I have been using a program called GPSMapper to create custom trail maps. I have created a map for the Western UP and will be testing it out this following week. I would be great if all GPS users shared their tracks and/or used GPSMapper to create and share custom maps. Note: GPSMapper only works with Garmin GPS units and for that reason I returned a Magellan Sportrack Map. Anyways I think there is real potential here if we all work together to create a resource for saved tracks and custom maps.

Robin

I agree with you Robin. I think all the GPS users here are receptive to this. I will definately share any tracks I can from my 176c, if I can download them properly, lol. I'm thinking sooner or later we could start a GPS forum here.

I will be verifying my custom UP map Monday-Tuesday and if all is good I will be happy to share it. Other please list the saved tracks you would like to share.

Note: Using GPSMapper you can import the saved tracks and convert them to map objects therefore actually seeing the trails as "trails" and not tracks. Once more GPS (Garmin) users discover GPSMapper and how sweet it works to make custom maps we could have resource of trail maps.

I will share Michigan Western UP (once tested).

Robin

Is this GPSMapper available as a download, or is it readily available at places like Best Buy?

This software is available at http://gps.chrisb.org/gps_mapper.htm
It is freeware but takes a little bit to figure out. There are good instructions and if you have any questions please let me know. I had downloaded a map trail of the UP and calibrated it with OziExplorer and saved the calibrated image. Now GPSMapper will open it and you can trace the trails and other map details to make a custom map. You can also import your saved tracks and convert to GPS map objects (trials, roads, etc..)

Robin

Ive been looking to get gps, but I need to get a little better understanding of it,,,,, I am gonna check out the website
renegade and see if I can get any more info there,,,,, Jim I
agree,,,,a gps forum would be neat,,,, and it will be even
neater when I get the danged unit!!!!

Here's another vote for a GPS FORUM :)

I have a garmin e-trex legend I have beent thinking of up grading how mutch is it worth. Also with limited use I like having it its a great tool.

Duane

How do you custom make maps? Do your ride the trails and the GPS picks up on where your going and puts it into memory? Is there any cd's created for certain areas like tug hill? I would be interested in buying one, if I do what are a few different modles that I would be happy with that arnt over $300?

You can create custom maps using GPSMapper by either importing Tracks and converting to objects (GPS Trails/Roads) or import a calibrated map and trace the trails. I use both methods, the latter certainly depends on the quality and accuracy of the orginal map and the former has the con of having to already snowmobile the trails to create tracks. If we can work together to share tracks we could create some VERY accurate and useful maps! I have about 250 miles of the UP tracked and turned into a base map.

Save your tracks and post them here!

I think a GPS forum is a great idea. What does everyone think? I believe there is a great wealth of knowledge among everybody on Snowmobile World.

I bought an eTrex Vista two years ago for the purpose of mapping my club's trails. Alas, we have had no snow for 3 years straight. This sucks. When we get some snow, I still plan to map the trails.

ANYONE WHO CAN SHARE TRACKS OF THE UP OR ANY OTHER AREAS SHOULD LIST THE TRACKS THEY HAVE!

My tracks: UP Michigan
#1 & #13 Silver City/Pocupine Mtns & around Lake Gogebic
#8 & #3 to Rockland
Misc Trails..

If we ever get snow in MN I will track most trails St. Cloud to Brainerd.

Total: 240+ Miles tracked.

I have attached a zip file with my saved tracks from the UP.

UP Michigan
#1 & #13 Silver City/Pocupine Mtns & around Lake Gogebic
#8 & #3 to Rockland
Misc Trails..

Total: 240+ Miles tracked.

Come on people SHARE YOUR TRACKS!!

Thanks Renegade. We will be heading up on the 10th, weather permitting, and I will definitely try to save my tracks and u/l them for all to use.

Originally posted by duanes-z@Dec 20 2003, 07:28 PM
I have a garmin e-trex legend I have beent thinking of up grading how mutch is it worth. Also with limited use I like having it its a great tool.

Duane
[quote]

What is your reason for upgrading, I've been doing some research and been thinking about buying that model?

Waypoints with Gas, restaurants and hotels would be great too!!

As soon as we get some snow in the St. Cloud/Clearwater area I will take my GPS and make some tracks of the area, untill then not much I can do but pray for some snow.

I have the Magellan 310 handheld has anyone tried to install this?

We would be more than happy to accomodate a new forum for GPS IF the interest is there.

OR

A new area elsewhere in the SW site.

How helpful is the roads and recreation disc when using your gps in the U.P.? I was checking it out on the Garmin website and it just doesn't seem to get as detailed as I would like. Maybe I'm just doing something wrong :crazy:

I have found the same thing. I wish I could demo the actual product to be sure of the results. I have been working with GPSMapper and not sure but I think it may be possible to extract a map from the Mapsource CDs or GPS (loaded from CD) and modify it (add trails). Maybe someone else who owns R & R can check this out.

