Copying waypoints from maps
 

Hi there. What is the feasability of copying lattitude and longitude from say "Autoroute" software, then putting it in gps unit and hoping to navigate to it? Is it as simple as that? Or do you have to go somewhere first to get the "waypoint" for the village / town etc? Believe it or not, i dont have a problem with maps, i just want to take a gps toy with me on my next trip.

In an ideal case it is jusy 'as easy as that'. As long as your digital maps are calibrated correctly and you understand the errors that may be present, you should be able to pull a waypoint off a map and go directly there. I've used this method to good effect to find border posts, town and entrance gates to national parks.

The whole sport of geocaching is based on this, though in most (if not all) cases you are navigating to a waypoint someone else took when they were at that spot.

cheers

Graham
www.africaoverland.org

My experience is that it may not be spot on target, but it will get you close. After that you may have to search about a bit depending on the terrain.

Yankee Dog

Yeah its difficult to get it spot on, my girlfriend could guesstimate a lat and long position off a Michelin map and get us to within a km or so - pretty handy !!!-as I didnt want to mess around with dividers !!!
So as long as your autoroute map is realistic should be able to do the same.
if you use this method, try and use a prominent point to go to - a geographical feature like 2 wadi's meeting or a prominent outcrop or a manmade feature like a well, railway track or power line. Then use a bearing to your objective, or Goto a position in a definite direction from the objective, so you have a good idea in which direction to go - not just heading around in circles !!!
Finally for GPS navigation , always always always go to your waypoints and see what is there - dont just pick up a track that looks like it is heading in the correct direction from near a waypoint - chances are you will be on the wrong piste. - Time and Fuel consuming.
Cheers
Grif


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Ex Rockape, Ex Drago,
LR 90 300 Tdi Overlander - Lighter than CF 80 Fridge
Ex Suzuki DR650 Overlander *Stolen - L185 KDA *
..and Bloody Nice Bloke!

If you're asking about specifically MS Autoroute, I'd say that was not good for use with GPS. You can use it's "location sensor" to give you an exact lat/long but you'd need to enter it on your GPS manually.

Best I've found is www.memory-map.co.uk which will enable you to create waypoints and routes on raster (real) maps, such as OS 1:50,000 or maps you've scanned and calibrated yourself, and use a simple "upload to GPS" command. You can also download tracks etc. from your GPS and see them over your maps.

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www.aslc43.dsl.pipex.com

"Any" GPS is workable as long as it aquires a proper signal unimpeded from the sat. Your position in latitude and longitude may vary slightly by manufacturer but the error most people encounter is transposing onto a map or chart. check the map/chart and you will find the "grid" it was based on (depending on latitude and type of projection-most likely mercator-). Go into the settings and scroll through the various grid corrections until you find the one you want and enter it. This will adjust(uncorrect actually) the GPS so the position you get on the chart/map will conform to where you actually are on the chart/map. And you will be happy. And you will understand the unreality between paper and electronics.

I've done this in UK/Europe using Autoroute and found it works really well for simple requirements such as "I must not miss this junction". My old copy of Autoroute has been accurate to about 20m for this sort of use - easily good enough what I need.
Taking lat/lon measurements off of maps in Africa with ruler and pencil has not been so successful. It may be my measuring skills but I've frequently been up to a km or so out.