[talk-au] Australian maps for Garmin devices

[Brendan Barnes]

Prompted by Bob's post about alternativaslibres.org error file this morning
(jogged my memory, thanks Bob).

I use the alternativaslibres.org Australian maps for my Garmin GPS and
Basecamp, so it is good to see other Aussies using that site.

We used to have garmin.openstreetmap.nl, and in my opinion that was the
best OSM Garmin map data for AU. Frequently updated, good clear carto on
Basecamp, and clear map on GPS unit with decent file size. Sadly that site
broke in June last year and looks unlikely to return.

I'm currently using the alternativaslibres.org Australian maps for now, but
my Basecamp really chugs when using it (probably the DEM), and I'm missing
the simplicity of the cartography from garmin.openstreetmap.nl.

Are there any other good and current (and possibly free) Garmin Australian
maps out there?

Is anyone interested in producing Garmin data (Mkgmap) for Australia or
Oceania, but need help with processing/hosting? Please DM me.

I'll update the list on
https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download#Oceania

Cheers,
..Brendan

[Phil Wyatt]

Hi Brendan,



The bushwalking community has a user (andrewp) that provides OSM based maps suited to walkers. They are also regularly updated and available for free.



https://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21 <https://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=28893> &t=28893



Maybe you could collaborate?



Cheers - Phil



From: Brendan Barnes <***@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, 23 April 2021 10:36 AM
To: talk-au <talk-***@openstreetmap.org>
Subject: [talk-au] Australian maps for Garmin devices



Prompted by Bob's post about alternativaslibres.org <http://alternativaslibres.org> error file this morning (jogged my memory, thanks Bob).



I use the alternativaslibres.org <http://alternativaslibres.org> Australian maps for my Garmin GPS and Basecamp, so it is good to see other Aussies using that site.



We used to have garmin.openstreetmap.nl <http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl> , and in my opinion that was the best OSM Garmin map data for AU. Frequently updated, good clear carto on Basecamp, and clear map on GPS unit with decent file size. Sadly that site broke in June last year and looks unlikely to return.



I'm currently using the alternativaslibres.org <http://alternativaslibres.org> Australian maps for now, but my Basecamp really chugs when using it (probably the DEM), and I'm missing the simplicity of the cartography from garmin.openstreetmap.nl <http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl> .



Are there any other good and current (and possibly free) Garmin Australian maps out there?



Is anyone interested in producing Garmin data (Mkgmap) for Australia or Oceania, but need help with processing/hosting? Please DM me.



I'll update the list on https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download#Oceania



Cheers,

..Brendan

[Graeme Fitzpatrick]

On Fri, 23 Apr 2021 at 11:02, Phil Wyatt <***@wyatt-family.com> wrote:

> Hi Brendan,
>
>
>
> The bushwalking community has a user (andrewp) that provides OSM based
> maps suited to walkers. They are also regularly updated and available for
> free.
>
>
>
> https://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=28893
>

I notice from reading through that post that there was a comment made in
Oct last year:

" 17 Oct 2020.

Queensland now has contour and hydro data from QTopo. A big improvement. WA
and NT now the only ones without accurate contours and hydro. WA has data
available, but only by subscription. Strange, when freely available from
all other jurisdictions."

We have previously had discussions about the fact that we don't have access
to QTopo data, due to them not wanting to give us a waiver, as they don't
think we need it?
https://lists.openstreetmap.org/pipermail/talk-au/2019-September/012889.html

As it would appear that "andrewp" has since been given the OK to use that
data, maybe it's time to re-approach them?

Thanks

Graeme

[Alex Sims]

Hi,

I use alternativaslibres.org<http://alternativaslibres.org> too but would really prefer to roll my own. There are many flags for mkgmap but processors tend not to share their recipe. I’d be really happy if a nice processing recipe could be recorded into the wiki.

This would be really handy for diagnosing issues with the resultant map quickly. I know it’s skirting close to “mapping for the renderer” but please share anyway.

Alex


From: Brendan Barnes <***@gmail.com>

Are there any other good and current (and possibly free) Garmin Australian maps out there?

