Anomaly: One reason GPS firmware may not save altitude data (with topo installed)

Former Member over 12 years ago

This thread doesn't ideally belong here, but refer to my "signature" in post footer.
Some of the "applications" on a GPSr are not "topo aware", and maybe the should be.....
(Actually, I don't know whether any of them are. I now believe that all altitude data is ONLY measured, and is never read off the 24k topo map map in any circumstances. (regardless of whether or not it is present on the GPS)

"Point and Go" is one of these applications which does not presently, but could/would benefit from using this topo data...
(Because you're not at the projected waypoint (where altitude can be "measured"), the unit could/should? retrieve this altitude data from the topo.)

0 Former Member over 12 years ago

I now believe that all altitude data is ONLY measured, and is never read off the 24k topo map map in any circumstances.

Actually the Topo 24K map elevation is used if the GPS receiver is off and you create a waypoint using the map. In BC and MapSource the map elevation is used when you create a waypoint. I do it all the time.

Also if you create a route with a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) map the elevation data is taken from the map (both in the GPS and computer software).

0 Former Member over 12 years ago

Actually the Topo 24K map elevation is used if the GPS receiver is off and you create a waypoint using the map. In BC and MapSource the map elevation is used when you create a waypoint. I do it all the time.

Also if you create a route with a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) map the elevation data is taken from the map (both in the GPS and computer software).

Yes, when I indicated "not under any circumstances" I was referring to the GPS ("in the field") not using the altitude data on the map.
Actually, I think this data can be used (displayed anyways) while viewing the altitude application. (But the top data is not used with most apps on the GPSr such as the "Point & Go" feature.)

I know that altitude can be assigned at a later point using Basecamp (for tracks anyways). But for some strange reason, I don't believe you can do this with waypoints. ~ Right clicking a waypoint does not provide you with the advance options to assign altitude data off the topo map...

0 Former Member over 12 years ago

Right clicking a waypoint does not provide you with the advance options to assign altitude data off the topo map...

I don't think BC (or MapSource) will fill in the elevation automatically on existing waypoints (news ones should get it though). What I do (in MapSource) is create a dummy waypoint near the existing one and then copy'n'paste the elevation. I then delete the dummy.

0 Former Member over 12 years ago

In Basecamp, a far simpler method exists: Hover over the waypoint (after double clicking on the waypoint and selecting the elevation field for edit.) ~ With the mouse "hovering", the altitude of the map at that point is shown in the bottom bar (left hand side) of Basecamp. (And since the elevation field is set active, you can type the number right in.) ;)

~Strange how this operation is available for tracks (right-click track & select advanced options) but not for waypoints! (Another oversight I suspect.)