Adventure Routes New Zealand Website [Archive]

cooneyr

17th February 2008, 21:18

Gidday all. My idea for a web site has finally come to fruition albeit a limited starting point. Basically the idea is that I create a web page with a google maps map which I have overlaid adventure riding routes. The route data is based on GPS tracks (i.e. data recorded by a GPS when out in the field) or routes created manually using Google earth (i.e. KML/KMZ files). I've added a description and any important information to each route (click on a route). Also, you can download a GPX file for each route (see the GPS file link in the description window).

Enough rambling - check out www.advroutes.org.nz (http://www.advroutes.org.nz)

If you have any gps routes or tracks or any KML/KMZ files please please send them too me at advroutes@gmail.com. I'm really keen to get more routes on the site - I know there are plenty of you out there with GPS data. I especially need information for the North Island as I dont get up there very often. I need a short description and a rating for each route. See the site for a description of the ratings and examples of the descriptions.

Cheers R

marks

18th February 2008, 06:58

That is really cool - and just what we need.

Thanks for taking the time to create it

It creates an excuse to go and ride our favorite tracks - so we can record them for the site :2thumbsup

Anyone got recommendations on a good bike friendly GPS and some idea of costs?

cooneyr

18th February 2008, 08:04

That is really cool - and just what we need.

Thanks for taking the time to create it

Thanks and thank you for your part in it too.

It creates an excuse to go and ride our favorite tracks - so we can record them for the site :2thumbsup

You got that right. I just need my bike back (currently being serviced) and a GPSr (surprise surprise I dont currently own one).

Anyone got recommendations on a good bike friendly GPS and some idea of costs?

I think all Garmin eTrex models would work as long as you get a download cable. Even the basic eTrex (less than $200 from some places now) can record tracks (read up on the difference between tracks and routes) and I believe (though you should confirm this) that you can upload a route and get the eTrex to follow it. Would be really nice to have the ability to reverse the route in the GPSr though as you will not always be following the route the direction it was created.

I'm personally after a eTrex Legend HCx. Basically the same as a GPSmap60Cx (highly recommended by others on KB) but missing external antenna socket and Garmin's waterproof cable socket and it is about $450 instead of $850.

Cheers R

NordieBoy

18th February 2008, 09:43

Cool.
I like the difficulty level colour codeing.

I'm going to force myself to work my way through the Ken Sibley tracks up this end :D

cooneyr

18th February 2008, 09:59

You can all thank me now - I've just given you the perfect excuse to go riding and to buy a GPS :D

One thing I need to make clear (and I'll put this on the site at lunchtime) - it is much much easier/quicker for me if you give me data that is for a single route only. While I wont say no to the data if you give me data for a whole ride i.e. home to home with all the interesting and not so interesting bits in between, I've got a lot more work to do to extract just the route itself (if I even know enough about the route to be able to do that!).

Cheers R

Zukin

18th February 2008, 14:58

I think all Garmin eTrex models would work as long as you get a download cable. Even the basic eTrex (less than $200 from some places now) can record tracks (read up on the difference between tracks and routes) and I believe (though you should confirm this) that you can upload a route and get the eTrex to follow it. Would be really nice to have the ability to reverse the route in the GPSr though as you will not always be following the route the direction it was created.

I'm personally after a eTrex Legend HCx. Basically the same as a GPSmap60Cx (highly recommended by others on KB) but missing external antenna socket and Garmin's waterproof cable socket and it is about $450 instead of $850.

Cheers R

Hi there

keep an eye out on Trade Me (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/GPS/Boating/auction-141422619.htm?p=1) for the Garmin 60, they often have them at $1 reserve
I brought one just a few weeks back for less than $500 :niceone:

It was to replace my ailing Etrex Legend that had completely worn out :)

The easiest way to remember the difference between tracks and routes is

Tracks are recorded by the GPS (shows you where you have been)
Routes are made by you to go into the GPS (to show you where you are to go)
And yes all GPS units (Garmin anyway) can reverse the track or route

Cheers Scott

cooneyr

18th February 2008, 15:22

Hi there

keep an eye out on Trade Me (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/GPS/Boating/auction-141422619.htm?p=1) for the Garmin 60, they often have them at $1 reserve
I brought one just a few weeks back for less than $500 :niceone:

It was to replace my ailing Etrex Legend that had completely worn out :)

The easiest way to remember the difference between tracks and routes is

Tracks are recorded by the GPS (shows you where you have been)
Routes are made by you to go into the GPS (to show you where you are to go)
And yes all GPS units (Garmin anyway) can reverse the track or route

Cheers Scott

Thats a very nice price on a Gpsmap 60csx.

