DavidCanadian
Member
Can anyone point me to a GPS or KML file for the EPW. Has anyone used the offline downloaded google maps on this route?
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Can anyone point me to a GPS or KML file for the EPW. Has anyone used the offline downloaded google maps on this route?
David, hi. I have used/created .gpx files from an offline mapping system on my Android tablet. I use this as Google maps, in my experience for the routes I am interested in, is lacking many walkways.
But, I do not understand EPW
And, I have just become aware that Google maps is now letting their stuff be downloaded.
I might be able to help you with GPS for EPW (if you tell me what it is)
And you might be able to help me with downloading Google maps for offline use.
As I understand it, the European Peace Walk varies slightly from year to year, and to find out the exact GPS would require paying the deposit and receiving the information made available to participants for that year. I may be wrong, but I do not think there would be a GPS file generally available.
The free app MotionX GPS has free base maps to download. Any available .gpx files can be downloaded and added to the base maps if wanted.
Simple operation and simple to use while walking.
Works great on all Camino routes and would work easily from the EPW as well.
That way...it is all on your iPhone ( maybe android also) .
Add a cheap and small external battery and you are good to go without a dedicated GPS unit.
This free app now appears to be $2.59 (unless I'm looking at the wrong thing)The free app MotionX GPS has free base maps to download. Any available .gpx files can be downloaded and added to the base maps if wanted.
Simple operation and simple to use while walking.
.
Thanks KinkyOne, I also saw in the other post that he'd mentioned that he'd registered. It appears to be a walk that few know about so my info was more general for any other readers. I only know of it because a friend has done it both years. However, I don't have the answers to the OPs initial request. ThanksYes, I understand that @KinkyOne , I posted the link for the benefit of others that might read this thread.
Buen Camino, SY
Both my phone and tablet are Android. If any one has positive experience with an Android app I would love to know.
Many thanks Alwyn, I am happy to try it and see if it works for me. Whether you used it on a phone or tablet did you find that the battery life remained reasonable? DavidDavid, hi
I also only use Android on both phone and a 10" tablet.
Several years ago I settled on OSMAND+ as the mapping system that worked for me. Once you have downloaded your chosen region/country at home you are ready to go out and work offline. There are both free (OSMAND) and one-time fee (OSMAND+) versions.
OSMAND+ loads .gpx files placed in the /tracks folder.
And with OSMAND+ you can create your own .gpx files, either by recording your journey as you go or by planning a route before you go.
It has travel modes of Car, Bicycle and Pedestrian.
Most mapping systems seem to uses "tiles". These are JPEG (image) like files. For any one location you need tiles for every layer (zoom) level. This can mean a lot of tiles to download taking both time and storage space.
OSMAND+ uses "vector" graphics meaning the description of the map is used and the files, with all zoom levels, are relatively compact.
For several years the app has been under regular review making it easier to use. But, like any new system it can take a while to find how to drive it best. The latest update of the app was 25 November 2015. Maps that I am interested in are currently updated monthly from the source.
So much for the Android app.
The OSM in the name refers to Open Street Maps. Updates to the basic information is from official and volunteer sources. Earlier this year I registered to be able to make changes with the intention of adding new or adjusting existing pathways for walks I had actually done. These changes seem to find favour and are now incorporated for everyone to access either through a PC or through OSMAND+ and others who use Open Street Maps as their source.
Whether you used it on a phone or tablet did you find that the battery life remained reasonable?
There are two modes of use:
When either recording a track or following an existing .gpx track the battery in my phone would last 3 to 5 hours, the latter when I remembered to "blank" the screen. I would deem that to be heavy use.
When following a "blazed" track I would start it up on my phone to check a turn or some feature or distance to go or whatever, then shut it down. Typically very few if any start ups en route in these circumstances.
When you have a break it may help if you use your phone manager to delete any background apps - it always tells me that OSMAND+ is the heaviest user, but then it is the only self installed app running on my phone at the time.
I use the app on my tablet for planning purposes or for getting a bigger picture than the phone can provide. That is usually done in the evening and so close to recharging sources, so no great issue there for me.
Would love to hear how you go. And I may be able to help with issues you bump into.
full day's walk
OpenStreetMap data is available from various sources for Garmin and other dedicated GPS units. For some places, you will find that local organizations, like mountain bike clubs, etc, have extended the data set with additional information that makes it more useful for off-road users. I find the major advantage of this is that my dedicated GPS (etrex 30) lasts a couple of days on a couple of standard AA cells, and I don't compromise my phone battery life. Clearly, this won't give you some of the other features of OSMAND+, which I also use. Things like the very strong integration with wikipedia won't be available on a dedicated GPS.The next step is to try all this here before making the commitment to leaving the Garmin at home.
The product catalogue is linked here. Downloads are slow!We used Maps.me on the Norte. It was pretty good but having used IGN maps in France I prefer those - but could not find where to download IGN maps for Spain, or an app that uses them - @dougfitz could you post the URL for the Spanish mapping authority please?
The next step is to try all this here before making the commitment to leaving the Garmin at home.
I have also been looking at HERE and MAP.ME, both of which appear to use OpenStreetMap data, and supplement that with imagery (raster) provided by a web service.
The apps themselves differ slightly in the functionality they provide and how they can be used, and OSMAND+ is starting to feel a bit cumbersome compared to the others.
Not for walks. I think the issue is how the GPS receiver is implemented rather than the application itself. Although saying that, if the application keeps the screen on, that will reduce battery charge life as well. My previous smartphone would only survive for a few hours with the GPS enabled, but my current tablet seems to last at least a day, and I haven't really tested my current phone on longer walks. It has been okay on walks up to 2 hours, but I haven't tried it on anything longer.And Doug, do you have any battery use experience with MAP.ME? anticipating David the Canadian's question.