Adding scanned paper maps into the GPS receiver using ExpertGPS software- Garmin Dakota

DISCLAIMER- WE ARE IN NO WAY ADVERTISING EXPERTGPS SOFTWARE

This is a follow up on the previous post in which we used google earth to add scanned paper maps to the GPS receiver; this time around, we will use ExpertGPS software to run the process.
ExpertGPS is a great software we discovered a while ago. The drawback is that its subscription based meaning it is not free but comes with a 250 US dollar price tag to get a full featured package. Notwithstanding, it is an excellent software that makes working with GPS data easy. For those who wish to practice, you can download the one week trial version online.

Task
We will demonstrate to you how to add scanned paper maps to our Garmin Dakota GPS. Our custom map is a section of a topo map and we will be uploading it as a KMZ file into the GPS receiver.
Note that the GPS receiver should be capable of receiving custom maps. Not all GPS receivers have this functionality.
Scan at > 109 dpi and save as jpeg image file.
Steps
- Prepare the paper map for calibration in ExpertGPS
- Send the map to the GPS receiver as a KMZ file

Procedure using Expert GPS software

1. The paper map should be scanned at a resolution of 110pixels. Our paper map is the south-western section of the 1:50,000 topographic sheet centered at Ahoro/Oniyangi axis.

2. A dialog box to fill name and projection will pop up. Fill a name and click Add button (red boxed)to adjust the projection parameters.


3. This dialog box will open. (For Nigeria) Select Africa>Format to Decimal Degrees


4. The calibration circles (red boxed) are in the far right corner. click on them one by one and go to the map and select locations of your control points. there are three calibration circles. The green box is the location of our first calibration point.



5.  When one clicks on the location of the control points with the calibration tool, an Edit Calibration Point dialog box comes up. Fill in the coordinates of that control point and click OK.
You will do this for the three calibration points.


6. Go to GPS on the main menu >Send Maps to GPS. A yellow box will define the size of custom tiles that the receiver can take at a time. One can make several tiles and send to make up the whole area. The Send Maps to GPS dialog box will open. Make sure you check the Data Overlays option. Click Send Map


7. In the Save As dialog box navigate to your GPS receiver Drive>Garmin> CustomMaps folder and save. If it is not there, create one. (this is representative of a Garmin GPS)


8. This is a screenshot of the scanned map in the GPS receiver map display.


Though a paid for software, ExpertGPS makes working with GPS data and the GPS receiver simpler. We  would recommend it any day especially if its an organization or institution that intends to use it.

Practice, practice and practice and lets have your feedback.

Adding scanned paper maps to the GPS receiver using Google Earth

This post will demonstrate how we can convert a scanned paper map into a format where we can upload it into our GPS receiver and use it as a base map. A good software for carrying out this process is Google Earth. Our GPS receiver for this demonstration is a Garmin Dakota.

Task
Using Google Earth to Add a scanned paper map for use on the GPS receiver.

Tips
- the paper image should be scanned at a dpi>109
- Better to use image format jpeg

Procedure

1. Launch Google Earth. Pan to the selected area where the scanned map is located. In our case, its south west of Ibadan city. Go to ADD >Image Overlay. Here navigate to where the image is and click OK in the dialog box and the image will come in.


2. In our case, we picked a geographic coordinates of a known location on the map. We put the coordinates in the search box (red boxed) and then adjusted the image to the right position on the map. To adjust the image, Right click on the file (yellow boxed)>properties.


3. A green border will appear to guide the adjustment.


4. In the properties box below, adjust the transparency to the middle between opaque and Clear; Go to the Altitude Tab and adjust as below. This settings will ensure that the image will overlay the map in the GPS receiver.


5. Right Click on the File > Save Place As

6. Save File as type Kmz!!! Save in the CustomMaps folder in the GPS receiver. Create one if it didn't exist there.


7. Here is a screenshot in the GPS receiver map display.

Uploading data in excel spreadsheet into a GPS receiver

A lot of field work data is reported in the form of tables and spreadsheets. A field staff will normally document his or her field data in excel tables and then file them in with the report. Therefore, it is usually the first source to retrieve locational data from. We will be demonstrating this process using the DNR GPS software as an intermediary to do the conversion to GPX files as well as to upload the data into the GPS receiver.

Task
In this demonstration, we will do the following:
- Save Excel data in a format that DNR GPS will recognize- Text Tab delimited.
- Convert using DNR GPS to GPX format
- Upload to the GPS as Waypoints, routes or tracks.

Procedure
1. Launch microsoft Excel. Navigate to where the file is and Open in excel.


2. Save type as Text (Tab Delimited)*txt* in the Save as dialog box. Click yes for any prompts that pop up during the process.


3. Launch DNR GPS. File > Load From>File (red boxed). Navigate to the Text file just created.


4. Open it and it will load into DNR GPS.


5. File > Save To> File. In the Save as dialog box, this time for Save Type as - select from the dropdown list- GPS Xchange file *gpx*


6. Select Waypoints, tracks or routes as is appropriate. For this demo, waypoint is selected.


7. Connect the GPS receiver, go to Waypoints> Upload. It will prompt for the name, fill the name and OK. The Upload complete message box will show.


8. Disconnect the GPS receiver and check the GPX folder in the Garmin drive for the waypoints.

How to Check the Garmin GPS receiver for GPX files
Go to the Drive on your computer- Garmin Drive E
Open the drive and Click on the Garmin Folder
In the Garmin Folder, locate the GPX folder
Open the folder and look for the uploaded file.