Vector maps

johndebye · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 3:38 pm Post subject: Vector maps

Hi,
I'm rather new in this PDA->GPS world. Used to work with Garmin 176C with homemade maps (GPS->Trackmaker->Mapdekode->Mapsource->176C).
Like to have vector maps in my new iPaq 2210 connected with Etrex GPS.
Price ArcPad is way to steep. ($450 and higher). Please send some advice.
Now I'm exporting trackmaker tracks to Oziexplorer in stead of using vector maps.
Thanks in advance.
John

lbendlin · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 1:38 am Post subject:

You are not expecting vector maps for outdoor use, are you? That's a few years out on the roadmap... For now the rule is that if it is a vector map then it is for street navigation, and you will not be able to generate one yourself. All you can do is buy them...
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Lutz

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johndebye · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 2:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks Lutz.
Cause I was working with GPSTrackmaker I know how nice vector maps can be. I think it is worth trying to work with vectors.
Regards
John

lbendlin · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 3:09 pm Post subject:

I certainly agree with you that it is nice to work with vector maps. I just think it will take another year or two until they will be available for topographic use.

Can you tell us more about the GPSTrackmaker?
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Lutz

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johndebye · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 3:30 pm Post subject:

What I'm doing right now:
I downloaded a vector map of Suriname from the internet. After that I collected al the tracks made by offroad and onroad rally's in the (freeware) program GPS Trackmaker. After processing them in Trackmaker I send them to the (also freeware) program Mapdekode. Mapdekode. This program makes *.dbx files I can send to the Garmin program Mapsource. From Mapsource I can send my map to a Garmin mapping GPS. I use GPSMAP 176C or a Streetpilot. It works perfect.
You can find info at:

www.gpstm.com/eng/dekode_eng.htm

MikeB · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 5:19 pm Post subject:

You might be suprised how close vector maps on the PDA are.

I was at the London Boat show last week and had demonstrated to me OS topo maps on a Magellan Handheld. These were full colour vector based graphic format.

The other thing that I saw a lot of was Marine charts on PDAs and PCs again these are all vector based. Nice and crisp and very fast to zoom in and out.

Finally there is of course Delorme Topo! cartography. The Topo maps are also vector based.
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Mike Barrett

Skippy · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:35 pm Post subject:

lbendlin · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2004 10:40 pm Post subject:

The coolest thing would be a combined street navigation/topo map... complete with roads and altitude levels and streams and such... So that you could truly do a route planning on off road terrain, not just these dull bearing lines ...
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Lutz

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MikeB · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 8:22 am Post subject:

In theory that is exactly what Delorme Topo USA does, according to their web site, but I can only get it to route over roads.
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Mike Barrett

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