FREE eval MapAdvisor PDA software for geocachers

May 14, 2004

We are continue beta-testing a new MapAdvisor 2.3 GPS Edition of for Palm and PocketPC that allows a cable serial connection to an external GPS for reading data in real time.

MapAdvisor 2.3 can work with any external GPSs that support NMEA protocol. such as

Garmin eTrex,...
Magellan Sportrack,...
NAVMAN,...
others

If somebody is interested in beta-testing, please contact us at mapadvisor@cox.net.

Bete-tester will get a free license for MapAdvisor.

mapadvisor

May 28, 2004

We successfully tested a new MapAdvisor 2.3 GPS Edition of for Palm and PocketPC that allows a cable serial connection to an external GPS (Garmins, Magellans, Navmans) for reading data in real time.

Now we need your help to test Bluetooth GPS connections.

If somebody is interested in beta-testing, please contact us at mapadvisor@cox.net.

Bete-tester will get a free license for MapAdvisor.

mapadvisor

June 5, 2004

Beta testers wanted!

If somebody has a Palm or Pocket PC and Bluetooth GPS and is interested in beta testing a new MapAdvisor 2.3 GPS Edition, please contact us at mapadvisor@cox.net.

MapAdvisor displays your location on a satellite aerial map in real time.

Beta testers will get a free license for MapAdvisor.

mapadvisor

Screenshots (PDA)

June 13, 2004

We would like to invite beta testers who have

1. Pocket PC and CF GPS

2. Palm Sony NX and CF GPS

3. PDA with bluetooth GPS

to test a new MapAdvisor 2.3 GPS Edition. It is working well for these models now, but we need more tests on different models.

Please contact us at mapadvisor@cox.net.

MapAdvisor displays your location on a satellite aerial map in real time.

Beta testers will get a free license for MapAdvisor.

mapadvisor

July 11, 2004

MapAdvisor v.2.3 GPS Edition for iQue 3600
MapAdvisor v.2.3 GPS Edition for Palm
MapAdvisor v.2.3 GPS Edition for Pocket PC

have been released

Note: MapAdvisor 2.3 GPS Edition for Palm and Pocket PC replaces previous MapAdvisor 2.2 Standard Edition. Owners of Mapadvisor 2.2 Standard Edition can download MapAdvisor 2.3 GPS Edition for Palm and Pocket PC and gain all new features without needing a new license

Basically now all editions support GPS and display your position on aerial map in real-time. New version adds better track handling, additional track display options, storing user preferences (port number, baud rate, track color, display options, etc.) , support navigation and zoom with hardware buttons.

MapAdvisor v.2.3 GPS Edition for iQue 3600 uses the built-in GPS

MapAdvisor v.2.3 GPS Edition for Palm and Pocket PC use external GPS such as serial GPS, card flash CF GPS, bluetooth GPS.

Check out the full list of MapAdvisor 2.3 features on our website

Screenshots are here

Free 15 day evaluation is available via our website, PalmGear, PocketGear and Handango.

Owners of Mapadvisor 2.2 and our beta-testers can upgrade MapAdvisor for free.

mapadvisor

July 11, 2004

wow

July 17, 2004

We updated our FAQ topic GPS Configuration and Track Recording to include examples how to configurate port/baudrate to use MapAdvisor with an external GPS (serial cable connection and card flash CF GPS).

Examples include some popular PDA and GPS combinations

Serial connection Palm with eTrex, Sportrak, Navtech...
Pocket PC with Pharos CF GPS
Sony Clie NX, NZ with Globsat CF GPS

mapadvisor

August 20, 2004

We would like to beta-test the current version of MapAdvisor on the new Garmin iQue 3200. Beta testers receive a free license for MapAdvisor.

mapadvisor

Screenshots.

September 4, 2004

MapAdvisor for PocketPC installation files have been updated to fix a bug in SuperWaba installation.

You can download the updated installation ZIP file from

mapadvisor

September 4, 2004

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>
MapAdvisor v.2.3 GPS Edition for iQue 3600

MapAdvisor v.2.3 GPS Edition for Palm

MapAdvisor v.2.3 GPS Edition for Pocket PC

have been released </span>

USA AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Watch out for this program, I just loaded Mapadvisor Trial Version (From the website) on my Palm Tungsten E and received a message, 'Fatal Alert', nmpalm._bridge.c, bla, bla, bla....The device will now be resetted (great language?) then a Reset Button appeared.

