Planning routes with OSM

[wombat4787]

Hi all,

I've got a new toy, a Garmin Etrex 30. Nice toy. I've read all the posts related to OSM, Shonky etc, but I'm still a bit confused. I got the free Garmin TOPO maps, so that was nice. It doesn't have many Tassie tracks listed which is a continual cause for discussion on this site. So I figured I'd use OSM. I've got the OSM Tassie map loaded on the toy nicely. The OSM doesn't have topo info, but I figure I can use the Garmin TOPO maps "in the field" and use the tracks on the OSM maps to plan my trip?

What I would do with the Garmin map, is open Basecamp, mark where I want to walk and all relevant points, then load that onto the toy. What I can't figure out is how to do the same thing with OSM. Sure, I can use the OSM web interface and see the tracks. Oddly, I can't see them on the toy (but I'll worry about that later). Do I need to use Google earth somewhere here? I can't see the OSM maps in Basecamp, so that's ruled out. I've got QLandkarte for my Linux system and I know it uses OSM. Is this the way to get the routes onto the toy? I'm clearly missing something.

I know there are other ways to go, such as trying to locate existing GPX routes on the web for where I want to go, but I figured the OSM approach would be best for Tassie.

I'd appreciate any help guru's or non-guru's can offer.

Thanks,

Peter

[photohiker]

Hi

If you connect your GPS to your PC/Mac and open Basecamp, you should be able to view the OSM map in Basecamp while it is connected.

Use basecamp to map your route on the OSM map

Transfer the route to your GPS

Enjoy.

As far as topo is concerned, your Etrex will benefit from Contours Australia transparent overlay contours. and ShonkyMaps

If you hunt for it, you may find an OSM installer for your PC/Mac, download the relevant mapping and install it. I've had luck with http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/ although it seems to be offline at the moment. Other sites worth looking at for installers are bbbike.org and openmtbmap.org

[wombat4787]

Okay, thanks for that, but I can't see the OSM map when I'm in Basecamp (with the GPS connected). I've actually loaded Tas and NSW together, so I'm going to try just Tas and see if that's the problem.

One other question. I've downloaded the "routable" OSMs. My question is, what's actually routable? With the Garmin Topo (V3), I can put a waypoint at the start of a track and then further down the track and when I tell it to make a track/route, it does so, nicely down the track and not "as the crow flies" between the two waypoints. This is a good thing. Will I be able to do the same with OSM in Basecamp? If not, I'll approach this from another angle.

Thanks,

Peter

[photohiker]

Okay, thanks for that, but I can't see the OSM map when I'm in Basecamp (with the GPS connected). I've actually loaded Tas and NSW together, so I'm going to try just Tas and see if that's the problem.

I can't talk for BaseCamp on PC, but on Mac, this is what I get:



Just select the map on the GPS from the left panel, and it displays on screen. PC version _should_ work the same, but who knows.

One other question. I've downloaded the "routable" OSMs. My question is, what's actually routable? With the Garmin Topo (V3), I can put a waypoint at the start of a track and then further down the track and when I tell it to make a track/route, it does so, nicely down the track and not "as the crow flies" between the two waypoints. This is a good thing. Will I be able to do the same with OSM in Basecamp? If not, I'll approach this from another angle.

Sorry, I cannot answer this one as I don't use routing. Others here do, hopefully one will pipe up shortly.

[Ent]

Hi

The Garmin Extrex 30 should support multiple img files. Theses are the map files. The easiest way to download them on the unit is to plug it in by USB and then find the gmapbmap.img file. There also should be a gmapsupp.img file. In that directory on the Garmin device copy the *.img file from OSM Australia, found here http://www.osmaustralia.org/garmin.php. On the Extrex 30 select map options and you should find the additional map. You then can make this active. Now it will not have contours so if you want them you will need to download Contours Australia onto the device.

If this sounds like technotalk PM me. I have been putting up a few tracks for Tassie on OSM as I live there.

Cheers

[wombat4787]

Hi Ent,

I'm not having any problems getting the maps onto the GPS, or seeing them on the GPS. My issue is seeing OSM on the PC once they are on the GPS. I am doing everything as described and I can't see OSM on my GPS through Basecamp. I am guessing this is due to Windows being Windows. I'm using a 64-bit Win7 system and maybe Basecamp doesn't play well with that version.

I'm working around it by using QLandKarte GT from my Linux system and accessing OSM that way. I route using QLandKarte, transfer the track to the device and everyone is happy. I got the free Aus TOPO maps with the toy, so I'm using that. I haven't grabbed Contours Australia as, so far, the Garmin TOPO has been fine for me.

Thanks,

Peter

[Ent]

Hi

You can, I did, create a Garmin executable file that installs OSM in Basecamp. Only trouble is Baecamp will not overlay this on say Contours Australia within Basecamp.

From memory first you create the exe file then run it and then using the drop down map select box it will come up as an option. Garmin maps as I found out can be found on the device if purchased as a XD card.

I have done this for Shonkey, TracksAustralia, and Osm as well as Garmin maps

Cheers

[photohiker]

My issue is seeing OSM on the PC once they are on the GPS. I am doing everything as described and I can't see OSM on my GPS through Basecamp. I am guessing this is due to Windows being Windows. I'm using a 64-bit Win7 system and maybe Basecamp doesn't play well with that version.

Peter.

If your windows system will not see the maps on the GPS from within basecamp, there is another solution: Install the maps directly onto the Windows basecamp. This will mean you have a copy on your GPS and another copy on your PC.

I am not sure how Ent 'created the exe file' but there are places where installers can be downloaded for basecamp.

Here is one. The site is not very user friendly, but they do update their mapping on a regular basis, and I show below how to operate the site to get an OSM/Garmin map for Australia:



1. (Red highlight) In the row of predefined countries, click on 'Oceania' and select 'Australia'
2. (Green Highlight) after a second or so, the page will update to show the download link.
3. Click the download link and you will see this:



4. Click the "osm_generic_windows.exe" link and when it has downloaded, run the exe to install it on your computer. You should then be able to view the OSM map in Basecamp.

Hope that helps.

[wombat4787]

Hi Michael,

thanks for the detailed instructions, I'll give that whirl. Having said that, I do like QLandKarte and in many ways I find it superior to Basecamp...

Peter

[ULWalkingPhil]

Some great advice from Photohiker. I been using that OSM download method for my Garmin Oregon for a couple years now. Works a treat and so easy to do.