Oziexplorer .plt

Submitted: Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 07:43
ThreadID: 10259 Views:2964 Replies:7 FollowUps:21
This Thread has been Archived
G'day Oziexplorer fundi's,

How often do you have to save a .plt (Track Plot(Log) File) without losing any data?

I believe that there are 2000 points to a .plt and my Track Point Interval is set at 30 metres. Is this correct? Do I have to Save a .plt within every 60km?

I have looked in the Help Menu but it is a maze to me :-) Where do I look without going through the whole menu?

Cheers,

Willem1958 Patrol Pretty flash eh?
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Wazza (Vic) - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 08:07

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 08:07
Hi Willem. We just finished a survey offshore eastern India. I have been running Oziexplorer on my PC for interest sake and have just recorded a single .plt file of 1687km. I was only saving every few days and it has 7856 points (200 or so meters apart).

If you go to the configuration page, under Moving Map, you get to choose you track point interval. It will keep going until your memory is full or your computer crashes. Under GPS parameters there is a place to put in the max number of waypoints, number or waypoints in a route, and number of track points. You can crank these up a fair bit. It depends on your amount of memory in your GPS in case you are uploading stuff to it. But I never do that, so I have these numbers up pretty high.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong though.

Actually the survey was pretty cruisy, so I have spent my spare time over the last week planning my trip from Melbourne to Fraser Island, Carnarvon Gorge, Cameron Corner, Broken Hill and back to Melbourne for May/June. 4 weeks in total. Yay.

See ya.~
AnswerID: 45379

Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 08:20

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 08:20
Hi Wazza,

Thanks for that....I will go and try it out later this morning as I am doing some cement work on the outside walls of our stone cottage.

Looks like a really good trip you are planning. I still have to visit Cameron Corner which isn't too far from where I live. The other places you mention are top spots especially Fraser and Carnarvon Gorge.

Cheers,

Willem1958 Patrol Pretty flash eh?
0
FollowupID: 307473

Follow Up By: Member - Rohan K - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 09:45

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 09:45
It may also depend upon your GPS unit. My Garmin eTrex has a limit of 2,000 points so I do lose some data if my track is more than that. I have my interval set to 50m so I get 100 kms without losing data. If I want to record a longer track I have to sacrifice detail and set the interval to something larger.

Some GPS units allow for 5,000 track points or more.Smile, you're on ExplorOz
Rohan (Sydney - on the QLD side of the Harbour Bridge)
0
FollowupID: 307475

Follow Up By: Wazza (Vic) - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 10:43

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 10:43
Hi Rohan,

Willem, using Rohan's example, I think you will find that even though your gps may only have a 2000 point track memory, that is only a limit for you if you wish to send a track from Oziexplorer to the gps. Oziexplorer will keep recording them to the limit you have set in the configuration page, which can be up to 99,999.

Wazza~
0
FollowupID: 307485

Follow Up By: Member - Rohan K - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 10:49

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 10:49
You're correct Wazza. I should have been more specific - the limit is only in the GPS unit and only an issue if using the GPS by itself to record the track.

Of course the converse applies. If you record a track in OE that has more points than your GPS can handle, and try to download the file to the GPS to use the unit to "track back" or whatever, you'll lose data when doing the transfer.Smile, you're on ExplorOz
Rohan (Sydney - on the QLD side of the Harbour Bridge)
0
FollowupID: 307486

Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 12:30

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 12:30
G'day again fellas,

I have a Magellan Map 330. It has 16mb memory of which 8mb is taken up with Australia Basemap.

I do not want to upload anything to the GPS.

I wish to submit data and more trek notes to EO.

All I want to do is to find out when I will run out of Track Points set at 30m distance so that I may know when to save a .plt file.

I see that my GPS has 1200 set as a number of Track Points in the Confirguration Page under GPS Parameters on OE. This number could be changed. Is this possibly the limit of the GPS?

Cheers,

Willem

1958 Patrol Pretty flash eh?
0
FollowupID: 307498

Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 12:41

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 12:41
Follow on...........

I have just looked in OE Help and it states that the parameters shown in their respective boxes in the configuration page under GPS Parameters, are the most likely set of parameters for functioning with OE. So it looks like it is set at 1200 which means that I will have to save a .plt every 36km...bugger!1958 Patrol Pretty flash eh?
0
FollowupID: 307500

Follow Up By: Member - Rohan K - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 12:42

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 12:42
Gidday Willem. As mentioned by Wazza above. When using OE to record the track files through your GPS, you will not run out of "points" regardless of what limit your GPS unit does or does not have. The GPS will coninue to transmit a track point every 30 m for as long as you want it to (or until the PC running OE runs out of disk space).

