[GIS] Solutions for uploading maps to GPS (forestry maps: roads, trails, hydro, polygons)

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I'm using a QGIS 2.2.0 Valmiera on a Windows 8.1 system Desktop. I'm a forester and I would like to have a cheap solution to load maps into the handheld Garmin 60, 62 or 64 series GPS. Free would be even better, if possible.

There is a software that costs around $350 that creates an image (.img) that is easily loaded into GPS, but it's expensive AND I don't think it works with QGIS. The best solution I've found so far would be Mapwel, which costs $45 or $90. You just take the shapefiles you need and merge them, then load them to your GPS.

Does anyone know of a cheaper solution?

Best Answer

If all you need is combined background there is plugin for QGIS called GarminCustomMap to export map easily for Garmin devices which supports custom maps - series 62, 64 as defined here: http://www.garmin.com/us/products/onthetrail/custommaps

There is also video tutorial on youtube how to use that QGIS plugin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abffJeSj3zM

Garmin maximum extent limit:

100 jpg files max (typical - see Garmin FAQ)
1 megapixel (1024x1024, 512x2048 pixels, etc.) max jpg resolution to avoid reduction in resolution on unit
3MB max file size for any single jpg

Meaning the maximum square extent possible for 1m resolution is ~10x10km

Garmin Custom Maps FAQ

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[GIS] Import DEM into PostGIS for QGIS

To load the imported PostGIS raster into QGIS:

First, you need to create a connection to your PostGIS database containing the raster.

Then, You can go to Database -> DB Manager -> DB Manager from the system menu.

The DB Manager Dialog Box will show. You can expand your database; browse to the raster and right-click on it. Choose "Add to Canvas". This works with QGIS 2.6 and 2.4 (I don't have 2.2 to test with).

Hope this helps.

enter image description here

[GIS] Importing extension data from GPX files

The "old" GPS tool does not seem to understand the extension tags, maybe it is too old for that.

Instead, use Add vector Layer, but there are still some pitfalls.

If I take a sample of my logger:

<extensions>
 <label xmlns="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/gpx_overlay/0/3">
   <label_text>Push Log Point #1</label_text>
 </label>
</extensions>

I get a field named label with the content <label_text>Push Log Point #1</label_text> (including some trailing blanks).

With your example, I get a field wptx1:WaypointExtension with a content of 0.

Splitting the extension over several lines like

<extensions><wptx1:WaypointExtension>
<wptx1:Samples>4</wptx1:Samples>
</wptx1:WaypointExtension></extensions>

I get a field content of <wptx1:Samples>4</wptx1:Samples>

Removing the wptx1:WaypointExtension like this:

<extensions><wptx1:Samples>4</wptx1:Samples></extensions>

creates a field named wptx1_Samples with a content of 4 (which is probably what you want).

The manpage http://www.gdal.org/drv_gpx.html notes that extensions fields are taken from the first waypoint, so make sure all waypoints have the same extensions.

Alternatively, you can use the OSGEO4W Shell to convert a GPX file to a point shapefile on the command line with:

ogr2ogr --config GPX_USE_EXTENSION YES out1.shp sample1.gpx waypoints

Best Answer

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