PC Software for Garmin GPS

jwillyfontana <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am delighted with a recently purchased Garmin Geko 301 portable GPS
unit that I attach to my bike with it's bar bracket. It comes with PC
interface. I would love to be able to graphically view the data from
the GPS on my PC, producing an elevation profile of a route cycled,
perhaps with the ability to add names of villages or points of interest
to such a graph. A statistical analysis of distance, average speed,
total height climbed, average gradient etc etc printed out would also
be very interesting. Anyone any knowledge of such software?? Many
thanks John Fontana

Check out:
http://www.topofusion.com/

jwillyfontana <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am delighted with a recently purchased Garmin Geko 301 portable GPS
unit that I attach to my bike with it's bar bracket. It comes with PC
interface. I would love to be able to graphically view the data from
the GPS on my PC, producing an elevation profile of a route cycled,
perhaps with the ability to add names of villages or points of interest
to such a graph. A statistical analysis of distance, average speed,
total height climbed, average gradient etc etc printed out would also
be very interesting. Anyone any knowledge of such software?? Many
thanks John Fontana

--

Try expertgps.com it doesn't do everything you are looking for but
the software will quarry existing GIS databases and do some pretty
cool plotting. Arial views, topo views and streetmaps. I bought a
garmin forerunner which has software that does most of the things you
are looking for but sattelite reception in some of the areas I ride
was inconsistant. I returned it. Does the Geko have a built in
altimeter???

The ideal cycing gadget would be a GPS built into a Poalr 720i, may be
through in a compass to back up the GPS in poor reception areas.

jwillyfontana <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am delighted with a recently purchased Garmin Geko 301 portable GPS
unit that I attach to my bike with it's bar bracket. It comes with PC
interface. I would love to be able to graphically view the data from
the GPS on my PC, producing an elevation profile of a route cycled,
perhaps with the ability to add names of villages or points of interest
to such a graph. A statistical analysis of distance, average speed,
total height climbed, average gradient etc etc printed out would also
be very interesting. Anyone any knowledge of such software?? Many
thanks John Fontana

--

Try expertgps.com it doesn't do everything you are looking for but
the software will quarry existing GIS databases and do some pretty
cool plotting. Arial views, topo views and streetmaps. I bought a
garmin forerunner which has software that does most of the things you
are looking for but sattelite reception in some of the areas I ride
was inconsistant. I returned it. Does the Geko have a built in
altimeter???

The ideal cycing gadget would be a GPS built into a Poalr 720i, may be
through in a compass to back up the GPS in poor reception areas.

jwillyfontana <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am delighted with a recently purchased Garmin Geko 301 portable GPS
unit that I attach to my bike with it's bar bracket. It comes with PC
interface. I would love to be able to graphically view the data from
the GPS on my PC, producing an elevation profile of a route cycled,
perhaps with the ability to add names of villages or points of interest
to such a graph. A statistical analysis of distance, average speed,
total height climbed, average gradient etc etc printed out would also
be very interesting. Anyone any knowledge of such software?? Many
thanks John Fontana

Try expertgps.com it doesn't do everything you are looking for but

the software will quarry existing GIS databases and do some pretty
cool plotting. Arial views, topo views and streetmaps. I bought a
garmin forerunner which has software that does most of the things you
are looking for but sattelite reception in some of the areas I ride
was inconsistant. I returned it. Does the Geko have a built in
altimeter???

The ideal cycing gadget would be a GPS built into a Poalr 720i, may be
through in a compass to back up the GPS in poor reception areas.

Quoted message said:

--

"DirtRoadie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

jwillyfontana <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am delighted with a recently purchased Garmin Geko 301 portable GPS
unit that I attach to my bike with it's bar bracket. It comes with PC
interface. I would love to be able to graphically view the data from
the GPS on my PC, producing an elevation profile of a route cycled,
perhaps with the ability to add names of villages or points of interest
to such a graph. A statistical analysis of distance, average speed,
total height climbed, average gradient etc etc printed out would also
be very interesting. Anyone any knowledge of such software?? Many
thanks John Fontana

Check out:
http://www.topofusion.com/

I Use GARtrip.

Marty

jwillyfontana <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am delighted with a recently purchased Garmin Geko 301 portable GPS
unit that I attach to my bike with it's bar bracket. It comes with PC
interface. I would love to be able to graphically view the data from
the GPS on my PC, producing an elevation profile of a route cycled,
perhaps with the ability to add names of villages or points of interest
to such a graph. A statistical analysis of distance, average speed,
total height climbed, average gradient etc etc printed out would also
be very interesting. Anyone any knowledge of such software?? Many
thanks John Fontana

Look at www.endlesspursuit.com

It does everything you've listed, but unfortunately is only available
online and is kind of expensive.