Is anyone interested in producing Garmin data (Mkgmap) for Australia or Oceania, but need help with processing/hosting? Please DM me.

[Bob Cameron]

Hi Brendan

More just a remark.

I was also interested in rolling my own mkgmap at one stage, but I also
use the DEM/topo (SRTM) information and refreshing the OSM data is kind
of expensive over a mobile network!

My biggest pet peeve was that the Garmin device doesn't show road
surface (like as a dashed line), but will happily exclude unsealed from
routing decisions. I have been using it to make route/OSM/imagery update
decisions as I wander around.

Cheers

On 23/4/21 10:36 am, Brendan Barnes wrote:
> Prompted by Bob's post about alternativaslibres.org
> <http://alternativaslibres.org> error file this morning (jogged my
> memory, thanks Bob).
>
> I use the alternativaslibres.org <http://alternativaslibres.org>
> Australian maps for my Garmin GPS and Basecamp, so it is good to see
> other Aussies using that site.
>
> We used to have garmin.openstreetmap.nl
> <http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl>, and in my opinion that was the best
> OSM Garmin map data for AU. Frequently updated, good clear carto on
> Basecamp, and clear map on GPS unit with decent file size. Sadly that
> site broke in June last year and looks unlikely to return.
>
> I'm currently using the alternativaslibres.org
> <http://alternativaslibres.org> Australian maps for now, but my
> Basecamp really chugs when using it (probably the DEM), and I'm
> missing the simplicity of the cartography from garmin.openstreetmap.nl
> <http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl>.
>
> Are there any other good and current (and possibly free) Garmin
> Australian maps out there?
>
> Is anyone interested in producing Garmin data (Mkgmap) for Australia
> or Oceania, but need help with processing/hosting? Please DM me.
>
> I'll update the list on
> https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download#Oceania
> <https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download#Oceania>
>
> Cheers,
> ..Brendan
>
> _______________________________________________
> Talk-au mailing list
> Talk-***@openstreetmap.org
> https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au

[Benjamin Ceravolo]

I'm not sure if FME (https://www.safe.com/free-<https://www.safe.com/free-fme-licenses/home-use/>fme<https://www.safe.com/free-fme-licenses/home-use/>-<https://www.safe.com/free-fme-licenses/home-use/>licenses<https://www.safe.com/free-fme-licenses/home-use/>/home-use/<https://www.safe.com/free-fme-licenses/home-use/>) is compatible with the format you are looking for but I know it features lots of formats as well as transformation and other plug-in's.

Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

________________________________
From: Bob Cameron <***@skymesh.com.au>
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 1:19:51 PM
To: talk-***@openstreetmap.org <talk-***@openstreetmap.org>
Subject: Re: [talk-au] Australian maps for Garmin devices


Hi Brendan

More just a remark.

I was also interested in rolling my own mkgmap at one stage, but I also use the DEM/topo (SRTM) information and refreshing the OSM data is kind of expensive over a mobile network!

My biggest pet peeve was that the Garmin device doesn't show road surface (like as a dashed line), but will happily exclude unsealed from routing decisions. I have been using it to make route/OSM/imagery update decisions as I wander around.

Cheers

On 23/4/21 10:36 am, Brendan Barnes wrote:
Prompted by Bob's post about alternativaslibres.org<http://alternativaslibres.org> error file this morning (jogged my memory, thanks Bob).

I use the alternativaslibres.org<http://alternativaslibres.org> Australian maps for my Garmin GPS and Basecamp, so it is good to see other Aussies using that site.

We used to have garmin.openstreetmap.nl<http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl>, and in my opinion that was the best OSM Garmin map data for AU. Frequently updated, good clear carto on Basecamp, and clear map on GPS unit with decent file size. Sadly that site broke in June last year and looks unlikely to return.

I'm currently using the alternativaslibres.org<http://alternativaslibres.org> Australian maps for now, but my Basecamp really chugs when using it (probably the DEM), and I'm missing the simplicity of the cartography from garmin.openstreetmap.nl<http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl>.

Are there any other good and current (and possibly free) Garmin Australian maps out there?

