Best mapping programs to buy and where to buy? also track ranger vs oziexplorer?

Hi GN,
I am not sure what you want to achieve, and what you want to run these maps on... but...

I personally prefer Oziexplorer and really like it now that I have taken the time to learn some of it's features. It runs on both windows and windows CE, which is handy if you want to run Oziexplorer on some of the cheaper GPS's available on ebay.

For maps such as City Navigator, OzToppo, Shonkymaps (free), Tracks4australia (free), you need Garmin Mapsource to run them and install on your Garmin GPS.

You can buy data cards, CD's or paper maps to suit specific areas from the shop on this site.

Do a thread search and you will lots of info about this subject on this site. Its one subject which is discussed on a regular basis. Hope this helps.

The nat maps 1:250,000 are fine to get you started. We have been using Oziexplorer for over 4 years and 4 big trips and, although we have accumulated many other maps, still use the 250k map as first preference.

You can down load a trial version of Ozi , just Google Oziexplorer or go to the forum shop. Havent used Trackmaster so cant comment on it. Oziexplorer has a bit of a learning curve, but there is an Ozi forum to turn to for help if you get stuck.

Once you get the hang of Ozi its magic - wouldn't do a trip without it. We run ours on an old HP-epc that sits behind the passenger seat and hasn't missed a beat, a mouse type GPS receiver and a touch screen purchsed off eBay.

But you do still need paper maps both as a backup if it all goes pear shaped, and to give you a "big picture" view.

Cheers,

I prefer OziExplorer to Trackranger simply because Trackranger license is for one computer only and as I run a laptop (in car) and a desktop at home for trip planning and backup. If I was to do the same with Trackranger I would be up for two licenses.
Mike

Hi GN
Like all of the above, once you have used it, you will never leave home for that next trip again with it. Like mentioned above, to get Moving Maps to work, it has to have some form of GPS Receiver to talk with OziExplorer, so it knows where it is on this great country of ours and it will let you know exactly where you are. Depending on where you intend to travel, the Natmap Raster 1:250,000 is a good all round base to work with.
We have used it many times off road and it is very reassuring to know where you are in the desert when you are many hundreds of kilometres from any form of road or tracks.

All the best with your new toy.

Cheers

Stephen

Another thing worth consideration is the collection of plot files available from the ExplorOz site and which are suitable for OziExplorer.

Not familiar with Trackranger at all as I have been more than happy with OziExplorer.

I have OziExplorer running on my Laptop and OziCE running on a PDA.

Bill.

GN,

I have both although I have only bothered to use TrackRanger. It is a much easier system to learn but then does not have alll the functions of Ozi. Ozi is a very comprehensive navigation tool and aid, hence it is a bit more difficult to master. I'm hoping to learn about more about it this trip.

Version 7 (the latest) of TrackRanger can import Ozi explorer files which is a new function. Also allows you to save your plots and waypoints in GPX format for use on Google earth. It is almost a plug and play system.

Cheers Mick

I have used Ozi quite a bit.

MacGPS Pro I have played with, successfully with maps downloaded from Google Earth. It says :

What Map and Chart Image File Formats can be Imported?

Most map images in the following raster formats can be imported (from the File menu, choose “Import Raster Map or Chart…”): TIFF (TIF), JPEG (JPG), GIF, PNG, PICT, BMP, Photoshop (PSD), SGI, TGA, PDF, and for Nautical Charts - BSB versions 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, and NOS/GEO. These maps may be obtained by downloading them from the Internet, purchasing them on CDROM, or scanning them yourself. Maps in GIS vector formats will not work.

What Kinds of Georeferencing Files are Supported?

MacGPS Pro understands the following calibration file formats: GeoTIFF, KAP(BSB), GEO, JPR, MAP(OziExplorer), and world files (TFW, JGW, GFW, PGW) . World files have incomplete georeferencing data, so one of the other calibration file formats is usually preferable if it is available.

I'd love to experiment with TrackRanger but at $200 its just a bit much to satisfy my curiosity. If it were the same as Ozi I'd buy it just to have a look.

Bob

If you have a Garmin then take a look at Garmin Topo Aus. c. $200

You can d/l Mapsource for route planning.

GN

You are talking about to different mapping systems. Ozi & Track Ranger use raster maps, while OzTopo is a vector based map. Therefore you need to decide this format you prefer. If you prefer raster mas, then you can follow some of the comments above about the differences the SW programs.

Laurie