GPS units for recording rides?

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" wrote in message
...

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" wrote in message
...
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

good info in the thread already ... but i'll throw a link to gpsbabel:

http://gpsbabel.sourceforge.net/

very handy because it lets you translate between many formats, including
proprietary ones. i actually hope tools like this will drive vendors into
supporting open standards (like gpx?).

i use gpsbabel to download from my eTrex, and then use a stupid/simple
program i wrote to find the total gain for a ride. someday i might
improve it to do time-to-distance and time-to-elevation charts.

i've also got national geographic topo ... but just use that for
printing maps (including routes i've downloaded from trail guide sites).

"Ryan Robbins" wrote in message ...
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/. 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/ride...ord_rock-crw_0
069-.htm

--
Pete Rissler
http://web1.greatbasin.net/~rissler/
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" wrote in message
...
" 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/. 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/ride...ord_rock-crw_0
069-.htm

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