Is anyone interested in producing Garmin data (Mkgmap) for Australia or Oceania, but need help with processing/hosting? Please DM me.

I'll update the list on https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download#Oceania

Cheers,
..Brendan

[Warin]

On 23/4/21 1:19 pm, Bob Cameron wrote:
>
> Hi Brendan
>
> More just a remark.
>
> I was also interested in rolling my own mkgmap at one stage, but I
> also use the DEM/topo (SRTM) information and refreshing the OSM data
> is kind of expensive over a mobile network!
>
> My biggest pet peeve was that the Garmin device doesn't show road
> surface (like as a dashed line), but will happily exclude unsealed
> from routing decisions. I have been using it to make route/OSM/imagery
> update decisions as I wander around.
>

OSMand can be set to show surface. It can also display access.  I have
it set up that way for my walking.

> Cheers
>
> On 23/4/21 10:36 am, Brendan Barnes wrote:
>> Prompted by Bob's post about alternativaslibres.org
>> <http://alternativaslibres.org> error file this morning (jogged my
>> memory, thanks Bob).
>>
>> I use the alternativaslibres.org <http://alternativaslibres.org>
>> Australian maps for my Garmin GPS and Basecamp, so it is good to see
>> other Aussies using that site.
>>
>> We used to have garmin.openstreetmap.nl
>> <http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl>, and in my opinion that was the best
>> OSM Garmin map data for AU. Frequently updated, good clear carto on
>> Basecamp, and clear map on GPS unit with decent file size. Sadly that
>> site broke in June last year and looks unlikely to return.
You can still get a map from them .. but it has to be the entire country.
>>
>> I'm currently using the alternativaslibres.org
>> <http://alternativaslibres.org> Australian maps for now, but my
>> Basecamp really chugs when using it (probably the DEM), and I'm
>> missing the simplicity of the cartography from
>> garmin.openstreetmap.nl <http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl>.
>>
>> Are there any other good and current (and possibly free) Garmin
>> Australian maps out there?
>>
>> Is anyone interested in producing Garmin data (Mkgmap) for Australia
>> or Oceania, but need help with processing/hosting? Please DM me.
>>
>> I'll update the list on
>> https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download#Oceania
>>
>> Cheers,
>> ..Brendan
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Talk-au mailing list
>> Talk-***@openstreetmap.org
>> https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au
>
> _______________________________________________
> Talk-au mailing list
> Talk-***@openstreetmap.org
> https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au

[Brendan Barnes]

On Fri, 23 Apr 2021, 18:34 Warin, <***@gmail.com> wrote:

> On 23/4/21 1:19 pm, Bob Cameron wrote:
>
> Hi Brendan
>
> More just a remark.
>
> I was also interested in rolling my own mkgmap at one stage, but I also
> use the DEM/topo (SRTM) information and refreshing the OSM data is kind of
> expensive over a mobile network!
>
> My biggest pet peeve was that the Garmin device doesn't show road surface
> (like as a dashed line), but will happily exclude unsealed from routing
> decisions. I have been using it to make route/OSM/imagery update decisions
> as I wander around.
>
>
> OSMand can be set to show surface. It can also display access. I have it
> set up that way for my walking.
>
Thanks for the suggestion, but OSMand is for Android. For Garmin it has to
be added to the styling rules during file processing.

>
> Cheers
> On 23/4/21 10:36 am, Brendan Barnes wrote:
>
> Prompted by Bob's post about alternativaslibres.org error file this
> morning (jogged my memory, thanks Bob).
>
> I use the alternativaslibres.org Australian maps for my Garmin GPS and
> Basecamp, so it is good to see other Aussies using that site.
>
> We used to have garmin.openstreetmap.nl, and in my opinion that was the
> best OSM Garmin map data for AU. Frequently updated, good clear carto on
> Basecamp, and clear map on GPS unit with decent file size. Sadly that site
> broke in June last year and looks unlikely to return.
>
> You can still get a map from them .. but it has to be the entire country.
>

That was the case intermittently last year, with the last AU country file
rendered June 2020. If you check the site today it just shows an Apache
server message only.

