Navigating Through Algonquin Park

ingiro · 08-30-06, 10:45 AM

Hi All,

I have a friend at work thats going to algonqiun park for a few weeks vacation and want to do some hiking throught the trails.

He asked me if its possible to use gps with way points and that sort of stuff while hiking so he can get back to his car if he gets lost.

He has a pda with bluetooth and is probably goning to pick up a HOLUX GPS SLIM236 but not really sure what software to use.

I hope you all can help me out.

thanks

samarah · 08-30-06, 11:10 AM

I would recommend GPSTuner.

[GPSTuner]

bigbop · 08-31-06, 01:07 PM

I picked up a map book a few years back that I think was called "Ontario back country mapbook" or something to that effect. There are several versions. One is for cottage roads, one for hiking trails and another for snomobile routes. indigo should have them. In any case, these map books have detailed maps of the country areas, showing trails, lake, old train tracks, etc and they are all georeferenced.
What I did was to scan the maps using 200dpi resolution and then to geo calibrate them for use with Fugawi. They could also be used with any raster-based GPS nav s/w for the PDA (Including Fugawi). In fact, I downloaded the Fugawi 10 day demo (www.fugawi.com) which includes the Palm and PPC apps and played with it. The PDA apps don't seem to expire but I didn't check to see if you can create custom PDA maps after the 10 days are up.

I already own Fugawi v2 and v3.4 and I'm not planning (at this point) in upgrading to v4 as the PDA apps are not 'nice' enough yet.

I think Ozi has a PDA version.

Cino · 08-31-06, 01:31 PM

alittle pricey but i love using memory-map... I can scan my own maps into it..

solara · 08-31-06, 03:00 PM

You can scan your own maps into almost all of the off-road GPS programs except for Backcountry Navigator.

If your friend just wants a simple program to do waypoints, then GPSTuner should work fine and it's a lot cheaper than Fugawi, MemoryMap, or OziExplorer. GPSTuner can also import maps, which you can then calibrate on the PPC by entering the Long/Lat for 3 or more points.

dlweston · 08-31-06, 08:11 PM

I might add that a map is not an absolute requirement with Memory-Map Navigator. Just be sure to mark the position of the car before you walk away from it. It will still show up on the screen even without a map. I forgot to copy my Washington DC area maps to the PDA before I left home. I would mark the location of the van in the parking lot before we would take the Metro to downtown. It still worked out if I forgot where the van was parked, because all I had to do was get to the mark I created.

I have tried BackCountry Navigator. It is a nice program, but I prefer to have a desktop program to manage maps. Only so many maps can be loaded on the PDA. I have map on the desktop for different places I go and just upload the one I need for the trip I am taking. I also prefer to create routes on the desktop and upload them to the PDA also, because it is easier on the big screen.

Ozi Explorer is also a nice program, but I think Memory-Map is easier to use. I also do not like the fact that there are multiple programs you have to use wth Ozi Explorer. Everything you need to do like display 3D maps convert maps, and etc are all in the main desktop program.

I have not tried Fugawi which is another popular program.