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The Maptech Landscape Navigator contains a complete set of GPS utility functions for the purpose of uploading, downloading, archiving, and otherwise manage their collection of GPS 'tracklog' files. Indeed, the Webmaster suspects that the free demo version of this program can be used as a GPS utility program on a stand-alone basis, without purchasing any of the expensive CD-ROM disks. This possibility is even more important since the Landscape Navigator supports so many different GPS receivers that it might be the only low-cost GPS utility program that is available to the users of some GPS receivers.
This utility program converts the format of Maptech Landscape Navigator 'Track' files to the Waypoint+ 'tracklog' file, so that such files can be exchanged with users of Waypoint+ and similar GPS utility programs.
This utility program also allows users of Maptech Landscape Navigator to convert their 'track' files to the Landview III MIE format. Note however that this conversion is a three-step process:
Run mtt-wptl - To convert from Maptech 'track' to Waypoint+ 'tracklog' file format.
Run Waypoint+ - To convert the WGS84 Datum to NAD83 Datum.
Run wptl-mie - To convert from Waypoint+ 'tracklog' to Landview III MIE format.
Some users may chose to not operate Waypoint+ in this sequence since expert opinion suggests that the difference between WGS84 and NAD83 Datum is trivial in nature.
Folks that have invested in the Maptech Landscape Navigator CD-ROM disks for their particular state (or portion thereof), are able to use the 'Track Tool' (the button looks like a pen drawing a line) to hand-draw the approximate route of their trail on the Topographic map as a temporary expediency. The resultant line can thus be exported to Landview III in exactly the same manner as if they had used a GPS receiver to collect and upload a tracklog file using the Maptech software. Note that the Webmaster has not tested this capability.
The precise brand and model of GPS receiver must conform to the requirements of the Maptech program.
Mapping of a trail that is covered by a heavy forest canopy should be deferred until late fall or early spring.
The GPS should be hand-held or mounted during usage so that its antenna has maximum exposure to the sky.
The GPS receiver can use any convenient Datum, the native WGS84 could easily be the best choice
The 'tracklog' feature of a Garmin GPS automatically records the users position at specified intervals while feature is 'on'.
Switching the 'tracklog' function 'on' indicates the start of a new trail segment.
Switching the 'tracklog' function 'off' prevents the recording of unwanted points.
Mapping software assumes that the trail segment is a series of straight lines between points recorded while the function is 'on'.
Quickly switching the 'tracklog' function 'off' then 'on' can be used to indicate an adjacent trail segment.
Clearing the 'tracklog' function erases all of previous points from the limited 'tracklog' memory.
Experimentation may be necessary to determine the optimum setup and use of this feature.
The free download version of the Landview III program can view the data for just one county at a time. Data collection efforts should be planned to avoid crossing any State or County Lines as a means of avoiding potential problems in the operation of the Landview III program. Note that the Landview III MIE file can be manually edited to resolve this issue.
The Maptech Landscape Navigator CD-ROM coverage of some states requires more than one disk for complete coverage of the State. Data collection efforts might be planned to avoid crossing the boundaries of CD-ROM map coverage to facilitate desk checking and editing of the 'track' files against the topographic maps on CD-ROM.
Native binary format on hard disk might be best for quick and strictly temporary storage purposes.
Export format files on diskette might be best for archival purposes.
Redundant data uploads must be considered before the GPS receiver 'tracklog' memory is cleared for new data.
The program has been tested using data obtained from a Garmin II+ GPS receiver.
The following data fields must be entered (in any order) before pushing the 'Start File Conversion program' button:
Three boxes under Maptech Track allow the selection of Drive, Directory, and Filename of the input file in that order. Note that the file should have the '.txf' extension (not enforced).
Four boxes under 'Waypoint+ TL' allow the selection of Drive & Directory, the easy review of existing file names, and final specification of new filename in that order. Clicking an existing filename in the third box copies it to the fourth box so that the file can be re-used, or the filename modified as desired. Absence of a file extension results in the automatic assignment of '.txt', otherwise use of that extension is strongly suggested but not enforced by the conversion program.
Pushing the 'Start File Conversion program' button initiates the file conversion as specified above.
The 'Records Processed' window reveals the number of records successfully converted.
The 'Done' message indicates that the program terminated successfully.
Pushing the 'Clear Results' button clears the record count window and restores the word 'Ready' to the results window.
The program code is unable to detect any errors in the file format!
The output file indicates that it uses WGS84 Datum (implicit Datum of all Maptech files)
The file content does not include the track name used within the Maptech program.
The date & time of file conversion is substituted for the date and time that each tracklog point was created.