Thanks for putting the blurb up about the tracks vs routes. I was going to do it but trying to limit net time at the moment. I spent about 15 hours over the weekend learning basic HTML and playing with the web site:D

Cheers R

buggsubique

18th February 2008, 15:26

Good effort getting it up and running Cooneyr!

I'll gladly be a contributor to this (once my bike is off blocks!!). I often chuck the GPSMAP76 in the backpack with an external antenna strapped to my shoulder strap for good coverage.

As an aside, I'm playing with the idea of a GPS speedo at the moment - nothing flash, but a purposebuilt aftermarket style speedo with digital readout of speed, dist covered, location (in an emergency), possibly RPM and temp. It won't have all the route stuff / waypoints as it will only use a GPS chip for getting speed and distance, but it will be "GPS accurate". Any thoughts, comments / advice? It will be a while coming (hopefully a prototype by end this year) but I have all the parts now - just need to design the software...

NordieBoy

18th February 2008, 15:30

I spent about 15 hours over the weekend learning basic HTML and playing with the web site:D

Cheers R

You need to get out and ride a bit...

:lol:

Zukin

18th February 2008, 15:33

Hi

Looks good R :niceone:

By the way for those that don't have software to upload to your GPS, this is a great program, and its free :niceone:

http://www.easygps.com/default.asp

Simply download the program above and when you download the GPX files from the ADV routes site, it will ask you to save them, I save all my maps in one folder, then you simply open it and it will open Easy GPS with all the track info in it, then you simply send the track to your to your GPS :2thumbsup

Another great site (NZ one) is this one http://www.pcpages.com/graemewi/ it offers free maps of NZ, it is very good too
I had it on my old Etrex legend, and now I have the auto routing maps on my 60csx :niceone:

May want to add the links to the site??

Cheers Scott

Zukin

18th February 2008, 15:36

Zukin

18th February 2008, 15:39

Oh and one other thing R

You may want to add to the site somewhere, a Track update link?
So that if someone goes through a track, and it has changed significantly they can send the site the new info and it can be changed if necessary?

Your thoughts

Cheers Scott

deanohit

18th February 2008, 16:36

Looks good mate.
Will do some of the trails round here for you if you want, only got an old GPS though, so might not be all that accurate. Pretty easy to find the tracks though if you follow the right road.

Gizzit

18th February 2008, 17:37

Anyone got recommendations on a good bike friendly GPS and some idea of costs?

I can recommend a Garmin Zummo 550. They are about $1650 or there abouts in NZ. I got one in from the UK for $820.00 You do then need to get a NZ map to install on it, but as others have said, there are free map downloads available. I had a bit of trouble with figuring out the free software, and bought a complete NZ map with all the voice prompts, etc. It was $295 from a local store.
Pricey ..... but we use it in the car and on my bike. Its waterproof, and has all the bells and whistles.
Just for your info. There are probably other cheaper options, but the Zummo was at a very good price I thought.
Cheers,
Grant.

Zukin

18th February 2008, 17:46

Yes the Garmin Zumo is good, but not for adventure riding, it wont navigate when you are off the roads :no:

Marks go for the Garmin 60cx (or csx as these seem to be cheaper on TM but are normally more expensive)
They will do everything you need to do

Use it in the car and get auto routing (like Navman etc)
Use it on the bike and use it on the road and off the road
It takes Micro SD cards, so you can have more than 1 set of maps (like I do :))

Just damn good

buggsubique

18th February 2008, 18:13

Been there done that
I have a picture of the unit below
I wasnt that hard to do really :buggerd:

Yeah same, but what I am getting at is a "trailtech" type unit like you see on trademe - except this one will use GPS signals to determine speed and dist, but will be a "normal" speedo for all intents and purposes - ie not a full gps unit. Here's a pic of the components. Once i can devote time to the design I will set up a thread to float ideas and keep y'all posted.

anyways, sorry to hijack your post cooneyr.:Offtopic:

cooneyr

18th February 2008, 19:49

Hi

http://www.easygps.com/default.asp

http://www.pcpages.com/graemewi/ it offers free maps of NZ, it is

May want to add the links to the site??

