GPS units for recording rides?

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Greetings, Not even sure if this can be done with a GPS, but
I'm going to ask anyway.....

Most of the areas we've been biking recently aren't mapped
in any way, shape or form. Consequently, it's a bit of a
lottery when we decide to try a new area, re the
length/condition of the trails etc. I figure if that's the
way it has to be, then at least we could map the areas
ourselves as we ride them.

So, what I'd like to know is:
- Does anyone use a GPS to map their trails (can a GPS even
be used to do this)?
- If so, is there one that is particularly 'good' for what I
want to use it for?

Ideally, I'd like to be able to dock the unit with my PC
and download the data to turn it into a map of waypoints
etc afterwards. I can get aerial photomaps of most of the
areas around here that we've been so far. They're to
scale, so I'd be able to mark out our route on these for
future reference......for us and anyone else who wants to
ride the area.

Thanks for any advice that might be forthcoming :-)

MrBonk www.mrbonk.com

"Rural QLD CC" <ruralqldcc@NOSPAMiinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:40e8c34c$0$24763$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...

> So, what I'd like to know is:
> - Does anyone use a GPS to map their trails (can a GPS
> even be used to do this)?

I do. I have a Garmin Rino 120. It also has a two-way
radio, which could come in handy in group rides if others
have radios.

> - If so, is there one that is particularly 'good' for what
> I want to use
it
> for?

Pretty much all GPS receivers allow you to save your tracks
and waypoints. I use DeLorme's Topo USA 5.0 to create my own
maps. You will need to make several runs over trails to get
the most accurate readings because of the inherent error in
any GPS receiver. The weather, trees, mountains, buildings,
etc. will affect the GPS's reception. Even the time of day
will cause reception errors because the satellites'
positions are constantly changing.

Topo 5.0 also has a feature that enables you to buy aerial
and satellite images from the company, which you can then
place on top of the maps.

-- Ryan

If you've got the $$$, the best I've seen is the Garmin
ETrex Vista. The Legend is a cheaper option.

Pretty much all decent GPS units will record waypoints as
you ride, and allow you to download them to your PC, and
plot the route over a topo map or sattelite photo. With
the Garmin units, if you want to download detailed topo
info to the GPS, you need the Garmin software... but once
the data is on your PC, there are lots of mapping options.
The results with National Geographic topo USA are pretty
cool -- not only do you get a trail on a topo map, but you
can also plot your elevation profile and get a summary of
total feet climbed, etc. Wissenbach Map3D is also pretty
cool, and free.

The Vista has a barometric altimeter, which is more precies
than GPS, for instantaneous readings on the trail. Once you
plot your course on a topo map, the Nat Geo software seems
to give accurate readings as well.

The Garmin units seem to better for trail use, as compared
to some which are more suited for cars and city navigation.

For those who haven't seen it, check out www.terraserver-
usa.com It's cool how you can switch back and forth between
topo and sat photo maps for the same location/scale.

Justen

Rural QLD CC wrote:
> So, what I'd like to know is:
> - Does anyone use a GPS to map their trails (can a GPS
> even be used to do this)?
> - If so, is there one that is particularly 'good' for what
> I want to use it for?
>

http://gpsinformation.net/ Excellent link

I've mapped a lot of trails using a Garmin Etrex Summit and
TOPO CD! software.

- some folks use a handlebar mount, I just stick it into the
mesh of my camelbak. -reception under deep tree cover can
be sketchy, -Most units come with a download cable to put
data on the computer and integrate with mapping. You can
also create data on the computer and then upload it into
the GPS. This is good for studying an area prior to riding
it, and marking junctions or points of interest.

Software - there's a lot out there, some of it is free, some
of it isn't. Various features can include 3D views, what
kind of "look" the software has,

I use TOPO CD (by National Geographic). Pricey, but I like
the way the maps have the look of traditional USGS topo
maps. My only complaint is that some of the mapping data is
old, so that there may be new trails,roads and structures
that don't show on the map, or trails on the maps that are
long gone.

