Trekarta: my Garmin eTrex replacement?

Trekarta is a Global Navigation Satellite System app for Android.

 

It seems to offer similar functionality to my old Garmin eTrex 10.

So is it an adequate replacement?

Editing GPS coordinate data with the Prune GPS Tool

This is a great tool when working on GPS track files (.gpx) that are downloadable from the internet.

You can view tracks (e.g. recommended walks) overlaid on a map, and edit the route by adding, deleting or simply dragging the data points to a different location.

And once you have made your changes, you can copy the .gpx files to your Garmin GPS ready for your next outing.

Garmin eTrex 10: simple configuration for beginners

Configuring and using a Garmin eTrex for the first time can prove difficult for beginners.

You really need to configure the basics before you leave home, and then reset certain data before you set off on your walk.

So this post attempts to provide a basic procedure to ease some of the frustration for new users.

Garmin eTrex 10: what's your position buddy?

It's struck me once or twice, when out walking, that I don't know exactly where I am.

Imagine that there is some kind of medical emergency, and I need to call for an ambulance.

"Where are you sir?"

Garmin eTrex 10: adding topo maps

If you believe what Garmin say, it shouldn't be possible to download topographical maps to the eTrex 10.

In fact the Garmin website doesn't give owners that option unless they have an eTrex 20 or 30 model.

But I've just discovered that it is indeed possible, and now have my eTrex 10 loaded with a nice map covering much of the south-east of England.

Garmin eTrex: walking with GPX route files

We sometimes go for country walks using simple directions printed from the internet, usually accompanied by very simple maps.

These are OK as long as you don't take a wrong turn or stray off the correct path for some reason.

Although I cannot install topographical maps on my Garmin eTrex 10, I can use Route files.

GPS: extracting Tracks from XML files with Gambas

You would have to be crazy to write your own XML editor when there are so many available, right?

Well, when opening the XML file from my Garmin eTrex in a variety of editors, my low power Linux laptop grinds to a halt.

As I only need to extract individual Tracks from the eTrex file, I decided to write my own program.

GPS Data Visualisation

I must admit that I haven't used my Garmin eTrex 10 GPS that much this year.

Now that the weather has improved, we tend to take our Pentax cameras out when wondering around this green and pleasant land. So have little time to fiddle with a gps, entering waypoints, looking for geochaches or whatever.

However, even with the eTrex just turned on, it records data every 10 seconds, including latitude, longitude and elevation.

An armchair review of the Garmin eTrex 10

I think Santa's plan was to make me more enthusiastic about "...going walkies."

The idea was to try and prise me out of my armchair by giving me a bit of tech to play with while exploring this green and pleasant land.

But what does a hand-held satnav have to offer a casual walker like me?

Normally, the first thing I do with a bit of new tech is install myself in a comfy armchair and spend the next day or two exploring all the options. This proved more of a challenge with the eTrex.