You mean either one or both of these two sites? Doesnt the Garmin Map source software let you upload gpx files to a GPSr?

You may want to add to the site somewhere, a Track update link?
So that if someone goes through a track, and it has changed significantly they can send the site the new info and it can be changed if necessary?

Good call but I think that they can just email it in like the current set up. I just need to put a note on the page saying that if you thing it needs updating then email me etc etc.

Cheers R

NordieBoy

18th February 2008, 20:24

An eTrex Legend is probably the cheapest mapping GPSd you'll get.
$210 new with buy now on TM at the moment.

I want to upgrade to a Garmin Quest though.

Zukin

18th February 2008, 20:53

You mean either one or both of these two sites? Doesnt the Garmin Map source software let you upload gpx files to a GPSr?

Good call but I think that they can just email it in like the current set up. I just need to put a note on the page saying that if you thing it needs updating then email me etc etc.

Cheers R

I would add both links
Some Garmin GPS units do not come with Mapsource Software, they only have base maps

Gizzit

19th February 2008, 20:27

An eTrex Legend is probably the cheapest mapping GPSd you'll get.
$210 new with buy now on TM at the moment.

I want to upgrade to a Garmin Quest though.

I just saw a Garmin Quest at Dick Smith. Apparently they are doing a sale on them $268 inc GST.

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/en/product/D4117?id=stechp

Are the Quest's better than the 60Cx ? and are they water proof and easily mounted on a bike. I saw that the 60Cx has USB for adding in maps, where as the Quest has fixed ram .. 115MB ? I don't know whats needed.
Do either of them have blue tooth so you can hook in your mobile phone ?
Good luck. It seems the DS price is pretty good.

marks

20th February 2008, 07:24

wot about getting a sticky link thingy at the top of the main adventure/dual purpose page with the web site address in it?

cooneyr

20th February 2008, 07:56

wot about getting a sticky link thingy at the top of the main adventure/dual purpose page with the web site address in it?

Looking into it :D

Cheers R

cooneyr

21st February 2008, 08:30

Hmmm - there is issues about sicking the advroutes web site such that I'm thinking we should just leave it for now. If the site doesn't take off i.e. I don't get data, or patronage then I'll revisit the sticky thing in a slightly different way.

I'm still hanging out for data here. Got some stuff from Nordieboy and BusaJim so far but naught else.

Cheers R

Zukin

21st February 2008, 08:35

I have heaps of data, but all on one track, I am trying to figure out a way to break it up into specific tracks but no luck as yet :(

It gives me an excuse to ride them again :2thumbsup

cooneyr

21st February 2008, 08:46

I have heaps of data, but all on one track, I am trying to figure out a way to break it up into specific tracks but no luck as yet :(

It gives me an excuse to ride them again :2thumbsup

Can you flick me a copy to advroutes@gmail.com, of one ride and I'll have more of a play. I did it manually (converted GPX to KML and opened in a text editor, easier than GPX in a text editor) for the DB track to get the Rainbow, Molesworth etc data for the site. Took me an hour to get 6 tracks but it can be done. I want to have more of a play with Google Earth as a found out a couple of things that I want to try more and I might as well use new data rather than redo the DB route.

Cheers R

Youngjim

21st February 2008, 08:57

The Quest at $268 appears to be a bargain but it doesn't look like it comes with the car kit or bike kit which you would need, so anyone thinking of buying one check this out first.

NordieBoy

21st February 2008, 09:13

The Quest at $268 appears to be a bargain but it doesn't look like it comes with the car kit or bike kit which you would need, so anyone thinking of buying one check this out first.

The proper bike kit is about $75US :D

The Nordie bike kit is a bit of foam and a couple of zip ties.

