How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive map

Caves and caving, beginning caving, joining the NSS, etc.

Moderator: Moderators

How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive map

Postby GroundquestMSA » Aug 28, 2014 9:19 pm

I don't know the jargon, but here's what I want. I want a map with dots representing caves. I want to be able to tell which dot is which cave. I want to be able to see both zoomable terrain and satellite views. I have coordinates, a computer, and a very feeble but occasionally operational brain. Help!
User avatar
GroundquestMSA
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 1384
Joined: May 5, 2011 1:32 pm
  

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

Postby KeyserSoze » Aug 28, 2014 9:45 pm

An easy way to do it is with Google My Maps feature. Log in to a Google account - go to maps - my places - create a new Google map. Be sure to set the privacy to "unlisted" and careful not to share the link because there are no other security settings to lock people out of a map once they get access with the link. I prefer to create with classic Google maps. I don't really like anything about the new Google Maps at all, so I hope they don't take away the classic maps option.
https://maps.google.com/maps/myplaces

Here is a map I made with slot canyon locations and other points of interest. It was extremely helpful when I went out west. The best part is that it works on the android phone really well. It actually works better on my phone then it does on the computer.
http://goo.gl/maps/pksZm
This signature is really funny
User avatar
KeyserSoze
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 227
Joined: Nov 6, 2007 2:18 pm
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
NSS #: 61069
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Louisville Grotto
  

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

Postby peter febb » Aug 29, 2014 9:11 am

I have software that builds Google KML files from CSV spreadsheet, and back, so roundtripping can be done.
Email me for copies.
User avatar
peter febb
Prolific Poster
 
Posts: 124
Joined: Sep 5, 2005 7:29 am
Location: the colonies
Name: Peter Febbroriello
NSS #: 20246
Primary Grotto Affiliation: CCG
  

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

Postby Leclused » Aug 29, 2014 11:24 am

GroundquestMSA wrote:I don't know the jargon, but here's what I want. I want a map with dots representing caves. I want to be able to tell which dot is which cave. I want to be able to see both zoomable terrain and satellite views. I have coordinates, a computer, and a very feeble but occasionally operational brain. Help!


Build in feature in speleobase :clap:

See www.scavalon.be

But don't you use speleobase yet?
User avatar
Leclused
Prolific Poster
 
Posts: 167
Joined: Oct 4, 2007 9:02 am
  

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

Postby trogman » Aug 29, 2014 12:25 pm

I use Terrain Navigator, which I have been quite happy with. However, it has gotten much more expensive in the last few years; the latest version is $400 a state. Back when I purchased mine, I got a 3 state package for $139.

Trogman :helmet:
User avatar
trogman
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 1017
Joined: May 2, 2008 8:35 am
Location: North Alabama
Name: Stephen Brewer
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Gadsden Grotto
  

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

Postby johnf93 » Aug 29, 2014 5:27 pm

I never knew speleobase existed, thanks for the info!
Semper ubi sub ubi.
johnf93
Occasional Poster
 
Posts: 37
Joined: Apr 24, 2013 5:42 pm
Name: John
NSS #: 64986
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Boston
  

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

Postby LukeM » Sep 2, 2014 2:45 pm

The same thing KeyserSoze was talking about can also be done in Google Earth (non-browser based), depending on your preference. One nice thing you can do is add topo maps, but if your internet is slow they may not stream to your computer very effectively. See here: http://equipped.outdoors.org/2012/12/how-to-add-usgs-topographic-maps-to.html
User avatar
LukeM
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 705
Joined: Jan 30, 2008 2:53 pm
Location: Albany, NY
Name: Luke Mazza
NSS #: 59317
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Syracuse University Outing Club
  

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

Postby bennettbike » Nov 24, 2014 8:39 am

The best is going to be streets and trips by microsoft. I work in telecom and everyone uses this for dropping pins, you can import excel sheets into the program, so basically if you get a digital version of every cave location from gss you can drop a pin on every cave, or if thats too many i guess you could just drop what you want to see.
bennettbike
Prolific Poster
 
Posts: 179
Joined: Mar 1, 2010 10:40 am
NSS #: 61840RE
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Dogwood City Grotto
  

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

Postby LukeM » Nov 24, 2014 12:13 pm

Just FYI, I looked it up and Streets and Trips has been discontinued as a product, though you may still be able to buy it. Just don't expect any support or updates.
User avatar
LukeM
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 705
Joined: Jan 30, 2008 2:53 pm
Location: Albany, NY
Name: Luke Mazza
NSS #: 59317
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Syracuse University Outing Club
  

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

Postby caver.adam » Nov 24, 2014 4:31 pm

This depends on what you're looking to do. ArcGIS online has some free features available. It can make private maps but you aren't allowed to share on a free account unless you share with everyone. Also, I'm not sure whether you can export your data once you've entered it. But it is a very flexible program other than that.
User avatar
caver.adam
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 345
Joined: Feb 8, 2012 12:26 pm
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Louisville Grotto
  

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

Postby bennettbike » Dec 21, 2014 6:43 pm

I did not know that Luke, so as long as the roads dont change to quick streets and trips is exceptional. Everyone in telecom uses the program to drop gps coords with an offline map. You can import full excel docs.

Im going to drop all the coords and provide anyone a file copy as long as they are gss.
bennettbike
Prolific Poster
 
Posts: 179
Joined: Mar 1, 2010 10:40 am
NSS #: 61840RE
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Dogwood City Grotto
  

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

Postby bennettbike » Dec 21, 2014 8:23 pm

It took some thinking and creativity but i just dropped pins on all of page 2 of the gss listings.
bennettbike
Prolific Poster
 
Posts: 179
Joined: Mar 1, 2010 10:40 am
NSS #: 61840RE
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Dogwood City Grotto
  


Return to Caving General Discussion and Questions Forum

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users