:)

Happy trails.Smile, you're on ExplorOz
Rohan (Sydney - on the QLD side of the Harbour Bridge)
0
FollowupID: 307501

Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 13:02

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 13:02
Thanks Rohan, The mud is clearing from my vision...I have always been a slow learner:-)

Good to hear from you again as you have been quiet posting on EO

Cheers,

Willem1958 Patrol Pretty flash eh?
0
FollowupID: 307507

Follow Up By: Member - Luxoluk - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 21:23

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 21:23
I recently bought the GPS in Aust. book from David & Michelle and have found it very usefull.
I have only just begun with Discover Aus on a laptop and a mates Magellen GPS. Oziexplorer is also on order and an Ipac is available to use with compact flash....work job! Now all I have to do is come to terms with all the terminology and particular quirks of this software. I am not old but I am not young but I'll be bugg**ed if it's going to beat me. I just hope the questions keep being logged as I am learning off the back of these. So far I have achieved creation of 6 route files and it actually worked...Pinnabar, Davies Plains and Cobbaras. Not may decisions re turn-offs though. Next challenge is to get the moving map going on the laptop! I suspect the journey has just commenced?? Cheers
Butcher Country Track - Vic
0
FollowupID: 307569

Follow Up By: Member - Toonfish - Thursday, Feb 05, 2004 at 01:11

Thursday, Feb 05, 2004 at 01:11
Wazza you still using the same gps you had at skene?
i think while o/s you should get a new gps and give me your old one (with all waypoints )
waddyareckon?
lol1999 NISSAN NAVARA DUALCAB
DIESEL 3.2 & SPRINGY CARLTON TOY
2 awestruck kids (dads driving!)
0
FollowupID: 307592

Follow Up By: Member - Rohan K - Thursday, Feb 05, 2004 at 11:43

Thursday, Feb 05, 2004 at 11:43
"Thanks Rohan, The mud is clearing from my vision...I have always been a slow learner:-)

Good to hear from you again as you have been quiet posting on EO

Cheers,

Willem"

:-)

BTW, that info is 100% accurate (and confirmed with Des himself).

Yes, I've been away from EO for a while - concentrating on another forum that has developed a strong Pathfinder owners contingent, and forming a new 4WD club, soon to be incorporated and affiliated. :-)
Smile, you're on ExplorOz
Rohan (Sydney - on the QLD side of the Harbour Bridge)
0
FollowupID: 307608

Reply By: Member - Cocka - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 11:35

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 11:35
Oh Willem, I can't leave you alone on this one, just got'a stir. In our previous discussion you made a wonderful remark that I applauded - you say "I will defend simplicity and common sense". Reminded me of that memorable quote " I may not agree with what you say but I will defend with my life your right to say it". All stirling stuff.
And I know you advocate keeping it simple, see it all in the uncomplicated raw etc. And now I find you playing around with track plot logs & 1000's of way points. What happened to the old sextant and the stars and mud maps? Time for a cuppa west of the Fliders I think, yes. Carpe Diem
AnswerID: 45411

Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 12:02

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 12:02
Cocka, You are winding me up:-)))

About 18 months ago I decided to forego updating my truck and to spend some $ on toys which I probably do not need. The trouble is only the younger brains of today seem to have the measure of this technology.

I am looking for the simplest way to handle this technology which to me is complicated. I spent my life out in the scrub with a compass and Topo map and I will admit to getting lost a few times. Once out near Mt Liebig west of Alice and once to the east of Harts Range, Central Aust when I went up the wrong valley making my own tracks and kept on transposing the wrong information to where I though I was.

I am trying to get my head around these .plt files so that I can upload my data and trek information to EO. According to myself the parameters which I have to adhere to in submitting trek data and .plt files really are a complicated way to do things but I am from the old school. I am not criticizing the method but cannot see the point to all of this. But that is the way that they want it. So.........

I do not need a GPS but it is a handy toy and I have used it once in anger and it helped me to find the tright track. I will probabky never learn all that the GPS and Oziexplorer are capable of.

