Having trouble setting up a basic trip in ExplorOz

Hi Teched,

Not sure that I can help you with your issue, (perhaps you need to log a request on the help desk), however as an observation, I noticed that in the first image, you have two sections where you are in “flight” mode, rather than “driving” mode, is there a reason for this?

Macca.

Hi Macca, I was just playing with the settings to see if it helped to connect the gap.

Teched , are you referring to the straight line
in one of your pictures ??
Not sure I 100% understand your conundrum

Hi Nick, no the red dash line is someone else's trip line. mine is the thick purple line and even though I put in 4 extra dropped pins the purple track won't connect as in the last pick above.

Hi Teched

Try setting your mode to cycling.


Regards

TrevorDavid

Here’s some facts that may be useful to your understanding:

The routing engine uses an online data source that’s different from what you see on the EOTopo map. Routing is actually based on the same road data used to build the Streets & Paths map layer, so a handy trick is to switch your map source to Streets & Paths in this instance. If the road or track doesn’t appear there, the auto-router can’t use it — you’ll need to use a few straight-line segments instead. There’s no way around that, as those tracks simply aren’t in the online routing database.

Yes, you’ll find EOTopo shows far more minor tracks for visual reference than Streets & Paths because we include data not found in mainstream sources.

Auto routing is a computer-generated output based on external public data. It simply matches results that meet your selected criteria. Location of your selected Places is significant. The router has no knowledge of predicting future track conditions, nor your vehicles capacity to drive through obstacles it deems as not “drivable”. Driving indicates accessible for any vehicle.

It’s therefore not perfect for suggesting more exciting 4wd options if other drivable options exist. It also cannot give routing for sections where it doesn't have data.

Auto routing is designed mainly for cities, towns, and general commuting, with built-in safety limits to prevent drivers from being sent down unsuitable 4WD tracks. But thats where the EOTopo map and your map reading skills, and local/4wd knowledge and decision making comes in.

Since we know many 4WDrivers will use our app, we, allow the “cycling” mode to be used as an alternative option when “driving” is too conservative. Accepting routes built with “cycling” mode generally works fine if you are happy to accept there may be offroad hazards. But check that the supplied route is using roads designated on EOTopo for vehicles (ie red lines) - not the designated bike paths or shared walk/bike tracks of course which are indicated in other track colours. While we could label that “4WD” instead of “cycling,” we don’t alter the official source data to avoid misrepresentation.

Keep in mind that Auto routing tends to come unstuck when used beyond its mainstream purpose — such as within State Forestry areas. These networks are often excluded from public or commercial routing data due to access controls and liability issues. That’s why we’ve built tools into the app that let you manually adjust routes when needed, depending on the area but it comes with the need for more careful consideration and considerable effort.

In short: don’t worry too much about achieving a “perfect” auto-route. Use EOTopo as your guide, drop manual points where needed, and once you’re out there, follow the real tracks — they’ll tell the true story.