EAGAN, MN -An innovative new product, MapCard (www.mapcard.com), is providing outdoor enthusiasts with affordable access to a powerful online mapping system that allows subscribers to customize, save, and print unlimited maps. Map enthusiasts can purchase a one year subscription to the map service at the company website or can buy an actual 'MapCard' at a growing number of retail stores, including WalMart, Cabellas, Sportsman's Warehouse, and more.

MapCard subscribers gain access to a Web-based system that includes nationwide U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps and aerial photos, public road and highway overlays and public land survey data, as well as an impressive suite of symbols and annotation tools. Subscribers have the option to purchase access to a region or to the entire nation, and to add lake contour data from the Midwest region.

"This is the first subscription-based map service of its kind, and is unique in that it offers a truly affordable solution for hunters, hikers and other map enthusiasts," said Kevin Toohill, chief technology officer. "Also, unlike traditional CD-ROM products, the consumer does not have to purchase new versions and updates; we assume that responsibility by continuously adding new data and functionality to our system."

The credit-card sized 'MapCard' available in retail stores, is uniquely coded, like a phone card, to provide one year's worth of access to the buyer. The code is used in the initial log-in process. Subscribers are then able to access the system with their own password and email address for the following year.

MapCard is a well-designed, user-friendly system that allows its users to center maps anywhere in the United States, then view them as topographic maps or aerial photos, overlay roads and public land surveys, and even locate waypoints for their GPS devices. The system's powerful mapping tools let the user draw trails, outline areas, mark their fishing or hunting hot spots, place and label symbols, and measure in feet or acres…essentially, make their own fully customized maps.

MapCard subscribers also may purchase large-format, waterproof, tear-resistant prints of their custom-centered air photo and topographic maps via an affiliation with myTopo.com. In 2003, myTopo.com and MapCard will team to offer subscribers the ability to order large-format copies of their maps, with their own symbols and annotations added.

Mapping enthusiasts interested in trying the MapCard system can access a limited version of the system free for a 24 hour time frame; the test drive is available at www.mapcard.com. Customers who take the "test drive" can purchase subscriptions to the service at a discount. Subscriptions with access to any one of four regions of the United States - South, Midwest, Northeast or West - are available for $14.95. To access the entire nation, a subscription is $29.95. Lake contour data for the Midwest can be added to a regional or national subscription for $7.50.

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: For more information, call Paige Darden of AOHunt, LLC, at 866-587-9015 or send email to paige@mapcard.com. AOHunt, LLC, a privately held company, owns MapCard and myTopo.com.

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