I tried contacting the site owner last year, to say it was an incredible
and invaluable service. A Netherlands OSM charter member got back to me
saying the group doesn't maintain the Garmin subdomain, only one solo
member, and that person was not responding to messages at the time.

If you read around on the OSM wiki, that site had intermittent issues for a
long time. It currently looks unlikely to return I'm afraid.



>
> I'm currently using the alternativaslibres.org Australian maps for now,
> but my Basecamp really chugs when using it (probably the DEM), and I'm
> missing the simplicity of the cartography from garmin.openstreetmap.nl.
>
> Are there any other good and current (and possibly free) Garmin Australian
> maps out there?
>
> Is anyone interested in producing Garmin data (Mkgmap) for Australia or
> Oceania, but need help with processing/hosting? Please DM me.
>
> I'll update the list on
> https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download#Oceania
>
> Cheers,
> ..Brendan
>
> _______________________________________________
> Talk-au mailing listTalk-***@openstreetmap.orghttps://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Talk-au mailing listTalk-***@openstreetmap.orghttps://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Talk-au mailing list
> Talk-***@openstreetmap.org
> https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au
>

[Warin]

On 24/4/21 9:06 am, Brendan Barnes wrote:
>
>
> On Fri, 23 Apr 2021, 18:34 Warin, <***@gmail.com
> <mailto:***@gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> On 23/4/21 1:19 pm, Bob Cameron wrote:
>>
>> Hi Brendan
>>
>> More just a remark.
>>
>> I was also interested in rolling my own mkgmap at one stage, but
>> I also use the DEM/topo (SRTM) information and refreshing the OSM
>> data is kind of expensive over a mobile network!
>>
>> My biggest pet peeve was that the Garmin device doesn't show road
>> surface (like as a dashed line), but will happily exclude
>> unsealed from routing decisions. I have been using it to make
>> route/OSM/imagery update decisions as I wander around.
>>
>
> OSMand can be set to show surface. It can also display access.  I
> have it set up that way for my walking.
>
> Thanks for the suggestion, but OSMand is for Android. For Garmin it
> has to be added to the styling rules during file processing.


There is a version of OSMand for iphones... may not be as good as the
android version.

However it does demonstrate the capability of rendering road surfaces,
and access. It does nothing for smoothness nor incline.

>
>> Cheers
>>
>> On 23/4/21 10:36 am, Brendan Barnes wrote:
>>> Prompted by Bob's post about alternativaslibres.org
>>> <http://alternativaslibres.org> error file this morning (jogged
>>> my memory, thanks Bob).
>>>
>>> I use the alternativaslibres.org <http://alternativaslibres.org>
>>> Australian maps for my Garmin GPS and Basecamp, so it is good to
>>> see other Aussies using that site.
>>>
>>> We used to have garmin.openstreetmap.nl
>>> <http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl>, and in my opinion that was the
>>> best OSM Garmin map data for AU. Frequently updated, good clear
>>> carto on Basecamp, and clear map on GPS unit with decent file
>>> size. Sadly that site broke in June last year and looks unlikely
>>> to return.
> You can still get a map from them .. but it has to be the entire
> country.
>
>
> That was the case intermittently last year, with the last AU country
> file rendered June 2020. If you check the site today it just shows an
> Apache server message only.


Looks to be up now.  And, yes, the date is mid last year.

[Brendan Barnes]

On Sun, 25 Apr 2021 at 17:50, Warin <***@gmail.com> wrote:

> On 24/4/21 9:06 am, Brendan Barnes wrote:
>
>
>
> On Fri, 23 Apr 2021, 18:34 Warin, <***@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> On 23/4/21 1:19 pm, Bob Cameron wrote:
>>
>> Hi Brendan
>>
>> More just a remark.
>>
>> I was also interested in rolling my own mkgmap at one stage, but I also
>> use the DEM/topo (SRTM) information and refreshing the OSM data is kind of
>> expensive over a mobile network!
>>
>> My biggest pet peeve was that the Garmin device doesn't show road surface
>> (like as a dashed line), but will happily exclude unsealed from routing
>> decisions. I have been using it to make route/OSM/imagery update decisions
>> as I wander around.
>>
>>
>> OSMand can be set to show surface. It can also display access. I have it
>> set up that way for my walking.
>>
> Thanks for the suggestion, but OSMand is for Android. For Garmin it has to
> be added to the styling rules during file processing.
>
>
> There is a version of OSMand for iphones... may not be as good as the
> android version.
>
> However it does demonstrate the capability of rendering road surfaces, and
> access. It does nothing for smoothness nor incline.
>

