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FAQ License How to get a permanent License Key? My evaluation license has expired, but I want to continue evaluation. Terms What is a frame? What is a tile? What is a Zoom Center on 8-level zoom maps? Maps How can I get an aerial or topo maps for my local area? How to prepare 8-level zoom (Top,64m,32m,16m,8m,4m,2m,1m) b/w aerial, color aerial, color topo maps in QuakeMap for MapAdvisor? How to prepare 2-level zoom (Top,Zoom+) map single pdb file with 1 frame in QuakeMap for MapAdvisor? How to prepare smaller 8-level zoom maps on a Card by using Zoom Centers? How to prepare smaller 2-level zoom single file old style maps? Where to put 8-level zoom map (multiple files in directory) on a Card? Where to put 2-level zoom map (single PDB file old style map) on a Card? How MapAdvisor loads 8-level zoom map (multiple files in directory)from a Card? How MapAdvisor loads 2-level zoom map (single PDB file old style map) from a Card? What can I do with 8-level zoom map via the map file manager? What can I do with 2-level zoom map via the map file manager? Which directories on a Card does the map file manager use for different maps? How to transfer maps to a PDA? Can I use 3-level zoom single PDB file maps (old style) with MapAdvisor 3.0? How to evaluate available free PDA memory and map file size for old style maps? Should I control a free RAM size for 2-level zoom maps? Should I control a free RAM size for 8-level zoom maps? My Top map covers only part of the PDA screen. How can I make a fullscreen top map on PDA? Which types of maps are available in MapAdvisor and how to switch between them? How can I find out about color aerial maps for my local area? Can I delete "pmapdata" example map in RAM to free up 1Mb memory? Waypoints and Trackpoints How to create a new user waypoint in MapAdvisor? How to create a new user waypoint database file (PDB) in MapAdvisor? How to create a new user trackpoint in MapAdvisor? How to create a new user trackpoint database file (PDB) in MapAdvisor? GPS Configuration and Track Recording Does this software work with GPS receivers? Can it show where you are using a GPS receiver? How to configure port and baud rate for an external GPS? How to choose port and baud rate for CF GPS on PocketPC? How to choose port and baud rate for CF GPS on Sony Clie NX and NZ devices? How can I record tracks? What if I forget to save the track to GPX before closing MapAdvisor? How can I view the recorded track on PC? How to set and use a destination waypoint? Importing/Exporting GPX and LOC Files Where can I get LOC files with geocache information? Where can I get GPX files with geocache information? How to use it? How to import LOC and GPX files into MapAdvisor from a storage card? How to import GPX files into MapAdvisor via QuakeMap? How to export tracks and waypoints from MapAdvisor to GPX files on a storage card? General Questions Can MapAdvisor be used for areas outside of the US? I want to be a beta-tester Troubleshooting I have installation problem. Program cannot start. What to do? I found a bug and I want to have a fix for it ASAP. What to do? I cannot see landmarks on the map? License How to get a permanent License Key? purchase the product. Purchasing is available here send your device number (from Menu->Help->Registration) to mapadvisor@cox.net. You will get a License Key by e-mail. TOP My evaluation license has expired, but I want to continue evaluation. Please, contact our support. TOP Terms What is a frame? Map data is organized into frames. A frame represents a screen image in QuakeMap. Additional frames are created each time you click a navigation arrow in QuakeMap. Each frame consists of an array of square images (tiles). Currently, PDA memory limitations allow no more than three frames in mapAdvisor. TOP What is a tile? Each frame consists of an array of square images (tiles). TOP What is a Zoom Center on 8-level zoom maps? A Zoom Center is an area where all 8 zoom levels (Top,64m,32m,16m,8m,4m,2m,1m) are available for b/w or color aerial maps or 7 levels (Top,64m,32m,16m,8m,4m,2m) for color topo maps. The map tiles of the