Basecamp grid spacing

Can we please have the ability to view on screen and print a grid with user-defined (or standard UTM map) spacing? Printing is the top priority, as this is an essential feature for effective use of a printed map as a safety backup (when GPSr batteries fail for example). Then we need to be able to use grid references efficiently from the printed map - and a standard scale (e.g. gridlines at 1,000 metre spacing on UTM WGS84 maps at around 1:25,000 scale) is really important to reduce the risk of mistakes with serious consequences.

This is very well implemented in CalTopo, for example (especially the Print Topo function). Basemap has made a start (thanks). It can use UTM with diverse datums, and it can print UTM gridlines - but it auto-adjusts grid spacing depending on zoom, choosing strange spacings (like 2,500 or 5,000 meters) that the user can not control. Please take the next step - allowing user control of grid spacing at key intervals, or at least allowing selection of a standard 1,000 metre grid spacing in maps printed at scales between 1:20,000 and 1: 100,000 that are likely to be used for hiking safety backup.

0 RGB_ over 11 years ago

If there is concern that the grid designations would be too cluttered, I suggest following the method used on topographic maps printed by governments in many countries:

1. Add a line for the UTM zone at the top left. For example, where the Garmin printed map now shows UTM WGS84, it would become something like:

UTM Zone 56J
WGS84

Now the zone references are not needed on each grid line.

2. Only give the full (1 metre resolution) grid details once per map (at bottom left), or only at 10,000-metre gridlines. Everywhere else, only two digits are needed per grid line. For example, if a map happened to start (at bottom left) just SW of 480000 6860000, those full details would be shown for the first easting and northing (using a smaller font for the extra details 4__000 and 68__000). Then the remaining eastings would simply be marked 81, 82, 83, etc (until 490000), and the remaining northings would simply be marked 61, 62, 63, etc (until 6870000).