GPS Custom Maps

[muskrat]

That's mighty kind of you Mr. JoeFred and much appreciated. Thank you

[JoeFred]

You're welcome, muskrat.

Now back to Hoosier's original topic... GPS

Originally Posted by duckypaddler

...post on Go Smokies, and the fact that I just recently had to replace my gps and was reading the manual led me to give it a shot. I first tried to copy the Sierra Club 70's map off Tom Dunigan's site (one that has most smokies manways on it), and while I succeeded in making a .kml file, the resolution of the photo was so big that it didn't work....

... I wish (hint hint Joe Fred, or Mr Kirk) someone would have something out that we could load
James

Very interesting, James. We may be on to something here, team!
Here are two snipits that might work for you, they are of the Raven Fork Three Forks area from the Mount Guyot 7.5 min series quad at an approximate scale of 1:15,000, or about 160% that of the original.
300 pixels/inch
72 pixels/inch
You may need to, among other tweaks, reduce the color saturation some so the shadows are not too dark.
Good luck!

Originally Posted by Mac

JoeFred,

Wow, Its been a little while since i last visited your website. You sure have made a lot of changes. I guess you have not been sleeping or out fishing all last year.

Hey, Mac. Unfortunately I didn't get in a lot of fishing this year, but I did get to camp at both 'monts finally, and log some hiking miles in the 'Luftee, Deep Creek & Cosby Creek watersheds. I did manage to get in some sleeping. Guess much of my late 60s is centered around maps, aps and naps.

[Brook Fan]

JoeFred
The website and product look great. However do not forget the importance of field trials. All work and no play keeps the Brookies away.

[JoeFred]

Sage advice (not just the famous gear manufacturer's kind) from such a young man.Thanks, BF!

[JoeFred]

Figured it out! I have produced some test files for Lower Forney Creek using JPGs and Google Earth (pretty cool.) However, to produce the .kmz files I have to connect to a GPS device from my computer. Malcolm Morrison, author of the blog referenced by duckypaddler, used a Garmin Oregon 400t (now discontinued). There's a refurbished one on eBay for $170.

When it comes to the handhelds, I'm prettty much "lost." So any advice will be much appreciated.

– JF

[duckypaddler]

You don't need a gps to save it. Just save the file in Google Earth after you calibrate it and it will be a .kmz file.

As for GPS, I love the Garmin Etrex. If you need a bigger screen and want to spend more money, or have to have a touch screen, then by all means go with a fancy one. Since I lost my old etrex in the West Prong last year, I got the new Etrex 20. Has the shaded relief, and gets the russian satellites to boot. Just make sure you get one that allows to to add a micro sd card. Also I don't think the money spent for the altimeter is ever worth it. You constantly have to re-calibrate it, and the topo lines on the map are usually more accurate.

Send me or post a few of what you make, and we can try it out even if you can't YET
For some reason I have a calibration problem

[JoeFred]

Well duh, JoeFred. Thanks, DP! I will post some after a bit.

Also, thanks for the GPS tips. And where 'bouts on the West Prong were you?

[NDuncan]

Near the tunnel... He keeps trying to get me to find his list gear for him...

[JoeFred]

With your headstart it looks as though I will have get an Etrex the old fashioned way. To that end, see if the following KMZ will hunt:
http://www.smokystreams.com/mbdocs/l...ource_quad.kmz 3MB

2/4 UPDATE:
Here's some others:
http://www.smokystreams.com/mbdocs/f...ver_opaque.kmz 600KB
http://www.smokystreams.com/mbdocs/below_elkmont.kmz 600KB

Anyone is welcome to try these out on your device. If you prefer to not comment here, you may e-mail your feedback to me at address below. Thanks – JF

Google Earth snipits:

[Hoosier]

JoeFred

Thanks
I imported the maps into my oregon and the overlay location over the BaseCamp/Topo US maps were spot on.

Of the three maps the Elkmont map seemed to hold its resolution the best as I zoomed in but still fuzzy as I work in closer before my Topo US Maps take over as the primary view. At about where my screen allows for a 1000' feet, maybe 1200-1500' is where the resolution starts to drop the view quality. Wish I could figure that out. But regardless, these are alot better than any custom map I can come up with and any of the others I have seen.

Hope this is worthwhile feedback.