Vector topographic map products to use on computer, PDA, and some GPS

Topographic mapping represents natural and man-made objects on the earths surface, and includes the shape of the terrain. This is done by the use of contour lines, each of which continuously follows a particular elevation. Topo mapping can be produced as either raster format, or vector format. See raster products, including Geoscience and Hema.

Examples of the vector format for computer and GPS (not for use on Oziexplorer, Fugawi etc):

GEODATA TOPO 250K Series 3 for Google Earth contains 1:250,000 scale vector map data for Australia that can be viewed on Google EarthTM Mapping Service Version 4, using KML format. The data is a very useful adjunct for Google Earth data. It includes individual layers for man-made features such as dams, roads, tracks, clearings, railways, airports, and docks, and natural features such as contour lines, summit and hill names and locations, watercourses, creeks, rivers, lakes, and vegetation. This data is the same as found in other GEODATA TOPO 250K Series 3 products produced by Geoscience Australia. Because it is displayed in conjunction with Google EarthTM Mapping Service satellite imagery, it requires no specialist GIS software or expertise. The data is arranged in tiles to facilitate ready display - only the current tile's data is loaded at any time. When panning, the neighbouring tile's data is loaded seamlessly. $99

Australian Topo mapping for Garmin GPS   GPS TopoPLUS Australia 5m is a mapping product designed for use with most Garmin mapping GPS units. The DVD contains contour lines at 5m vertical intervals for all Australia and offshore islands, to view on the Garmin Mapsource program on a computer. It can be loaded from computer to the GPS, and can be displayed simultaneously with, and overlaid on other Garmin map products on the GPS. A licensed version of MapSource must already be installed on your computer to make use of this product (eg Trip & Waypoint Manager, City Navigator). This mapping product can be unlocked to one Garmin GPS unit only. $139

Link for - How do digital maps relate to GPS?

Link for - Forms of Digital mapping .. Using maps in GPS.. Raster maps ..Vector maps

Topo maps have a wide variety of professional GIS and recreational uses.