Map comments

Background, finding GPS software

First I bought a sailboat. I was not really new to navigation and will still rely on paper maps, yet I bought a lightweight, inexpensive GPS (Garmin Geko 201), mostly to assist and to log my trips. I improvised mounts for boat and bike, and started tracking my movements.

Next I needed software and maps to visualise my logs and plan routes - that is set waypoints for future trips to make (especially solo) navigation easier. Before I dish out for unknown products, I make a habit of looking for what is available for free. And tried several: TIKI, EasyGPS, ExpertGPS, SeaClear, GPS utility, OZI Explorer, GPS TrackMaker and then some. Others disqualified in the download process. Most of them, despite being free- or shareware, appeared to assume that you already had a map. Which I did not. EasyGPS is cool for managing waypoints, but the fun stops there as it does not do maps or even tracklogs. GPS utility is useful right away and has excellent map calibration tools, but the free version only supports too limited a number of waypoints/trackpoints to be useful for actual life.

That left me with GPS TrackMaker®. Although the free version does have some restrictions, they are not killjoys. Actually, that is wrong. I suppose the correct way of putting it would be that TrackMaker PRO has added features. TrackMaker is small footprint (3,7 Mb download), feature rich and free. My kind of software. Even better, you start the program, download logs from a GPS and you are half way to creating your own map. Point is, I really like TrackMaker. Not only does it do a very good job at what it is supposed to do, but it is generally very likable software. 

Caveats and map-approach

Here's what I did: I brought the GPS on a couple of trips across my general roaming area. Then I looked for maps on-line, copied some (personal use) and calibrated them to fit the routes. The maps were not very good, some of them just screenshots, but they did allow me add waypoints and routes for future trips. After a little while I realised that even without the background I had a map I could use for planning routes and give directions. The fjord background is my own sketch with no guarantees.

• Centre Oslo, accuracy should be pretty high. Main tourist attractions are added for good measure, including roads to get there. 
• Oslofjord, accuracy, pretty high where co-ordinates are given. However, no rocks or navigational hazards are marked so you would be pretty insane even thinking you can use it for actual navigation. But then, if you are considering taking a boat out, you already know that. Complimentary to proper charts, it aids me in planning and logging trips. And as such, it is useful, at least to me. 
• The GIF fjord background is reasonably accurate in terms of visualising the coastline. It can show you where you have been, but cannot really tell you where you should be going.
• Accuracy in the Northern parts, namely the Oslo hills and forests, is still sketchy. Mostly because I have mislaid my good paper maps and relied on secondary information. But I hope to remedy that with a few autumn week-ends cycling and finding the stray maps. For planning, please add generously to the distances and take into account that the altitudes varies between 0 and 500 meters. Which again means the routes may take a lot longer than you think.

Why is this useful? Mostly, probably, because I have always loved maps. It does also provide me with a variety of options for cycle trips. But the purpose of the exercise, is to set routes for boating daytrips. Especially when motoring alone, it is easy (with the additional help of proper charts) to set courses at home that again will allow me to leave the helm to the autopilot, only changing course whenever I reach a waypoint. 

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