Zoom Center are outlined with a magenta rectangle on the map (see screenshots for example). For the rest of the area, only upper-level maps (Top,64m,32m,16m) are available. If you are interested in detail maps for some area, i.e. near a geocache, make a Zoom Center around it. When going there, use the upper-level maps for the general area. On site, you can use the detail maps to simplify navigation and orientation. TOP Maps How can I get an aerial map for my local area? You have 2 options: Request an aerial map via MapAdvisor support here. Use our companion program QuakeMap (free or full edition) to prepare own maps. If you request an aerial map via MapAdvisor support, give us 24h to prepare a map for you and send you a link for download. If you have the evaluation license, you can request maps up to 3 times. TOP How to prepare 8-level zoom (Top,64m,32m,16m,8m,4m,2m,1m) b/w aerial, color aerial, color topo maps in QuakeMap for MapAdvisor? QuakeMap 3.5 has a menu option at PDA->"PDA Memory Card Map Wizard" that allows you to create 8-level zoom maps. To save memory on a card you create a map with Zoom Centers for the current frame (camera height sets to 10-50miles). Set the camera height to a value between 10-50 miles, i.e. 10mi Start the map wizard by clicking on QuakeMap menu PDA->"PDA Memory Card Map Wizard". Click the "Start>>" button. Select a directory on your PC where you want to store the map files for MapAdvisor. Depending on your PDA, select Palm colors or PocketPC colors. Uncheck "compress grayscale aerial". Click Next. Select the types of map you need by checking the corresponding boxes, i.e. aerial, topo, color. (It will create all possible map types.) Drag the mouse on the screen to select a Zoom Center where you want to have all zoom levels. Click inside the rectangle to download the files. You can select several Zoom Centers and click inside each of them. Click Next. QuakeMap will place the downloaded files in the directory you selected. When it finishes, click Close to close the wizard. Use a card reader to prepare a directory \mamaps8 on a card if you do not yet have such a directory. You can move prepared files from the PC directly into the \mamaps8 directory if you want to use maps for 1 region. OPTIONAL: You can move prepared files from the PC to a subdirectory of \mamaps8 to store maps for many places under subdirectories with corresponding names, i.e. \mamaps8\dana_point, \mamaps8\san_clemente, \mamaps8\irvine OPTIONAL: If you have no card reader and use a PocketPC, you can use the ActiveSync Explore button to open the file system on the PDA and move files to the "\Storage card\mamaps8" directory. Some PocketPCs may have different names for the "Storage" directory. Don't change the name of this directory, just create a "\mamaps8" directory inside. TOP How to prepare 2-level zoom (Top,Zoom+) map single pdb file with 1 frame in QuakeMap for MapAdvisor? This is possible via QuakeMap menu: PDA->StartCameraTracking. Click PDA->Stop/Export... and choose output PDB name and location. Optionally, under the "Options" tab, you have to select Palm or Pocket PC colors. You only need to do this once. QuakeMap remembers your selection next time. Optionally, under the "Options" tab, you can choose to compress the pdb file. This halves file size but decreases a map loading speed. Use this option only if you have limited memory on your device. Click Save and Close when completed. For 2-level zoom maps: Use HotSync to send this new PDB to your Palm OR use ActiveSync to place the PDB in the \Superwaba\MapAdvisor directory on PocketPC. Note: If you did not use QuakeMap navigation arrows, the described above procedure will create a PDB with 1 frame (QuakeMap screen image) that contains several tiles. TOP How to prepare smaller 8-level zoom maps on a Card by using Zoom Centers? Set the camera height to 10 instead of 50 miles. Resize the window to a smaller rectangle. Use only 1-2 Zoom Centers on a map. Make Zoom Centers smaller. Use only 1 or 2 map types, i.e. use b/w aerial and topo map, instead of all 3 types. TOP How to prepare smaller 8-level zoom maps on a Card by using Zoom Centers? Set