Easy way to track your detecting path

I have been looking and experimenting with a number of devices to record my GPS tracks that I do when out detecting. I have tried a number of times to record the tracking directly onto my phone but it keeps losing the track and so the path is either broken or seems to be drawing directly between 2 points. The phones work OK whilst carrying them horizontally but not when in a pocket and this seems to be a common problem with recording tracks on all of the phone types I have tried.

Currently I use a simple and cheap method that I thought I would share on this forum. My GPS is a smart watch called a Amazafit BIP made by Xiaomi. - https://en.amazfit.com/bip.html
Costs less than $100 and uses two GPS systems - ie. GPS (US), GLONASS (Russia). The watch also records your distance walked and heart rate as a bonus. The accuracy of this device is amazing and it is very simple to use. Also minimal interference with the detector is a big plus.

Once my walking/detecting track has been recorded into the watch I simply download it into my phones fitness tracker ( Notify&Fitness app)  and then import it into either Google maps (GPX to KML conversion required) where I share it with my detecting buddy or import it as a GPX file directly into my OSMAND mapping software ( https://osmand.net/ ) on the phone. Whilst this system works well for me I am always looking for a better way and so I am interested to know how anyone else is doing this.



Example of a detecting track that I walked in Tarnagulla - no gold found here

I use a garmin etrex 20 and seems to work fine

joe82 wrote:I use a garmin etrex 20 and seems to work fine

I did look at this device but couldn't find out how to export the tracks into google maps. Are you able to do this easily?

With a garmin device the use of their free Basecamp program you can use "gpx" format to save your trips/walks and Google earth/maps will open them. The best program for all of GPS programs is OziExplorer it will read most gps systems and convert them to another format. I have 3 Garmin Rhino GPS's and a Garmin Vivoactive 3 GPS Watch and can uses them with both programs mention.


As you seem to be chasing gold have a look at my post ---Link---

Historical-gold-mines-in-google-earth on this forum under Information on gold fields

Geoff a bit off topic but have you noticed how the garmin's rino interferes with your detector. It was very noticeable with my 7000 and 5000, so now I only use it for marking g my start point and switch it off.

hoolahoopa wrote:Geoff a bit off topic but have you noticed how the garmin's rino interferes with your detector. It was very noticeable with my 7000 and 5000, so now I only use it for marking g my start point and switch it off.

We have been using the Garmin Rino, turned on, hanging on belt, tracking our path and communicating for years, using GPX - 4500's, SDC2300 & this year the GPZ-7000, never a problem.

The trick that may help is to have the rhino or other device switch on and retune your detector with the coil facing those devices.

I forgot to find the noisiest direction with the detector first, and face that way when devices are onbe for you tune your detector.

Same here, been using the Garmen Rino 700 turned on and sits in my shirt pocket while using the GPZ. No problems at all.

Cheers

Doug

Thanks fellas. Mine cuts out the audio when talking on the 2way and makes a huge difference in the threshold. Becomes very wobbly.
I do know of 2 others where I detect that don't use them because of this aswell.
1 bloke reckons it's the electronic compass but I'm not convinced .
Cheers

geof_junk wrote:With a garmin device the use of their free Basecamp program you can use "gpx" format to save your trips/walks and Google earth/maps will open them. The best program for all of GPS programs is OziExplorer it will read most gps systems and convert them to another format. I have 3 Garmin Rhino GPS's and a Garmin Vivoactive 3 GPS Watch and can uses them with both programs mention.


As you seem to be chasing gold have a look at my post     ---Link---

Historical-gold-mines-in-google-earth on this forum under Information on gold fields

Hi Geof, I find I need to convert my "gpx" formated tracks into "kml" format before google earth/maps will recognise them. How do you get GPX to work in google maps?
Thanks for the links - very interesting

I now use OziExplorer installed on my Samsung Galaxy S7 phone & can track my route by the onboard GPS setup & like this setup because of the larger display screen then when I used my Garmin Rino.
Easy to link to my laptop to download the tracking file to google earth using the OziExplorer export file option.
I have found the phone which I have in my top pocket doesn't interfere with the GPZ7000

Cheers Ted

Topcat wrote:I now use OziExplorer installed on my Samsung Galaxy S7 phone & can track my route by the onboard GPS setup & like this setup because of the larger display screen then when I used my Garmin Rino.
Easy to link to my laptop to download the tracking file to google earth using the OziExplorer export file option.
I have found the phone which I have in my top pocket doesn't interfere with the GPZ7000

Cheers Ted

Thanks I will try OziExplorer. How accurately does this track your path?
Cheers
Mauri

I have found within about 5 meters.

