Uses for track logs

Track logs can be used to trace back your path probably more useful for hiking. Another thiing which is kind of neat is for geotagging. You can use Mapsource to pull the track logs and use http://research.microsoft.com/research/downloads/Details/ead... (WWMX Location Stamper) to geotag photos.
Sync your camera time with the GPSr time, preferably using GMT. Location Stamper will match your photos with the track log and stamp the coordinates on the photos exif info based on the time the picture was taken. When the photos are uploaded to google photos or flickr, it will show where the photos were taken. Recently used the Etrex Legend to track my path on my trip and geotag my photos.

On a trip through very rural Arkansas we once took a detour to go to a farmstand for fresh peaches. The last couple miles were on unmarked dirt roads, little more than 2 ruts through the fields. I was getting nervous about finding my way back to the highway. I had autotrack turned on, so I just followed my path back, the same way that we came. Comes in really handy sometimes.

I'm no expert on this subject, but I've found a few utilities that claim to convert Tracks to Routes.

One of these is GPSBABEL:-

(Use transform,rte=trk,del. The resulting file can't be opened by Mapsource, if you don't specify ",del").

There are some issue to resolve with this conversion. GPSBabel seems to convert each 'Track Point (<trkpt>), each of which is a 'node' from Garmin's original map data, into a "Route Point" (<rtept>)- ie a point you must pass through. While this might guarantee that you retrace the route exactly, the announcements and instructions might get a bit tedious (There could be thousands of them!...)

If you were to convert the "Track Points" (<trkpt>) into Garmin's "Autoroute Points" ((<rpt>), it might be more appropriate. I know a Nüvi 760 is capable of following these instructions 'to the letter'.

The downside, is that if you deviate from such a route (ie you hear "recalculating"), you must stop the Route and re-start it (otherwise the Nüvi will recalculate using its own algorithm, which may result in a radically different route).

What's needed is a utility that converts a 'track' into a route, using the same algorithm that Mapsource would use. I think, by this, I mean just enough (<rtept>) entries to ensure the route goes where you expect, with (<rpt>) entries being used to 'steer' between points (rather than using the Nüvi preferences).

Does anyone know of such a utility?

References:

GPXBabel
http://www.gpsbabel.org/htmldoc-development/filter_transform...

GPX specification http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1/#type_rteType

Garmin Extensions http://www8.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v3/GpxExtens...

Route defined without "Route Points"
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/13113

I use tracks on all my Amtrak trips. It shows me later just where we were and the RR tracks used. Example: getting into Chicago from Indianapolis., Los Angeles Union Station from any direction. A lot of different RR tracks on the map (Paper included) but which ones did Amtrak use? Now I know.

It also gives me the route from Denver to the Moffett Tunnel. There are no maps that I can find that show the RR Tracks on it inclusing paper maps. So the GPS tracks shows the exact trip through this area with its switch backs and 30 tunnels.

I also carry my Laptop with me so I can download the tracks and see as I go.

I was using my IQUE3600 (A very beautiful GPS unit with a lot of built in track features such as editing the tracks as you go. I started using it about 5 years ago. so it had lots of use. the routes used it on were:
Cailfornia Zephyer, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited Empire Builder, Coast Starlight, Cascades, Blue Water, Adirondack, Crescent, Texas Eagle, Silver Service, Capitol Limited, Pennsylvanian. Even the VIAs "Canadian" from Vancouver to Toronto And VIAs Sarina to Toronto to Montreal..

I will now start using my 750 on my next trip in October.

I have tracks for about all the USA with the exception of the Northeast. It is fun to load then all into MapSource and then visualize them in GOOGLE EARTH

If you are a parent with teens, have them use your Nuvi when they use the car and you can use the track log to see where they have been.

But MOM! I don't know how it got turned OFF!!!!

But Mom! It was on It must have MALFUNCTIONED!

Tell ya one use for the "tracks" log. Have a friend that recently won his case on a speeding ticket when his attorney presented a printout of the tracks log to the court. Guess they also obtained documentation or something from Garmin concerning the technology behind the log generations and that it could not be altered.

He was able to demonstrate at the particular time of the traffic stop the speed he was going.

Just another use for the "tracks" log.

o~\o

Looking at some of my tracklogs, they contain all kinds of glitches, that couldn't possibly reflect reality.

What you really need, is the data out the car's Airbag computer ... though I understand you have to trigger it, to stop it recording

Hmm! Very useful - Thanks!

That's why you lock it in the trunk and give them the valet key to the car!

Thanks for the help on using track data. I got lots of good information about retracing recorded paths, plus some creative ideas, e.g., using the data as legal evidence!

As I said: But MOM .............

A GPS unit kept in the trunk have sufficient signal to track ??????????

It should. Most of the time my 760 gets a signal in the house.

I recently acquired a 680. Today I updated the maps, and installed MapSource on my PC. When I imported data from the 680, I didn't get any tracks, just my favorites.

Does a 680 keep a track?

I recently lost my Zumo 450 off my motorcycle. Amazingly it was found AND returned by a good person. Equally as amazingly, the unit still functioned despite a cracked/non-functional screen. But I was able to hook it to my computer and pull the track log.

I know that it came off at 45 MPH and skidded across the oncoming lane without being run over.

I know that in backtracking and looking for it, I drove right by it twice, but was looking on the wrong side of the road.

I know that it sat for an hour and a half before being picked up.

I knew where to look for (and easily find) the SD card that came out of the unit but was not picked up by the person who found it.

But most importantly, I now know where the good samaritan who found it lives and can leave a nice Thank You gift basket on his stoop because he would not accept a reward in person.

Hooray for tracklogs.

FYI, I just shipped it back to Garmin today for them to fix and Kingston is replacing the SD card which turned out to be non-functional. I got really lucky a few different ways - Garmin was not 'going to be able' to help me if I couldn't come up with the unit - even if crushed to dust.

Does not have the track function of the 7xx and 8xx Nuvi series.