I'd second the GPS/map forum. I have been GPS'ing trail in the Kamloops, BC area for a couple of years. Had a few areas completely mapped out then my wife fix'd our computer real good by formating the hard drive!! I will post maps that I generate this year.

I have been using OZIeplorer which I find easy to use. I have been overlaying tracks onto digital trim maps.

ttyl

Originally posted by JasonF@Jan 2 2004, 12:47 AM
How helpful is the roads and recreation disc when using your gps in the U.P.?* I was checking it out on the Garmin website and it just doesn't seem to get as detailed as I would like.* Maybe I'm just doing something wrong :crazy:
Jason, as a beginner to the gps world I had the same problem using the software. Then I found the "GPS MAP DETAIL" under the VIEW tab and clicked on it, and it brought in every little road that existed. Try it and let me know if it's better for you.

Oh, and here's another vote for a gps forum! :thumbsup: SWRules

Jim,
Can you take a screen shot of the map detail (UP). The online demo does not show enough detail and if I could see the detail I would reconsider this purchase.

Thanks,
Ren

You can't buy any more detailed than r&r for Garmin (when sledding) unless you want elevations. I also have topo & metroguide and r&r wins hands down.

The only map I could post right now is my backyard :) Soon as we get some snow I'll map areas too!!!

Another VOTE FOR GPS FORUM !!!

I don't have GPS yet, but you have another vote for a GPS forum.

Yet another reason this site is awesome - the knowledge and input from people is just incredible.

Originally posted by 04renegade600HO@Jan 5 2004, 09:36 AM
Jim,
Can you take a screen shot of the map detail (UP). The online demo does not show enough detail and if I could see the detail I would reconsider this purchase.

Thanks,
Ren
Will do when I get home this evening or tomorrow morning.

Originally posted by wvernon@Jan 5 2004, 10:49 AM
You can't buy any more detailed than r&r for Garmin (when sledding) unless you want elevations. I also have topo & metroguide and r&r wins hands down.
Agreed. I too have both the TOPO and R&R and I find myself just using the R&R far more than the TOPO. The TOPO is nice if you want elevations but the majority of the roads are simply labeled "Road". At least with R&R you can verify the road you're on or intersecting with your printed map.

I downloaded the GPSTracker app and am trying to figure it out. I save all my tracks from the season and would be able to put together some decent trail maps if I could figure out an easy way to merge and modify the tracks. I'll play with the GPSTracker app some more but right now I can't see how you modify an existing track, ie. delete and add points to it.

Originally posted by Beerman@Jan 5 2004, 07:15 PM
Agreed. I too have both the TOPO and R&R and I find myself just using the R&R far more than the TOPO. The TOPO is nice if you want elevations but the majority of the roads are simply labeled "Road". At least with R&R you can verify the road you're on or intersecting with your printed map.

I downloaded the GPSTracker app and am trying to figure it out. I save all my tracks from the season and would be able to put together some decent trail maps if I could figure out an easy way to merge and modify the tracks. I'll play with the GPSTracker app some more but right now I can't see how you modify an existing track, ie. delete and add points to it.
You can merge multiple tracks and do some editing in MapSource. To add additional tracks to a master map open a second instance of MapSource...highlight, copy and paste tracks from one to the other. To edit...right click track...select track properties.

What I did to make a master trail map was filter individual tracks saved from each time I have ridden the area to less than 500 points then paste it to the master map one at a time deleting any overlapping sections. Whenever I go back to this area I upload the master track file so I have all previous trails traveled on my GPS. If I go on any new trails I add them to the master when I get home.

Well a track is a list of points with a start and end so merging tracks can cause overlapping and strange track lines that connect each track (end and start). You can goto the track point list (OziExplorer) and simply delete any point. I save my tracks for each trip or trail and import them into GPSMapper. Once imported into GPSMapper you want to convert the tracks into GPS objects (trails). Once your map is complete you can upload the map to your GPS as a base map (just like mapsource). Those who are not technical enough to do this could simply upload the tracks and view the tracks over the orginal or mapsource basemaps.

IF YOU HAVE TRACKS PLEASE LIST THEM SO WE CAN SHARE AND CREATE CUSTOM BASEMAPS!

Robin

What's the status of getting a GPS forum. Although there are more popular threads on this forum a GPS forum would grow over time and provide users a great resource for GPS trail maps/tracks. Please create a GPS forum ASAP!