Well, my Palm is locked up, hitting the reset button does nothing, can't power off, it is hosed. Of course when I hit reset, on the back, to reset the WHOLE PALM, I will lose all my cachemate finds that I haven't logged on geocaching.com. SO MUCH FOR THIS COMPANY AND TRIAL SOFTWARE, Fool me twice, shame on me!!!!!

September 4, 2004

The Fatal Alert message can appear on the Palm for various reasons.

Incomplete installation of SuperWaba or MapAdvisor. Some files may be missing. This is the most common problem.
Insufficient memory on the PDA. This is also a fairly common reason.
Problem with external GPS connection - Wrong cable type or usage.
Improper memory usage by a previous program.
Faulty Palm OS update in the past.
Generic hardware problem on device.
Bug in SuperWaba or MapAdvisor.

Usually, the situation can be resolved with a soft reset which is similar to a reboot operation on a PC. Rarely, in the case of hardware or memory problems, the Palm may require a hard reset. In general, it is good practice to HotSync frequently to keep data intact.

Since you didn't give us any details, it's hard to identify which one is the case. If you are willing to solve the problem, please contact us at mapadvisor@cox.net.

December 17, 2004

MapAdvisor v2.4 GPS Edition for iQue 3200 and iQue 3600
MapAdvisor v2.4 GPS Edition for Palm
MapAdvisor v2.4 GPS Edition for Pocket PC

have been released!

New MapAdvisor 2.4 comes equipped with a built-in map manager that lets you rapidly organize and access all of your maps by directly opening, renaming, and deleting them in RAM or on a memory card.

Full feature list:

Displays satellite (aerial) photo maps (up to 3 zoom levels)
Displays color topo maps (up to 3 zoom levels)
Displays landmarks and waypoints (geocaches, user-defined, etc.) on a map
Displays a description of waypoints and landmarks
Create/Save/Delete user-defined waypoints in waypoint database
Create/Save/Delete user-defined trackpoints in trackpoint database
Displays saved and imported waypoints and tracks
Measure distances on a map
Find geo coordinates on a map
Find landmarks and waypoints such as geocaches on a map
Import LOC and GPX files with geocache information via storage card
Import GPX files with geocache information via QuakeMap program
Export waypoints and tracks to GPX file on storage card
Displays your current location on a map in real time based on GPS data
Displays current coordinates, altitude, velocity, based on GPS data
Displays current direction (heading), distance, elapsed time based on GPS data
Displays how close you are to destination waypoint based on GPS data yes yes
Displays current growing track on a map and stores it automatically in track database
Customize/Save display settings and time period/distance between consecutive track points
Display GPS status, accuracy in vertical and horizontal position
Support navigation and zoom with hardware buttons
Use external serial GPS, CF GPS, and Bluetooth GPS (GPS Edition)
Use built-in iQue GPS (iQue Edition)
Allow to Import waypoints created by built-in iQue program (iQue Edition)
NEW! Built-in map file manager.
NEW! Open maps directly from card (Secure Digital card, Memory Stick, etc.)
NEW! Rename/delete maps in RAM or on card.

Check out the full list of MapAdvisor 2.4 features on our website at:

mapadvisor.com

Free 15 day evaluation is available via our website, PalmGear, PocketGear and Handango.

Owners of Mapadvisor 2.3 and our beta-testers can upgrade MapAdvisor for free.

mapadvisor

Edited December 17, 2004 by mapadvisor

2.4k · December 18, 2004

Wornout, I didn't see your post the first time, but I have a couple of comments.

First, the reset button on the back does not remove all your data. A soft reset maintains everything in RAM. Only a hard reset, accomplished by holding the power button while you depress the reset button, and then confirming this by pushing the 'up' button when asked, will remove everything from memory. And your Palm should be backed up, just like any other computer, because it will eventually require a hard reset. I use a backup program and have my Palm backed up to my SD card every morning before I wake up. I've needed it several times. Some software doesn't play nice with other software, and usually the only way to find out is to install both of them. No developer can test against every other program out there. Sometimes the fatal exception is caused by something else, not necessarily what was running at the time. In this case, I can't say.

As for MapAdvisor, I downloaded it some time back, installed it, and took a very quick look, then had to go on a business trip, and by the time I thought about it again, the trial had expired. I deleted it and decided to pass, but it looks interesting again. Is there any chance the new version will run, or will it still detect the expired trial data? I could get rid of that with a hard reset, I suppose, but that's pretty drastic for just the chance to try some more software.

