GPZ And GPS Software

[Norvic]

It appears I am the only one that has a problem with the GPS software on the GPZ, JP and Steve do you use moving map software such as Ozies Oziexplorer, USA`s Fugawi etc? I note one of the Gold Hounds has such mounted on Mtrbike. I use and have used a GPS almost as long as a detector, to combine it with the detector is a logical step, to me that is. Not about safety from getting lost, is about lowering the amount of country to detect. Find a run of nuggets, clean up but which way to the next shed, if you`ve found that run on a fault follow the fault, but if there is no mapped fault, look back at two runs follow same direction, it`s there, it is not luck, there is a pattern.

[Steve Herschbach]

Hello Norvic,

I am pretty much a GPS novice but learning fast. Never really needed it in Alaska since the areas hunted are small in size. Started with a Garmin handheld and Basecamp last summer plus my iPhone and MotionX app.

The XChange 2 software needs an export function. I have delved into the file structure but not found anything I can grab. We may need somebody to hack that ability. For me so far the main use has simply been to use the built in GPS and on screen trail/track to insure I get as close to 100% ground coverage for the area I am currently hunting. Chaining does not work in the mountains, brush, gullies, and trees, and having it on screen in my fact without having to watch a separate GPS is helpful. But for actual use with other software I am still using the Garmin to track and save location information.

So far as I can see at this time XChange mainly needs an import/export function

[Norvic]

The below link will take you to directions for converting Minelabs mlx files into google earths kml file. You do not use Exchange2, just access your GPZ as if it is a usb stick. kml files can be imported into Oziexplorer.

http://p.briggs.home.comcast.net/~p.briggs/CTX3030/CTX3030%20TRACK%20DATA%20EXTRACTION.htm

Whilst I am far from an expert on Oziexplorer  I use it always,  I can help anyone who genuinely may wish to go this way. I also do not have any interest in Oziexplorer, I just consider it is a top tool for prospecting and like Minelab is Ozie.

Vic

[Steve Herschbach]

I saw the MLX file - thanks! I will be working on this for a future article so I really appreciate the tip.

[Clay Diggins]

I do a lot of coding work with GPS file formats. I'd love to try out this new format. Most of this stuff is surprisingly simple when you dig into it.

If someone could send an MLX file to me I could try to develop a simple free program to do the transfers. I'm sure the above method works but it's pretty clunky for the average user. I'm not looking for your secret spot so a file with just a simple local record would be fine.

Barry

[Gold Hound]

It appears I am the only one that has a problem with the GPS software on the GPZ, JP and Steve do you use moving map software such as Ozies Oziexplorer, USA`s Fugawi etc? I note one of the Gold Hounds has such mounted on Mtrbike. I use and have used a GPS almost as long as a detector, to combine it with the detector is a logical step, to me that is. Not about safety from getting lost, is about lowering the amount of country to detect. Find a run of nuggets, clean up but which way to the next shed, if you`ve found that run on a fault follow the fault, but if there is no mapped fault, look back at two runs follow same direction, it`s there, it is not luck, there is a pattern.

Hi norvic, guys

I have used gis software to make and modify geo maps and make or use specialist images that we use in the field for many years.

You are correct I have a rugged tablet with internal gps receiver on my bike and I carry this everywhere with me when prospecting.

I will probably never use the zed's gps as I carry the tablet around any way and could not be bothered having to transfer info from it to my tablet.

For me my information's safety is a major concern as well and I read the privacy policy of the ml software and google and will not use them for any of my valuable work.

I have been offered big dollars for my gps and notbook info off a few mining company's so I am very careful with my info.

[Norvic]

Gold Hound,

I carry a Toshiba R500 + usb gps receiver with my software in toyota, my motorbike days are over, the R500 probably like your Rugged Tablet has a transflective screen which allows viewing in sunlight. But in my pocket always whilst prospecting is a smart phone with Oziexplorer app and geo maps. Before that a dedicated GPS, suspected this when I noticed tablet and your speaking of faults. Have to chew some fat with you fellows one day, not interested in your spots, the countries type the same as mine, no just because we are on the same wavelink re gps+software.

Barry,

I`ll have a shot at PMing a mlx file to you, if unsuccessful I`ll get back as am pretty well a virgin at forum use.

[Gold Hound]

Allot of areas we go to do not have accurate geo map's

Those faults I was talking about on the video are not marked on any of the Geo's for the area, I plotted them on my own custom geo map that I made for the area so that we could project them and narrow our search area down.

This makes us very efficent at our job of targeting the gold bearing ground and cleaning up the area.

Particularly as the areas that we work most are not in known gold areas so there is alot of barren ground, so when others try the area unless they know what we know they will do alot of time for tha doughnut.

Tremain, Dave and Sandra are sworn to secrecy and will not share my maps or how I make them or any of our reaserch aids with anyone.

[Steve Herschbach]

May have to email the file. I can't now but will next week if you still do not have one Barry.

I fully understand why people may not want to use the built in capability of the GPZ. However, what I want to do is explore and expand options for those who do. I appreciate the offer Barry. Being able to move data direct from the GPZ to other systems may help alleviate at least a few of the concerns by cutting the XChange 2 software out of the loop.

[Gold Hound]

May have to email the file. I can't now but will next week if you still do not have one Barry.

I fully understand why people may not want to use the built in capability of the GPZ. However, what I want to do is explore and expand options for those who do. I appreciate the offer Barry. Being able to move data direct from the GPZ to other systems may help alleviate at least a few of the concerns by cutting the XChange 2 software out of the loop.

Cutting the excange2 and google out of the loop would get rid of the privacy problems and it sounds like a good idea Steve.

I have contracted Indian software coders in the past to modify software to better suit my needs.

You would be suprised how quick and cheaply you can get this work done.

For example:

I had the software writer modify oziexplorer for me so that I can change the transperancy of the layerd maps and view them at once as overlays just by changing the draw order and transperancy.