Came across this article about topographical errors on the Garmin GPS Aus and NZ topomaps compared with paper topo maps.
http://wild.com.au/gear/tried-tested/inaccurate-garmin-topographic-maps/
I guess it's something to be aware of if you rely on the GPS map only. The examples given are Aussie only but the mapset covers NZ too so I suspect the same errors may be present here. The author speculates that Garmin uses an algorithm to generate a number of features on their maps.
Those are pretty spectacular screwups! And if you were relying on them ... dangerous ones at that.
Personally I've owned a Garmin for some years and I only rely on it to give me a my present location. It can be really helpful when determining which ridgeline to go down in the clag, and which stream branch to pick going up ... but it's no magic navigation wand.
Frankly I found the mapping feature generally less than useful, and I ALWAYS carry paper maps as well. In fact I find the LESS I rely on the GPS and the more I use my wits and observation the better off I am.