the camera to a lower height. Resize the window to a smaller rectangle. TOP Where to put 8-level zoom map (multiple files in directory) on a Card? 8-level zoom maps should be placed into a \mamaps8 directory on the Storage Card. You may create subdirectories of \mamaps8 and store maps separately. The Map Manager can open a subdirectory of \mamaps8, loading only the maps in that subdirectory. TOP Where to put 2-level zoom map (single PDB file old style map) on a Card? 2-level zoom maps should be placed into a \mamaps directory on the Storage Card. You may then use the Map Manager to open individual 2-level zoom map PDB files. TOP How to open 8-level zoom maps (multiple files in directory) from a Card in MapAdvisor? Open the Map Manager from the menu via File->Map Manager. Select the Card tab. Select the directory which contains your maps (either \mamaps8 or a subdirectory of \mamaps8). Click "Open Zoom8 Map Directory". TOP How to open 2-level zoom maps (single PDB file old style map) from a Card in MapAdvisor? Open the Map Manager from the menu via File->Map Manager. Select the Card tab. Select the PDB file (usually in \mamaps)and click "Open PDB Map". TOP What can I do with 8-level zoom maps? How to use Select and SelectTile modes? When viewing the Top map: You can use Select and SelectTile modes to select areas (zoom centers) on the top map and click inside the selection to quickly zoom in to that area. You can delete selected zoom centers (detail maps only, 1m/pixel-8m/pixel resolution) or all maps for the selected area. To do this, go to "Action->Delete selected maps8 on card". Click "DeleteZc" to delete only zoom centers or "DeleteAll" to delete all maps in the selected area. NOTE: This will delete all map types (aerial, topo, color) for the area. The delete procedure may take some time depending on the number of files. TOP What can I do with 2-level zoom maps in the map file manager? After selecting a 2-level zoom map PDB file, you can use the OpenPdbMap, RenamePdb, and DeletePdb buttons. TOP Which directories on a Card does the map file manager use for different maps? \mamaps8 and its subdirectories can be used for 8-level zoom maps. \mamaps is used for 2-level zoom maps. TOP How to transfer maps to a PDA? For 2-level zoom maps: Use HotSync to send this new PDB to your Palm OR use ActiveSync to place the PDB in the \Superwaba\MapAdvisor directory on PocketPC. For 8-level zoom maps: You can move prepared files from the PC directly into the \mamaps8 directory if you want to use maps for 1 region. You can also move prepared files from the PC to a subdirectory of \mamaps8 to store maps for many places under subdirectories with corresponding names, i.e. \mamaps8\dana_point, \mamaps8\san_clemente, \mamaps8\irvine. If you have no card reader and use a PocketPC, you can use the ActiveSync Explore button to open the file system on the PDA and move files to the "\Storage card\mamaps8" directory. Some PocketPCs may have different names for the "Storage" directory. Don't change the name of this directory, just create a "\mamaps8" directory inside. TOP Can I use 3-level zoom single PDB file maps (old style) with MapAdvisor 3.0? No, because 8-level zoom maps replace 3-level zoom map PDBs. The main disadvantage of old 3-level zoom map PDBs was large file size and large free RAM requirements. 8-level zoom map technology fully solves the free RAM problem. TOP How to evaluate available free PDA memory and map file size for old style maps? Free RAM is displayed in the top right of the map manager window. When you select a 2-level zoom PDB on a Storage Card, the PDB's size is displayed in the top right of the map manager window. TOP Should I control free RAM size for 2-level zoom maps? Because the entire 2-level zoom map PDB is loaded into memory, you should make sure you have about (map size + 2) MB of free RAM before loading a single PDB file map. TOP Should I control free RAM size for 8-level zoom maps? The main advantage of new 8-level zoom technology is that small individual tiles are loaded when you use 8-level zoom maps. Because of this, you shouldn't need to worry about free RAM. TOP My Top map