Mapping (planning) software

[Bmhdg76]

Hi all,

Have done a search but have not had much luck in finding what I am after.

What software/apps do people use to plan their trips?
Wanting to start to record routes taken on holidays and also plan future trips.
RACQ site etc just doesn't give me enough detail or flexibility and also am wanting to store info.
I don't want anything expensive (read CHEAP).
I am a all mac/iFamily (ipad).

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks
BJ

 

[Meanderthals]

Wikicamps: Very cheap Android App. Maps (basic), campsites, comments & site info can be downloaded and then available off line. Used on both a Sumsung Android pad and my Galaxy Note big screen phone (bigger than iDevice)
Camps6 book: Paper maps for overall planning and backup and quick check of nearby sites. Not so cheap.
Oziexplorer: Full versions on Pad, phone & PC/laptop. Has complete Hema maps and the ExplorOz version on all with an imported bought set of the Camps6 locations. Oziexplorer for Android can be bought quite cheap while still in Beta version and licences obtained for multiple devices. Sorry, not compatible yet for iDevices. Can be used with inbuilt GPS (not all iPad's have inbuilt GPS) or an add on external unit for PC/laptop. Used for planning routes from PC/laptop, setting up screen layouts for the Android version and running on Android phone and pad as dash display or navigator amusement. Full Oziexplorer is a bit expensive but there are addons that enhance it for free. Has track recording to later bring back in to main program.
Google Maps/Earth/Street view for local town maps, some planning and viewing specific street views. FREE and has proven more reliable that the Apple botched version a while back where even they directed people to Google apparently.

All this without an iDevice in sight. See, it can be done. Not that I'm having a go at anyone of course. But I suppose that after paying the Apple Tax for an iDevice you need cheap addons to balance it out.

Seriously, there's a lot of cheap and more costly things out there. I just like toys and the above qualifies.

 

[Drover]

I have Wiki Camps, Camps 7 and the best bit of kit is a sheet of ply with a big map of QLD on one side and NSW on the other, another has Vic and SA, been using it for years to do the basic plan, it's big you can see everything and while I'm tech savvy I still think a paper map is just so much better for planning things, just use the electronic stuff for on road and updated info.
Google Earth is great for checking out the area for camps, re: fishing spots etc.

 

[Stan53]

G'day BJ. does your ipad have telephone thingy or is it just wifi? Mine is wifi only. I have Hema maps on mine cost me 149. But I don't use that for planning. I only use paper for planning. However, go here http://www.raa.com.au/strip_map.asp?pageid=1381&OriginID=33&button=Get+Strip+Maps and have a look. I got a lot of detail for my Adelaide trip for this week and also have used it for planning the corner trip in Sept/Oct.
best not talk about google maps. They are a bit of a giggle and apple maps are best not even thought about.
Like you, we are a Mac house.
In the car I have Garmin and TomTom GPSs.

 

[Smergen]

A very handy thread this one, some very handy tips.

 

[Bmhdg76]

Thanks all so far.
@PhilD we already have all the devices so am not looking at anything extra in that way. Yes I agree @Drover that paper is still a good thing, but figure the electronic versions will tell us distance time etc. @Stan53 our iPads are wifi but tether them to our iPhones all the time and so they use 3g and the iPhones gps, saves another subscription to the telcos. Definitely agree @Smergen.

BJ

 

[Drover]

Same here @Bmhdg76 I plan out the trip on paper and use my GPS or phone to count down the distance/time, forgot to mention I have a Hema 4WD Map programme on my laptop which is great when plugged into the 50" at home though its only scanned digital version of the paper maps. I have some maps that are years old with penciled notes of trips from years back showing distance, fuel needed and running times now thats something the electronic stuff misses.

 

[jeff]

Paper maps for planning, Hema Navigator 6 to recored the routes we take, waypoints etc. The navigator comes with a vrsion of Oziexplorer that allows your to manipulate maps, copy to from navigator, computer etc. Also have a wigfe that sits in the passenger seat and records everything we do on paper. I think this is the best resource we have

 

[Meanderthals]

Paper maps for planning a Navigator 6 to recored the routes we take, waypoints etc. The navigator comes with a vrsion of Oziexplorer that allows your to manipulate maps, copy to from navigator, computer etc. Also have a wigfe that sits in the passenger seat and records everything we do on paper. I think this is the best resource we have

Assuming "wigfe" means wife I have one of them too, but mine doesn't need paper to record anything as she commits all to memory to be dredged up at a later date to use against me

 

[Bmhdg76]

Assuming "wigfe" means wife I have one of them too, but mine doesn't need paper to record anything as she commits all to memory to be dredged up at a later date to use against me

They always do don't they!

For the Mac users, I have found "Road Trip Planner"
https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/road-trip-planner/id805071244?mt=12
Have downloaded the Lite version and seems quite good.
Can do quite a bit as can also attach images, points of interests etc to each leg.

Screenshots below from the App Store, but seems to work quite well for Aus.



Not affiliated in anyway.

BJ