Zukin

21st February 2008, 09:55

Can you flick me a copy to advroutes@gmail.com, of one ride and I'll have more of a play. I did it manually (converted GPX to KML and opened in a text editor, easier than GPX in a text editor) for the DB track to get the Rainbow, Molesworth etc data for the site. Took me an hour to get 6 tracks but it can be done. I want to have more of a play with Google Earth as a found out a couple of things that I want to try more and I might as well use new data rather than redo the DB route.

Cheers R

Sorted
Email Sent :niceone:

Transalper

21st February 2008, 11:39

......I'm still hanging out for data here. Got some stuff from Nordieboy and BusaJim so far but naught else.

Cheers RI'sa trying my hardest (as if ya didn't know already:msn-wink: ) to get the data flowing here.
Another week or two to work out what we're doing (how the gadget works) and well start attacking the local area.... Lees Valley, Worseys Rd, Taitapu to Gebbies back road, Intake Rd to Waimak Gorge and the other side... all to be mapped soon.
Me thinks Limestone Rd soon after, maybe when your bikes back on the road too.:jerry:

Are we after other basic routes such as Bossau Rd as well... just to show they are there even though they are just normal shingle roads?

Balrog

21st February 2008, 12:24

Don't know if you guys have seen this before

http://www.routeconverter.de/index_en.html

Its a free java based program than can convert from various different GPS formats into other formats like google earth kmz, kml files.

When it loads the gpx file it shows you the route on the map,
you can then chop bits out and turn into a kmz or kml file.

You'll need java 6 though which is also free from.

http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

:stoogie:

cooneyr

21st February 2008, 13:34

I'sa trying my hardest (as if ya didn't know already:msn-wink: ) to get the data flowing here.
Another week or two to work out what we're doing (how the gadget works) and well start attacking the local area.... Lees Valley, Worseys Rd, Taitapu to Gebbies back road, Intake Rd to Waimak Gorge and the other side... all to be mapped soon.
Me thinks Limestone Rd soon after, maybe when your bikes back on the road too.:jerry:

Onya dude - just dont get too far ahead of me. I wanna ride some of these too - hurry up bike and be fixed :crybaby:

Are we after other basic routes such as Bossau Rd as well... just to show they are there even though they are just normal shingle roads?

Realised a couple of days ago that this is something I'm going to have to have a good think about at some stage. Dont quite know how to deal with this yet but I might have to have another layer of "interesting" routes that are not quite "adventure" routes. Will have to come up with a definition at some stage as I don't want every gravel road in the country on this site - kinda defeats the point of the web site.

Don't know if you guys have seen this before

http://www.routeconverter.de/index_en.html

Its a free java based program than can convert from various different GPS formats into other formats like google earth kmz, kml files.

When it loads the gpx file it shows you the route on the map,
you can then chop bits out and turn into a kmz or kml file.

You'll need java 6 though which is also free from.

http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp

:stoogie:

Very cool. :niceone: Thanks for the link. Dissecting long track logs was the most difficult and time consuming bit for me.
Why does it want the path to GPSBable for? No obvious reason (only had a very quick look so far) but I'm assuming that it does the conversions for route converter in the back ground????

Cheers R

Balrog

21st February 2008, 17:07

Why does it want the path to GPSBable for? No obvious reason (only had a very quick look so far) but I'm assuming that it does the conversions for route converter in the back ground????

Cheers R

Where did you see GPSBable?
I've downloaded it and it runs fine, but I haven't trawled through any of the
docs yet.

Jim

cooneyr

21st February 2008, 17:20

Where did you see GPSBable?
I've downloaded it and it runs fine, but I haven't trawled through any of the
docs yet.

Jim

In the options - button with blue dot and white letter O. It gives you the option of putting in the "Path to external GPSBable:"

If you are running OK without having put the path in then I wouldn't worry about it unless you want a file format other than listed.

Cheers R

NordieBoy

21st February 2008, 20:40

Realised a couple of days ago that this is something I'm going to have to have a good think about at some stage. Dont quite know how to deal with this yet but I might have to have another layer of "interesting" routes that are not quite "adventure" routes. Will have to come up with a definition at some stage as I don't want every gravel road in the country on this site - kinda defeats the point of the web site.

