Details recorded in track logs

[+user13371]

In a discussion about elevation profiles over on DeLorme's user forums, I learned that the PN-60 records a terrific amount of useful data with every single track point. In addition to latitude, longitude, elevation, and time, DeLorme's track points also include the speed, heading, and status (what kind of fix the GPS had) on each point.

 

That's something I want in my track logs -- do any of the current Garmin (or Lowrance, or Magellan, or name-you-favorite-brand) mapping handhelds save that level of detail?

Edited July 23, 2010 by lee_rimar

[+dfx]

not my oregon 450, at least not in the GPX (no idea if there's any other way to get the tracklog data). it's only got long/lat, elevation and time for each track point. of course, speed and direction can be deducted from those pieces of data.

[+user13371]

Speed and direction can be deduced from point-to-point calculations; what's interesting to me is the DeLorme PN-60 keeping the instantaneous readings for each point as well. That, and tracking the GPS status itself: 2d, 3d, whether pr not it had WAAS correction, etc...

 

The PN-40 doesn't do those bits, it's more like your Oregon 450. But I'm waiting to see if the next firmwae upgrade for the PN-40 gives these extensions.

[+EScout]

I typically pull my track GPX files from my PN30 using GPSBabel, and then log them in SportTracks.

When viewing the GPX file in Excel, I see the status field (3d) in addition to the location, time and elevation.

 

What are program is being used to view the PN60 GPX track files to see the fields mentioned here.?

[+user13371]

No extra software (Topo, GPSBabel, etc) is needed to get tracks from the PN-60 (or the PN-30/40 if using FW2.7 or newer). They can save the track as a GPX file directly to the SD card. This is especially useful to folks who don't use DeLorme's Topo software. I use Google Earth and Garmin's Basecamp on my Mac for viewing them.

 

I'll have to take a closer look at what GPSBabel pulls from the tracks in from the PN-40. Since it's getting the directly from the PN's internal storage, it possible there's more data there than what the -40 (using FW27) saves out to the GPX file.

Edited July 23, 2010 by lee_rimar

[+g-o-cashers]

The Garmin units don't include speed, heading and status but I wish they had the option to do this, especially PDOP since speed and heading can be computed after the fact for the most part.

 

Garmins will record cadence and heart rate in the track log with the optional sensors. I believe the tracks will also record water depth and temperature if connected to a supported NMEA device.

[+user13371]

I typically pull my track GPX files from my PN30 using GPSBabel ... I see the status field (3d) in addition to the location, time and elevation.

YOU ARE RIGHT! Cool, thanks!

 

When a PN-40 with firmware 2.7 saves a track as GPX file to the SD card, it does some data reduction and omits some of those fields. It also trims the coordinates down to a 6 decimal places. Here's a trackpoint as saved by firmware 2.7 to a GPX file (some bits blocked for privacy reasons):

 

<trkpt lat="##.##1799" lon="-###.##0088">

<ele>127.815002</ele>

<time>2010-07-24T22:06:13Z</time>

</trkpt>

 

Here's the same trackpoint pulled by GPSBabel using delbin protocol:

 

<trkpt lat="##.##1799275" lon="-###.##0088164">

<ele>127.815002</ele>

<time>2010-07-24T22:06:13Z</time>

<speed>0.194444</speed>

<fix>3d</fix>

</trkpt>

 

Much as I love using GPSBabel, I really hope firmware 2.8 saves ALL of the track info in GPX files. But this is good to know in the meantime.

Edited July 24, 2010 by lee_rimar

[+Ladybug Kids]

When imported into MapSource, the gpx track logs from my Oregon 300 contain index, time, elevation, leg length, leg time, leg speed, leg course (heading), and lat/long.

 

Total track length, elapsed time and average speed are calculated. The profile can also be displayed.

[+EScout]

I really like the program: G7ToWin, for viewing track files. It interfaces with some Garmins, and will work with any GPX file. It works well for viewing the track points and sorting track segments, combining segments or tracks, and saving as a new GPX file.

 

G7ToWin