OT: mapping software for keeping track of all your adventures
Discussion
4 replies
Posted by Scott Bideau on August 4, 2013 at 9:12 PM
Curious what mapping software you all use to keep track of all your adventures. In the year 2013, it seems like we should be able to cache favorite campgrounds, photo spots, mountain passes, etc. all in one spot and access it online or offline (disconnected from Internet). I've tried the following with the listed limitations:
GOOGLE MAP - MY PLACES
I like how this can be accessed from any computer or even iPad/iPhone (via web browser, not iOS app). But I hate how it paginates my list, meaning I can't zoom in to a specific location and see all my placemarks in that area. Instead, I have to paginate through. This is also online only, not available offline from the Internet unless I export to KML and import to another program.
GOOGLE EARTH
Love how I can save an unlimited amount of data without pagination and I can even separate it into folders to turn off campgrounds folder/layer for example, but it (a) doesn't support maps (instead of satellite) view and more importantly (b) I'm totally confused how "My Places" from Google Earth Windows client makes its way to iPad client (I can see "My Places" from Google Maps on iPad Google Earth client, but not "My Places" from Google Earth Windows client).
GOOGLE MAPS ENGINE LITE (BETA)
Love the layers (to separate out things like on Google Earth), but you can't move a placemark from one layer to another (ie. if I accidentelly put a campground on the "Roads" layer, I have to recreate it on the campground layer). Also, only three layers are supported max. Like My Places Google Maps, this is only online, not offline.
Granted all three of these are Google and free. I'm happy to pay for software, but haven't found anything. So far Google Earth is the closest, but it serves all my needs only if I keep my PC with me.
My primary requirements are keeping track of everything and being able to view it both online and offline on either a Windows client or phone/tablet when I'm on the go.
Am I missing something that's available out there?
I wouldn't say that I use it to track all of my adventures but I do use the Spot to track motorcycle rides and some 4WD trips. You have to sign up for the Spot Adventures to use these features but it really is pretty cool. Your route is overlaid on a map and you can add photos, notes, etc. when you get home to your computer.
For day to day stuff, I use my Suunto Ambit. I only use it to track stuff like distance hiked/ridden, elevation gain/loss, heart rate, etc. Probably not what you're looking for, though.
Posted by Scott Bideau on August 5, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Thanks Brett. I've got the Spot, but not looking for a tracking device but a "library" I guess you would call it to keep track of everything I've either seen myself or researched so that when I'm going to an area, I know what is around and should be visited. Best I've found is Google Earth with a GPS dongle for my laptop. I can cache 2GB of data on it before going offline and then use the GPS to know where I'm at in relation to the planned destination.
I just think it depends on how much convenience and organization one needs to track. I'm a backcountry nerd where one should be tracking themself. Just give me a Garmin 60csx, Google Earth and topo maps, and call it a day! Honestly, I feel downright spoiled rotton having access, let alone "free" access to Google Earth. There's times I can't believe it's even legal to have access to Google Earth.
Posted by Scott Bideau on August 6, 2013 at 11:47 PM
FYI my solution is Google Earth on the computer, automatic uploading of the myplaces.kml file to a web server nightly, then I can access that KML from other devices/apps like MotionX GPS on my iPhone. With MotionX, I can convert the KML file to GPX, email it to myself, and then import waypoints and tracks to the iPhone app. Lots of steps, but it at least gives me options.
I also got a GPS puck for my laptop so that I can see where I'm at on Google Earth and compare it to my waypoints for places to go, mountain pass trails, etc.
Discussion
4 repliesGOOGLE MAP - MY PLACES
I like how this can be accessed from any computer or even iPad/iPhone (via web browser, not iOS app). But I hate how it paginates my list, meaning I can't zoom in to a specific location and see all my placemarks in that area. Instead, I have to paginate through. This is also online only, not available offline from the Internet unless I export to KML and import to another program.
GOOGLE EARTH
Love how I can save an unlimited amount of data without pagination and I can even separate it into folders to turn off campgrounds folder/layer for example, but it (a) doesn't support maps (instead of satellite) view and more importantly (b) I'm totally confused how "My Places" from Google Earth Windows client makes its way to iPad client (I can see "My Places" from Google Maps on iPad Google Earth client, but not "My Places" from Google Earth Windows client).
GOOGLE MAPS ENGINE LITE (BETA)
Love the layers (to separate out things like on Google Earth), but you can't move a placemark from one layer to another (ie. if I accidentelly put a campground on the "Roads" layer, I have to recreate it on the campground layer). Also, only three layers are supported max. Like My Places Google Maps, this is only online, not offline.
Granted all three of these are Google and free. I'm happy to pay for software, but haven't found anything. So far Google Earth is the closest, but it serves all my needs only if I keep my PC with me.
My primary requirements are keeping track of everything and being able to view it both online and offline on either a Windows client or phone/tablet when I'm on the go.
Am I missing something that's available out there?
For day to day stuff, I use my Suunto Ambit. I only use it to track stuff like distance hiked/ridden, elevation gain/loss, heart rate, etc. Probably not what you're looking for, though.
I also got a GPS puck for my laptop so that I can see where I'm at on Google Earth and compare it to my waypoints for places to go, mountain pass trails, etc.