[OSM-newbies] GPS to display OSM maps

[Andy Robinson (blackadder-lists)]

A few notes regarding the x versions of Garmin eTrex units, ie those that
use a micro SD card (optional).

Without an SD card they function much as an older or non x version does in
that they log trackpoints and waypoints to the internal memory. If you set
the tracklog up for timed recording at 1 sec then that gives you about 3
hours of mapping before the log is full (10,000 trackpoints). In this
instance it's normal to use GPSBabel to get both the track and the waypoints
from the internal memory.

With an SD card inserted the 10,000 point restriction on tracks goes away
because the units log automatically to the SD card with a new GPX file
created each day. The track is also saved in the internal memory, but only
the last 10,000 points are available before the log will wrap and you loose
the beginning.

Worth noting is that by default the map display does not display the full
last 10,000 trackpoints. Normally it's set to 3000 points or thereabouts.
You can change this in the Map settings menu. I use a figure of 10,001 in
the Legend's I have here. Displaying the full tracklog possible is useful
when doing big mapping sessions as it helps you stop going over places you
have already mapped earlier in the session.

As you have pointed out, Waypoints are not stored on the SD card, an
unfortunate oversight in my view but there you go. Personally I don’t map by
setting waypoints but many attendees at mapping parties do and I am forever
having to download the tracklog first from the SD card in Mass Storage Mode
and then fire up GPSBabel for the Waypoints. I'm not aware of anyone trying
to do both at the same time if its its technical feasible in some way.
Obviously for parties I could download just the tracklog from the internal
memory as most times the person using the device has been out for less than
3 hours in a session.

Hope this helps those confused, especially when considering the Legend or
Vista HCx models.

Cheers

Andy


>-----Original Message-----
>From: newbies-bounces at openstreetmap.org [mailto:newbies-
>bounces at openstreetmap.org] On Behalf Of Akkana Peck
>Sent: 08 January 2009 5:18 AM
>To: newbies at openstreetmap.org
>Subject: Re: [OSM-newbies] GPS to display OSM maps
>
>Kenneth Gonsalves writes:
>> On Thursday 08 Jan 2009 5:27:01 am Akkana Peck wrote:
>> >   gpsbabel -i garmin -f usb: -o gpx -F waypoints.gpx
>>
>> I think this would give both waypoints and tracks - the '-w' option would
>give
>> waypoints only
>
>Nope, at least not for the Vista CX, and I gather it doesn't for
>the Legend HCX either (at least, at the one mapping party I've
>been to they had trouble getting waypoints off the Legends).
>And I've seen reports from users of a few other Garmin models
>that seem to indicate the same thing, that they have to get
>the waypoints as a separate file.
>
>> ps - nice to see the Gimp guru on OSM
>
>I've actually used GIMP to make maps -- import layers from Topo!
>tiles, PDF trail maps, big TIF geologic maps, satellite screenshots
>etc., scale and overlay them all as layers then play with
>layer opacity.  Took forever getting all the scaling right.
>OSM looks a lot easier. :-)
>
>	...Akkana
>
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