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Hi, I've been investigating apps I can use with my Magellan SporTrack Map for some time now and have used MyGPS, EasyGPS, ExpertGPS, EasyGPS, Panterra, Babel and Oziexplorer. At present I find EasyGPS great for downloading waypoints, editing them and uploading them, MyGPS is OK for quick plotting of points on a scanned map and OziExplorer is excellent for plotting points, routes, etc. What I DONT like about Oziexplorer is it seems a little clunky in some areas (e.g. few shortcut keys that are normally standard, such as Ctrl+A), also, I can't seem to easily save routes and waypoints in ONE file like ExpertGPS allows and I can't view the altitude profile of routes, only tracks. Does anyone know the answer to the following questions? 1. Can I save routes as tracks and vice versa? 2. Can I create standard shortcut keys within the app, such as Ctrl+A to select all? 3. I have scanned a map and calibrated using Eastings and Northings for 9 points. Some map features seem to be off by a couple of hundred metres in a southerly dir. The map is of Deep Ck conservation park (Cape Jervis map I think, 1:50000). I use a Magellan SporTrack map GPS. Normally I set it to WGS84, but the map uses WGS72, so I’ve set it to this for the upload of data. I also changed this in the app and for the scanned map used. Why are the tracks (Heysen trail) on the map out of alignment when plotted in Ozi on the scanned map? I’ve been very precise with the calibration. The map was scanned at 600DPI, so I can zoom in v close for calibration. Is it just a ‘bodgie’ map? I know my GPS may be out by 15M (standard I believe, but it seem spot on as far as caches go) and so may the map, but 200 metres seems too much. Any help would be appreciated. By the way, what procedure and apps do most of you use for uploading and downloading waypoints and routes, editing and plotting on scanned maps? It seems that no one app has all the features I want. ExpertGPS and EasyGPS seem excellent at uploading and editing and saving, Ozi seems excellent at plotting on scanned maps, creating track and routes, but seems a little odd at saving files, etc.

Thanks very much!

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone had scanned maps for use in apps like MyGPS, ExpertGPS and Oziexplorer? Would anyone know the best resolution, etc to scan at? Do you have to scan at 100%, or can you increase this to 200% etc, or will that put the calibration out? It seems when I calibrate my map in all 3 apps and then download waypoints they are all out, any thoughts?

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could reccomend some free or cheap (<AU $100) apps (Win98/WinXP Pro) for use with a Magellan Sportrack GPS? I've used Expert GPS but found it too bloated and expensive for my needs, EasyGPS is OK but I can't save the loc files as text files for editing on my PC. I want to be able to plot routes on maps, calibrate a scanned map, download waypoints from my GPS and print the maps or portions of them. Also save the waypoints as a text file. Does the map send cd have this sort of software? Does it have topographic maps (1:150 000 or 1:25 000) or can you buy CDs of maps? Thanks for your help in advance

Australian Army, Air Defence Artillery, Sergeant in Charge of a SAM and a Recruit Instructor for two years. Bombardier of the year '87. Served 10 years total, 1986 to 96. First Bombardier (Corporal) to be in charge of a SAM firing at sea on HMAS Westralia. "Driving" the Westralia every day (almost) for four months up to Nagasaki was one of the best times of my life. Jogging round the deck (15 times = 5Km) and looking over the side and seeing Krakatoa smoking away in the glassy warm seas up that way was an amazing experience. Worked with some American Air Defence Guys from Hawaii in Darwin in about '87. They were funny guys!!!

Like the poem!

Just got a magellan SporTrack Map, seems easy to use and accurate, but would like to be able to use more characters for the waypoint names.

Is it the grammer that is inappropriate?

I'd HIGHLY reccomend a Sony DSC-P31 or newer model that is similar. It is really easy to use, is supported by Win 98, XP, 2000, Linux, etc, can record short videos, the memory sticks are easily attained and it hooks into the AV in of a TV.

Found my first cache today! Got my GPS last Friday, found this site, a few days prior, looked for a cache Tuesday (didn't find it ,found today's within seven minutes of getting to loc. How can something so simple be so exiting!?!

woops, wrong spot, forgive me!

How is it that you turn it off? How do u know if u have poor WAAS coverage?