What I really like is that in addition to just making a
map, you can see total elevation gains, and draw a map
profile too. .

these were tracked during the ride, then created from the
data collected during the ride:
www.cet.com/~pennys/misc/rxsharon.jpg
www.cet.com/~pennys/misc/rxsharonprofile.jpg

penny

http://jdmcox.com/ free program that you can use with your
GPS. Downloads Ariel photos from Microsoft's TerraServer.

"pas" <pennysinvalid@cetinvalid.com> wrote in message
news:10eimqqgauihv57@news.supernews.com...
> Rural QLD CC wrote:
> > So, what I'd like to know is:
> > - Does anyone use a GPS to map their trails (can a GPS
> > even be used to do this)?
> > - If so, is there one that is particularly 'good' for
> > what I want to use it for?
> >
>
> http://gpsinformation.net/ Excellent link
>
>
> I've mapped a lot of trails using a Garmin Etrex Summit
> and TOPO CD! software.
>
> - some folks use a handlebar mount, I just stick it into
> the mesh of my camelbak. -reception under deep tree
> cover can be sketchy, -Most units come with a download
> cable to put data on the computer and integrate with
> mapping. You can also create data on the computer and
> then upload it into the GPS. This is good for studying
> an area prior to riding it, and marking junctions or
> points of interest.
>
> Software - there's a lot out there, some of it is free,
> some of it isn't. Various features can include 3D views,
> what kind of "look" the software
has,
>
> I use TOPO CD (by National Geographic). Pricey, but I like
> the way the
maps
> have the look of traditional USGS topo maps. My only
> complaint is that
some
> of the mapping data is old, so that there may be new
> trails,roads and structures that don't show on the map, or
> trails on the maps that are
long
> gone.
>
> What I really like is that in addition to just making a
> map, you can see total elevation gains, and draw a map
> profile too. .
>
> these were tracked during the ride, then created from the
> data collected during the ride:
> www.cet.com/~pennys/misc/rxsharon.jpg
> www.cet.com/~pennys/misc/rxsharonprofile.jpg
>
> penny

"Ryan Robbins" <redbird007@verizon.net> wrote in message news:<5P3Gc.5516$ne6.4106@nwrdny03.gnilink.net>...
> You will need to make several runs over trails to get the
> most accurate readings because of the inherent error in
> any GPS receiver. The weather, trees, mountains,
> buildings, etc. will affect the GPS's reception. Even the
> time of day will cause reception errors because the
> satellites' positions are constantly changing.

Gee, you mean that someone with orienteering skills might
be able to do better with a paper topographical map?
Whoda thunk?

JD

"> So, what I'd like to know is:
> - Does anyone use a GPS to map their trails (can a GPS
> even be used to do this)?
> - If so, is there one that is particularly 'good' for what
> I want to use
it
> for?

I use a Garmin Geko 201
<http://www.garmin.com/products/geko201/> (http://www.garmin.com/products/geko201/). It's a basic
gps unit that is small and light. I velcro it to the top
of my helmet. If your looking for more of an all around
gps unit then either look at the Etrex series or the new
60c or 76c series.

Here's some map examples on my web site. The map links are
located on the right side of the page. Now I just need to
find the time to create more maps.

<http://www.tccycling.com/reports/tahoe/stanford-paige_2003-
07-12.htm>

Notice the Garmin Etrex Vista zip tied to the top of the
helmet. A little geeky but it works.

<http://www.tccycling.com/photos/rides/tahoe/2003-07-
12/2stanford_rock-crw_0 069-.htm>

--
Pete Rissler http://web1.greatbasin.net/~rissler/
http://www.tccycling.com (http://www.tccycling.com/)

> - Does anyone use a GPS to map their trails (can a GPS
> even be used to do this)?
Trees are going to be the biggest problem. A GPS unit will
track a certain number of satellites. When you get close to
trees the signal gets deflected or obscured and will cause
you problems. a combination of aerial photos and GPS is
better. You can get aerial photos at terrafly.com

> - If so, is there one that is particularly 'good' for what
> I want to use it for?