Cheers, but I'm asking specifically about putting OSM maps on Garmin GPS
devices (for example, Etrex 20x). When I'm backcountry hiking I will always
use a dedicated GPS which is a rugged, waterproof unit which runs on
swappable batteries. I'd never rely on a smartphone for navigation.

>
>> Cheers
>> On 23/4/21 10:36 am, Brendan Barnes wrote:
>>
>> Prompted by Bob's post about alternativaslibres.org error file this
>> morning (jogged my memory, thanks Bob).
>>
>> I use the alternativaslibres.org Australian maps for my Garmin GPS and
>> Basecamp, so it is good to see other Aussies using that site.
>>
>> We used to have garmin.openstreetmap.nl, and in my opinion that was the
>> best OSM Garmin map data for AU. Frequently updated, good clear carto on
>> Basecamp, and clear map on GPS unit with decent file size. Sadly that site
>> broke in June last year and looks unlikely to return.
>>
>> You can still get a map from them .. but it has to be the entire country.
>>
>
> That was the case intermittently last year, with the last AU country file
> rendered June 2020. If you check the site today it just shows an Apache
> server message only.
>
>
> Looks to be up now. And, yes, the date is mid last year.
>

After a bit of poking around, turns out if I access
http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/ from a Chrome browser I get the AU map from
last June. If I access the same site again from a Firefox browser (which is
what I'd been using all this time) I get the "Apache is functioning
normally" error and the rest of the site doesn't load.

[i***@iinet.net.au]

I too, have had to switch from alternativaslibres.org since the demise of garmin.openstreetmap.nl.

I'm finding it OK except lately (?) street names are being replaced by the reference information (typically the state/federal etc route number). This is very unsatisfactory, and I have contacted the author who has acknowledged the problem. (Maybe he's fixed it now - I haven't update for a couple of months)

Ian

[Bob Cameron]

Just a few other comments to do with alternativaslibres.org

- The DEM file doesn't work with my Nuvi 2789, but I assume its a lack
of hardware support thing.

- I did some test bedding with both the standard and topo map on the
same SD card and it seemed to mess things up. If I selected just the
topo map the roads were "in the wrong place" as if zoomed out for less
detail. (I renamed it gmapsupt.img) I had to enable both the topo and
standard map for use. This may have also been the reason for duplicate
but slightly shifted contour lines. I am still playing with this.

- Rest areas are in fact toilets only, I surmise amenity:toilet.
toilets:yes at a campground (lodging) don't show. It doesn't show rest
areas without toilets. (ie seems to not include highway:rest_area tags)

- Parking seems correct.

I quite like the topo feature as it is useful for driving in hilly country.

Cheers

On 23/4/21 5:20 pm, ***@iinet.net.au wrote:
> I too, have had to switch from alternativaslibres.org since the demise of garmin.openstreetmap.nl.
>
> I'm finding it OK except lately (?) street names are being replaced by the reference information (typically the state/federal etc route number). This is very unsatisfactory, and I have contacted the author who has acknowledged the problem. (Maybe he's fixed it now - I haven't update for a couple of months)
>
> Ian
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Talk-au mailing list
> Talk-***@openstreetmap.org
> https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au

[Ian Bennett]

Lads,
Anyone else use http://download.geofabrik.de/australia-oceania.html other than me??
I have been using them for a number of years and I've had no problems thus far. Data is "refreshed"
every 24 hours or so.
I had a few hoops to jump through with splitter.jar and mkgmap.jar to get these (along with contour
info from shonky maps) onto my (very, very old) GPS60CSX.
Full disclosure; I only use the '60 when bush walking, so I don't know if routing works and other
info works. That said, POI's do display.
YMMV.

