan and Lowrance all have map viewers on their websites so you can get an idea of the mapping detail available. None will equal the detail of printed topo maps.

Third party software for use on a PC will normally work with all of the popular brands to up/download waypoints, routes and tracks.

Hi Chinook--

Thanks for the info. When you say the waypoints, routes, etc. are uploadable and downloadable, I assume that's what they mean when they say GPS compatible and that it does mean the map information can be uploaded from these programs. Am I right?

Some high-end models say they accept GIS data. I know what GIS is in principle, but I don't know what it means for my proposed application on a portable GPS.

Thanks again.

--JG

What who means when they say GPS compatible? If these are claims made by the third party software makers then yes that's probably what they mean. Again the only off the shelf mapping that can be uploaded to a recreational grade GPS receiver is produced by the maker of that receiver. High end mapping grade or GIS receivers may be different.

Look at http://www.expertgps.com. For a one-time $60 subscription you can download unlimited U.S. topo maps at any scale. It will accept data from your GPS, but I don't think you can download to the GPS.

Correct, ExpertGPS will not work (nor will it's maps) on the GPS receiver unit itself, it's a PC-only product.