Trip Planning

[garden gnome]

Gooday , looking for suggestions on what can be used for trip planning I.E point to point shortest distances etc.

Cheers

[Nicko]

Your request implies PC software that can give you best route by distance. In theory probably Google maps or Garmin Mapsource and nRoute with current city navigator maps (or Garmin Topo) or TwoNav with TwoNav Topo. One line of info is never sufficient to give a complete answer if at all possible

[garden gnome]

thanks Nicko :Yes I wanted this for P.C . On our resent trip we wanted to know the best route from Geraldton to Kalgoorlie bypassing Peth on way to S.A - I.E - . I have mapsource , nroute ,garmin topo base camp .so would there be any help on how to use these for planning Etc . regards to google map do you need to be signed up / member etc & what about tutor ?

cheers

[CADManager]

Hi Garden Gnome,

It's not a commercial (i.e. paid) product, but I can recommend ITN Converter by Benichou (here). It typically uses Google Maps (but can be configured for others), but is more GPS aligned (route-planning) than Maps. It uses the GPS Babel engine for export/conversion, so virtually all file formats are possible.

But only recommended if you don't have access to one of the paid products (with which you'd typically get POIs, etc.). AND, it relies on an internet connection (for Maps) - but take a look if you have the time. There's also a "portable" version for installation on a USB key or similar.


Cheers,
Paul.

[mihermano]

Hi.
All the main arteries seem to radiate from Perth, so I guess connecting roads would give a shortest distance between Geraldton and Kalgoorlie.

Why not use your Garmin map/s and software/s to find a suitable Route?
Intermediate 'via' points every 50-100km should help to 'steer' the auto-routing.

Cheers.

[garden gnome]

thanks for reply Mihermano & cadmanager : when you say ...Why not use your Garmin map/s and software/s to find a suitable Route?....do you mean " route tool " on the tool bar - garmins map source - PC - or are you talking of some other function ? And would you know how they work regarding the route they pick IE shortest , main rd , etc ? cheers

[mihermano]

Hi.
I might visit the southwest corner on such a trip, but yes the Garmin PC software's Route function should give you a shortest distance between Geraldton and Kalgoorlie (depending on settings and setup). I haven't had a problem with Garmin's choice of roads, but probably haven't used the auto-routing enough to find many map faults.

More specific questions would probably suit more specific forum sections. Cheers.