GPS enabling JPG maps for iPad navigation use

[twr7cx]

I've got an Apple iPad Pro 256GB 3G/LTE device that I have a few navigation apps and their map packages installed on. Later this month we are intending to do a trip to the Southern Forest region south of Hobart, Tasmania. 4WD Tasmania offers four free JPG maps of this region on their website < Maps – 4WD Tasmania (http://4wdtasmania.org/wordpress/maps/) >.

Anyone able to advise on the method to put these into a navigation program on the iPad so that the using GPS the iPad can mark our location on the map? I assume the specific latitude and longitude points on the map can be used to calibrate it for the GPS.

[Tombie]

Depends on the mapping software package you are running as to whether or not you can import and calibrate an image file..

[twr7cx]

Depends on the mapping software package you are running as to whether or not you can import and calibrate an image file..

I currently have access to a wide variety including of software apps on the iPad including VMS Map Explorer, Mud Map HD, Mud Map 2, Mud Map 3, Hema Explore, Hema 4WD Maps, AU Maps, Navionics, ExploreOz Traveler, BitMap, Avenva and MemoryMap. Happy to aquire additional Apps if recomended in order to achieve this though.

[twr7cx]

No one has done this before then?

So far I have only been able to find instructions on how to load in other maps (that are already programmed with geolocation data) into the various Apps.

[AK83]

I currently have access to a wide variety including of software apps on the iPad including VMS Map Explorer, Mud Map HD, Mud Map 2, Mud Map 3, Hema Explore, Hema 4WD Maps, AU Maps, Navionics, ExploreOz Traveler, BitMap, Avenva and MemoryMap. Happy to aquire additional Apps if recomended in order to achieve this though.

Of the apps you've listed there, I've looked into Hema 4WD.
As I understand it, it's a cut down version of OziExplorer.
Des(OziExplorer designer) doesn't make this program for Apple devices(yet ... that I know of).

But if you have the Hema 4WD map program, and it's the same one used on their own devices, then it may be able to do it ... via a slightly convoluted method.
But you need OziExplorer and Windows(desktop .. not their RT or any other mobile version).

Ozi is great for calibrating map images of the raster type(ie. not so good with proprietary vector formats).
That's one of my hobbies, is to source and make up maps I think I need.

But the method is that you use Desktop OziExplorer, load your map as an image file(jpg, png, whatever) calibrate it with at least 3 points .. handy tip is to also define boundaries for the map so that you don't travel into empty space(ie. indexes, or peripheral edges of the map .. etc.)

What I don't know for your situation is if the iOS version of Hema 4WD can then load those raster maps .. like it can(or should) for their Navigator device.

[austastar]

Hi,
OziExplorer (windows desktop) will make a .map file, which interprets the pixels in the map image to the geo coordinates of the map.
This is under the 'import and calibrate map image' function.
This can the be moved to OziExplorer (Andriod) , for use whilst navigating.

The maps on 4wd tas can be viewed on
http://maps.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/app/list/map
and you can note the coordinates from the cursor position fairly easily to do the Ozi calibration trick.

A quick and platform in dependant way to get positions on any map is to view the area on Google maps and note the key intersections/features lat/long and make way points.

Or just plot the track on Google maps and download the tiles along the track for use off - line.

Cheers

[twr7cx]

Of the apps you've listed there, I've looked into Hema 4WD.
As I understand it, it's a cut down version of OziExplorer.
Des(OziExplorer designer) doesn't make this program for Apple devices(yet ... that I know of).

I believe that Hema 4WD app on the iPad is based on the Memory Map software package on the iPad, not OziExplorer. As you’ve pointed out, OziExplorer does not exist for the iPad so it would be difficult for them to use a cut down version of...



But the method is that you use Desktop OziExplorer, load your map as an image file(jpg, png, whatever) calibrate it with at least 3 points .. handy tip is to also define boundaries for the map so that you don't travel into empty space(ie. indexes, or peripheral edges of the map .. etc.)

What I don't know for your situation is if the iOS version of Hema 4WD can then load those raster maps .. like it can(or should) for their Navigator device.

Thanks, that sounds like it will be the go. I am confident that once I have done that geo adding I should be able to get it loaded and working in one of the iPads navigation software packages. I will need to get the desktop version of OziExplorer and have a play.

[austastar]

.......I should be able to get it loaded and working in one of the iPads navigation software packages. I will need to get the desktop version of OziExplorer and have a play.

Hi,
Nope!

Ozi files are Andriod or Win CE, or Windows.

Some will interchange directly, others must be exported/imported to change platform.

I'm pretty sure they won't work with any of the Apple platforms.

Cheers

[twr7cx]

Ah it seems that you are right. Seems that not many of the packages actually allow import of maps from elsewhere.

I'm instead now looking at other options - rather than trying to take those free JPG map images and give them geospacial properties, TASMAP sell eMaps now e.g. TASMAP eShop - buy Tasmanian maps online - Digital Channel 1:50000 Topographic Map Provisional Edition - Product Details (https://www.tasmap.tas.gov.au/do/product/50000DIG/TR08DIG)


3 versions of the product; the GeoPDF and GeoTIFF are suitable for use with many smartphones, GPS devices and in GIS software packages and the KMZ will automatically open in Google Earth.