Don't worry, I'll take them and put them on my GE one :D

cooneyr

1st March 2008, 21:14

After a bit of a marathon effort today by Transalper and myself we now have 42 routes up (from 27). Many of the common SI routes are up but still have many more to come.

Cheers R

Alpha Solo

3rd March 2008, 18:27

Well done again !!!

Cant wait to get my bike back from DAS and get out there asap!!!

cooneyr

11th March 2008, 08:20

We found and interesting site a while ago and it seems that the Garmin Mapsource software can be downloaded and installed without having a CD copy first (which is the way it is "suppose" to work).

Check out this page (http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/01/31/download-garmin-mapsource-for-free-and-install-without-media/) but basically you visit Garmins update page here (http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209) download the latest version of Mapsource, change the extension from .exe to .zip, then you extract the zip file (Vista has some software built in for free but otherwise you will have to find winrar or a "version" of winzip).

Once you have extracted the file, run the main.msi file first then run the setup.exe. To get Mapsource to run you will need to have some maps loaded. The best place to start with this is the free NZ open source auto routing maps from here (http://gwprojects.orcon.net.nz/gps/).

Now you can run Mapsource and use all the very useful tools :D

Also I finally got a GPSr - the eTrex Legend HCx :D

Cheers R

NordieBoy

11th March 2008, 09:16

Also I finally got a GPSr - the eTrex Legend HCx :D

So you can create you own tracks now?

We're out of a job?

:confused::shifty:

cooneyr

11th March 2008, 09:56

So you can create you own tracks now?

We're out of a job?

:confused::shifty:

Never - I'd like to have the time and money to go gallivanting all over the country side collecting tracks but its not going to happen (damn mortgage) so I still need everyones help. Its more that I can do my bit now :D

Cheers R

Qkchk

11th March 2008, 21:26

cooneyr

12th March 2008, 07:25

Im one of the lucky buggers - Have Mapsource thrown into the box with the Zumo.

CooneyR have you seen this (http://www8.garmin.com/products/communicator/) - it allows Garmin GPS users to automatically link up and download their tracks to a website that has it installed. Could come in handy (might even work for the GPSMAP Series as well?) for your www.advroutes.org.nz

Should have a few tracks sorted by next week. Already had a play on Mapsource, have planned out a couple of roads (Ive always been curious about) for a ride on Sat/Sun.

Mapsource comes in the box with most of the newer units especially the mapping ones but the likes of the older and non mapping units didn't have it. It has some good tools for playing with tracks even if you don't have a compatible GPS.

I discovered Garmin Communicator yesterday while getting some geocaches (check out www.geocaching.com). I've also found a page about incorporating it on a web site so I'm currently looking into it. I've delayed a couple of updates till I find out if I can and how to use it. I would be cool if it can get it to work for downloads if nothing else.

Thanks for the heads up on this one :2thumbsup If you find any other useful bits of information like this defiantly let me know.

Cheers R

merv

21st March 2008, 21:08

Mate I've been a busy man and this is my first weekend home for a while but I've emailed you five Garmin .gdb tracks (are they OK coz I didn't get around to converting them to anything else?) including the complete track of the 2006 Capital Coast Adventure. Knowing of course that 4skins will more than likely be using quite a different route this year.

Because I ride happily from Wellington area to wherever and back, most of my tracks have a fair bit of sealed roads on them as well as gravel. Not sure if you wanted complete ride tracks like this because I see you've posted just short bits on the other site.

The Capital Coast and the one for Takapari Road are the only tracks I had that include some tracks a bit rougher than gravel roads. The others are all nice easy rides that would suit any adventure bike.

The stories and photos for all the rides I've sent can be found on KB of course.

1. Capital Coast 2006 on my WR250F here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=27185

2. Takapari Road on my XR250L here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=45786

3. Ride to Pahaoa on my XR250L here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=59259

4. Ride around Mt Marchant on my XR250L here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=63917

5. Ride with Zukin over North Range Rd and Mt Marchant on Mrs merv's DR650SE here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=66599

cooneyr

29th March 2008, 20:49

I'm after a bit of help as I'm in way over my head. Basically I'm keen to get the advroutes website set up so that users can transfer gpx route files directly from my web page to a Garmin GPSr.