John said:

jwillyfontana <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am delighted with a recently purchased Garmin Geko 301 portable GPS
unit that I attach to my bike with it's bar bracket. It comes with PC
interface. I would love to be able to graphically view the data from
the GPS on my PC, producing an elevation profile of a route cycled,
perhaps with the ability to add names of villages or points of
interest to such a graph. A statistical analysis of distance, average
speed, total height climbed, average gradient etc etc printed out
would also be very interesting. Anyone any knowledge of such
software?? Many thanks John Fontana

Look at www.endlesspursuit.com
It does everything you've listed, but unfortunately is only available
online and is kind of expensive.

How about Delorme Topo 4 or the new Topo 5? I've got Topo 4 and use my
Magellan Meridian to plot the track of the ride and elevation profile
information.

--

kgatwork said:

John said:

jwillyfontana <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I am delighted with a recently purchased Garmin Geko 301 portable GPS
unit that I attach to my bike with it's bar bracket. It comes with PC
interface. I would love to be able to graphically view the data from
the GPS on my PC, producing an elevation profile of a route cycled,
perhaps with the ability to add names of villages or points of
interest to such a graph. A statistical analysis of distance, average
speed, total height climbed, average gradient etc etc printed out
would also be very interesting. Anyone any knowledge of such
software?? Many thanks John Fontana

Look at www.endlesspursuit.com
It does everything you've listed, but unfortunately is only available
online and is kind of expensive.

How about Delorme Topo 4 or the new Topo 5? I've got Topo 4 and use my
Magellan Meridian to plot the track of the ride and elevation profile
information.

Do the recent versions allow you to plot the elevation profile using the
altitude data from the GPS? I have version 2 and it uses the DEM topo
data to generate the profile just using the horizontal position data
from the GPS tracklog. Unfortunately the DEM data is not very accurate.

On 16 Jun 2004 11:35:32 -0700, [email hidden] (pbook) wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

are looking for but sattelite reception in some of the areas I ride
was inconsistant. I returned it. Does the Geko have a built in

Sorry, but that statement makes no sense to me. The GPS constellation
is not geo-synchronous specifically to not create places of permanent
poor/no reception. They move quickly enough that it doesn't take long
for poor reception to improve .

In my more than 10 years of using GPS units, I have had 2 with antenna
problems. Might that have been the case?
Michael J. Klein [email hidden]
Dasi Jen, Taoyuan Hsien, Taiwan, ROC
Please replace mousepotato with asiancastings
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On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 21:12:27 -0700, Peter <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Do the recent versions allow you to plot the elevation profile using the
altitude data from the GPS? I have version 2 and it uses the DEM topo
data to generate the profile just using the horizontal position data
from the GPS tracklog. Unfortunately the DEM data is not very accurate.

Neither is GPS alititude. If knowing the altitude is important, use
an alitmeter. If its just for fun then it probably doesn't matter
which you use.
Michael J. Klein [email hidden]
Dasi Jen, Taoyuan Hsien, Taiwan, ROC
Please replace mousepotato with asiancastings
---------------------------------------------
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www.goto-info.com
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[email hidden]

Michael J. Klein said:

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 21:12:27 -0700, Peter <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Do the recent versions allow you to plot the elevation profile using the
altitude data from the GPS? I have version 2 and it uses the DEM topo
data to generate the profile just using the horizontal position data

Quoted message said:

from the GPS tracklog. Unfortunately the DEM data is not very accurate.

Neither is GPS alititude. If knowing the altitude is important, use
an alitmeter.

No measurement is perfect, but I've found GPS-derived altitudes to be
far better than the DeLorme DEM data. The DEM-derived profiles tend to
show considerable up and down variation on roads that actually have a
very even grade. The overall shape of the profile is pretty good but
the cumulative climb is greatly exagerated.
Here's a sample elevation plot using only GPS data from two bike rides
over the same course on different days to check for consistency:
http://home.comcast.net/~prathman/Image33.gif
A barometric altimeter (I presume this is what you mean by 'alitmeter' -
a GPS is also a form of altimeter) by itself is subject to considerable
variation due to changing atmospheric conditions and is generally less
trustworthy than careful GPS measurements unless frequent recalibration
is feasible. Much better is using the two together with the pressure
sensor providing short-term stability and the GPS correcting for
longer-term atmospheric changes.

