Noob OziExplorer Questions...

[djambalawa]

Ok I bought a gps usb "mouse" for my wifes laptop and have downloaded the trial of OziExplorer to try it out. I don't have any good maps but for testing I used gmapmaker to convert a google map of Darwin to Ozi format (cool proggy - http://www.mgmaps.com/cache/gMapMaker-setup.exe - does google, MS, Yahoo and other maps and automatically makes .map files etc)

After some confusion with comm port settings etc I've got it all working.

I'm still a bit confused about some things - I'll read the manual etc over the next few days but these are some of my early impressions/questions... thanks in advance if you can clear them up for me...

• By default it doesn't seem to show your position on maps... the "moving maps" feature almost seems an after-thought - I'm sure I'm missing the point here but isn't this the whole idea? ie to see yourself on the map etc? Took me quite a while to work out why I couldn't see my position on a map... had to go to the moving maps menu and tell it to start communicating with the gps...
• Handy gps type things like speed, direction etc - is there a popup window or something that shows this in large print so a driver can see it?
• I knew this wasn't a "navigator" system that directs you but I didn't realise it is just really looking at a paper map electronically (with waypoints possible etc I see) - which is still very cool - but when you need street navigation what program (PC - laptop) do peeps use? I did a google search and only came up with Travroute but there was no trial to download to see how it works?
• Because of the above point I assume that oziexplorer is no good for determine distances etc as it would not automatically follow roads when calculating - unless you made overly complex waypoint paths?

Once I get this all working I'll look at getting a mini laptop like caverD3 and a touchscreen I'm thinking

[AndyRevill]

Hi,

for me Ozi serves two purposes, looking at maps for planning trips etc. and the other is moving map, so I've never tried to get it to start automatically in that mode but I would send an email asking the question, generally you'll get a prompt response and if it's not an option he may well build it into an update - updates are free.

If you open moving map control speed and heading are displayed

Unfortunately you've just discovered the difference between vector and raster maps. for routing you need vectors, otherwise the software doesn't have the ability to know what's a road. You can get around this for pre-planned trips by creating a route and then telling Ozi to navigate it - it will then give you basic navigation info to move from waypoint to waypoint - not ideal. The only software I've had experience with for true routing is garmins NRoute, which is free but you need to purchase Garmin maps.

cheers, Andy

[Bushie]

The help file is your friend

Moving Map

To allow moving map to be automatically started when starting OziExplorer the following command line parameters are available. Note, the / is part of the parameter name.
The following command line parameters can be used when starting OziExplorer
/mmstart - Starts Moving Map (NMEA) communication
/mmcontrol - Shows the Moving Map Control
/navcontrol - Shows the Navigation Control
/gpsfix - Shows the GPS Fix window
example command lines
oziexp.exe /mmstart /mmcontrol /navcontrol /gpsfix
oziexp.exe /mmstart
oziexp.exe c:\oziexplorer\maps\mymap.map /mmstart /mmcontrol
Note that you can specify a map on the command line but if the GPS position is not on that map or the map has not been specified as available for Moving Map OziExplorer will attempt to find a new map.

Martyn

[djambalawa]

Thanks for the replies - I like those command line parameters and will chuck them in a shortcut.

Anyone have a ozi version of http://www.geoscience.gov.au/geol250k/250dpi/sd5204.jpg or are able to calibrate it for me?

I tried but it was all out still... i wasn't sure what datum it was... and wasn't sure what the grid was used for... gotta do some reading I guess...

Any hints on how to do this appreciated

[AndyRevill]

Thanks for the replies - I like those command line parameters and will chuck them in a shortcut.

Anyone have a ozi version of http://www.geoscience.gov.au/geol250k/250dpi/sd5204.jpg or are able to calibrate it for me?

I tried but it was all out still... i wasn't sure what datum it was... and wasn't sure what the grid was used for... gotta do some reading I guess...

Any hints on how to do this appreciated

flick me your email and i should be able to do a quick calibration for you and i'll send the map file

Andy

[djambalawa]

Thanks heaps mate! - its djambalawa at msn dawt cawm

I'll pm yer too