Neat program to use with GPSs

[wejones]

Doesn't look like this sub-forum gets too much activity, so I thought I'd post something. I've been a GPS user for over 16 years, and have several GPSs. However I've been using a neat program for the last 4 or 5 years, which is really neat.
The program is called USAPhotomaps, and the web page for the program is at: JDMCOX Software . What this program does, is when you run it, you start off with a blank map, but you can go to any USA lat/lon, zoom in, and hit the "F" key on your computer, and it downloads aerial photos off the terraserver, or USGS topo maps from the same site. Unlike using the terraserver directly, this program stores the map data on your computer, so after it's downloaded, you can use it without being on the web, and zoom in/out, move around, switch between topo and photo instantly. Really neat.
However, where this is related to GPS, is that it has an interface to allow it to take track data from your GPS, and display it on these maps. For example:



In the above, the blue line is tracks recorded while driving my car along roads, and driving my snowmobile across some lakes (not this year... no ice).



And the above shows a track recorded when I took a couple hikes through the forest here, again a couple years ago during winter. And:



Above, a similar view using the topo option, showing some tracks from hikes through the woods.

Anyway, I think that anyone who owns a GPS with a computer connection will really enjoy using this program. I've been using it on Garmin GPSs, but it should work with other GPSs too.

I also use the Garmin "MapSource", and can do similar things with it too, as I have the Roads&Rec maps, and also the TOPO and World maps. However the USAPhotoMaps program is a really nice quick way to display your GPS tracks on both photo and TOPO maps. I've also used APRS, a ham radio program that displays tracks on maps, too, but it is orders of magnitude less sophistocated.

Anyway, I highly recommend that GPS users try out USAPhotoMaps.

[slotzero]

Originally Posted by wejones

Doesn't look like this sub-forum gets too much activity, so I thought I'd post something. I've been a GPS user for over 16 years, and have several GPSs. However I've been using a neat program for the last 4 or 5 years, which is really neat.
The program is called USAPhotomaps, and the web page for the program is at: JDMCOX Software .

Thanks for the suggestion - I've been using a program called GARTrip with my Garmin Etrex to kinda map out my ATV trips - it works OK but I like the images you're getting there with USAPhotomaps. Here's sample output from GARTrip:



Not too bad for an inexpensive program. I really like my Garmin and am planning on getting one for the other quad for this upcoming riding season.

Side note - should have seen the folks gawking at me last Friday evening when I was out doing a "site survey" of sorts for the upcoming FTA setup... it was about 35deg F outside, I'm out in a t-shirt, cargo shorts, and flip-flops, GPS in one hand, camera and protractor in the other, walking around what had to have seemed aimlessly... I found the looks I was getting quite amusing!

"Margaret, he's done finally lost it!"

[rainman]

LMAO. good one slotzero.

[William Eng]

That sounds useful for off-road activity. I recently brought a Garmin nuvi 350. This thing really comes in handy when you are driving at night since it tells you how much further until you turn. I only take it on trips to cities that I am not familar with. Otherwise, the GPS sits in the draw. I wouldn't dare mount it inside my SUV, too big an invitation to a thief.

Since the GPS satellites don't last forever, what is the life expectancy of a GPS device? Does anyone know.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by William Eng

Since the GPS satellites don't last forever, what is the life expectancy of a GPS device? Does anyone know.

I have 6 GPSs, 3 Garmin and 3 Magellan. 4 of these I bought back around the 1992-3 time frame. One of those, a GPS-50 still works fine. The other three were Magellans. One died, due to mis-use (it was an OEM circuit board that I installed in a case, and supplied my own PS, etc. I think I zapped it with static once, so it wasn't really the GPS's fault. ). I had a second OEM Magellan circuit board that is still working fine after 15 years. The third Magellan, however, still turns on and searches for sats, but I think it was not Y2K compatable, as it stopped working right after new years day, 2000.
So other than zapping them, or having a Y3K event, there isn't any reason why they shouldn't keep working for a long time. Actually, my GPS-50 did have to go back for repair once, when the tuner go out of alignment, but that was it.
Currently, I have 2 Garmin GPSs, a GPS12XL, which has only a rudimentary mapping capability (but interfaces fine to the above USAPhotoMAPS program), and my favorite GPS, which is a GPSmap-76, to which I can upload either TOPO maps or their Roads&Recreation maps from the Garmin MapSource program. All of my GPSs will also interface to the Delorme Street Atlas program, which is really nice for trips. It's one of those programs where if I run it on the laptop on the seat next to me while driving, if I've entered a route, a voice will come on telling me to turn right onto highway 90 in 1/2 mile, or something like that. My FIRST GPS, the GPS-50 from 15 years ago, would BEEP when you got close to a waypoint.
The only problem I've run into with respect to waypoints is that the early software seemed to be aimed at sailboat users, since it also beeped at a time when it would be appropriate to tack, even if you were hundreds of miles from the waypoint.

[slotzero]

Originally Posted by William Eng

what is the life expectancy of a GPS device? Does anyone know.

I've only had the Garmin Etrex model devices (like the ones Sadoun sells here GPS Navigation Systems - GARMIN) and they've held up really well, even while mounted to my handlebars as my quad flips end over end down steep hills... which unfortunately has happened more than once...

The only Garmin device I've seen bite the dust was my buddy's on one of our riding trips... he rolled his quad trying to turn around beside a hill, crushing his nice new $400 color unit... to which I said, "That's why I only mount the $100 units to my handlebars."

I believe his response started and ended with various types of profanity, but it was hard to hear through my own laughter.

[wejones]

Originally Posted by slotzero

I've only had the Garmin Etrex model devices (like the ones Sadoun sells here GPS Navigation Systems - GARMIN) and they've held up really well, even while mounted to my handlebars as my quad flips end over end down steep hills... which unfortunately has happened more than once...

The only Garmin device I've seen bite the dust was my buddy's on one of our riding trips... he rolled his quad trying to turn around beside a hill, crushing his nice new $400 color unit... to which I said, "That's why I only mount the $100 units to my handlebars."

I believe his response started and ended with various types of profanity, but it was hard to hear through my own laughter.

I strap my Garmin to the windshield of my snowmobile, and it has helped me figure out where I was on several occasions. I've never flipped the snowmobile, although I did go through the ice last year. Luckily in shallow water so I could walk out.
My neighbors have 3 or 4 of those ATVs. I've got to get one of those.

Re the GPS, I do have one complaint about MY current garmin (76) . The darn thing has an internal antenna that seems to work well when sitting flat, or with the screen down, however it doesn't work with the screen end up. The GPS also has a carrying strap, which of course is attached to the screen end, so that if you have the thing hanging from the strap, it loses signal. So when I use it while walking, I usually have to be holding the darn thing in my hand. Works fine sitting on the dashboard of the car or snowmobile though.