Traveling Well

I do all of my trip planning with Microsoft Streets and Trips. Then convert the S&T file to a GPX file and upload to my GPS. I currently use a ZUMO 660LM. This works well and allows me to precisely plan my route. Although there is a learn curve. The S&T software and the GPS routing software don't always agree. The more way points the better.

 

Next time I am taking a really good printed map with me. I spend about a hour, at dusk, making circles around Jackson and Pearl trying to find a decent hotel. I really didn't know where the hell I was. I am also going to download some type of weather app to my phone. I had much need of weather information and getting anything off the Internet, on that tiny phone screen, when the dark clouds were rolling in, was a lesson in frustration.

 

There is nothing wrong with a set of good maps. I have been collecting a good library of state maps that are laminated. They are 7 to 8 bucks a piece and last a lifetime. You can write on them and the clean them when you are done. But with that said I rely heavily on my GPS and the routes I have uploaded to it. I use the Butler maps for MC roads but still plug the points in to my GPS route.

I also sync my cameras time and date with the GPS so that if I want I can use the route that is collected in the GPS while riding and link photos to points. You can then upload that data to Google and publish your trip with pictures.

 

I still haven't gotten the picture thing worked out. I took lots of pictures with both my phone and camera. I am having trouble keeping them straight in the time line. I had prints made of some of the best ones and ended up with 100 prints. My GoPro battery crapped out at just the wrong moment so I didn't use it at all. I am beginning to think that GoPros are way over rated. Even my best shots with it are marred by bugs on the lens our just bad composition.

 

I like the GoPro for certain type of things. Stills while riding and training videos. But the battery life sucks, both on the GoPro and the Remote.

Getting pictures and way points lined up is a pain. Now if the GoPro or you camera of choice could connect directly to the GPS and GeoTag the photos that would be the best. But weather proof devices aren't always available. Connection thru Blue tooth is great but again it eats battery life for things that are not connected all the time.

You would think that with all of the bits and pieces we use to do things on are MC's that someone would manufacture and integrated device other than a smart phone to do the things we want. GPS, Camera, Satellite Location, phone, rear view camera, etc. LOL. Oh yea and be portable with out a two wheeler.

 

Big Jim,

Regarding maintaining the timeline: Before I transfer my photos to my PC, I rename them. I use software which takes the timestamp the photo was created and applies it to the file name. I'm not at home to verify but I think I use http://sourceforge.net/projects/renameit/. Now when I sort by filename and scroll through pics on the PC, I am viewing them by the time/date the photo was taken.

Most likely your photos all have a "date taken" information attached to the photo. You may see this in different photo browsers on your PC.

I hope this helps but if not I have tons of useless advice I can follow up with.