OZI Explorer

[whitethaiger]

I finally got a notebook I can use w/ozi explorer so now I need to learn how to use the software...

I downloaded sat images from here

https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid/

I've succesfully imported .sid files but these are .tar files. Is that right? How do I import them?

You need to 'untar' the file. A tar file is a concatenation of one or more files, many zip utilities can handle these files. TUGZip is one example and it's what I have on my machine.
In side the tar file may by compressed files usually .gz. The zip utility should take care of that also.

Once you have everything extracted from the tar archive you can just import the files in Ozi. The archive should include the georeference file you need.

Let me know if you run into problems.

 

[1leglance]

are you guys running ozi on a laptop in rig?
I was looking at oziCE to map on the computer at home but run it on the pocketpc in rig. The website mentions pocketpc but at $80 for the laptop program and $30 for the pocketpc part. that is a chunk of change before I know if it works.
Right now I really like my treo700 with bluetooth gps running iguidance from street nav. I can enter lat/long and it will get me to the nearest street to that and then I run a generic gps for arrow pt to the geocache.
However this setup doesn't do topo, also the screen is small for topo unless I can zoom in pretty close.
I think I will end up with a panasonic toughbook with touchscreen off of ebay mounted on a swingarm. Then I will add a bluetooth adapter to use my gps in rig and my treo with the same gps for walking.
Please give all thoughts, especially if you have used a pda for topo as I can't find a good solution. I am testing some software now and will write up something soon. There was sooooo much more when I ran palm instead of windows mobile.
enjoy
1leglance

 

[whitethaiger]

are you guys running ozi on a laptop in rig?
I was looking at oziCE to map on the computer at home but run it on the pocketpc in rig. The website mentions pocketpc but at $80 for the laptop program and $30 for the pocketpc part. that is a chunk of change before I know if it works.
Right now I really like my treo700 with bluetooth gps running iguidance from street nav. I can enter lat/long and it will get me to the nearest street to that and then I run a generic gps for arrow pt to the geocache.
However this setup doesn't do topo, also the screen is small for topo unless I can zoom in pretty close.
I think I will end up with a panasonic toughbook with touchscreen off of ebay mounted on a swingarm. Then I will add a bluetooth adapter to use my gps in rig and my treo with the same gps for walking.
Please give all thoughts, especially if you have used a pda for topo as I can't find a good solution. I am testing some software now and will write up something soon. There was sooooo much more when I ran palm instead of windows mobile.
enjoy
1leglance

Some of us have used Ozi with notebook in the truck for years. It works very well. The CE version also works. It's a bit more work to get maps formatted for it. I also think the screens are just too small for topos. You get the same map detail on the PDA.

Ozi won't give you the route finding that you got with you current setup.

BajaTaco and others have used bluetooth and I understand that it's not as reliable as a fixed connected GPS. Maybe dependent on make/model?

 

[flywgn]

Some of us have used Ozi with notebook in the truck for years. It works very well. The CE version also works. ...

Uwe, do you integrate this with a GPS? If so, which one. I'm in the process of switching out my Garmin 60cs for either a 276, 376 or a Lowrance 540c.

I've been to the Yahoo Oxi-Users site and am overwhelmed with all that's there. We were down in central Mexico (Guerrero and Michoacan) a few weeks ago and had my first introduction to Ozi through a friend. I must say that it was love at first sight--with Ozi, not my friend --and I've had the bug ever since.

MapSource is limited, IMO, and as we travel further afield off-highway I'm finding that its limitations are somewhat frustrating.

You mention that the "...CE version also works..." Does this mean that it's not your first choice?

Allen R

 

[whitethaiger]

Uwe, do you integrate this with a GPS? If so, which one. I'm in the process of switching out my Garmin 60cs for either a 276, 376 or a Lowrance 540c.

I've been to the Yahoo Oxi-Users site and am overwhelmed with all that's there. We were down in central Mexico (Guerrero and Michoacan) a few weeks ago and had my first introduction to Ozi through a friend. I must say that it was love at first sight--with Ozi, not my friend --and I've had the bug ever since.

MapSource is limited, IMO, and as we travel further afield off-highway I'm finding that its limitations are somewhat frustrating.

You mention that the "...CE version also works..." Does this mean that it's not your first choice?

Allen R

I've had my Ozi running with GPS from the very beginning. I started with an old Magellan 4000xl and now have a Magellan SportTrack Map.
Pretty much any GPS that can be hooked up to a PC can be used with Ozi. The minimum requirement is that the GPS sends the NMEA data over it's serial/usb bus. I think all those listed by you do that, but you may be able to check in the specs.

We've used Ozi in Mexico with the maps one can buy from the INGI, works very well.

You are right, CE would not be my first choice, due to screen size and map processing. Jack has it and I had a chance to play with it a little.

With this rising interest in Ozi again, we should revive the idea of a little back country Ozi training trip. Something to get people started.