I use ESRI ArcPad for mapping. You can download the demo
version at www.esri.com, which will run for 20 minutes
before timing out. If you search around the Internet you can
find a crack for the software which will allow you to run it
in full registered mode.

ArcPad works with several different GPS units. I use a
cheapo Delorme Earthmate, but ArcPad supports most
protocols.

The upside of using something like ArcPad is that the files
you create are standard shapefiles, or AutoCAD dxf files,
and are easy to work with in just about any software.

After the first couple of responses, I went looking on the
Garmin site and actually thought the 201 looked pretty good,
so I might get myself one of those. I really don't need
anything more than that, even for the other uses I had in
mind (kitesurfing etc). Altitude would be nice, but
certainly not essential. Will the 201 record my max speed,
average speed etc? Some of the GPS units I've seen mentioned
in other forums do this.

MrBonk www.mrbonk.com

"Pete Rissler" <peter_rissler@rissler.reno.nv.us> wrote in
message news:2ktjlsF6cqd0U1@uni-berlin.de...
> "> So, what I'd like to know is:
> > - Does anyone use a GPS to map their trails (can a GPS
> > even be used to
do
> > this)?
> > - If so, is there one that is particularly 'good' for
> > what I want to use
> it
> > for?
>
> I use a Garmin Geko 201
> <http://www.garmin.com/products/geko201/> (http://www.garmin.com/products/geko201/). It's a basic
> gps unit that is small and light. I velcro it to the
> top of my
helmet.
> If your looking for more of an all around gps unit
> then either look at the Etrex series or the new 60c or
> 76c series.
>
> Here's some map examples on my web site. The map links are
> located on the right side of the page. Now I just need to
> find the time to create more maps.
>
> <http://www.tccycling.com/reports/tahoe/stanford-
> paige_2003-07-12.htm>
>
> Notice the Garmin Etrex Vista zip tied to the top of the
> helmet. A little geeky but it works.
>
>
<http://www.tccycling.com/photos/rides/tahoe/2003-07-
12/2stanford_rock-crw_0
> 069-.htm>
>
> --
> Pete Rissler http://web1.greatbasin.net/~rissler/
> http://www.tccycling.com (http://www.tccycling.com/)

"Rural QLD CC" <ruralqldcc@NOSPAMiinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:40e9dcbc$0$24749$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> After the first couple of responses, I went looking on the
> Garmin site and actually thought the 201 looked pretty
> good, so I might get myself one of those. I really don't
> need anything more than that, even for the other
uses
> I had in mind (kitesurfing etc). Altitude would be nice,
> but certainly
not
> essential. Will the 201 record my max speed, average speed
> etc? Some of the GPS units I've seen mentioned in other
> forums do this.
>

The 201 does all of that, it has about 30 some options for
recording trip data. I've had one for about a year and I'm
really happy with it.

Chris

"Rural QLD CC" <ruralqldcc@NOSPAMiinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:40e9dcbc$0$24749$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> After the first couple of responses, I went looking on the
> Garmin site and actually thought the 201 looked pretty
> good, so I might get myself one of those. I really don't
> need anything more than that, even for the other
uses
> I had in mind (kitesurfing etc). Altitude would be nice,
> but certainly
not
> essential. Will the 201 record my max speed, average speed
> etc? Some of the GPS units I've seen mentioned in other
> forums do this.
>
> MrBonk www.mrbonk.com
>
> "Pete Rissler" <peter_rissler@rissler.reno.nv.us> wrote in
> message news:2ktjlsF6cqd0U1@uni-berlin.de...
> > "> So, what I'd like to know is:
> > > - Does anyone use a GPS to map their trails (can a GPS
> > > even be used to
> do
> > > this)?
> > > - If so, is there one that is particularly 'good' for
> > > what I want to
use
> > it
> > > for?
> >
> > I use a Garmin Geko 201
> > <http://www.garmin.com/products/geko201/> (http://www.garmin.com/products/geko201/). It's
a
> > basic gps unit that is small and light. I velcro it to
> > the top of my
> helmet.
> > If your looking for more of an all around gps unit then
> > either look at
the
> > Etrex series or the new 60c or 76c series.
> >
> > Here's some map examples on my web site. The map links
> > are located on
the
> > right side of the page. Now I just need to find the time
> > to create more maps.
> >
> > <http://www.tccycling.com/reports/tahoe/stanford-
> > paige_2003-07-12.htm>
> >
> > Notice the Garmin Etrex Vista zip tied to the top of the
> > helmet. A
little
> > geeky but it works.
> >
> >
>
<http://www.tccycling.com/photos/rides/tahoe/2003-07-
12/2stanford_rock-crw_0
> > 069-.htm>
> >
> > --
> > Pete Rissler http://web1.greatbasin.net/~rissler/
> > http://www.tccycling.com (http://www.tccycling.com/)
> >
>

