[pct-l] Blackberry GPS
Jim & Jane Moody
moodyjj at comcast.net
Mon Feb 22 14:00:24 CST 2010
I have just downloaded TopoExplorer gps onto my Blackberry Bold. I have read several recent threads from Gadget, Postholer, Halfmile, et al. on gps and smartphones, which have been useful, but now I have some specific questions. HELP!!! .
1. This software comes from Skylab Mobilesystems, LTD in Hong Kong. They say they have no tutorial, guide, instruction book, etc., weither online or otherwise. If I have a question, I'm supposed to email them and they answer. Is this a warning sign of future problems?
2. I am not able to zoom in or out with the GPS map on the BB screen. Since I'll be carrying Halfmile's printed maps, is this a big deal?
3. Downloading maps. Skylab Mobilesystems sells digital versions of USGS 7.5 ' quads, state by state, for about $30 ea. All of CA exceeds the capacity of a 16 Gb memory card. They say the maps can be "... used partially." I'm guessing that I would download a state's maps onto my desktop, then select only those I want to transfer to the SIM card. Has anybody done this? Is there an easy way to know which quads to select, or do I need to do it sheet-by-sheet? Or, ... is there another source for better, easier-to-download maps?
4. PCT track & waypoints. I'm aware that H alfmile's site and Postholer.com have the pct track and waypoints available for download. Is this simple enough for me to do myself, or do I need to rent a teenager? Does the trace automatically align itself on the base maps, or will I need to use some specific technique or procedure to achieve the map with the trace / waypoints? And how do I know which format is appropriate - kml, gpx, csx?
5. What should I have asked but didn't? I was a map guy in an earlier life (the in-house GIS shop reported to me), so I'm not stupid - just ignorant.
TIA,
Mango
More information about the Pct-L
mailing list