Thanks

Originally posted by rws@Jan 6 2004, 10:51 AM
You can merge multiple tracks and do some editing in MapSource. To add additional tracks to a master map open a second instance of MapSource...highlight, copy and paste tracks from one to the other. To edit...right click track...select track properties.

What I did to make a master trail map was filter individual tracks saved from each time I have ridden the area to less than 500 points then paste it to the master map one at a time deleting any overlapping sections. Whenever I go back to this area I upload the master track file so I have all previous trails traveled on my GPS. If I go on any new trails I add them to the master when I get home.
I can do the editing you mention. What I'd really like to be able to do is actually click and drag the individual track points for precise clean up. And for the sake memory it would be nice if the tracks could be merged into one as opposed to a master map file as you've done.

If Mapsource had a "Create Track" feature the same as "Create Route" we'd be all set.

Beerman,
I think you have over looked a few details.. First, merging multiple tracks to a single track simply will not work well as a single track (all merged to one) can only have 1 start point and 1 end point so unless ALL your tracks are in a nice series with no over lapping or jumping this can NOT be done without making a mess. Note that by making a custom map it is no longer a bunch of tracks but a map file just like the maps you upload from Mapsource (except contains custom trails). Also note that if you only use tracks (no custom maps) your GPS may become hard to read as your current track and uploaded tracks will all look the same and will cause track over lapping on your GPS.

If you simply want to create tracks by hand you can do that with Oziexplorer (will need to calibrate a map image). If you could create tracks in mapsource you would still not be able to create tracks for the trails as you would not know where they are on the mapsource map.

To create tracks or custom maps (maps take little extra effort once all tracks are created) you either need to save your actual tracks from riding or use Oziexplorer to calibrate a trail map and trace the trails (latter not real accurate but enough to find your way out there) with tracks. Once all trails are traced/tracked (hardest part) you simply import them into GPSMapEdit to create a custom map. As you travel the trials (creating tracks) you can import these into your custom map and eventually your custom map will very accurate.

Hope this helps..

You're right. And I guess saving the tracks as a map would work since you can choose to display several overlapping maps at the same time?

Whats the link to GPSMapper? I've found a bunch of them by doing a Google search.

Beerman,
Actually I believe you can only have one custom map loaded (enabled) for an area at a time. However you can do whatever you want with a custom map so this should not be a problem. Maybe you were refering to tracks within a custom map?

The link should be further up within this thread.. Or search Google for GPSMapper and any of the links should provide some information. There is only 1 actual GPSMapper program..

R

I know with my Vista that I can have both R&R and TOPO for the same area and choose which or both to display. I'll verify tomorrow if both show up when the "Both" option is selected.

Sweet, if this is the case one could load an R & R map for an area and then overlay a custom trail map! I don't yet have any Mapsource CDs to verify but this would be great. Sure hope you are right!

R

Originally posted by Beerman@Jan 8 2004, 07:21 PM
I know with my Vista that I can have both R&R and TOPO for the same area and choose which or both to display. I'll verify tomorrow if both show up when the "Both" option is selected.
You can load them but I don't think you can display both, one overrides the other. I hope I'm wrong, I'd like to be able to do that.

Beerman..

What is the verdict on loading and displaying multiple maps in an overlapping area.. Your post siad you were going to verfy this..

Originally posted by 04renegade600HO@Jan 15 2004, 02:08 PM
Beerman..

What is the verdict on loading and displaying multiple maps in an overlapping area.. Your post siad you were going to verfy this..
My laptop grenaded. I'm working a a spare POS at work and have Macs at home. My laptop is supposed to be back in my hands by Monday, so I'll reinstall MapSource, load both map sets and report my findings.

I can confirm that you can upload multiple maps (tested 2) of the same area and they will both display. This is great news as one should be able to upload detailed maps from Mapsource and then overlay a custom trail map. I am going to the UP this weekend and will have a lot more tracks to share next week. I should also have a nice custom trail map for the UP next week.

The only question now is how to upload a Mapsource map and custom map in a single step. You cannot upload the map two maps in two steps since an upload will erase all maps before it begins. If I recall it is possible to configure Mapsource to see and upload custom maps so this may be the solution. Once I get a Mapsource CD I can confirm and document the process.

R

Sounds great, keep us posted. I can't play with MapSource to see how to add a custom map (tracks) until I get my laptop back.

Originally posted by JIM FRITCH@Dec 19 2003, 02:07 PM
I agree with you Robin.* I think all the GPS users here are receptive to this.* I will definately share any tracks I can from my 176c, if I can download them properly, lol.* I'm thinking sooner or later we could start a GPS forum here.
230220

Hello was wondering if you could share some gps tracks w/ me I also have the 176c. Any help would be great. Rckt600ZR@aol.com