Oziexplorer for PC only

BWARE

Before purchasing my first GPS I had OziExplorer and the Natmaps and I found them useful when planning a trip. OziExplorer is reasonably priced and is worth the cost.

To get the full benefit you will need to purchase a GPS.

Why not try OziExplorer before you buy by downloading the trial version and trying it for a while. It works well.

Garry

You must have the file that has the map (a .JPG, .BMP etc) and another file with a .MAP extension. The .MAP file tells Ozi where the map is and its calibration etc. For a beginer it is best to have both files in the same directory.

Bruce

Hi Brian - yes it well worth having on the home computer.
We use it often to check location of National Parks/ Forrests, find tracks/roads and also look for new places to camp.

Ozi has many features such as measuring distances between points.
It also lets you put markers on the map to record locations of interest. These markers can include text (notes about the spot) plus a picture.

It does take some time to learn - like anything new, but well worth the effort.

OK - some basics.
Oziexplorer is the program that DISPLAYS the maps.
It has a directory to store your map files - the directory is called 'Maps'.
The sample maps are there, but they are very limited.

Most people buy the Australian Govt NATMAP Raster Mosaic. (Mosaic means they have joined all the thousands of small maps of Aust into one seamless map).
A map is really just a big picture, so Ozi needs a second file called a dot-map (.map) file which has co-ordinates so Ozi can interpret the 'picture' as a map.

The most important button in Ozi is the 'Configuration' button. Click FILE, then click Configuration. Most of the settings are already filled out, but you MUST tell Ozi where your MAP files (called Map Images) are stored. If you don't, Ozi cannot find or display the maps.

Ozi includes a seach feature by name. When you first use this feature you will see a button called LOAD. Click this and load the Australian names file. After that, the SEARCH feature will work perfectly.
There is a web site and forum, just for Ozi - Oziusers - tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/OziUsers-L/
Worth a visit.

Ozi lets you take 'virtual/ trips' when you cannot afford to do the real thing. It also lets you look for alternate routes and even find new locations to visit. The CAMPS3 bible (lists all free or lowcost campspots) has GPS co-ordinates for most of the campsites listed so you can find them easily.
Use the trial version of Ozi, and set the Configuration. it is worth the effort.
Have fun.....................Keith

Bware
I too love maps , my favorite thing when I went to school, Oziexplorer will be ok just on the PC but there is a better set of maps , you could pre-buy Garmin Mapsource V 7 City Navigator Australia CD $349.00 (inc. GST) and it will allow you work out routes on the PC , but if your going to spend 349 dollars then one would be silley not to go a few more dollars and get a Garmin Quest that has the CD with it anyhow, www.ja-gps.com.au/garmin_quest_1.html .
The other map option would be Tracks4Australia CD $179 which is very good
www.gpsoz.com.au/oztopo/ , and you can have a snoop around my map and GPS page on the internet members.westnet.com.au/dtilley/maps.htm

If you have Broadband ADSL or Cable go to this site and you can download some huge maps

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