Geocaching Map Enhancements

[jri]

A while ago I wrote a userscript called Geocaching Map Enhancements so that I could use British Ordnance Survey maps with the Geocaching Maps site, but the script is user-configurable and can also add in other maps from different sources. It also adds a load of other helpful features to the site. I recently discovered the free topo maps from Natural Resources Canada, and here's the result:

 

 

GME is tested with Firefox, Opera, Chrome and the Android versions of Firefox Mobile and Opera Mobile. Here's how to get it working:

 

1. Install GME from userscripts.org (full description and installation instructions on that page).
2. Go to Geocaching Maps.
3. If you are a Premium Member, make sure that you are using Leaflet Maps (use the 'Set Map Preferences' button at the bottom of pop-out panel on the left of the map).
4. You should see the icons added by GME at the bottom of the screen. Click on the configuration icon (the gear).
5. Click on 'Add more maps' and paste one of the codes below into the 'Mapsource' box.
6. Click on 'Add mapsource'.
7. The Canadian topo maps should now show up in the pick list on the geocaching website.

The Canadian topo maps are available with English or French labels, using one of the codes below:

 

• English:

{"alt":"Canadian Topo (EN)", "tileUrl":"http://wms.ess-ws.nrcan.gc.ca/wms/toporama_en", "layers":"limits,vegetation,builtup_areas,designated_areas,hydrography,hypsography,water_saturated_soils,landforms,constructions,water_features,road_network,railway,populated_places,structures,power_network,feature_names", "format":"image/png", "attribution":"Topo map © <a href='http://www.geogratis.ca/'>Department of Natural Resources Canada</a>. All rights reserved."}

• French

{"alt":"Topo Canadien (FR)", "tileUrl":"http://wms.ess-ws.nrcan.gc.ca/wms/toporama_fr", "layers":"limites,vegetation,agglomeration,aires_designees,hydrographie,hypsographie,sols_satures_eau,relief_formes,constructions,elements_hydro,reseau_routier,reseau_ferroviaire,regions_peuplees,structures,reseau_energetique,toponymie", "format":"image/png", "attribution":"Carte Topo © <a href='http://www.geogratis.ca/'>Le ministère des Ressources naturelles Canada</a>. Tous droits réservés."}

More information about the free NRC map service is available at geogratis.ca

 

Suggestions for other sources of maps to use with the Geocaching Map Enhancements script are available here and troubleshooting tips here.

 

Hope someone finds this helpful!

[+Viajero Perdido]

Wow, those are awesome maps. I'd just assumed they'd look like MyTopo, but no, these are clearly a world apart.

 

BTW, I love how cartographers put the sun in the north when they do contour shading. Backroads 1.0: same thing.

[+Paul n Susan]

Thanks for this. What an excellent contribution.

[+Juicepig]

JRI - I love you - THANK YOU!

[+ToonAl]

Although I am not yet ready to declare my love...I am married. And although looking at your profile pic you have great legs I am not sure you are my type.

 

Anyway thanks also. The instructions are great as well, very thorough.

Edited June 6, 2012 by ToonAl

[+zanadian]

Excellent .

Thanks very much for sharing this.

Nice userscript and instructions

[+happyday887101]

Thank you!

[+Jayloki]

Nice work JRI!!

 

Thanks kindly for the contribution!

[+hangingkayaker]

So for the clueless, can we get these maps onto our GPS??

[jri]

So for the clueless, can we get these maps onto our GPS??

 

I guess so. It's not something I've tried, as I don't have a standard GPSr, but the instructions at http://mobac.sourceforge.net/MOBAC/README.HTM look hopeful. You need to read the bits about using custom WMS map sources with MOBAC, and set up a configuration file using the parameters from the GME configuration code.

[+twistyipper]

Thanks JRI--these are much better than the "my topo" maps

[+Husky_Patrol]

Amazing!! Thank you!

[+Red90]

So for the clueless, can we get these maps onto our GPS??

 

Look for Ibycus Topo Maps for the GPS.

[+Mr. Wilson & a Mt. Goat]

Thanks for posting this! Looks great!