Cheers,

Willem1958 Patrol Pretty flash eh?
0
FollowupID: 307497

Follow Up By: Member - Cocka - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 13:02

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 13:02
Don't get wound up Will. I'm the least of your problems. At least you have a website, I can't get my head around doing one of those so I think you must be much younger than I.
I wouldn't mind a www site as I have a few tales & wonderful pics and stories that I think would be more easily shared than on cut and paste emails. Maybe I should talk to E/O David. !!
I use a GPS mainly when out in the big seas fishing. I do however take it on camp trips where it sits up in front of SWMBO who helps to check my speed, also direction when checking position on maps etc plus other features, all fairly simple stuff. However in my quest to learn more relative to my needs, I bought the book from EO "GPS Vehicle Navigation in Australia". Fantastic - one of the best presented and prepared books I've read for ages, so much good info about the GPS system and mapping. I'm only part way through so don't know how it deals with your Oziexplorer. I really commend the book to you if you don't have it.
BTW, on our last trip heading out of Cockburn (SA) to B'Hill I was pulled up by your highway patrol (it was so remote) for excess speed, when he asked why I said it was not my fault, I drive, SWMBO watches the speed - book her (I'm a real hero here). SWMBO argued that his speedo was wrong & our GPS was right. Guess what, he smiled and let us go, said he wouldn't want to spoil what was a great holiday. Nice blokes those SA police.
Carpe Diem
0
FollowupID: 307508

Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 13:18

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 13:18
Hello Cocka,

I got someone else to build my website and then found someone else to show me how to fiddle with it.

I was born 'round about the middle of WW2 so now you know and you can let me know if you were born before or after that time. I won't make assumptions because invariably one is wroing:-)

I wouldn't go as far as saying the Police were nice :-)

Cheers,

Willem1958 Patrol Pretty flash eh?
0
FollowupID: 307511

Follow Up By: Member - Rohan K - Thursday, Feb 05, 2004 at 11:56

Thursday, Feb 05, 2004 at 11:56
Cocka, there's no excuse for not getting a web site going (except the cost, which really isn't much anyway). Most ISP's will provide you with some space and a variety of templates to use. All you need do is type in the words and load the piccies.

Alternatively you can get your own domain name (cost varies from between about $20 and $80) and have your site hosted somewhere (can be as cheap as $10 a month). Again, using a site template and just plugging your documents and photos into it, makes it really very easy.

Go on. Give it a go.

:-)Smile, you're on ExplorOz
Rohan (Sydney - on the QLD side of the Harbour Bridge)
0
FollowupID: 307609

Reply By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 13:11

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 13:11
Willem - I'm with Cocka - but I have noticed lately that you've had a few technical bafflements with your toys and thought you must have gone "upmarket". Cocka, is that book specific for GPS or can map freaks use it too. I think I will have to buy it.
AnswerID: 45420

Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 14:01

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 14:01
Ruth......Yairr.......upmarket? That's funny...:-)))........Not likely.

Geez, I seem to be on my own 'cause everyone is saying " I'm with Cocka" especially in recent threads where I would disagree about statements made. Just as well they don't say "I'm with Cocka too" I'll stay on the other side of the fence........

Technical bafflements abound 'cause brain was born a while ago and has to assimilate with new technology which is bloody hard for it!!

In the old days we used to look at a map and say "Yep, this is where we turn off" and then go bush and find the oasis in the distance.

I was remarking five minutes ago over lunch that we are bombarded with so much information that we can't keep up. The toys are all very smart but you need to learn such a lot about them that by the time you have figured it all out you could have reached your destination and have the billy boiled.

Cheers,

Willem
1958 Patrol Pretty flash eh?
0
FollowupID: 307515

Follow Up By: Member - Cocka - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 15:07

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 15:07
I'm not getting too "cocky" just 'cause I got someone on my side of that line in the sand. It's like two dogs barking through a fence until they find the open gate, then the tails start wagging, that'll be us Will.
You sound like '40's boy that makes me older. "So listen here young fella..........."

Ruth the book is essentially around maps and GPS combined. There is a little on using a compass. But the book mainly refers to lattitude, longituds, UTM and other grid systems that span the earth. How the GPS and the system works, did you know that the satellites use an atomic clock for accuracy that is accurate to 1 sec in a million years and a little hand held GPS receiver translates that kind of info. WOW. The book tells you how to accurately find your position on a map using GPS (the cordinates) therefore how to also get to somewhere on a map being guided by your GPS receiver. You can find your position on this earth on a map to within 1 sq mtr.
The stuff Willems doing is the same but using higher techy stuff, you need to set up a laptop in your wagon. I like the map on the bonnet approach. If I spill my cuppa on it I can dry it out and still use it - try doing that to a computer. KISS I say to myself.