Ian

[i***@iinet.net.au]

Someone mentioned OpenTopoMap recently, but now I can't find that email. I
thought I'd give OpenTopoMap a try and am currently (very slowly)
downloading the "map" and "contours" .img files. However, the website
mentions a zip file that can be unzipped and used in BaseCamp - but I can't
find one for Australia?? The European maps offer a download labelled "gmap"
- is that it, and they're just not produced for Australia ??



Ian

[Ian Steer]

Ian, where did you go to learn what to do with this data ? (eg a nice little website somewhere ??)

Ian

>Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2021 08:18:39 +1000
>From: Ian Bennett <***@tpg.com.au>
>To: talk-***@openstreetmap.org
>Subject: Re: [talk-au] Australian maps for Garmin devices
>Message-ID: <78b8c297-ae4b-0b92-1c4a-***@tpg.com.au>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed

>Lads,
> Anyone else use http://download.geofabrik.de/australia-oceania.html other than me??
> I have been using them for a number of years and I've had no problems thus far. Data is "refreshed"
>every 24 hours or so.
> I had a few hoops to jump through with splitter.jar and mkgmap.jar to get these (along with contour info from shonky >maps) onto my (very, very old) GPS60CSX.
> Full disclosure; I only use the '60 when bush walking, so I don't know if routing works and other info works. That said, >POI's do display.
> YMMV.

>Ian



------------------------------

Subject: Digest Footer

_______________________________________________
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------------------------------

End of Talk-au Digest, Vol 166, Issue 28
****************************************

[Andy Townsend]

On 01/05/2021 00:31, Ian Steer wrote:
> Ian, where did you go to learn what to do with this data ? (eg a nice little website somewhere ??)
>
> Ian
>
(not Ian, obviously but) I wrote
https://www.openstreetmap.org/user/SomeoneElse/diary/38613 a while back
to try and explain the basics to someone in Romania who was insisting on
changing all the highway=track in Romania into unclassified roads so
that they showed up on the (downloaded from elsewhere) Garmin maps he
was using.

It doesn't cover contours but it might still be helpful.

Regards,

Andy

[Ian Bennett]

Andy,
Thanks for this; saved me translating my terrible notes :-)

For everyone else,
This is near enough to the steps I follow. I have written a VERY basic script to do all this as I'm
basically lazy....
I do an extra step to include shonky maps (for contours) which also generates the gmpasupp.img that
my '60 understands. Later models can digest multiple .img files.
From memory (pun intended), I had to provide more memory for java due to errors (I use 2000M
instead of Andy's 1200M).
I highly recommend reading the man page for mkgmap.jar as the options are many.

Ian

On 1/5/21 9:42 am, Andy Townsend wrote:
>
> On 01/05/2021 00:31, Ian Steer wrote:
>> Ian, where did you go to learn what to do with this data ?  (eg a nice little website somewhere ??)
>>
>> Ian
>>
> (not Ian, obviously but) I wrote https://www.openstreetmap.org/user/SomeoneElse/diary/38613 a while
> back to try and explain the basics to someone in Romania who was insisting on changing all the
> highway=track in Romania into unclassified roads so that they showed up on the (downloaded from
> elsewhere) Garmin maps he was using.
>
> It doesn't cover contours but it might still be helpful.
>
> Regards,
>
> Andy
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Talk-au mailing list
> Talk-***@openstreetmap.org
> https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au

[stevea]

For many years,

java -Dsun.java2d.opengl=true -Xmx2048m -jar /Applications/josm-tested.jar

has been the method by which I "launch" JOSM (via my Terminal window under macOS 11). Well, macOS 11, 10.15, 10.14 and much earlier; around macOS 10.13 transitioning to 10.14, I went from -Xmx1024m to -Xmx2048m (1 GB of RAM vs. 2 GB of RAM) for a JOSM session in my .cshrc alias.

In short, it is entirely believable that "providing more memory for java due to errors" (using 2 GB vs. 1. GB) of memory is completely comprehensible and sensible to me, as I myself have experienced (in the last several years) this exact sort of (RAM footprint) growth in my "edit-ability" of JOSM sessions as OSM (data) have grown. 2 GB remains comfortable, but I imagine it may be time to specify -Xmx4096m as a next step in subsequent months or years. It's something I keep my eye on regarding performance, debug output and so on.