December 18, 2004

NightPilot,

please email us at mapadvisor@cox.net and we will help you with continuing evaluation.

mapadvisor support

December 23, 2004

MapAdvisor v2.4 GPS Edition for Palm was updated yesterday (December 23) to fix a problem on some devices with resolutions 320x480 and 480x320 (landscape).

Practical Advice (FAQ):

Q: I have installation problems on my Palm. The program doesn't start. What do I do?

A: Some versions of HotSync cannot send several files with long and similar names to the Palm. Because Superwaba has several files with names stating with XPlat..., HotSync only sends the first file to the Palm and skips sending the rest. As a result, MapAdvisor has an incomplete set of required libraries on PDA. The workaround is to install all of the XPlat...pdb files separately. If you install just one such file at a time, it will work.

December 26, 2004

As an extra, a color sample aerial map (pmapdata) is included with the MapAdvisor download.

December 31, 2004

To parents:

When you choose a program for traveling, hiking, and geocaching, you often consider only how this program fits your needs.

Geocaching is one of the best games to get kids involved in the process of making decisions. For example they can actively participate in (1) travel planning (2) finding your current location and deciding where you're going, and (3) recording tracks for memory.

When using MapAdvisor, you

obtain aerial maps by making your own maps OR ordering free maps via the MapAdvisor website.
use aerial maps for orientation and record a track in the field.
copy the track to a PC to analyze your trip and keep it for memory.

Teenagers can really participate in any of these steps and it can often be more fun for them than for you because they actually play with it.

Our observations show that kids like to find their own home on an aerial map and see how it looks from the sky. They like finding a geocache's location and finding the right map before a geocaching trip.

Today many teenagers are more familiar with PCs than their parents. If you doubt whether you can do something, give your kid a try.

In real life, it is very important to make one's own decisions and geocaching is a great way for all family members to contribute.

Happy New Year and best wishes to you and your family!

mapadvisor

February 18, 2005

We have a stable beta version of new MapAdvisor GPS v3.0 for Palm and PocketPC which supports 8-level-zoom aerial and topo maps with easy switching between the two types.

Supported platforms now include old and new Treo smartphones with resolutions of 320x320 and 160x160.

If anyone wants to beta test MapAdvisor 3.0, please send an email to mapadvisor@cox.net.

Beta testers will receive a FREE license for MapAdvisor and FREE 8-level-zoom maps.

mapadvisor

Edited February 18, 2005 by mapadvisor

February 21, 2005

Important Note:

MapAdvisor v2.4 can load map files from storage cards (SD, MMC, memory sticks). However, the program itself as well as SuperWaba files must reside in RAM.

mapadvisor

Edited February 21, 2005 by mapadvisor

April 1, 2005

ATTENTION:

The support page of our website at http://www.mapadvisor.com/support.html has been updated.

At this page, you may:

Request a map for MapAdvisor
Ask a question
Submit a bug report
Submit a comment about a product
Submit a new feature you would like to add to a product

April 3, 2005

Downloaded the two files (MapAdvisor & Maps), sent them to the PDA, started up MapAdvisor, received error saying to run the other program first, did so, got ERROR and had to do a hard reset on the Palm.

Then purged the programs on the Palm and also the downloads. Thanks but no thanks. This is the second time I have tried this program.

BTW, if one cannot install a program after following the read me, something is wrong. You really should make the software a little more user friendly to install or document it a little better. It is a $20 dollar program and should not be that difficult. If I am able to download OZI, SID Maps, calibrate the maps, download geocache waypoints to those maps, add tracks, create routes, upload and download to my GPS's, load non-Mapsource maps of Baja Mexico into my Garmin60cs, I should be able to install this program correctly at least once out of the last two times I tried it.

Edited April 3, 2005 by wornout

April 6, 2005

It is quite possible you do wrong just a little thing, i.e. the use of unsupported PDA or the program installation on a card instead RAM.

What you describe is the typical picture of program behavior if files are missing on PDA. Delete some files from any other programs and you'll see the same result. As we mentioned before HotSync on some computers cannot sync several files with long names. Because Superwaba has a couple files XPlat... such files sometimes missing. The solution is simple. Hotsync those files one by one.

Some people understand a new feature about the loading maps from a card like the loading of the whole program from a card. Superwaba and MapAdvisor should be installed in RAM! But the maps can be loaded from a card.

We invite people who have a trouble with installation, send e-mail to mapadvisor@cox.net and briefly describe a situation. We reply at the same day.

The important is that this will save your time.

Don't install 1-99% of MapAdvisor, install 100%.

