Why decimal waypoints?
Submitted: Monday, May 07, 2007 at 11:08
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greydemon
I have been trying to load the waypoints for the Murchison to Paraburdoo via Mt Augustus trek. Initially I purchased waypoint credits and had them sent to my email for download - nice and easy. Wrong. The download file can't be read by my software - I wasn't aware that the file was only for one specific software package (Oziexplorer?). As I don't use a pc when travelling, and my GPS (eTrex) doesn't hold maps, I don't really need new software.
So, no big deal, just manually input the waypoints to my software and load into my GPS. Wrong. The waypoints are all in a decimal format EG: S32.123456. My software does not have this as an option. If it did it wouldn't help because my GPS doesn't have this as an option either.
Back to 'Search'. Luckily in post 34510 'Garbutt' had the same problem and 'Pajman Pete (SA)' was able to advise that if you multiply the numbers after the decimal point by sixty you get to a useable format. (As long as you remember to insert a leading zero where necessary).
In this post Garbutt asked why the decimal format is used on this site when Hema maps, and all of the off roads books I have have, use other formats, and obviously quite a few GPS units won't accept it. There was no reply to his question and I wondered what the answer might be?
Is it because Oziexplorer is the 'software of choice' ? If so, surely it is capable of handling the more common formats. Or is it perhaps considered to be the way of the future and this is a campaign to get us all to change to new GPS units that can handle decimal references?
Reply By: The Explorer - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 12:24
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 12:24
Hello - I figure the main reason decimal degrees (and in other cases minutes or seconds) are used is to obtain accuracy....plus maybe it is harder to do calculations on a number in digital format written as 32° 13' 39" than -32.2275. Also you can not get much better than 20 or 30 metre accuracy when quoting coords using whole seconds.
I am surprised you etrex doesn’t have the option to display in decimal degrees - typically this option is provided when you select lat/long as your coordinate system -On my Magellan 3 options are possible - normal degrees minutes and seconds, degrees and decimal minutes and then decimal degrees.
Within OziExplorer data is stored in waypoint and track files in decimal degrees but it is possible to type in or import and export data in any format (lat/lon - decimal degrees, whole degrese seconds minutes etc, UTM) and in any datum.
It would probably be better if data on the ExplorOz site was provided in gpx format - this is a more universal format than OziExplorer data formats. The current version of OziExplorer can import gpx so it would not cause any problems for die hard Ozi users in this regard. GPX format can be imported ito Garmin (mapsource) and Magellan (mapsend lite) software.
Ask Dave and see what he says.
Cheers
Greg
| I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874 Lifetime Member
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Follow Up By: The Explorer - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 12:40
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 12:40
A quick look at the user manual suggest there is a real possibilty you can use use decimal degrees by selecting correct option on the position format (
grid) page. Instructions are in user manual on the 36th page (34th page not counting cover/contents)
http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/eTrex_OwnersManual.pdf
...Though it would be easier if you didnt have to manually input them. What software are you using with the device? It is possible to convert OziExplorer files into many formats using gpsbabel
www.gpsbabel.org/
Cheers
Greg
| I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874 Lifetime Member
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - David - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 13:06
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 13:06
No problems in producing gpx data file just need to specification - Greg do you have it or know where I can download it - I can write out data in any format so adding this should be simple.
FollowupID:
499652
Follow Up By: The Explorer - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 15:34
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 15:34
Hello Dave - this may provide information your require
www.topografix.com/gpx.asp
Cheers
Greg
| I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874 Lifetime Member
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Reply By: V8Diesel - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 13:29
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 13:29
We used to use Eastings and Northings in metric numeric format for geological purposes as it was far easier for calculations, data entry and finding exact spots using a standard rule on 1:100,000 maps.
AnswerID:
238382
Reply By: Dave from P7OFFROAD Accredited Driver Training - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 13:29
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 13:29
I'd be really surprised if your Etrex doesn't support decimal degrees, in will be in position format (or similar) somewhere...
While we are on the topic, why don't more people use UTM!
AnswerID:
238383
Follow Up By: AdlelaideGeorge - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 14:11
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 14:11
Hi each
I've got an Etrex and it does support decimal degrees. I think 'set up' is the menu?
Happy days
Geo
FollowupID:
499476
Reply By: SCUBADOO - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:04
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:04
I too would be surprised if your GPS did not have the option to input your waypoints in "decimal format".
I use OziExplorer daily and almost never enter data in "decimal format".
Download G7toWin (free)
http://www.gpsinformation.org/ronh/g7towinwithhelp.zip
Using this software you can import the OziExplorer waypoints or manualy enter them and send directly to your GPS or save in any format suitable to you e.g. GPX.
Neville
AnswerID:
238462
Follow Up By: SCUBADOO - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:27
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:27
If you have the little yellow type eTrex
a quote from the manual available on the Garmin website:
Page 47
"What
Grid Formats does the eTrex Support?
hddd.ddddd° (degrees, decimal degrees)"
and others.
Nevillle
FollowupID:
499565
Reply By: wdric - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 22:24
Monday, May 07, 2007 at 22:24
Goto
setup
units
position frmt
And now select HD. D
think this will be what you may want.
Having said that, you don't need to have a PC on your holidays to enjoy the benifets of OZIEXPLORER.
When at
home you can use it just to dream about where you want to go.
You can also do a lot of trip planning, send the waypoints to your GPS before you leave
home, print out the waypoint list as a backup, send routes to your gps.
download your waypoints when you get
home and save for later or send to others.
You can also save your waypoints and tracks from OZI to google earth format and send to anyone else to view with a satalite image in the background.
I garantee if you don't have a problem with computers in your life, and you love looking and maps to figure out your next trip OZIEXPLORER would be one of the top 5 programs you would use on your PC at
home.
AnswerID:
238490
Reply By: Richard Kovac - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 00:03
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 00:03
Greydemon,
no problems just go to this site Site Link down load www.p-terminator.nl/geocaching/GarTrax_3.0b1_setup.zip GarTrax V3 and you can covet waypoints from and to Garmin OziEplorer Heaps, works
well
Regards
Richard
AnswerID:
238515
Reply By: greydemon - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 08:33
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 08:33
Thanks for you comments everyone, I now have to wade through and try them all out. I have just had another look at my eTrex and there is an option for hddd.ddddd followed by a symbol I can't reproduce here, This aoppears to produce a decimal reference with 5 decimal
places instead of 6. Perhaps this will be near enough.
I'll
check out all the links and other suggestions when I get
home tonight.
Once again, many thanks Forumites, you help is much appreciated.
(I am actually very competant with a paper map and compass - maybe I should stick to what I know!)
AnswerID:
238529
Follow Up By: The Explorer - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:45
Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:45
"(I am actually very competant with a paper map and compass - maybe I should stick to what I know!) "
A GPS, paper map, compass etc are all navigation tools. GPS should not be regarded as a total replacement for the "old fashion" way...but as one tool for use in circumstances that suit you and the situation. A lot of people do not like GPS units/mapping programs for one reason or another. However in a lot of circumstances GPS and/or mapping program are difficult to beat...but if you don’t like using them and are competent using some other way its generally not going to matter (especially for recreational use). I assume your comment was a little tongue in cheek but it seems you are
well on the way to knowing the ins and outs of GPS use. The benefits of knowing how to use a GPS can be significant (eg knowing where you are within 5 metres) so persevere.
Cheers
Greg
| I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874 Lifetime Member
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