Routing Frequently Asked Questions
"Turn by Turn" directions, also known as Auto-Routing, on the GPS are supported by our maps if the device/app supports it. Currently this is only Garmin GPS units. Lowrance and Android tablets support routing, but will not automatically snap to the road/trail nor will the prompt to turn "right on trail x". Turn by turn directions on a Garmin unit will snap to the road/trail and will prompt you when to turn.
Auto-routing is the ability for
the GPS to calculate a path from point A to point B, by road
or trail and guide you along that path indicating when to turn. When using the Route Tool in MapSource or BaseCamp (both Garmin programs), it's the ability
for the route line to "snap to" a given road; for the User to
be able to click on point A, then click on point B and have the
computer pick the lines in between, connecting those dots for
you.
For actual use, on the computer,
you can use the Route Tool to pre-plan your trip and get a close
estimate on distance. That route can then be transferred to the
GPS and navigated depending on the model of GPS. An example of using the Route Tool in MapSource
to create a route from the Cedar Creek parking lot to a point further
out on the trail:
On the GPS, the function can be
the ability to locate a destination and have the GPS provide guidance
on how to arrive at that destination. For example, a Find can be
performed on the GPS for the parking lot and then have the GPS
"GO" to that location, generating a path to follow with turn by
turn directions. Example of finding a gas station using a Nuvi
(other models are similar, but have a different screen layout):
The maps are designed to prefer
potentially legal trails/roads. With our GL ORV GPS Maps, the preference
is built in to try and use ORV Routes and ORV Trails, followed
by open roads that are also snowmobile trails, then open forest roads and secondary open-county roads , then open primary county roads. Our AP
ORV Maps have similar preference, with the major difference being
routing will prefer green, then blue trails, then roads and other
trails. The routing does not automatically know what is or is not
legal for your vehicle - do not assume the GPS will only keep you
on legal roads/trails. If the GPS is told to start or end on a destination that is not open, it will do as it is told.
Your GPS, as well as the software
on your computer, have preferences for routing. Enabling "avoid
toll roads" will further emphasise the route to be placed on path
more likely to be "ORV legal". For example, all non-open roads have been
categorized as "toll roads", so enabling an avoidance
for those types of roads will help to keep the suggested path on
legal roads and trails.
For autorouting to function, the
GPS must be relatively near a "routing road" on the map.
For our GL ORV maps, this includes the ORV system, county roads,
national forest roads, highways and expressways. It does not include
private roads or non-motorized trails.
If you are not near one of those "routing
roads' the GPS will most likely give an error when attempting to
generate a route. In these cases, you will need to manually choose
a nearest point on the map and perform a "Go"
for those models that support it or manually navigate by the map
screen until you/GPS are near a "routing road".
There are errors in our data set
where, for example, an ORV Route may visually connect to a road,
but technically (from computer's perspective) does not. In these
situations the route will not connect from road A to Route B, but
will use road C and D to connect to Route B. We are constantly working to
solve these issues and your input is greatly appreciated if you
encounter any. Here's one (now corrected) example of the trail not
technically touching the forest service road, although at most zoom
points it visually appears to do so:
|