Michael J. Klein said:

Neither is GPS alititude. If knowing the altitude is important, use
an alitmeter. If its just for fun then it probably doesn't matter
which you use.
Michael J. Klein [email hidden]
Dasi Jen, Taoyuan Hsien, Taiwan, ROC
Please replace mousepotato with asiancastings
---------------------------------------------
[email hidden]
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[email hidden]
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
www.goto-info.com
[email hidden]
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OK, I gotta ask: why do you list all these ridiculous e-mail addys at the
end of /every/ post you make? It's a waste of bandwidth and space, AFAICS.

Bill "got my vote for worst sig file of the month" S.

Michael J. Klein <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

On 16 Jun 2004 11:35:32 -0700, [email hidden] (pbook) wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

are looking for but sattelite reception in some of the areas I ride
was inconsistant. I returned it. Does the Geko have a built in

Sorry, but that statement makes no sense to me. The GPS constellation
is not geo-synchronous specifically to not create places of permanent
poor/no reception. They move quickly enough that it doesn't take long
for poor reception to improve .

In my more than 10 years of using GPS units, I have had 2 with antenna
problems. Might that have been the case?
Michael J. Klein [email hidden]
Dasi Jen, Taoyuan Hsien, Taiwan, ROC
Please replace mousepotato with asiancastings
---------------------------------------------
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
www.goto-info.com
[email hidden]
[email hidden]
[email hidden]

The software for the Forerunner would indicate huge spikes in
elevation (using GPS not pressure sensor) when there was no sattlite
reception. Also, when the GPS looses reception (tracking log) for any
segnificant time the software would reset as a new trip so rather than
one 80 mile ride I had 40 2 mile rides. This is not so much a problem
with GPS as with the design of the software.

Peter <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Michael J. Klein said:

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 21:12:27 -0700, Peter <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Do the recent versions allow you to plot the elevation profile using the
altitude data from the GPS? I have version 2 and it uses the DEM topo
data to generate the profile just using the horizontal position data

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

from the GPS tracklog. Unfortunately the DEM data is not very accurate.

Neither is GPS alititude. If knowing the altitude is important, use
an alitmeter.

No measurement is perfect, but I've found GPS-derived altitudes to be
far better than the DeLorme DEM data. The DEM-derived profiles tend to
show considerable up and down variation on roads that actually have a
very even grade. The overall shape of the profile is pretty good but
the cumulative climb is greatly exagerated.
Here's a sample elevation plot using only GPS data from two bike rides
over the same course on different days to check for consistency:
http://home.comcast.net/~prathman/Image33.gif
A barometric altimeter (I presume this is what you mean by 'alitmeter' -
a GPS is also a form of altimeter) by itself is subject to considerable
variation due to changing atmospheric conditions and is generally less
trustworthy than careful GPS measurements unless frequent recalibration
is feasible. Much better is using the two together with the pressure
sensor providing short-term stability and the GPS correcting for
longer-term atmospheric changes.

That's pretty cool. Does the software look at speed and time
information from a ride? If so heartrate info is all you lack. Do
you ride with the GPS on bars or in your pocket?

pbook said:

Peter <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Michael J. Klein said:

On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 21:12:27 -0700, Peter <[email hidden]>
wrote:

>Do the recent versions allow you to plot the elevation profile using the
>altitude data from the GPS? I have version 2 and it uses the DEM topo
>data to generate the profile just using the horizontal position data

Quoted message said:

>from the GPS tracklog. Unfortunately the DEM data is not very accurate.

Neither is GPS alititude. If knowing the altitude is important, use
an alitmeter.

No measurement is perfect, but I've found GPS-derived altitudes to be
far better than the DeLorme DEM data. The DEM-derived profiles tend to
show considerable up and down variation on roads that actually have a
very even grade. The overall shape of the profile is pretty good but
the cumulative climb is greatly exagerated.
Here's a sample elevation plot using only GPS data from two bike rides
over the same course on different days to check for consistency:
http://home.comcast.net/~prathman/Image33.gif

....

Quoted message said:

That's pretty cool. Does the software look at speed and time
information from a ride? If so heartrate info is all you lack.

Yes, the plot shown was done using GARTrip (www.gartrip.de) and it also
plots speed vs. time or distance and can overlay the course on a scanned
map of the area.

Quoted message said:

Do
you ride with the GPS on bars or in your pocket?