I hope this doesn't now cause you to also have to spend $$$ on a GPS but I'm supprised you havn't got one out there, someone in town must have one for search and resc.Carpe Diem
0
FollowupID: 307528

Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 20:54

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 20:54
Hello Uncle Cocka.............

Hello young Ruth,

I feel that there is too much information around especially with the systems built in to the fandangled new electronic toys. You really do not need this stuff. As I said before, I made a decision to burn some money and bought the toys. I am now trying to use the systems to my advantage(and to try and keep the brain alive) by looking at ways and means to advance my knowledge. A GPS in the desert will be an advantage especially in country where one sandridge looks like the next one. Having said that, we crossed the desert using a compass and a sextant and reached our destination. Now I have a laptop set up in the 'old dear' which is connected to my GPS and powered by the car batteries through an inverter. I also have UHF, HF, CDMA, Alarm System and Fridge all hardwired to the battery system. KISS does not apply here although I do adhere to the principle. What I don't have on the truck is powersteering, airconditioning and comfy seats and dust sealing...oh well. I still try to keep it simple with my camping and recovery gear.

Cheers,

Willem1958 Patrol Pretty flash eh?
0
FollowupID: 307565

Reply By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 16:17

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 16:17
Willem - about your conversation at lunch, we've been having same sort here. I thought I was good with information but my brain cells must be slowing very fast - I'm not as old as you as I was born after Dad got back from Changi - but are we receiving too much information? Must be time for another philosophical discussion.
Cocka, I like the idea very much of doing all this stuff but if you want KISS, then that doesn't seem the way to go. I still use the old maps on the bonnet also and I've been umming and ahiing for ages about a GPS - but I find the idea of the laptop when I'm camping - eh, just can't imagine it. Probably because I go camping to get away. Gee I laughed about using the GPS for search and rescue - out here the directions are - 12 sandhills past a certain point or in the swales at the Knolls, very technical. Having said that, I am buying 'bloke' a new Toyota Ute this year (shinysparkly blue - I pay, I say on the colour) and I intend to have all sorts of add-ons including a GPS but why would I need all the stuff like you are using Willem, is it really for keeping track of your tracks? I might need to learn for when we finally get around to some serious cross-country when we are not seriously working?
AnswerID: 45438

Follow Up By: Member -Bob & Lex (Sydney) - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 18:21

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 18:21
Ruth i'll take you out in May & show you how it all worksRegards Bob
Where to next
0
FollowupID: 307552

Reply By: Member - Ruth D (QLD) - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 19:39

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 19:39
Thanks Bob that will be great. You show me your GPS and I'll show you the fishing spot.
AnswerID: 45461

Reply By: Member - Mike (SA) - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 22:31

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 22:31
Willem,

Coming back to your original question. If number of records is a problem you can ofcourse get GPS to dump to a data logger. I take a position every 10 secs, have set proviso that vehicle must be moving, and can collect 2 months worth, ie 270,000 track points (have never got close even on trip to NW). Download isa from logger to PC and in one bound into OzieExplorer.

Any use?

regards

MikeToo little time in the bush!
AnswerID: 45489

Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 23:17

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 23:17
Thanks Mike.....I will have to figure that one out tomorrow...starting to fall off the perch,,,time for bed.

Cheers,

Willem1958 Patrol Pretty flash eh?
0
FollowupID: 307584

Reply By: Member - George (WA) - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 23:01

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 23:01
Oziexplorer and your GPS record data independant of each other.
Your GPS will record track points and waypoints in accordance with the limitations of the GPS settings.
However, Oziexpolrer only receives the NMEA output data from your GPS and will continue to record this as an .plt file.
As long as you have given the .plt file a name, and saved this file, it will continue to record to this file until your computer run out of memory or you swith off Oziexplorer.
If you want to continue to record to the same .plt file next time you fire up Oziexplorer, you simply load the file from memory and it will record your track to the same file.

CheersKing Edward River, Mitchell Plateau
VKS-737, ch 2, sel. 2131
AnswerID: 45499

Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 23:15

Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004 at 23:15
Thanks George your answer is a lot clearer to me. I had assumed from a previous discussion with a knowledgible person that I had to Save at the end of my trip from Moving Map and that this would have to be done every 60km as there were only 2000 points available at 30metre intervals. If one went beyond 2000 points then the data collected at the beginning of the trip would be lost.

Cheers,

Willem1958 Patrol Pretty flash eh?
0
FollowupID: 307583

Sponsored Links