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Introduction to GPSy ProTMWelcome to GPSy ProTM -- our new high-end GPS communications program designed explicitly to meet the needs of boaters and people working with large map images. GPSy Pro is the high-end version of GPSy and adds NOAA/BSB nautical chart support, large image support, better display options, and better memory handling. You can purchase GPSy Pro online over the internet or via more traditional means through our Purchase Page. Unfortunately, due to licensing restrictions, there is no demo version of GPSy Pro. If you are new to GPS technology, you may want to browse our GPS Resource Library which contains FAQs and tutorials on the GPS. If you haven't yet bought a GPS unit, check out our GPS Unit Recommendations in our FAQ. The GPSy Pro Screenshots Page gives a good sense of GPSy Pro in operational use while our GPSy Compatibility Page lets you know which GPS units we work with (practically any). |
| GPSy Pro Feature Table | |
|---|---|
| Feature | Description |
| GPS Communication Protocols (Real-Time Position) |
NMEA-0183; NMEA-0182; Rockwell NavCore; Rockwell Zodiac; Sony IPS; Trimble TSIP; and Garmin Real-Time |
| GPS Data Transfer Protocols | Eagle/Lowrance (LSI-100); Garmin GRMN/GRMN (normal; StreetPilot; extended 12XL and GPS III); and Magellan |
| Geodetic Datums | 127 including all current NAD, WGS, OSGB, and NTF datums |
| Coordinate Systems | Latitude/Longitude (DMM,DMS,DDD); UTM/UPS; Australian Map Grid (AMG); British Grid (BNG); Dutch Grid (RK); French GRADs; German Grid (Gauss-Krüger); Irish (ITM); Maidenhead Grid; U.S. Military Grid Reference System (MGRS); New Zealand Map Grid (NZMG); Swedish Grid (SWD); Swiss Grid (SUI); ECEF XYZ |
| Scanned Map Formats | MapTech ChartKit (BSB; NOAA/NDI); GeoTIFF; JPEG+JGW; TIFF; TIFF+TFW PICT; GIF; BMP; PhotoShop; JPEG; JFIF; and QTIF |
| DoD World Magnetic Model Epoch 1995 | Ability to calculate the local magnetic declination (variance) from true North using the Department of Defense World Magnetic Model Epoch 1995 (WMM-95). With WMM-1995 support, all GPSy Pro map route bearing calculations are displayed using the local declination of the starting point as well as all navigation screens. Note that WMM-1995 is a mathematical model and can not account for local geomagnetic disturbances. Accuracy is nominal < 0.5 degrees RMS over ocean per Milspec MIL-W-89500. Always verify calculations of declination/variance information against local charts especially near the Bermuda Triangle and other geomagnetic/paranormal phenomena. |
| Advanced map calibration algorithm | A new map calibration algorithm uses a high-order polynomial with an arbitrary set of calibration points to precisely calibrate your map data. Even skewed and distorted maps can be calibrated precisely with this new system. |
| Text-to-speech | Voice synthesis of current location, bearing and speed, and other navigation data |
| Date/Time Synchronization | Synchronizes Apple system clock and PRAM to current GPS time and location |
| Track File Formats | Extended GPSy Format; GPSy Classic Format; StreetAtlas 4 GPL file; MapFan TRK; DMAPWin POT; MAPGEN; MATLAB; Waypoint+ (MapBlast). Also, track in real-time to NMEA-0183; NMEA-0183 RMC; Tab-Delimited; Raw; and HTML. |
| Waypoint File Formats | Extended GPSy Format; GPSy Classic Format; MapFan SPT; Waypoint+ (MapBlast). |
| Internet Map Servers |
GPSyLinks (TM) to Internet Map Servers allow you to instantly
view your position
with maps updated over the Internet. With Census TIGER, you can also run
census data analyses on your local area.
