GPS/Routegadget advice request

[northernskyline]

I've been using a Garmin for a few months and really like the ability in routegadget to import the gps route trace directly onto the O map. Some of the events I have done and clearly all the terrain training do not have routegadget.

I have my paper O course map, which I can scan as a jpg or similar, and my gps trace. Can someone please advise me how to combine the two? Perhaps there is a freeware utility I could use (I have tried Gartrip but cannot get it to work)?

I am assuming you can not just install the routegadget program on your own pc and do your own rg with scanned images, but could be wrong.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Zokko!]

The good news is you can set up RG to run on your pc. I have just completed the set up since I am in the same boat - wanting to add my gps traces to maps of events not hosted on clubs' RG installations.

I recommend looking at the instructions on routgadget.co.uk and following them to the letter, with thanks to Paul Frost.

[Paul Frost]

Zokko is correct, you can have your own RouteGadget.
The link to my tutorial is "How to use it on your own computer"

If you use SportTracks as your GPS logbook it allows you to use a scanned map as a background to your track. The default is to place it on a Google aerial photo but a map can also be used. SportTracks is Donationware, so free to try. Once you have used it you will not want to go back to the Garmin software.

[rocky]

http://www.matstroeng.se/quickroute/

better than what you're after, and free. but in swedish.

[andy]

http://www.matstroeng.se/quickroute/

better than what you're after, and free. but in swedish.

that looks good, is it easy to use if you can't understand the instructions?

[rocky]

dead simple to use, and the software itsself is in english, its just the download page that is swedish.

Quickroute is a free program for windows which takes in a route from a GPS device and puts it on an orienteering map picture file. With Quickroute it's quick and easy to put your route on the map.

At the moment QR is only compatible with Forerunner series GPS monitors. It is also required to have Garmin Training Center 3.2.3 or later and Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 installed.

QR is a hobby project of Mats Troeng. HOpefully more functions will be added in time. Questions and enquiries to quickroute@matstroeng.se. Answers are not guaranteed - it is a hobby!

How to use QR

Scan in map/take photo of map/export picture file from OCAD (gif/png/jpeg). 200dpi recommended
Read in data from GPS to GTC. Export the specific track you require as a .tcx file (top option in File > Export. (May be different with other versions of GTC/forerunners.)
Open QR. Choose File > New. Find the map file in the first selection box and the garmin history file in the second. Click OK. Choose the training route from the drop down list (only one choice?)
The route should now be overlayed on the map. Move the route by clicking on a point on the route (e.g. a control with a definite change in direction) and dragging it to the correct place. Note you cannot move the start or end points. Move enough points to get the whole route in the correct place.

The route is colour coded: lighter colour = faster running. Colour scale is yellow - red - blue - black and can be adjusted in the programme window. You can also choose to look at heart rate or height.

The route and map can be saved in .xml format for further use later by choosing File > Save, or you can export the map and route as a picture by choosing File > Export.

here's one i made earlier: warm weather training tour champs.

a little parallel error on the 5th (actually my 12th)

29 Lägermästerskap, Guardamar Norte, Murray.jpg (382.35 KiB) Viewed 7773 times

british relays and tio to come soon.

[rosalind]

Side question...

To what extent can these GPS watches, that are gaining popularity, be used for cheating purposes during an event?
Just curious, as I've never used one, and amn't sure the extent of information they give.

[mharky]

Any watch with an altimeter can be used to cheat, as could anything which displays distance (GPS + the Polars with the footpod).

Altimeter is pretty obvious, if you want to contour, or say only drop 20m it's gonna help. Having your distance means you'll know when to stop and start looking.

If your good it's still much quicker to just orienteer

[redkite]

A garmin will not help with altitude, as the software is really poor. Distance is another matter but still much quicker to just orienteer.

Anyone out there tried the new Garmin 405 yet?

[northernskyline]

Sorry this is a bit late, but thank you for the advice.

I (eventually!!) followed Paul's excellent tutorial and it works great. My own RG installation!

Thanks rocky for the Quickroute tip-off. This is good but I have not found it as easy to match my gps trace on the scanned map as RG. I particularly like the coloured speed indication line display so will keep trying with this. Shame there is no undo feature, but appreciate that this is someone's hobby and free!

I have only looked at Garmin 405 on web. I was curious about differences with the 305. They look very similar except 405 is smaller, more like a normal watch and can wirelessly transfer/share data. I do not think that the 405 is such a great leap forward as the 305 was over the 301, which I understand has trouble keeping reception under trees. To date I have not lost signal under trees, which is a bonus for O! I do not regret getting the 305.

See here for Garmin comparison of 301, 305 and 405 https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=142&compare=compare&compareProduct=270&compareProduct=349&compareProduct=11039

[Nimby]

A garmin will not help with altitude, as the software is really poor.

That depends on the model. Some, like my 76csx, have a built-in barometer and the altitude is surprisingly accurate - within 5m.
Without the h/w feature but with Mapsource upload capability you could upload a topo map and find your altitude fom the nearest contour (5m using Topo GB v2).

But then it's almost become Geocache-O.

* edit - Missed the bit of the thread talking about watch GPS's so ignore wot I rote.

[PG]

Sorry to use this thread to request some different advice, but does anyone know how to close off a session on a Forerunner 305?

If I upload the data to the PC after a session, the timer resets and starts off with time = 00:00:00. How do I get to that state without uploading?

At the Scottish Champs, it treated the runs on two different days as one session dated 24th May.

[NeilC]

Hold down the lap button to reset. It will save the last run and start the next one from scratch.