I’m trying to figure out if I need to actually go out and purchase something like a Garmin 152 when I already have a perfectly good PDA with built in satellite receiver.

Is it possible to download maps on to a PDA (windows operating system) and then use GPX type waypoints?

I had a look at oziExplorer and the sample maps of Africa that I can find look like the stuff you had in primary school. I guess I’m missing something here though

I’m not a completely dumb with computers, just have the attention span of a nat so any pointers gratefully received

Hi Russ

I've been using a Mio P550 PDA for about three years running various bits of software - normal commercial TomTom for Europe and OziExplorer for everywhere else being the main ones.

For Morocco there are various map sets you can either buy or download that should do well enough. Have a look here: Digital topographic maps download - mapstor.com to start with. From memory you'll need to calibrate these maps in the full version of Ozi (its been a while since I got them) but they've worked well enough for me.

Hello Russ,

that what backofbeyond is writing is correct, but the problem is, all that maps from mapstor are russian origin. If it's no problem to You to read them it's no problem.

Other solution: My maps in different scales from IGN, AMS and ... already calibrated for Ozi and other programs.

Have a look: www.desert-info.ch :: Thema anzeigen - Karten Welt 1 Mio - Afrika 2 Mio - Afrika 1 : 500/250 000

Who order maps for morocco, mauretania, mali, tunesia, gets also an topographic map in the scale 1 : 200 000 as one sheet. That means, all the sheets are assembled to one. Is very useful for planning routes, overview etc.

Regards

Ulrich

Thanks for the replies backofbeyond and Ulrich. I think I’m figuring it out.

Ulrich,
Although I translated your website I’m still not sure how I go about purchasing the maps?

The only mapping/GPS system that I’m familiar with is Memorymap which I use in the UK. Am I correct in thinking that if I use OziExplorer and your maps it will act in a very similar manner?

Thanks again.

Russ

Yes , that's true, those ones are all Russian maps but I've also got a complete set of IGN maps on the PDA for most of North / West Africa that work exactly the same and look the same as the paper ones but at the moment can't remember where I got them from.

The IGN ones would be far better for Morocco than the Russian ones. If you're methodical you can scan / photograph your own paper maps, calibrate and use those.

Another programme I've got on the PDA - GPS Tuner, is better than Ozi for this kind of thing. I'm sure it's possible to get the raw pictures from Google Earth to use in these programmes but other than doing this for a few tricky areas such as the Western Sahara / Mauri border I've not taken this any further.

Anyone out there willing to do an entry level seminar on how to use GE on something like Ozi would have my gratitude ( but sadly no money!)

I've not used memory map so I don't know what that looks like but with Ozi on the PDA you get a picture on the screen that looks exactly like the paper map except it has a "you are here" red arrow in the middle and the whole thing moves as you move.

You can't tell it to plot you a route the way you can with TomTom sat nav, it just tells you where you are. You can also do waypoints, tracklogs etc and there are conversion programmes around that'll change waypoints from one format to another.