GPS References

Red - If you’re keen on getting into GPS mapping then Pluto’s advise on getting OziExplorer is spot on – have a go with the trial version - its free and is certainly worth a go before laying out the $ for full version-

The Trial Version has almost all the features of the full version but with these limitations
o No communication with the GPS for upload/download
o No saving or loading of Waypoints, Events, Tracks etc
o No saving of map as an image file
o Will close down after 1 hour of running (must be restarted)
o All the files necessary to run OziExplorer
o Help file
o Demonstration data files.

No maps included but you can get by without these...(until you realise how handy they are).
Also has name search function so you can (with appropriate files downloaded) plot waypoints from modified version of the Geoscience Australian data base that Mad Dog pointed out.
Cheers
Greg

Dunno what the hell happened there

http://www.ga.gov.au/map/names/

Mad Dog,

Thankyou for that info. It is just what I need. Thanks to the others who replied, those sites are in the favourites folder for later.

Red

Red & Mad Dog,

I haven't used GA's Placename search very much, for two reasons.

1. You'll notice it records Lat and Long in degrees & minutes only. This is sufficient to get you close to a location, but in many situations, not close enough.

2. This database comes standard with OziExplorer, where you are able to quickly and easily fine tune the location data for a better trip plan.

GIve OziExplorer a try. It is one of the best GPS support tools around.

Pluto

Pluto - correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t believe an actual database comes standard with OziExplorer only the name search function itself. You have to download a database or create one yourself. The Australian database in question is not even available directly from OziExplorer site..but others have made it available on personal websites (I think there maybe a few copyright issues that people may be ignoring, but don’t let that worry you).

On very good site is

Australian Name Search Databases

Cheers
Greg

The australian Name Search file (that ships with Ozi) is a conversion of the GA database. All be it an older, less detailed version, but still quite suitable for purpose. As you know. I don't recall where I read about this.

Thanks Greg, for the URL. It will be very useful.

Can you tell me. What is NST?

Greg,

Maybe our versions of Ozi are from different batches. I definately received an Australian Name Search database with mine.

I have tinkered with the namesearch database creator. Nothing serious. IMHO, your WA namesearch database is excellent.

Thanks Pluto, I already use oziexplorer and all of the above named search data bases plus some I have created myself. I agree it is a far superior way to operate but didn't mention Oziexplorer as for some reason I had it in my mind that the question related to online sources.
Oziexplorer and name search is a huge resource and one doesn't need a gps to take advantage of it. Like you I never bother with the online search, I find my collection of databases far superior.

That might be another good feature for OE. Along with Plot swap, there could be a name search library.

What do you think David?

Pluto - sorry I was referring to downloaded version of OziExplorer - didn’t think about the CD version. Learn something every day.

NST (name search text) is just a file format used for making the name search databases. It is explained in a link from the link I gave above
Cheers
Greg