So I need to figure out what program to use on the iPad to view one of the formats that TASMAP provide.

[austastar]

.............., TASMAP sell eMaps now e.g. TASMAP eShop - buy Tasmanian maps online - Digital Channel 1:50000 Topographic Map Provisional Edition - Product Details (https://www.tasmap.tas.gov.au/do/product/50000DIG/TR08DIG)



So I need to figure out what program to use on the iPad to view one of the formats that TASMAP provide.

Hi,
When you sort it, I'm sure many here would be interested in how it is done on the ipad.

Cheers

[twr7cx]

Well, I think I have sort of found my answer. Avenza Maps is an iOS app that seems to be considered one of the best for handling the above mentioned map formats. While the App is free, the downside is that it has a $49.99 annual subscription fee in order to enable the Import feature so not planning to take that route. There are other free/cheap ones but they don't look overly great...

However of particular note is that in the built in Map Store they resell the TASMAP eMaps for cheaper than TASMAP ($1.49 vs $2.00 so not much in it) - the listed publisher is 'nswtopo'. The downside to this method vs purchasing direct from TASMAP is that it is stuck to be used within their app program (i.e. can't be shared with other people/programs etc). They also don't offer all of the TASMAP maps - only the 1:25,000 range (which has been superseded by an updated 1:50,000 range - but in my comparison I think that the old ones might have been better and the new ones may have actually had details intentionally removed). One of the things I really like is that you can preview the particular maps in full detail on your computer at maps.thelist.tas.gov.au

Today I have played with/tested the Avenza app with free maps and find the iOS program to be good. I've bought 13 of the the 1:25,000 maps for an area that I plan to visit later this month on a 4WD/camping trip with mates and will test it out then to see if I have a new favourite off road navigation app. I've found the big name providers (MudMaps, MemoryMap, VMS, Hema, ExploreOz Traveler) to be very limited in detail for Tasmania so I'm hopeful this will be better.

My biggest complaint with the operation of Avenza is that each map is individual. So you can't scroll from one to the next fluidly (e.g. as you do on Google maps of the List website), you need to load the next one up and view each in isolation.


The other option is HEMA Explorer iOS app which when upgraded to the Pro can access the Tasmania TheList maps. Cost of this is $9.99 per month or around $50.00 annually. I have tested it today following purchasing a months subscription and found it's offline use to be terrible (I downloaded the map data to the device prior to disconnecting and found it's rendering to be patchy and sometimes non-existant and merging maps). Wouldn't recommend this option unless you are will be in cellular data reception continuously.

[austastar]

Hi,
ExploreOz have a reasonable set of maps for the States or the whole of Australia at 1:250k and designed with 4wd in mind. They are good for an overview or road driving.
I tend to use a variety of scales depending on what I'm doing.
The Tas 1:25k maps are now dated but still usefull.
I'm waiting for a set of 1:50k to fall of the back of a fire truck.

Cheers

[Bytemrk]

Bit late to the conversation - but I use Memory Map and buy maps via the digital map store..

Topo Tasmania: TasMap |Topo Tasmania | Bush maps | 4WD maps | GPS Software: PC, iPad, Android | Memory-Map Aus/NZ (http://memory-map.com.au/digital-maps/topographic-maps-australia/tasmap-topographic-maps-tasmania.html)

You can buy maps with a variety of licensing models - I usually by the version that allows me to use them on my ipad, my phone and my laptop

[twr7cx]

Bit late to the conversation - but I use Memory Map and buy maps via the digital map store..

Topo Tasmania: TasMap |Topo Tasmania | Bush maps | 4WD maps | GPS Software: PC, iPad, Android | Memory-Map Aus/NZ (http://memory-map.com.au/digital-maps/topographic-maps-australia/tasmap-topographic-maps-tasmania.html)

You can buy maps with a variety of licensing models - I usually by the version that allows me to use them on my ipad, my phone and my laptop

Thanks, I've got and tried those but have found them to be lacking details for 4WDing in Tasmania. Many smaller tracks are not shown at all.

[austastar]

Hi,
Have you checked out Chris Bowden's book at roving.com.au
Lots of good info there.
I believe it is for sale on the ferry.
Cheers

[Bytemrk]

Thanks, I've got and tried those but have found them to be lacking details for 4WDing in Tasmania. Many smaller tracks are not shown at all.

Thanks for that - I've been really happy with the maps I have of other parts of Aus.... I'll remember not to get that Tas set...

[twr7cx]

Hi,
Have you checked out Chris Bowden's book at roving.com.au
Lots of good info there.
I believe it is for sale on the ferry.
Cheers

Yeah, I've had that for years - I think I have version 3 but 4 was recently released. It's a great publication that covers the major tracks but there's a lot of other random, especially shorter ones, that are only really visible on a map.



Thanks for that - I've been really happy with the maps I have of other parts of Aus.... I'll remember not to get that Tas set...

It shows the major tracks and would be more than sufficient for someone visiting the State but for a local looking to explore areas in more detail and with the ability to spend more time there it's lacking detail on a lot of smaller tracks.