Hallo All
I know that there are several threads about this or similar topics. Here are some of them.
http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=3372.msg33547#msg33547http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=3915.msg29285#msg29285http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=4362.msg34093#msg34093http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=4079.msg33367#msg33367I want to give a short summary of the functionalities of Locus and ask some questions.
Scope:
I want to use Locus for navigation on small ways and paths through forests and mountains for mountain-biking. Therefor I want to have turn instructions on crossings combined with voice instructions.
Locus currently gives us four different methods to achieve this goal:
1. So called "Guiding" (Deutsch: Routenführung) based on a GPX file or similar data.
2. So called "Navigation" (DE: Navigieren) based on a GPX file or similar data.
3. So called "Navigation" (DE: Navigieren) based on a created route within Locus using feature "Add new route & measure" (deutsch: Route hinzufügen & messen)
4. So called "Navigation" (DE: Navigieren) based on a TCX file, created with GPSIES or RideWithGPS or from elsewhere.
to 1:
Requirements:
Any GPX or similar file imported in Locus
Settings:
Settings-> Guiding-> "Next point" notification On (DE: "Nächster Punkt" Benachrichtigung) -> Text to speech
Activation:
Click on GPX file on the map -> arrow -> Guide On (DE: Routenführung Ein)
Pros:
- You just need the right settings and a GPX or similar file
Cons:
- This functions "just" interprets the change of angle on the track and generates voice output
- Serpentines leads to right-left-right-left all the time
- If the path/way changes direction you get a command to go right or left
- No turn instructions with arrows on the display
- Locus just follows the GPX file independent from the path/way information from the map data
Questions/opinion:
Useless for mountain-biking because you get a lot of unnecessary turn instructions and when you really have to change the way from one to another, and it is not a real crossing with a certain angle, you get no turn instruction.
to 2:
Requirements:
Any GPX or similar file imported in Locus.
Settings:
Nothing special.
Activation:
Click on GPX file on the map -> arrow -> Navigate (DE: Navigieren)
Pros:
- A more "intelligent" algorithm than in point 1 creates turn instructions along the GPX file
- You just need a GPX or similar file.
- You can choose the number of orders (Low, Medium, High)
- You get turn instructions on the screen
Cons:
- This functions "just" interprets the change of angle on the path and generates voice output
- Serpentines leads to right-left-right-left all the time (but less than 1, depending on number of orders setting)
- If the path changes direction you get a command to go right or left (depending on number of orders setting)
- Locus just follows the GPX file independent from the path/way information from the map data
Questions/opinion:
Useless for mountain-biking because you get a lot of unnecessary turn instructions and when you really have to change the way from one to another and it is not a real crossing with a certain angle you get no turn instruction (depending on number of orders setting, in one case to much, in the other to less).
to 3:
Requirements:
Any GPX or similar file imported in Locus to create a route along the GPX file manually.
Load the GPX to the map. Start main menu -> more -> "Add new route & measure".
If you activate the turn symbol at the bottom (Compute route), the planned route will follow the exact ways and paths according to the map data. In the "settings" under "navigation" you can choose the "Compute source". You can choose between MapQuest, Yours, OSRM, Brouter (additional setup needed), GraphHopper (Plugin needed). This are all routing services, which uses the real map data to plot the route. Brouter and Graphhopper can be used offline (without Internet connection), the others need internet access.
With this routing services you can now reroute your GPX file and create a real "route" with "real" turn instructions.
Settings:
Nothing special.
Activation:
After creating and saving the route, click on the route -> arrow -> Navigate (DE: Navigieren)
Pros:
- Route is calculated following the map data.
- You get turn instructions on the screen
- No Serpentines right-left-right-left all the time.
Cons:
- You have to reroute the whole GPX file.
- Sometimes you will also have useless turn instructions or missing ones because the map data is also not perfect, especially with the small paths you will ride with the mounting-bike.
Questions/opinion:
Best for mountain-biking is MapQuest right now.
You can delete useless turn instructions but you cannot add some missing ones. So better than 1 and 2 but not perfect.
to 4:
Requirements:
TCX file with turn instructions imported to Locus.
There are several online planning tools which can create TCX route files with turn instructions.
I tried GPSIES and RideWithGPS.
GPSIES creates turn instructions similar to 1 and 2. Senseless, but you get turn instructions on the screen and you can deleted and add your own instructions. Problem with GPSIES: The manually created turn instructions can be seen on the route after import to Locus but they will not be used be Locus somehow.
RideWithGPS creates turn instructions with GraphHopper (with real map information) like 3 but you can delete and add turn instructions manually. The added ones are integrated in the Cuesheet of the TCX file and were used correctly by Locus.
Settings:
Nothing special.
Activation:
After importing the TCX file click on the route -> arrow -> Navigate (DE: Navigieren)
Pros:
- Route is calculated following the map data.
- You get turn instructions on the screen
- No Serpentines right-left-right-left all the time.
- You can delete and add instructions manually, needed because GraphHopper and the map data are not perfect.
- Route planning on the big screen of your PC.
Cons:
- You have to reroute your route. I do not know how to underlay a GPX file in GPSIES or RWGPS right now.
- The maps you can use in the online tools are not perfect compared to the openandromap with MTB theme in Locus.
Questions/opinion:
Best for mountain-biking right now. It uses the real map data (RWGPS), you can delete useless turn instructions and you can add some missings ones.
Over all questions:
- Which other programs can create TCX Files? BaseCamp?
- Which routing program can use the openandromaps with mtb theme?
- When will Locus be able to add turn instructions manually?
- Its 2015! What is the problem about creating a route with turn instructions based on map data based on a GPX file automatically? What are all the software developers doing all the day ;-)?
- Who made the same experience with TCX from GPSIES and manually added instructions? Why aren't they used by Locus?
- Why isn't it possible, that we can get slight right/left from TCX files? Is it a limitation of Garmin, TCX file or Locus?
- I do not get a voice instruction right before the turn. The last one is several meters (50-70) before. Can I change this somehow?
Please help me and write your experiences here. If I make a mistake, please inform me.
Also for other ideas and additional information.
Thanks