I keep the GPS on the handlebar stem so I can consult the map and other
data as needed. It also serves as a replacement for a bike computer
since it displays trip/total odometer and current/avg/max speed.

On Fri, 18 Jun 2004 07:42:24 -0700, Peter <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Michael J. Klein wrote:

<snipped stuff>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Neither is GPS alititude. If knowing the altitude is important, use
an alitmeter.

Quoted message said:

No measurement is perfect, but I've found GPS-derived altitudes to be
far better than the DeLorme DEM data. The DEM-derived profiles tend to
show considerable up and down variation on roads that actually have a
very even grade. The overall shape of the profile is pretty good but
the cumulative climb is greatly exagerated.

No doubt taken from USGS topo maps from the 70's or earler.

Quoted message said:

Here's a sample elevation plot using only GPS data from two bike rides
over the same course on different days to check for consistency:
http://home.comcast.net/~prathman/Image33.gif

Nice image!

Quoted message said:

A barometric altimeter (I presume this is what you mean by 'alitmeter' -
a GPS is also a form of altimeter) by itself is subject to considerable

I just meant a device which is specifically designed to resolve an
altitude, not one which does it as a secondary function.

Quoted message said:

variation due to changing atmospheric conditions and is generally less
trustworthy than careful GPS measurements unless frequent recalibration
is feasible. Much better is using the two together with the pressure
sensor providing short-term stability and the GPS correcting for
longer-term atmospheric changes.

I've only played with an eTrek, so I haven't checked out the accuracy
of both methods combined. Its gotta be better than having just one of
either.

If I understand the application, isn't grade and distance the real
data which is important to cyclists? Don't you wanna know the incline
and how far, and not necessarily the specific altitude? If so, why
not just use a slope meter?

Michael J. Klein [email hidden]
Dasi Jen, Taoyuan Hsien, Taiwan, ROC
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"Peter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Michael J. Klein wrote:

..

Quoted message said:

No measurement is perfect, but I've found GPS-derived altitudes to be
far better than the DeLorme DEM data. The DEM-derived profiles tend to
show considerable up and down variation on roads that actually have a
very even grade. The overall shape of the profile is pretty good but
the cumulative climb is greatly exagerated.
Here's a sample elevation plot using only GPS data from two bike rides
over the same course on different days to check for consistency:
http://home.comcast.net/~prathman/Image33.gif
A barometric altimeter (I presume this is what you mean by 'alitmeter' -
a GPS is also a form of altimeter) by itself is subject to considerable
variation due to changing atmospheric conditions and is generally less
trustworthy than careful GPS measurements unless frequent recalibration
is feasible. Much better is using the two together with the pressure
sensor providing short-term stability and the GPS correcting for
longer-term atmospheric changes.

Your experience speaks *very* poorly for the quality of the DeLorme data.
I've always been under the impression that GPS altitude data was very
inaccurate (~ +/- 75ft) as the fundamental geometry in altitude
determination from the satellites is less favorable vs. positional accuracy.
I know with my somewhat ancient GPS (Garmin GPS II plus), the altitude
drifts significantly while standing still.

jwillyfontana said:

I am delighted with a recently purchased Garmin Geko 301 portable GPS unit
that I attach to my bike with it's bar bracket. It comes with PC
interface. I would love to be able to graphically view the data from the
GPS on my PC, producing an elevation profile of a route cycled, perhaps
with the ability to add names of villages or points of interest to such a
graph. A statistical analysis of distance, average speed, total height
climbed, average gradient etc etc printed out would also be very
interesting. Anyone any knowledge of such software?? Many thanks John
Fontana

--

I use GPSman, which is free under the Gnu license. It contains no GIS
data, but can load/unload waypoints, routes and tracks from/to the GPS (in
my case, a basic Garmin Etrex).
It can plot tracks, including elevation profiles. It is not a very high end
product, but everything can be saved as ascii files and post-processed
using e.g. Excel.

jwillyfontana said:

I am delighted with a recently purchased Garmin Geko 301 portable GPS
unit that I attach to my bike with it's bar bracket. It comes with PC
interface. I would love to be able to graphically view the data from
the GPS on my PC, producing an elevation profile of a route cycled,
perhaps with the ability to add names of villages or points of interest
to such a graph. A statistical analysis of distance, average speed,
total height climbed, average gradient etc etc printed out would also
be very interesting. Anyone any knowledge of such software?? Many
thanks John Fontana

Thanks for the replies. Settled on Gartrip which seems to come close to
what I want, and at £24 doesn't break the bank

--