Garmin has developed a API plugin called Garmin Communicator so that you can do this. I've used it successfully with the geocaching.com website. There is an example of what I want to do on the Garmin web site here (http://developer.garmin.com/web/communicator-api/apidemo/garminDeviceControlDemo.html). I've tried pulling this example page to bits but not having much luck understanding it cause of all the javascript and the *.js files.

Any help would be appreciated but I'm very much a html and javascript noob so don't get to complicated with you replies.

Cheers R

NordieBoy

29th March 2008, 22:07

If it's still raining tomorrow I'll have a play.

cooneyr

30th March 2008, 09:14

If it's still raining tomorrow I'll have a play.

Thanks Nordie. If you click on a route you will see in the pop up box that there are two "upload to GPS" links. Click on this and you will get the w2g.html page open which if you look at the code you will see how I'm passing the gps file name along.

Cheers R

NordieBoy

30th March 2008, 15:21

Well after about 6 hours of fiddling it looks like you can't upload a gpx to a gps from a file.
You can if the gpx text is inline on the page.

aftermethamphetamine

30th March 2008, 17:20

You can if the gpx text is inline on the page.Dump the contents of the file to a (hidden) text field and send that to the gps?

NordieBoy

30th March 2008, 17:57

Dump the contents of the file to a (hidden) text field and send that to the gps?

Yeah, the only easy(ish) way I can see is dynamically created page with the text read from a file.

cooneyr

30th March 2008, 20:51

Well after about 6 hours of fiddling it looks like you can't upload a gpx to a gps from a file.
You can if the gpx text is inline on the page.

Well that explains why the pages we were looking at (geocaching site) had data for a geocache.

Yeah, the only easy(ish) way I can see is dynamically created page with the text read from a file.

Hmmn - not sure if I can do this. I'm borrowing server space at the moment and I dont know if active scripting (if that is what it is called) is enabled.

Cheers R

NordieBoy

30th March 2008, 21:33

Well that explains why the pages we were looking at (geocaching site) had data for a geocache.

I found someone who tried something similar and a garmin engineer said it wasn't possible with the current api and to put it inline.

I'd use Rivit and TCL on the server end and it should work no problem but it'd be almost impossible to get that to work on anything other than my server :D
PHP should do it as well.

NordieBoy

30th March 2008, 21:53

Just had a thought that it could be done using server side includes (I use them on the nmcc.org.nz site).
Will play tomorrow evening.

cooneyr

31st March 2008, 07:22

I found someone who tried something similar and a garmin engineer said it wasn't possible with the current api and to put it inline.

I'd use Rivit and TCL on the server end and it should work no problem but it'd be almost impossible to get that to work on anything other than my server :D
PHP should do it as well.

Just had a thought that it could be done using server side includes (I use them on the nmcc.org.nz site).
Will play tomorrow evening.

:blink::spudwhat: OK. I get the putting it inline bit but the rest when straight over the top.

Can we use the code in the Garmin example page that puts the data inline? The lowest section of the page is a text box that gets filled with data when you choose from one of the examples (I can see the references to the example pages i.e. this line <option value="data/routes.gpx">GPX - Routes</option>). I figure that there should be a reference to "writeDataText" in one of the *.js files and the only one I can find it in is the GarminDeviceControlDemo.js file. Is this any help to you?

Cheers R

cooneyr

2nd April 2008, 07:32

Few interesting developments.

Nordieboy is working hard on getting a page together that allows us to use the Garmin Communicator API Plug in. Basically what this means is that you can upload the route files to your GPSr directly from the web page - no more downloading the file to your PC and then uploading it to the GPS. It will hopefully be very simple to use. This feature is not finished yet but good progress has been made.

Transalper has figured out how to create a map layer the same as the autorouting map layers or topomaps. We are hopping that this proves easy to navigate with. If it does we will make a layer with all the adventure routes included. As I currently understand though this can only be used by those with mapping gps so the route files will still be available. Also the route files will be better for those with limited memory. We still need to do some testing of this to see how easy it is to use with a GPSr but fingers crossed.