covers only part of the PDA screen. How can I make a fullscreen top map on PDA? The Top map is automatically fit to the screen and scaled to the largest size possible without distorting the map. The closer the proportions of the map are to the proportions of the window, the more of the screen the Top map will be able fill. TOP What folders does map file manager use and how to utilize them? How to transfer maps to a PDA? Map manager uses 2 folders on Palm or 1 folder on PocketPC to work with maps. Palm Map manager can use with 2 folders on Cards: \mamaps \PALM\Launcher where \PALM\Launcher is a standard folder that is used by HotSync for all installed PDB or PRC files. Because maps are pdb files, you can use HotSync to put maps into the \PALM\Launcher folder. If you use this folder, Map Manager will display only MapAdvisor maps for your convenience, although you can have other programs in the \PALM\Launcher folder. If you have a card reader we advise you to create a folder "mamaps" on a Card and put MapAdvisor maps there. It allows you to keep maps separate from other programs. PocketPC Map manager uses the following folder on Card: \mamaps Using Active Sync to create mamaps folder on Card Click on Explore toolbar button and open MyPocketPC folder. The Card appears as a "\Storage Card" folder. Open the "\Storage Card" folder and create a new folder named "\mamaps". You can drag and drop map files there. You can also create the "\mamaps" folder using a card reader. TOP How to evaluate available free memory on PDA and map file size? Use map manager in MapAdvisor to see the quantity of free memory in RAM (see RAM tab) or exact file size on Card (see Card tab). TOP How to control map size? How to prepare smaller maps? Map size depends on the window size of QuakeMap when you are preparing maps. A smaller window results in a smaller pdb file size. Run QuakeMap in windowed mode (not full screen) and resize the window to make it smaller. This way, you can prepare smaller 3-level maps taking up around 3-5Mb. Typical size of different map types: 2-level (Top,Zoom+) map pdb file 1.2 Mb (fast uncompressed format). 2-level (Top,Zoom+) map pdb file 0.8 Mb (compressed format). If you have enough space in RAM on your PDA, we strongly recommend that you always use bigger uncompressed maps for fast loading/browsing. TOP My Top map covers only part of the screen. How can I make a fullscreen top map? When using QuakeMap to prepare maps, run QuakeMap in windowed mode (not maximized/full screen) and resize the window into a square. MapAdvisor fits the map to the height or width of the screen. Currently MapAdvisor is designed to use resolution 320x320 (Palm). Therefore, a square map will cover the full square area on the device. TOP Which types of maps are available in MapAdvisor and how to switch between them? MapAdvisor can display black/white aerial, color aerial, color topo maps. You can prepare 8-level zoom maps of all 3 types or 2-level zoom old style single file map for one of this type. If you open single file old style map, you have only 1 type of map, i.e. b/w aerial. However if you prepare 8-level zoom maps of different types, MapAdvisor allow you to easy switch between different type of maps by using left drop box on the MapAdvisor toolbar. This drop box has options to select "Aerial" - the black and white aerial map "Topo" - the color topo map "Color" - the color aerial map The color aerial maps are available only for some regions of the USA. Aerial maps can have all 8 zoom levels: Top,64m,32m,16m,8m,4m,2m,1m. Topo maps can have only 7 zoom levels: Top,64m,32m,16m,8m,4m,2m. TOP How can I find out about color aerial maps for my local area? Browse to your area in QuakeMap, select Color check box for maps on the left toolbar. If QuakeMap displays a color map, you can prepare color maps for MapAdvisor. TOP Can I delete "pmapdata" example map in RAM to release 1Mb memory? Yes, you can delete "pmapdata" from RAM. However it is good idea to keep it on card for testing purpose. Take this pdb from installable zip and copy to a card. TOP Waypoints and Trackpoints How to create a new user waypoint in MapAdvisor? You