Hi I only got my GPS a few days ago, so I might easily be uninformed, but there seems to be quite a bit of chat here about accuracy. I know that the accuracy of the unit might be due to many things, some we are unable to correct. The map I use for my area is stated as having a 'horizontal Data Conversion' (accuracy??) within 15 metres. Therefor it might be nigh impossible for the seeker to be pointed to the exact spot by the GPS. I remember when I was a Sergeant in the Army in charge of a Surface to Air Missile system, an obvious feature would be made reference to on the data sheet (using a map and compass only - don't know if they use GPSs these days), with a measured number of paces from that point on a magnetic bearing being the site spot. I wonder if this sort of system might be employed in the hints? A rock, tree, bare soil, whatever can be used as a spot to measure from. I know when I was circling around a paddock the other day looking for my first cache I would have appreciated this (didn't find it). My son thought it very funny when I showed him my track on the GPS!

Hi Dave, thanks for replying. I have since found that the system I'm used to is MGRS (Military Grid Reference System--- I think). I have worked out how to get the GPS to use this system for the map I am using at the time (after choosing MGRS under coord system it asks for metres (scale?), I've entered 100 metres. Then it asks for Grid Type MGRS-1, MGRS-2, MGRS-3, I plucked MGRS-2. When I now save a waypoint, I enter what apparantly is known as the Grid Zone Destination which is listed on the map (e.g. 54HUG). This must identify the actual map. Then the Eastings and Northings reference (e.g. 135 392). So the ref becomes 54HUG 135 392 to my place in Mt Torrens, South Australia. This seems to be what I need. I am still not sure about the "metres" bit. My map is a 1:50 000, and each grid square equals 1 Km square, 1000 metres x 1000 metres. But if I choose 1000 for this option I get a Grid reference (GR) of 14 39. I would expect a six figure reference. Also I'm not sure what MGRS is, But I WILL find out. Another v long reply on this msg board, but it IS addicting, I always liked the technical part of navigating, and now it's even cooler with a GPS! quote: `When we were little,' the Mock Turtle went on at last, more calmly, though still sobbing a little now and then, `we went to school in the sea. The master was an old Turtle--we used to call him Tortoise--' `Why did you call him Tortoise, if he wasn't one?' Alice asked. `We called him Tortoise because he taught us,' said the Mock Turtle angrily: `really you are very dull!'

Hi there, I reckon you just answered my query re the difference between the grid system of the topographic map I'm using and lat long, UTS, etc. I was confused betwen the different systems. This is the first time I have seen MGRS listed. I am used to topo maps from the Army, but didn't know the name of the system, thaks!! quote:Originally posted by DustyJacket:A Datum is like a reference point. Different coordinate systems are lat/long, UTM, MGRS (military) and a few others. You are asking how to convert between the 3 different ways to depict lat/long, right? It can be calculated: 1 degree = 60 minutes, 1 minute = 60 secords, or Here is a web site to do it for you: http://jeeep.com/details/coord/ DustyJacket Not all those that wander are lost. But in my case...

Hi I posted a little time ago, but now that I have actually purchased a GPS, I am still confused. The GPS I have is a SporTrack Map. It of course shows lat and long, as well as other coordinate systems, like UTM. I am used to using the eastings and northings grid system on a topographic map. The map I am using uses this grid reference system. Only at the bottom right does it show the lat and long (35o 15', 138o 45') as well as a few other minor spots in the map margins. I know I can choose the map datum to use (I have chosen WGS84, as listed on the map). When I choose the UTM system, my position is shown as 54 313529E and 6139223N. Why the odd number of figures? Is this the actual map reference? I still don't know how to show the grid reference system on the map. I will be disapointed if I can't get the thing to show me the grid ref from the map so I can plot my position on the type of maps I use!!!!

Thanks v much for your help!

Hi, thanks for answering. The map I am using states Geocentric Datum of Australia. I am thinking of getting a garmin eTrex Venture, it seems the best for the money, only 1 mb but satelite aquisition seems fast compared to Magellan (15 secs compared to 1 min). Do u know of this system converts lat long to GDA? It would seem a hassle to me if not, as I want to use the GPS as an addition to a map, not instead of a map.

Hi, I'm new to geocaching but have some experience of navigating from 10 years in the Army. I don't yet have a GPS but hope to soon get a Magellan SporTrack. I am used to working with a grid based coordinate system that topographic maps in Australia use. I am not sure if topographic maps in other countries use the same system. A typical grid ref I'm used to would be "876547", which of course is specific for each map, using the eastings and northings. What I want to know is, how can one easily convert grid bearings to lat and long and vice versa? It seems the coordinates downloaded from this site are lat long. I haven't yet used a GPS but have downloaded the manual and have installed and downloaded to EasyGPS.