Topcat wrote:I have found within about 5 meters.

Great thanks - heading out tomorrow and I will test it then.

I have found that I cant upload tracks onto google earth pro but I could on the old normal google earth????? any ideas on what im doing or not doing I could just plug it in to the laptop and ad it easy but now it wont accept my garmin

joe82 wrote:I have found that I cant upload tracks onto google earth pro but I could on the old normal google earth????? any ideas on what im doing or not doing I could just plug it in to the laptop and ad it easy but now it wont accept my garmin  

Joe I have been out of action for a while, but have you used the import function in google earth pro otherwise load it in Oziexplorer and save it in a format that google likes. Hope this helps.

mate think so been a while since I tried (not much good with the computer) how do I get Ozi and use it

Hi

VERY new to detecting but not new to mapping.  I can offer another approach which is free and uses your phone.

An app called AVENZA uses free and purchased vector maps and it can record tracks too.  The free version of Avenza only permits three maps at a time BUT installing the map for where you'll be walking in advance is simple.  The tracks are recorded on a different layer so they remain even if you delete the current map to install another.  That layer can be exported to all manner of softwares.  I always mark my car location before heading bush.

All current NSW topo vector maps are available from LPI.  This is the address for central Sydney:

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/etopo/geopdf/25k/9130-2N%20SYDNEY%20HEADS.pdf

...so if you know that you'll be in, say, Sunny Corner, download MEADOW FLAT at http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/etopo/geopdf/25k/8831-2S%20MEADOW%20FLAT.pdf and you're away.

Note that folders are divided into map scales 100k, 50k and 25k and the map name is entered as NUMBER then NAME dot PDF and all spaces in the name get replaced by %20.

I've created a clickable catalogue PDF so when I'm in the bush, one click and the map is installed into Avenza.  It looks like https://www.spatial.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/217938/SS_TopoMapCatalogue.pdf but each square is a button.  I keep that PDF on the phone for quick use.  If anyone would like a copy, PM me your email address and the word 'please' and I'll send it to you.  

I hope this helps.

Mark

PS DO NOT download all the maps to your computer and transfer to Avenza. This doesn't work as the georeferencing gets screwed up. You must download the map directly to the Avenza app. If you just want the maps themselves go to https://mgf897.github.io/nsw-maps/ . This person has listed most but not all of them.

Hey Joe, try this one, https://trilobite.solutions/maps/ (Australian Geology travel maps) way easy to use, App on phone, and once you have downloaded the maps etc it just uses the GPS Satellite to track your position, you can mark your tracks/trail and mark position on the map, send tracks etc to google earth.

We have been using it for quite a few months now, heaps good.

I have used THIS program for a number of years.
It will read almost every GPS and saves them as GPX files. On GE use tools,gps,import file and it should open up for you. then you save it as a kmz/kml for future easy opening.

You can quickly enter points in Easygps then transfer them to the gps using the export button. I use it to load points for pegging a lease as these clumsy old fingers are not much use on the gps's keys.

Also use GpsBabel to convert between formats. It can be finicky to use and will cause some headaches but in the end it starts to make sense.
Dozer

Joe you can use garmin basecamp xxxx LINK xxxx    to load & save gps files Prog is free

The OziExplorer Program   ---- Link ----

cheers guys will have a crack

ok so i got basecamp on the laptop got my gps points on there couldn't get them from there to google then lost them of basecamp WTF

Not sure what you did, but try and reload your file/track and and goto Menu at the top and select File then select Export then select Export Selection give it a name and remember Folder/or select another folder. were it say Save as type  select the format you want and hit Save  You should have the file you want in the format you want. Now open it with google.   .............    Hope this helps  Geof.

reload the file track into what I have deleted basecamp and re downloaded it and now cant even open the b**tard to add the waypoints and tracks from my gps

hahahahaha don't worrie mate I have been close but I will get there