This is a side project that uses the same data as the NZ Open GPS Maps Project for Garmin. This side project grew out of an experiment and I thought people may find it useful - it's a vector mapset that is searchable for any named map feature. Using GPSTrackmaker on a laptop connected to just about any GPS - real time GPS navigation is possible! It's also great just for using as an atlas of NZ!

GPSTrackmaker offers many features including:

  • Real time navigation (not autorouting though!) 
  • .gpx file import and export
  • Google Earth .kml export
  • Support for most Garmin™,Magellan™,Lowrance™/Eagle™,MLR™,Brunton™/Silva™ model GPS units
  • Support for NMEA0183 Protocol
  • Good looking map printouts
  • Map authoring tools
  • Waypoint, track and route creation (as well as upload / download to and from the GPS)

Download GPSTrackMaker from here (approx 5.3 mb)

GPSTrackMaker homepage  


The NZ GPS Map for TrackMaker:
  • Using the same data as the Garmin GPS maps I have built a complete map of NZ with all roads, towns, lakes, rivers, POI and highways. It's only usable in GPSTrackMaker and can't be uploaded to a GPS or edited.
  • Yes - you can use this without a GPS
  • Search for any named road, town and named map features.
  • Add your own tracks and waypoints to produce customised NZ maps
  • Use TrackMaker, a laptop and GPS to track your location in real-time on NZ map

Download the NZ GPSTrackMaker Map

Tips for using TrackMaker and the NZ Map:

  • To use the NZ Map in GPSTrackMaker - start GPSTrackMaker, follow the menu path Maps | Open Temporary Maps and then select the 'full nz map4.map' file (download from the link on this page and run the self-extractor to unpack the map file). Note that the .map file may not have exactly that name - it's been revised a couple of times.
  • TrackMaker needs to know your local time zone - configure it by following the menu path Tools | Options | Units | Local time zone - set this to +12 or +13 (I think we are +13 at the moment with daylight savings) which is the difference between UTC and NZ. GPS units record the tracklog and waypoint timestamps in UTC as I understand it.
  • TrackMaker is great for producing maps. It has some pretty good map drawing tools.
  • You can mark waypoints onto the background map - just use the pencil waypoint tool and place the point on one of the background map features e.g. a road and TrackMaker will give the waypoint the name of the object it is touching.

  • Your own tracks and waypoints can be overlayed on top of the NZ map - this is ideal for producing a customised map. I know of at least one club using the NZ map + TrackMaker and a GPS to produce their own maps of mountainbike tracks in the Riverhead Forest. See the sample map below of some tracks I've recorded and added to the Riverhead area (nb these are not the maps / tracklogs produced by the West Coast Riders Club)

  • Save your tracks and waypoints as .gpx files to allow other software to open and use your tracks. Save your maps as .gtm files (native TrackMaker) format
  • If you are recording your own tracks on your GPS
    • Ensure your GPS is set to record 'Most Often'. 
    • Turn off the 'Wrap when full' function - this will overwrite the recorded track!
    • An external amplified antenna can help in marginal conditions - like tree cover etc.
    • Download the 'active' tracklog - don't 'save' the tracklog on your GPS - doing that removes the timestamps and altitude information, not to mention compressing the track which wrecks the resolution of the data.
  • The free version of TrackMaker can't export the map as an 'image file' (.jpg / .bmp etc) so I suggest you use screendumps if you want to include map images in documents etc.
  • The printing feature works ok, however you may need to experiment with the printer line width in the Tools | Options | Printer menu. On my laser printer I use a line width of 8 with good results.
  • To turn on real time navigation
    • GPS plugged in and turned on, either with a 'fix' (in view of sky) or in simulation mode if you are doing it indoors without a satellite fix
    • Menu path: Interface | Garmin Interface (or use the NMEA 0183 interface if you have another type of GPS)
    • In the next screen click on the 'Garmin PVT data' button in the Real time navigation section at the bottom.
  • TrackMaker has a host of neat features - altitude plots of tracklogs, tracklog analysis including length, min / max / average speeds, and time. 
  • Please note that I offer no support for GPSTrackMaker
  • Feedback / tips etc welcome - email 'em through! I'm always interested to hear how the maps are being used. Or make a post on the Software Forum of the New Zealand Recreational GPS Society

 Here is a sample screenshot from TrackMaker with a tracklog of a bike ride I did one Saturday morning:
 

 

Sample Map of Riverhead with some tracks and waypoints I recorded using a GPS - I've done this to show some tracks and minor roads that are not in the NZ Map. I've also marked in two parking areas using TrackMakers built-in waypoint symbols.

Legal stuff:
  • This map is 'free' for use. Any distrubution of it must be for free and at cost of media, packaging and shipping only. No 'finders' or 'research' fee may be charged for this maps distribution. 
  • The content of this website (i.e. the pages and images) may not be copied / reproduced without my express permission.
  • This map is not 'open' as I can't supply the source file to create it in GPSTrackMaker - it's simply too big to distribute ~ 108mb in size.
  • This map is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
  • Now would be a good time to point out a few things: the data may not be 100% accurate. Don't blame me if you get lost! The normal navigation resources should be always used e.g. maps / charts / compass / local advise etc. The points of interest data is known to be slightly inaccurate as it was developed from points manually read from paper maps by LINZ...it is good enough for regional locations, just don't expect accuracy down to a couple of meters :-)


Data License:

In circumstances where this data or derivatives of this data have been used to generate information dissemination products such as maps, digital database products, internet databases, gazetteer books or similar, a clear and prominent reference should be made to Land Information New Zealand as the source of the data. If the data has been downloaded and translated or imported into another format or computer program Land Information New Zealand will not be responsible for any problems arising from the use of the data. The spelling or composition of the place names must not be altered unless the change is made to keep the name in line with a New Zealand Geographic Board decision or to correct a known error as detailed by Land Information New Zealand. This data may be freely distributed provided that these conditions are distributed with the data and adhered to by all recipients.

Disclaimers
1. Copying, modification, on-supply and any other use of maps or data extracted from NZTopoOnline is undertaken at the users own risk.
2. Under no circumstances will LINZ be liable to users or to any other person for any loss or damage whatsoever caused directly or indirectly by any copying, modification, creation of derivative works, on-supply or other use of maps or data extracted from NZTopoOnline, or by any other error, omission or other inaccuracy in any such maps or data.

Copyright

All topographic data featured in NZTopoOnline is subject to Crown copyright protection or is licenced to the Crown (DEM data used for hill shading is supplied under licence by GeographX Ltd). You may use, copy and distribute the information extracted from NZTopoOnline in any format or media without charge. However where the data is distributed to a third party, the source, date of extract and copyright of the Crown must be acknowledged eg (NZTopoOnline, extracted July 2002, Crown Copyright Reserved).

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