I just got the idea to write about something either technical or tech/gadget/geek related every Friday. I don't know if it will be related to my work or not, but I'll write about things I find interesting. In this week's Tech Friday I'm writing about using the iPhone for topo maps. Here's how you do it:
1. If you have the National Geographic Topo software you'll know that you can export custom maps as jpegs. The process is a little awkward, but it can be done quickly with practice. I linked to the map software that is most like mine since it doesn't look like my exact version is sold anymore. Mine is for the Mac and is a topographic map for the entire state of California. Overall it is pretty good except it comes as a bundle of 10 or so cds (instead of 1 or 2 dvds) and I haven't found any good way to make a backup copy of all the cds (copy protection). But back to the main subject.
2. My method is to export between 5 and 10 maps to jpeg of the route and the general area that I'm going to. This can include any additional markers that you put on the maps.
3. Then I can pretty quickly and easily import them into Aperture either by hand or using automator.
4. Then they will automatically get synced with my iPhone the next time I hook it up to my computer because I have it set to import all the photos from the last month.
5. Then when I'm on the trail and I want to have a quick look at the topographic map of the area that I'm in I just look in at the jpegs on my iPhone which allow me to zoom in and scroll up/down and left/right.
I used it a few times on our trip to the Bishop Pass area and it worked pretty well. But there are some limitations. They are:
1. When you move photos from Aperture/iPhoto to your iPhone they get scaled down. So the bigger you can make them on your computer the bigger the scaled down versions will be on your iPhone.
2. If you have too many maps exported to jpeg and don't mark them properly it can be difficult to find the right map on the trail.
3. Just like any GPS device you don't want to overuse your iPhone on the trail because it could run out of batteries (just a general limitation of battery powered devices). Except with the iPhone you don't have extra AA batteries standing by.
So then the question becomes "Why don't I just upload the map to my gps device instead of the iPhone or print out the topo maps and save myself the pain of learning a new process?" My answer is that from my experience hiking and backpacking in California I have rarely needed to refer to a topo map because I'm on a trail most of the time. If there are a lot of trail intersections or other complicated geographical features of the trail I would recommend printing out paper maps and storing them in plastic bags, but otherwise I think having them as a jpeg to refer to every now and then on your iPhone would probably work for you. As with everything on Tom Tech Fridays there is no warranty explicit or otherwise. Use these tips with common sense...
Posted by troutm8 at August 24, 2007 03:45 PM