Japan: MapFanWeb and MapFanWeb Route, U.K.: StreetMap USA: MapBlast, MapsOnUs, and Census Bureau TIGER. World: Google Maps |
| CD-ROM Map Databases |
Africa: Fugawi BSB map of Africa
Canada: NDI Nautical Charts Europe: Fugawi BSB map/charts of Canada France: Fugawi BSB map/charts of Europe France: Fugawi BSB map/charts of France Germany: Fugawi BSB map/charts of Germany Japan: iPC MapFan II Japan: Japan Map Center National Digital Maps (1:25000, 1:200000 scale map images) Sweden: Solteknik HB charts of Swedish waters Switzerland: Fugawi BSB map/charts of Switzerland USA: MapTech/ChartKit/NOAA Nautical Charts USA: Delorme StreetAtlas 3 and StreetAtlas 4 USA: USGS DRG Topographic Map CD-ROM Databases |
| GPSy Pro Protocol Support | |
|---|---|
| Communications Protocol | GPSy Support |
| NMEA-0182 Support | Yes |
| NMEA-0183 Support | Yes |
| NMEA-0183 Sentences | AAM, APA, APB, BOD, BWC, BWR, DBT, DPT, GGA, GLL, GSA, GSV, HDM, HDT, HSC, MTW, RMB, RMC, VTG, WCV, WPL, XTE, XTR, PGRME, PGRMF, PGRMM, PGRMV, PGRMZ, PRWIZCH |
| Rockwell Binary Protocol Support | Yes (both NavCore & Zodiac) |
| Sony IPS (3000/5000/etc.) Protocol Support | Yes |
| Trimble (TSIP) Protocol Support | Yes |
| Real-time Garmin Protocol | Yes |
| RTCM-104 DGPS Stream Decoding | Yes (Real-Time and Logging Suppported) |
| CTB Serial Port Support | Yes (up to 32 PC-Card; PCI; USB-to-Serial Adaptor; PortShare; PortJuggler; Internal PowerBook Ports; and other CTB compliant devices) |
| Serial BPS Rate | Controllable 150-57600 |
| Bi-direction Computer Control | Yes; full featured w/ 69 commands for RTCM, remote modem, DeLorme Tripmate, Garmin GPS 20/25/30/31/35/36, and Ashtec SCA 12 support + extensions |
| Project Status (99/10/4) ~ Release 1.15b1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Feature | Status | |
| Full MacOS 8.5 "Theme" Compatibility
Full compatibility with the new MacOS 8.5 Theme Manager / Appearance Manager, including theme sounds, "3D sound imaging," proportional scrollers, and theme controls. |
Finished | |
| BSB Format Chart Support (NOAA/BSB/MapTech/NDI covering all U.S., Canadian and Swedish territorial waters)
BSB Version 1.x, 2.x, and 3.0 Formats supported. Display high-resolution BSB nautical charts on your laptop with your current position overlaid. |
Finished | |
| Chart Overlays (waypoint/tracks)
Ability to overlay waypoints/tracks without uploading them. With 1.15, these can now be switched on/off and their size/width is irrespective of current zoom level. |
Finished | |
| Advanced map calibration algorithm
A new map calibration algorithm uses a high-order polynomial (10 coefficients) to precisely calibrate your map data. Even skewed and distorted maps can be calibrated precisely with this new system. |
Finished | |
| Memory Handling Preferences
GPSy Pro allows control over where images are cached (system vs. application memory); cache size; and resolution parameters. |
Finished | |
| High Resolution Display Refreshes
GPSy Pro can use its low-medium resolution "blazingly fast" image caches for normal navigation. When high-resolution maps are needed (to read chart labels, for example), a high-resolution screen refresh brings them all on screen. |
Finished | |
| System Palette Manager/ColorSync Support
GPSy Pro can use the system palette manager (ColorSync) to adjust the display palette to match the file color palette. This allows "true" map colors on 16 and 256 color displays without dithering. |
Finished | |
| Print Window
GPSy Pro can print just the area of the map shown in the window, scaled properly onto your printer. This allows you to print detailed subsections of your map. |
Finished | |
| Map Point Info
Clicking on a point on a map reveals that point's coordinates as well as bearing and distance from the current GPS position. Dragging a point creates a great circle route between two points, showing the bearing and great circle distance. |
Finished | |
| Extended Map File Info
GPSy Pro displays more information about opened map files, included their pixel dimensions, cache size, calibrated map datum, etc. |
Finished | |
| Distance Markers/Rings
Onscreen markers display distances/bearings from the current position. Initial implementation with range a function of screen size finished. Final implementation will have range circles with either selectable or more discrete distances. |
Finished | |
| Editable Map Overlay Colors
Ability to choose size and width of map overlay tracks. Future releases will add control over additional items such as waypoints markers. |
Finished | |
| DoD World Magnetic Model Epoch 1995
