OziExplorer....what am I doing wrong?

[WedWon]

Hi there

I have a Panasonic Toughbook through which I am running a Navellite mouse GPS. The Navellite came with a free copy of Map Monkey which is working perfectly for gazzetted road navigation.

I am looking for something a little better for off-the-beaten-track.
Based on feedback on this illustrious forum I have downloaded the trial copy of OziExplorer and spent close to three hours yesterday trying to get it to work.

The trial pack comes with two OziExplorers. One version (labelled trial) apparently doesn't communicate with the GPS so it just gives an idea of map manipulation etc which appears to be good. The second version (Shareware/demo) is supposed to communicate with the GPS but I can't seem to get anything going.

I have manually selected the com port (using equivilent data from MapMonkey configuration) and set the baud rate in the same way. But when I select the "check GPS" (or similar) selection I am getting only getting blanks in all the fields, which indicates to me (and I may be wrong) that the software isn't communicating with the GPS

I also haven't loaded a .BMP map for the demo version, but surely the software should still be able to "see" the GPS...it just wouldn't have a map to plot the location on.

If anybody has recently got OziExplorer going and could point me in the right direction it would be appreciated

Regards

Jason7001

[kaa45]

Try this site for expert help .:GPS Australia:. (http://www.gpsaustralia.net/)
:D

[Tusker]

You have to load a map - that's what the demo maps are for. Open one of them, the connect to the GPS. Otherwise the software has nothing to compare, its fishing in the dark.

Are you trying the desktop version or the CE version? I'm running the CE on my phone.

Regards
Max P

[WedWon]

Hi Tusker

I am running the desktop version.

The sample maps are all in .map format and the demo version only recognises .bmp. Even the map selection dropdown only shows .map format maps (ie won't even give you the option to search for .bmp maps even if you had some in you map folder).

I thought the GPS info would still pick up a latitude and longitude even if it hasn't got a map to plot it on.

still non the wiser

Jason7001

[Tusker]

It is very complex software, ans a PITA to setup. Most people have trouble I suspect.

Ozi actually creates a .map file for every map you load. More details here

OziExplorer Users (http://www.gpsoz.com.au/OziExplorer_Users.htm#map)

The Ozi site explains the differences between the two free versions

Two versions of OziExplorer are supplied in this download a Shareware/Demo version and a Trial version - each has different feature and operational limitations, by using the 2 programs almost all the features of OziExplorer can be tested.

The Shareware/Demo version is missing many features that you get in the full purchased version click here for details (http://www.oziexplorer3.com/eng/full_version.html)
But it does allow full communication with the GPS for upload/download and moving map
Only allows maps in BMP image format to be loaded
Only loads maps in WGS84 datum
The Trial Version has almost all the features of the full version (works with all supported image formats and datums) but with these limitations
No communication with the GPS for upload/download
No saving or loading of Waypoints, Events, Tracks etc
No saving of map as an image file
Will close down after 1 hour of running (must be restarted) So it test it with the GPS, it seems to me you need the shareware version. In the Ozi file menu, you'll see where to import a map, & that will create the .map file. That's assuming two suitable files aren't supplied.

Regards
Max P

[Utemad]

On the map side of things, each map has two files. The picture file (.bmp, .jpg, .ozf2/.ozf3 etc) and the data file which is the one you click on to open (.map).

So the .map file is the one you click on regardless of what the picture file is.

[WedWon]

Thanks Utemad

That works for the trial version (opening the .map file)

I have now got the demo map (somewhere in NSW) coming up in the Demo version but it still doesn't look like its getting a reading from the GPS (ie no lat/long on GPS check drop down) I am assuming that they are not compatible which is a shame 'cos all the other goodies OziExplorer offer seem cool

Anybody know what I might be doing wrong?

Jason7001

[Utemad]

Oziexplorer is compatible with any GPS that sends NMEA info to the computer which you mouse GPS would.

I would have thought that so long as you had the COM port correct then it would work. You can only have the GPS connect to one programme at a time so I don't suppose you are running the other programme at the same time?

[tombraider]

Also check what data stream your GPS is set to send.

[Utemad]

It's a mouse GPS isnt it?
So NMEA only.

[WedWon]

Hi Guys

Loving all the suggestions, I will be quie willing to concede I have done something wrong when we stumble over it. In fact I will buy a cold beer or two to whoever suggests the solution

Utemad : Am only using the GPS for one application at a time.
Tombraider: As Utemad says its a mouse gps so NMEA only, and thats been selected in OziExplorer's GPS setup

BTW does anyone have a map of central Australia (esp Alice Springs) that I could try loading to test the theory of Tusker (that is the software needs the map to reference to). i am doubtful of this (because if you scan a map in you use the GPS to calibrate the map so the GPS should be reading all the time) but anything is worth a try.

Cheers

Jason7001

[Utemad]

Do you not have the Australia map that comes with Ozi? It's not a bad map plus you should be able to see yourself on it somewhere :)
I think you can download it from the Ozi website but it at least used to be bundled with the programme.

Have you tried just selecting every different COM port that Ozi lets you?

It's been a while since I set my laptop up with the GPS. In fact it isn't set up anymore as I've reinstalled it and don't use it that way anymore (have OziCE on my PDA).

Are you using a serial GPS with a serial to USB converter? When I got my current laptop I did this and it took forever to get going and it was all down to the serial to USB converter. However if it works on your other programme than that shouldn't be an issue.

[fraser130]

Is the baud rate set correctly for the GPS in Oziexplorer?
I think most work at 9600 baud.
8 bits, no parity,

[fraser130]

Jason, where are you located?
Does the toughbook have internet while you are at home?

Fraser

[WedWon]

Hello again

In answer:
Utemad: I have tried using the map of Australia and no go in plotting a location, good point though, if the software was reading the GPS then it should show me somewhere.

The GPS is showing on Com7 through MapMonkey, and also through com7 when I run the GPS/port locater available on the OziExplorer website. I could go through and select each of the 20 or so ports but figured if it was recognised through these two then that would be enough

Fraser130:The baud rate is 4800, 8 bits no parity (same as is working in MapMonkey) and I have selected these in OziExplorer
I am in Alice Springs. The Toughbook is not on the web at home (yet......wireless broadband card (next g) is due today)

Still lost
Jason7001

[rmp]

Jason

1. Load a map of the area you are in. I recommend the Raster 250k Mosaic series of maps, available from most mapshops or online at the likes of GPSoz.com.au. This map covers all of Australia and is a must-have.

If you don't have a map of the area you're in, then when you get it working the moving-map won't be very effective. The world map would work, but it's not exactly great resolution.

2. The GPS receiver obviously works which is good. Make sure Map Monkey isn't running, even to the point of rebooting it. A "mouse" GPSR could be serial or USB. Use the same settings as Map Monkey, and set it to a type of "NMEA Only".

3. Start the moving map and see what the results are. Check the bottom-left corner of Ozi. It should start to read the NMEA data stream and mabye say "no fix", then it'll lock on and away you go.