Well, I've ordered one......should be here tomorrow :-)

MrBonk www.mrbonk.com

"ctg" <n/a@n/a.com> wrote in message
news:4snGc.4236$17.867494@news1.epix.net...
>
> "Rural QLD CC" <ruralqldcc@NOSPAMiinet.net.au> wrote in
> message news:40e9dcbc$0$24749$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-
> 01.iinet.net.au...
> > After the first couple of responses, I went looking on
> > the Garmin site
and
> > actually thought the 201 looked pretty good, so I might
> > get myself one
of
> > those. I really don't need anything more than that, even
> > for the other
> uses
> > I had in mind (kitesurfing etc). Altitude would be nice,
> > but certainly
> not
> > essential. Will the 201 record my max speed, average
> > speed etc? Some
of
> > the GPS units I've seen mentioned in other forums
> > do this.
> >
>
> The 201 does all of that, it has about 30 some options for
> recording trip data. I've had one for about a year and I'm
> really happy with it.
>
> Chris

Rural QLD CC wrote:

> So, what I'd like to know is:
>- Does anyone use a GPS to map their trails (can a GPS even
> be used to do this)?

They all do that, Sir.

>- If so, is there one that is particularly 'good' for what
> I want to use it for?

If that is all you want a cheap one will do. The
"intelligence" for what you want will be in the PC software.

I use an eTrex Legend (garmin) but I want more
functionality than that - it has the possibility of using
street level mapping.

The software I use for non-road stuff is memory map, but I
think that is UK specific.

Paul.
--
Paul Matthews paul@cattytown.me.uk http://www.hepcats.co.uk (http://www.hepcats.co.uk/)

> I use ESRI ArcPad for mapping. You can download the demo
> version at www.esri.com, which will run for 20 minutes
> before timing out. If you search around the Internet you
> can find a crack for the software which will allow you to
> run it in full registered mode.
>
> ArcPad works with several different GPS units. I use a
> cheapo Delorme Earthmate, but ArcPad supports most
> protocols.
>
> The upside of using something like ArcPad is that the
> files you create are standard shapefiles, or AutoCAD dxf
> files, and are easy to work with in just about any
> software.

If you're using ArcView 3.x and a Garmin GPS you can use
a freeware program call DNR Garmin that will download
waypoints and tracks to shapefiles plus upload
shapefiles to waypoints or tracks to the gps. GPS
Utility and GPS Trackmaker Pro are third party utilities
that allow for converting GPS tracks and waypoints to
shapefiles or DXF and back.
--
Pete Rissler

"Rural QLD CC" <ruralqldcc@NOSPAMiinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:40e9dcbc$0$24749$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> After the first couple of responses, I went looking on the
> Garmin site and actually thought the 201 looked pretty
> good, so I might get myself one of those. I really don't
> need anything more than that, even for the other
uses
> I had in mind (kitesurfing etc). Altitude would be nice,
> but certainly
not
> essential. Will the 201 record my max speed, average speed
> etc? Some of the GPS units I've seen mentioned in other
> forums do this.
>
> MrBonk www.mrbonk.com

You can select four fields to display on the trip page;
(GPS) elevation, max speed, and moving average are some of
the 30 choices you can display. Just a reminder, the 201
does not include a data cable, that's an extra cost.
--
Pete Rissler