OUTWARD BOUND MAP & COMPASS HANDBOOK

APPENDIX

Sources of maps, compasses, altimeters, and GPS receivers

First, some general notes on this appendix. Many companies insist that all customer-service inquiries be handled initially online. You can find e-mail addresses and support-request forms on the companies’ websites. Also, please note that websites, phone numbers, and addresses are subject to change. The remedy, of course, is a quick search in your favorite search engine, which is likely to give you the information you seek. Also, while I have provided addresses for these companies, you should always contact customer support by e-mail or phone prior to shipping a damaged or defective product back to the manufacturer. Many manufacturers will require you to obtain a return authorization number in advance and write the number on the outside of the package. The address to which you ship the product may be different from the address below, depending on your location.

Maps

USGS maps are available from the USGS and many private map dealers. You can mail-order maps directly from the USGS using the contact information below.

USGS Information Services

Box 25286

Denver, CO 80225

(888) ASK-USGS or (303) 202-4700

Fax: (303) 202-4693

Website: http://ask.usgs.gov

Order Canadian maps from the Centre for Topographic Information, a division of Natural Resources Canada, using the contact information below.

Centre for Topographic Information

Natural Resources Canada

Customer Support Group

2144 King St. W., Suite 010

Sherbrooke, Quebec J1J 2E8, Canada

(800) 661-2638 (Canada and United States) or (819) 564-4857

Fax: (819) 564-5698

E-mail: topo.maps@NRCan.gc.ca

Website: http://maps.NRCan.gc.ca

Trails Illustrated, a division of National Geographic, offers maps for popular recreation areas in thirty-five states. These tough, waterproof maps, which are printed on plastic, are based on USGS topos. They’re very convenient because they usually cover the entire area you’ll traverse in a typical trip with one map. On a trip in Colorado’s Indian Peaks Wilderness, for example, you can carry just one Trails Illustrated map instead of four or more 7.5 minute USGS quads. The drawback is that the scale is smaller than on a USGS 7.5 minute quad, so the maps show less detail, which makes precision route-finding more difficult. Trails Illustrated maps are available from even more private map dealers and outdoor shops than USGS 7.5 minute topos.

Trails Illustrated

National Geographic Maps

212 Beaver Brook Canyon Rd.

Evergreen, CO 80439

(800) 962-1643 (United States and Canada) or (303) 670-3457 (elsewhere)

Fax: (800) 626-8676 (United States and Canada) or (303) 670-3644

(elsewhere)

Website: www.natgeomaps.com/trailsillustrated.html

National Geographic also publishes electronic maps through its Topo! division, some of which combine Trails Illustrated maps with the Topo! software. If you can’t find them in a local retailer, check out http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/category/maps/mapping-software.

If you don’t like typing in huge URLs, just search for “National Geographic topo maps” or call (800) 437-5521.

Compasses and Altimeter Watches

Most map dealers and outdoor specialty shops carry compasses. If you have trouble finding what you want locally, you can order a compass or get the address of the nearest dealer from the manufacturer or distributor. The big three brands for high-quality compasses for outdoorsmen are Brunton, Silva, and Suunto. Silva and Suunto also make altimeter watches.

For information on Brunton compasses, contact:

Brunton Outdoor Group

2255 Brunton Ct.

Riverton, WY 82501

(307) 857-4700

Website: www.bruntongroup.com

Johnson Outdoors distributes Silva compasses and Silva and Tech4o altimeter watches. For information contact:

Johnson Outdoors Inc.

555 Main St.

Racine, WI 53403

Tech4o Customer Service U.S.A. (US customers for both Silva and Tech4o brands)

(800) 572-8822

Johnson Outdoors Canada (Canadian customers)

(905) 634-0023

Websites: www.silvacompass.com

www.tech4o.com

For information on Suunto compasses and altimeter watches, contact:

Suunto USA

c/o Amer Sports Winter & Outdoor

2030 Lincoln Ave.

Ogden, UT 84401

(800) 543-9124

Website: www.suunto.com

Suunto Canada

85 Davy Rd.

Belleville, Ontario K8N 5B6, Canada

(800) 267-7506 or (613) 966-9220

Website: www.suunto.com

Casio also makes altimeter watches. For information on the many Casio models, contact:

Casio America

570 Mount Pleasant Ave.

Dover, NJ 07801-1620

(800) 836-8580

Website: www.pathfinder.casio.com/watches

GPS Receivers

GPS receivers are so commonplace today that you can even find them at some mass merchandisers. If you can’t find the model you want locally, contact the manufacturers.

For DeLorme GPS units contact:

DeLorme

2 DeLorme Dr.

PO Box 298

Yarmouth, ME 04096

(800) 561-5105

Website: www.delorme.com

For Eagle GPS units contact:

Lowrance Electronics

12000 E. Skelly Dr.

Tulsa, OK 74128

(918) 437-6881 or (800) 324-1354