Ability to calculate the local magnetic declination (variance) from true North using the Department of Defense World Magnetic Model Epoch 1995 (WMM-95). With WMM-1995 support, all GPSy Pro map route bearing calculations are displayed using the local declination of the starting point as well as all navigation screens. Note that WMM-1995 is a mathematical model and can not account for local geomagnetic disturbances. Accuracy is nominal < 0.5 degrees RMS over ocean per Milspec MIL-W-89500. Always verify calculations of declination/variance information against local charts especially near the Bermuda Triangle and other geomagnetic/paranormal phenomena. |
Finished | |
| TFW file auto-corrections
Ability for GPSy Pro to suggest a UTM zone/datum when opening TFW files without the needed information; and save the corrected TFW to disk. GPSy Pro brings up a popup menu of the most common UTM zones for the U.S. and other locations. |
Finished | |
| Export map images
Ability to export map images (with their track/waypoint overlays) as JPEG/JFIF images. Please note that calibration information is not saved -- this is designed for further processing or printing in other applications. BSB images are not exportable due to licensing restrictions. |
Finished | |
| Extended Printing Information
GPSy Pro prints map ticks for all four corners and center of calibrated maps, indicating their positions; the map width and height in selectable units; and the map datum. See the screenshots page for more details. |
Finished | |
| Improved AppleEvent API
Ability to start and stop logging via the AppleEvent API. |
Finished | |
| Internet DGPS Support (NEW)
GPSy Pro 1.10a5 supports Internet DGPS servers -- a free service which gives you high accuracy DGPS readings over the Internet. |
Finished | |
| Pessimistic NMEA-0183 Support
GPSy's GPS engine is "optimistic" meaning that it tries to believe that GPS data is valid unless it has evidence to the contrary. GPSy Pro's GPS engine will have an optional pessimistic setting (default: ON) that will change the behaviour so that GPS position is considered only if there is positive evidence of its validity. Note: older versions of NMEA-0183 did not provide a clear and unambiguous way for GPS receivers to indicate signal lock. Thus, GPSy does not always report signal lock lost due to receiving older ambiguous sentences. GPSy Pro will optionally ignore these ambiguous sentences and only validate lock with sentences that clearly indicate a signal lock validity bit.] |
Not Yet | |
| Map Tiling / Index Maps
Map files "know" which maps surround them so that if the GPS cursor moves off the map, the adjoining map opens automatically. |
Not Yet | |
| Place Markers
Ability to mark arbitrary points on the map. |
Not Yet | |
| Serial bus chaining
Ability to echo NMEA-0183 data back out the same or different serial port, thus allowing DGPS or auto-pilot hookups without risk of damaging serial port circuitry from putting two NMEA listeners on one bus transmitter. |
Not Yet | |
| Andy Ihnatko's Wishlist | ||
| Garmin Screen Display Downloads
Ability to download the screen display on Garmin III, III+, 195, and StreetPilots to a TIFF file. |
Finished | |
| Speed / Course / Waypoint / Anchor Warning
Ability for GPSy Pro to warn (sound/speech) if you're exceeding a determined speed; off course by a certain amount; approaching a waypoint; or drifting from an anchor point. |
Not Yet | |
| Calibrated Map Folder
Ability to specify a file folder as the location of calibrated maps. Maps are indexed automatically when added to the folder and will tile automatically when used inside GPSy Pro. |
Not Yet | |
| GPSy Pro System Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Level | Requirements |
| Minimum Configuration | MacOS 7.6 or higher
QuickTime 3.0 or higher 68030/68040 or PowerPC 16 megabytes system RAM memory 3 megabytes hard disk space Grey scale screen (16 greys or higher). |
| Recommended Configuration | MacOS 8.1 or higher. MacOS 8.6 optimized and "theme" savvy.
QuickTime 3.02; QuickTime 4 optimized. PowerPC @ 120 mhz or higher. 64 megabytes system RAM memory. Lots of hard disk space. CDROM. Color display (thousands of colors or higher). |
| BSB (NOAA/NDI) Chart Recommended Configuration | Fast 68040 or PowerPC.
48 megabytes system RAM memory or more. CD-ROM for CD-ROM based charts; floppy drive for charts on floppy. Color display (256 colors or higher). BSB Chart Format Versions 1.x, 2.x and 3.0 supported. |
Copyright (C) 1997-2006 by Karen Nakamura. All rights reserved. GPSyTM and GPSy.COMTM are registered trademarks and GPSy ProTM and GPSyLinkTM are trademarks of Karen Nakamura. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Mention of a third-party's product does not represent endorsement of or by that product.
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this page was created on June 23, 1999. This page was last updated on February 18, 2002.