GPS Route Methodology

We thought we would give you an idea of what it takes to create the TrekNow GPS Routes. Some people think this stuff should be free and we feel that if you understand what it takes to create the routes you might see what a bargain these routes are. Our goal has always been to be able to provide each route for less than one dollar ($1.00) per route and we have so far achieved that goal.

Route research is the first step. Some of the routes are just routes we have discovered on our own, just out exploring. In most cases, though, the routes are documented in a trail guide or book.

The next step is to take the documented route and lay it out in an electronic mapping program. Actually we use two different programs because no one program has all the functionality that we want.

After the route is in the system, we download the routes and waypoints into a database that I we created. Then the symbols and distances are entered into the database to support the printing of roll charts and route sheets.

Next the track logs are created for each route. Then the routes and track logs are exported to two separate files, one containing the route and waypoints and the other file containing the track log points.

From these two files we create the route and active track log in the G7ToWin format (.g7t). We then transfer the data to a Garmin GPSMAP 176C. We used MapSource to pull the route off the 176C and create the route and active track log in MapSource format (.gdb).

Next we use the 176C to save (reduce) the active track log to a saved track log containing 500 track points or less. Then we pull the 500 point route and saved track log to the appropriate programs and store them as G7ToWin and MapSource files.

We repeat this process with a Garmin III+ to create 250 point saved track logs and with an Etrex Vista to create the 750 saved track logs.

So now we have the route in two file formats for each of the track point sizes, active, 750 point, 500 point and 250 point saved track logs.

Next we create the menu driven programmatic interface which allows the user to easily open the files in either the MapSource or G7ToWin programs. We also create the images for the elevation profiles and maps that are used in the programmatic interface. We also create the help files for each route.

After all this, we test every option of the programmatic interface. Actually, everything gets tested twice, once before we use InstallShield to create the cd image and once after the cd image is created.

So you see, these routes truly are a bargain at one buck each.