 

[1leglance]

you mention serial/bus...what about a bluetooth connection to the laptop?
My bluetooth gps sends full data to my pda that I can look at, so I am gonna pick up a bluetooth adapter for my old dell laptop and test run before I buy a toughbook.
I am glad to hear these recommends before I spend the $80 on Ozi, thanks again.
I would really like a chance to field test & learn from others. Currently I geocache with my setup but it isn't as good as my older treo running palm was...windows mobile is better at some things but much more limited software.
I agree about the small screen for topo so I am sure I will end up with a laptop.
enjoy
1leglance
ps iguidance is the best street nav I have used, even beats then new tomtom 6. I also runs on pc/pda for the same price. It will let you enter destinations as long/lat and direct you by known street as close to that place as possible.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

With this rising interest in Ozi again, we should revive the idea of a little back country Ozi training trip. Something to get people started.

That would be great! I have been wanting to learn this software as well, i would be very interested in a Back Country Ozi Training trip.

I have kept my eye out for a cheapo laptop for this very purpose, but have been so busy i have put it on the back burner for now.

Lets do it! :safari-rig:

 

[Mlachica]

With this rising interest in Ozi again, we should revive the idea of a little back country Ozi training trip. Something to get people started.

Let's do it! But I need to figure out how to get the maps working right first

I got the satellite tar files working with the moving map thanks...

But now I'm trying to calibrate these maps. I downloaded o_se0307.sid and the sdw file. Which is of the cerritos/long beach area. I'm able to import it but with moving map it always reverts to the sat map. I'm almost positive the topo is not calibrated right. I used utm zone 11 and nad83. what am I missing?

 

[whitethaiger]

I'll try to come up with a date for a little Ozi trip.

you mention serial/bus...what about a bluetooth connection to the laptop?
....

Don't know much about bluetooth, but I think the connection ends up as a COM port on your PC. Just tell Ozi to use that COM port in the configuration.
BTW, there are a shareware and a trial version of Ozi available so you can test all the features before you buy.

....
I got the satellite tar files working with the moving map thanks...

But now I'm trying to calibrate these maps. I downloaded o_se0307.sid and the sdw file. Which is of the cerritos/long beach area. I'm able to import it but with moving map it always reverts to the sat map. I'm almost positive the topo is not calibrated right. I used utm zone 11 and nad83. what am I missing?

Good to hear you got the satellite pics working. To check your calibration you could record a track/position and then show it on the map and see if it's in the right location.
I actually think your calibration is correct, but you have Ozi check for a more detailed map all the time (this is the default, I think). To change this setting go File->Configuration, Moving Map Tab. At the top right it says 'Always Check for more detailed map', uncheck that. Let us know if this helps.

 

[Mlachica]

Good to hear you got the satellite pics working. To check your calibration you could record a track/position and then show it on the map and see if it's in the right location.
I actually think your calibration is correct, but you have Ozi check for a more detailed map all the time (this is the default, I think). To change this setting go File->Configuration, Moving Map Tab. At the top right it says 'Always Check for more detailed map', uncheck that. Let us know if this helps.

no luck :Wow1:

 

[whitethaiger]

no luck :Wow1:

Hm, not sure what's going on. So here are some troubleshoot ideas that come to mind:

How did you exit the configuration dialog? Did you use the 'Save' button? If not the setting won't be saved.

Are the map and satellite image in the same folder? For this early testing they probably should be.

Did you verify calibration by creating, saving and then displaying a little track on both the map and the sat image?

 

[whitethaiger]

...I'm almost positive the topo is not calibrated right. I used utm zone 11 and nad83. what am I missing?

:iagree: after re-reading your posts more carefully. Sorry for not spending the time earlier...

You probably used UTM projection? With the map you downloaded you should use 'Albers Equal Area' (with Lat1: 34N, Lat2: 40deg 30' N, central Meridian: 120 W, Origin Lat: 0).

 

[Mlachica]

it works now!!! Thank you!

So how do know what settings to put? whether utm or albers? Bare with me, I'm trying to learn all this stuff...The garmin 276c I have makes it too easy, but I want a deeper understanding of everything...

 

[whitethaiger]

it works now!!! Thank you!

So how do know what settings to put? whether utm or albers? Bare with me, I'm trying to learn all this stuff...The garmin 276c I have makes it too easy, but I want a deeper understanding of everything...

The info about projection and map datum is usually provided with the maps. If you look closely at the site where you downloaded the map you'll see that it mentions Albers.

That Garmin may make some things easy, but it won't do a lot of the stuff Ozi let's you do either.

 

[ntsqd]

Can Ozi be used as a file conversion utility?
In 2000 I bought a GM3000MT & while I like the unit, the Lowrance support has been far less than stellar. The "Customer Service" person's attitude when asked about better map files than what existed at the time was "Tough, you get what we offer and that's all." So I usually take the time to badmouth Lowrance for this reason whenever the topic comes up, so consider that out of the way. Yes, I'm still pissed about that.

So, given Lowrance's assinine proprietary file structure what I'd like is a way to import map files of some other origin (Garmin, DeLorme, etc.). Going to a PC notebook etc., hardened or not, isn't very practical for me.