Lastly, I contacted Andy Cockroft the author of the 4WD North Island: 102 Off Road Adventures. He has given permission for us to use the data on the CD that goes with the book on the web site. This is going to be a lot of work to figure out which routes are worth putting on the site and then doing it but it will mean lots more routes for the NI.

All good stuff :D

Cheers R

Balrog

4th April 2008, 23:01

...
Transalper has figured out how to create a map layer the same as the autorouting map layers or topomaps. We are hopping that this proves easy to navigate with. If it does we will make a layer with all the adventure routes included.
....

Hey guys

What software are you using to do that?

I was having a look on the NZ Open GPS project site and they seem to be using
GPSMapEdit for the routing & CGPSMapper to generate the IMG files.

GPSMapEdit was a reasonable price, but CGPSMapper looked expensive.

Cheers Jim

marks

5th April 2008, 07:50

PHP should do it as well.

the server that its currently hosted on is just a standard apache/php setup

cooneyr

5th April 2008, 08:18

Hey guys

What software are you using to do that?

I was having a look on the NZ Open GPS project site and they seem to be using
GPSMapEdit for the routing & CGPSMapper to generate the IMG files.

GPSMapEdit was a reasonable price, but CGPSMapper looked expensive.

Cheers Jim

Transalper found some free versions links of both - GPSMapEdit (http://www.geopainting.com/en/) and cGPSMapper (http://cgpsmapper.com/). He also found some other programmes - MapSetToolKit (http://cypherman1.googlepages.com/home) to send a map to mapsource and InnoSetup (http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php) to create a self extracting exe.

the server that its currently hosted on is just a standard apache/php setup

Nordie has put together a page that I need to modify slightly and test on the server. It is using php, so from what you say it should hopefully be OK?

Cheers R

Transalper

5th April 2008, 08:42

Wasn't expecting to create auto routing when experimenting began, and still don't know if we'll achieve that with the free software as we might need to unlock the (shareware) programs to gain the needed features.
So far all I have done is taken tracklogs and route files and turned them in to road lines on a map that can be installed in to mapsource to load in to the gps with the rest of the maps you have.
The idea being that when you turn on my map it would kind of highlight the adventure tracks as if they were major highways on top of the other maps you already have to make them easier to see.
It was just a thought to enable us to have all routes highlighted without using any memory (the maps are stored on our huge data cards of course).
To make the routes easy to navigate you will still need to load the route files otherwise you would need to follow the new roads on the new map on the gps screen without any actual directions/instruction.

Today I am starting to read this... http://rotweilermaps.com/files/RotweilersAuto-routingGuide.pdf
to play a bit more a the potential for auto routing, but I suspect to actually get it working (if even possible) you will need to turn off the other auto routing maps you have installed.

Balrog

5th April 2008, 10:38

... but I suspect to actually get it working (if even possible) you will need to turn off the other auto routing maps you have installed.

I was thinking about that.
The NZ Open GPS project is open source. You could use their
maps as the base and then add in the off road sections with the updated
auto routing tables.
Then you wouldn't need to unload the maps, you'd just install the updated
open source versions.

Big job though :sweatdrop

NordieBoy

5th April 2008, 14:00

I was thinking about that.
The NZ Open GPS project is open source. You could use their
maps as the base and then add in the off road sections with the updated
auto routing tables.
Then you wouldn't need to unload the maps, you'd just install the updated
open source versions.

Big job though :sweatdrop

The autorouting bit is the killer.

Otherwise it just needs to be a map overlay (like the Zenbu POI map) that if it's turned on will show the trails over top of the other maps you've got turned on.

To me, that's the cleanest way of doing it as it would still be a very small map Mb wise and could be easily incorporated into the NZ Open GPS project later.

NordieBoy

5th April 2008, 14:00

cooneyr

8th April 2008, 10:05

I've started a Google Group ADVRoutes Group (http://groups.google.co.nz/group/advroutes?hl=en) associated with the ADVRoutes site. This is to enable uses of the site to have discussions, post files and post trip reports. There is a very cool feature on the google groups that allows you to create a custom page in which you can add pictures, links format text etc. This should be a really good way of posting a trip report. Also others can comment on the page to provide you feedback.

Its rather sparse at the moment and there is only one way to populate it :D

Cheers R