Here, I simply offer ***@gmail.com and ***@tpg.com.au my real-life experience of what I've done in the last several years with JOSM and java-launch RAM footprints. Perhaps it helps validate their experiences. OSM grows, OSM data grows, OSM data DENSITY grows, OSM RAM footprints to launch a (java) editor grow, it sort of depends on whether 1 GB, 2 GB 4 GB of RAM is reasonable. For now, 2 GB seems reasonable for the medium-task edit complexities I ask JOSM to perform, and this command-line specification remains currently satisfactory.

SteveA

> On May 1, 2021, at 12:13 AM, Ian Bennett <***@tpg.com.au> wrote:
> Andy,
> Thanks for this; saved me translating my terrible notes :-)
> For everyone else,
> This is near enough to the steps I follow. I have written a VERY basic script to do all this as I'm basically lazy....
> I do an extra step to include shonky maps (for contours) which also generates the gmpasupp.img that my '60 understands. Later models can digest multiple .img files.
> From memory (pun intended), I had to provide more memory for java due to errors (I use 2000M instead of Andy's 1200M).
> I highly recommend reading the man page for mkgmap.jar as the options are many.
> Ian

[stevea]

A simple and unabashed plug: the Garmin GPS 60CSX is a champion of a hand-held unit, what might be considered a benchmark standard for OSM-based, mkgmap-created .img files as a loaded (onto microSD card) base map. I've been using mine almost continuously since the mid-2000s and despite newer devices being available for over 15 years since, I'll stick with this this GPS forever, it seems. I easily solar-charge its two AA NiMH batteries while "out in the field" for ANOTHER 18-24 hours of usage as its microSD card captures almost unlimited data (there are some tricks to "burping" the node queue and POI buffers, such apparent limitations aren't, really, as simple data hygiene habits manage to overcome them). Accuracy is as good as 3 meters (sometimes 2 m with a clear, horizon-to-horizon sky view and as many as 12 satellites of reception). With its microSD card slot (though maxed at SDHC, therefore 16 GB and realistically no .img file larger than 4 GB) it is a wonderful receptacle for mkgmap .img files and I proudly and for many years marveled (and continue to marvel) at the fantastic feedback loop created by using these. I used Lambertus' / Dave's http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl site from [1], which unfortunately doesn't produce such images as "frequently and freshly" as it did about a year ago. But being able to add POIs and trails / paths which I later upload to OSM, allowing the next edition of the downloaded map (and mkgmap-created .img'd into my Garmin) to contain those data, and so on and so on...the map keeps growing up and up. Use and improve the map, see your improvements on your handheld device the next time you update the map...ain't that the way it should be? It is!

Dave / Lambertus has provided this service for many years, proving much more than a "proof of concept" that this can be done: it's BEEN done, and done well! The steps to make mkgmap-created .img files both use open-source tools and are not terribly complicated, although the trend has been to ask for donations for the work to manage and maintain sites to provide these data updates, I see that as perfectly understandable and donate when I can. Please support these efforts as you can, too.

In my opinion, this is one of the best examples of OSM data being "real-world data right in your hand, constantly improving in a feedback loop:" both directly usable and improving at the same time as we upload to OSM the fruits of our wanderings with our GPS devices. I, as part of OSM, am proud of all who have built and use this important toolchain and encourage all who benefit by it to continue to support those who sustain it. This "wheel has been invented," we sure get a lot of mileage out of using it!

Such maps ARE routable, the Lambertus site does both an older routable style which suits older GPS units and a newer style with its own typ file with larger tiles that work better in units with µSD card slots.

Perhaps someone would like to point to, update, maintain, improve or "manage" (in the sense of a wiki editor "shepherding" a wiki or wikis) OSM's associated wikis about these. They do seem to change over time, availability comes and goes and the associated services are important to many, and ultimately, the quantity and quality of data in our map.

Thank you for reading.

[1] https://wiki.osm.org/wiki/Garmin.OpenStreetMap.nl