Thanks for feedback. We will include a troubleshooting topic in readme file.

mapadvisor

May 8, 2005

MapAdvisor v3.0 GPS Edition for iQue 3200 and iQue 3600
MapAdvisor v3.0 GPS Edition for Palm
MapAdvisor v3.0 GPS Edition for Pocket PC

have been released!

New MapAdvisor 3.0 comes with support for 8-level zoom maps which possess a huge advantage in the form of very low free RAM requirements. It is also easy to switch between viewing black/white and color aerial and color topo maps.

Full feature list:

NEW! 8-level zoom black/white aerial and color topo maps for entire USA
NEW! 8-level zoom color aerial maps available for some regions of the USA
NEW! Extremely low free RAM requirements for 8-level zoom maps loaded from a card
Displays aerial and topo maps
Displays landmarks and waypoints (geocaches, user-defined waypoints, etc.) on a map
Displays a description of waypoints and landmarks
Allows to save user-defined waypoints and tracks in database
Evaluate distances on a map
Find geo coordinates on a map
Find waypoints such as geocaches on a map
Import LOC and GPX files with geocache information via storage card (SD card, Memory stick, etc.)
Displays your current location on a map in real time based on GPS data
Displays current coordinates, altitude, velocity based on GPS data
Displays current direction (heading), distance, elapsed time based on GPS data
Displays current growing track on a map and store it automatically in track database
Export recorded tracks as GPX files to a card for viewing on a PC using QuakeMap
Allow to Import waypoints created by built-in iQue program
Built-in map file manager
Use maps directly from card
NEW! MapManager supports new 8-level zoom maps in folders and old 2-level zoom single file maps
NEW! Supports separate folders for 8-level zoom maps on card for your favorite places
NEW! New "Select" and "SelectTile" functions to simplify zooming in selected area and deleting
NEW! New "FollowGPS" and "Navigate" modes to easily find other places while recording a track
NEW! New concept of Zoom Centers to optimize map size on a card
NEW! Supports hardware buttons for Navigation and ZoomIn/ZoomOut operations
NEW! Bigger spots on screen for navigation arrows (if you like to use a finger instead of a stylus)
Open/rename/delete functions for 2-level zoom maps in RAM or on card

Check out the full list of MapAdvisor 3.0 features on our website at:

mapadvisor.com

Free 15 day evaluation is available via our website, PalmGear, PocketGear and Handango.

Owners of earlier versions of MapAdvisor and our beta-testers can upgrade MapAdvisor for free.

mapadvisor

May 8, 2005

Will there be a version for Pocket PCs of other resolutions. I have an IPAQ rx-3715 and would be interested in it.

May 8, 2005

MapAdvisor should work on resolution 240x320 without problems.

Please contact our tech support at mapadvisor@cox.net and describe a problem.

We'll help you.

We usually reply within 24h.

mapadvisor

May 14, 2005

Please notice that recently released Quakemap 3.5 includes a simple Map Wizard for the creation of 8-level-zoom maps for MapAdvisor 3.0.

Please check our updated FAQ page on the MapAdvisor website for details on using it.

Free edition Quakemap can be used to prepare 8-level-zoom maps.

==========

8-level-zoom maps can be ordered via MapAdvisor support. Check our support page.

mapadvisor

June 9, 2005

Q:

I cannot find menu->help->registration to find my device number and get my key. Please help.

A:

If MapAdvisor is installed correctly, you need to load a map to get a screen with Menu. The are to ways how to do it.

1.

There is an example map "pmapdata.pdb" that is installed in RAM. Start MapAdvisor, click on RAM tab, select pmapdata, and click on the button "OpenPdbMap". You will see a map on the screen. You will see Menu word on the top-left corner of the screen. Click on Menu->Help->Registration. You will see a device number. If you get message "License is expired", click on Registration button to see the same registration dialog.

2. If you have 8-level zoom maps on a card, start MapAdvisor, click on mamaps8 folder, select folder with zoom8 map and click on button "Open zoom8 map directory". The map will be loaded and you will see Menu word on the top-left corner of the screen. Click on Menu->Help->Registration. You will see a device number. If you get message "License is expired", click on Registration button to see the same registration dialog.

Send "device" number to mapadvisor@cox.net to get a permanent license if you purchased a program.

mapadvisor

June 9, 2005

Let me know if you need an IrDA tester...I am working on an IrDA link between my Palm and GPS...hope to have it running soon.

*Also, it would be nice to have support for Garmin .img map files. Currently, I do not know of any PDA apps that support this.

June 11, 2005

We're planning to consider this problem in upcoming versions, and we'll keep your offer in mind.

Thank you very much.

mapadvisor