Free Maps and how you can use them

[oodeano]

Just thought this might be interesting/useful to some of you?


Download Mapsource - free - this will enable you to view the maps and if you have a Garmin GPS this is the default program you use to connect to it and upload/download:

http://www8.garmin.com/software/MapSource_6124.exe

GPSOZ have a map product called "Tracks 4 Australia" that you can download here:

http://www.gpsoz.com.au/tracks4australia/downloads/Tracks4Australia%20(1.20).exe

That link is also on the "Tracks For Australia" info page at GPSOZ:

http://www.gpsoz.com.au/tracks4australia/


Open Mapsource and change to the "Tracks For Australia" maps - easy!!!


Then you can open the track file from the Friday Dirt Day post!!!

Told you it was interesting :rolleyes:

Dean

[NickDL650]

Hey Dean.Could you tell me the place you recommended regarding the GPS's?

I am pretty keen on getting that small one you have

[K1W1]

Just thought this might be interesting/useful to some of you?

Download Mapsource - free - this will enable you to view the maps and if you have a Garmin GPS this is the default program you use to connect to it and upload/download:

Dean

When I go to the Mapsource page on Garmins web site I see this message;

Notes:

* WARNING: This software will not work unless you already own a MapSource product.

So where do you download the free version?

[oodeano]

I believe I misread the track4Australia info page on GPSOZ.

***************************
You MUST first install Mapsource as above.
This is free of charge and easy, go to the Garmin web site at
http://www.garmin.com/support/mappingsw.jsp and follow the Mapsource
link. This is quite easy.
***************************

The UPGRADE is free of charge but you must have an original - Sorry!

A possible option is to use EasyGPS or ExpertGPS (Easy is Free - Expert costs but there is a trial version) - I will test this when I get home in an hour or so!!

Sorry for the inconvenience . .

[oodeano]

It would seem you need Mapsource? ExpertGPS can do mapping and will retrieve maps from the internet as you need them (I'm guessing the cost for maps is the licence charge?)- but only for the US.

Where does that leave you - Nowhere!! Sorry for getting your hopes up!!

Options:

You could buy a Garmin GPS and get a copy with it?

You could just buy a copy for $57?

You could "borrow" a copy from a friend - not sure how that works with the Garmin licence agreement - probably doesn't?


While I'm on the subject of mapping, Mapworld in Sydney has a 2 DVD product called "Natmap Raster Premium" which is 1:250,000 topo (1cm = 2.5 km I think?) of the whole country - I use it almost exclusively to plan trips - very handy!!

I cannot see it on their website but you could probably call and buy it - approx $120 from memory. In fact, mapworld is only 2 mins from work if you'd like me to pick it up for you?

www.mapworld.com.au


I have attached a few screenshots of it below and used mapsource to convert the .GDB (Garmin Database) to a .GPX (GPS Exchange) which you can view with Google Earth.

It's written in XML - long story short - you will have to right click and "save as" - then open it with Google Earth.

http://www.deangb.com/misc/Wombeyan_Ride_With_James.gpx

Here's a few screenshots from the free maps as viewed with Mapsource - they have lost some quality to get the size down a bit:

Whole Ride:

http://www.deangb.com/pics/Wombeyan_Ride_With_James.jpg

The Dirt Part:

http://www.deangb.com/pics/Wombeyan_Ride_With_James2.jpg

The Jenolan Track - showing the crossing that turned it around:

http://www.deangb.com/pics/Wombeyan_Ride_With_James3.jpg