can create a new user waypoint via the MapAdvisor menu option Action->NewWaypoint. You will be asked to enter waypoint type (user-defined waypoint, geocache, geocache found). Enter name, description, details, and user waypoint PDB name. Geo coordinates will be set to the point you tap on the map to place the new waypoint. You can manually adjust geo coordinates if you like. TOP How to create a new user waypoint database file (PDB) in MapAdvisor? You can create a new user waypoint database file (PDB) using the MapAdvisor menu option File->SaveWaypointPDB and use it instead of the default userwp.pdb. TOP How to create a new user trackpoint in MapAdvisor? You can create a new user trackpoint via MapAdvisor menu Action->NewTrackpoint. You may drag the stylus across the screen to the point where you wish to place the trackpoint. The coordinates of the point touched by your stylus are shown on the status bar to make it easier to locate the correct coordinates. TOP How to create a new user trackpoint database file (PDB) in MapAdvisor? You can create a new user trackpoint database file (PDB) using the MapAdvisor menu option File->SaveTrackpointPDB and use it instead of the default usertrack.pdb. TOP GPS Configuration and Track Recording Does this software work with GPS receivers? Can it show where you are using a GPS receiver? MapAdvisor automatically displays real-time GPS data and allows recording, viewing, and saving of tracks - all on a satellite image map, so you can see exactly where you are. MapAdvisor GPS Edition for Palm and PocketPC uses an external GPS such as serial GPS, card flash CF GPS, and Bluetooth GPS. MapAdvisor GPS Edition for Garmin iQue 3600 uses the built-in iQue GPS. TOP How to configure port and baud rate for an external GPS? Connect the external GPS to the Palm or PocketPC. Click GPS->Configure GPS. Select the port and baud rate that fits your GPS connection (serial, CF, or Bluetooth). Most serial cable GPSes use Port 0 (cradle port) and Baud Rate 4800. Some use higher rates. For CF GPSes, check the manufacturer's documentation or contact us at mapadvisor@cox.net and provide your PDA and CF GPS brand and model. Click Start Test. If the settings are correct, incoming data should be displayed in the text box. If not, click Stop Test, change settings, and try again. Click Stop, Save, Close to exit the dialog. Settings will be stored so you don't have to repeat this procedure. Examples: Sony Clie 615C, GPS Garmin eTrex via serial cable, Use default port 0, baud rate 4800 Palm TT, GPS Magellan SportTrek via serial cable, Use default port 0, baud rate 4800 Palm T3, GPS Navtech M500, port 0, baud rate 57600 (this baud rate is only for Navtech m-Series)    Note: MapAdvisor uses port "CF GPSd" only for Sony NX and Sony NZ devices. The useful link for success Port/BaudRate combinations is here Read the answers for the next questions if you have Pocket PC or Sony NX, NZ devices. TOP How to choose port and baud rate for CF GPS on PocketPC?    Note: MapAdvisor uses port "CF GPSd" only for Sony NX and Sony NZ devices. The useful link for success Port/BaudRate combinations is here The example for Pharos CF GPS. The baud rate for most Pharos CF GPS is 4800. However the port number is different. In according to Pharos website use the following ports IPAQ 3700 series and lower (with CF expansion sleeve) – port 4 IPAQ 3800 series (with CF expansion sleeve) – port 5 IPAQ 3900 series (with CF expansion sleeve) – port 6 IPAQ 5400 series (with Dual slot expansion sleeve) – port 7 IPAQ 5400 series (using iGPS-280 with CF expansion sleeve) – port 4 IPAQ 2210 series – port 7 Example: HP iPAQ 3835, Pharos PF022, port 5, baud rate 4800 TOP How to choose port and baud rate for CF GPS on Sony Clie NX and NZ devices? Only if you have Sony Clie NX or Sony NZ PDA you have to download and install special driver written by Pelaca. This is a small PRC file. You can download it from here After installing the driver please select the port "CF GPSd" on MapAdvisor. Baud rate is 4800. Example: Sony Clie NX80 and Globalsat BC-307 CF GPS, port "CF GPSd", baud rate 4800 TOP How can I record tracks? Set up GPS as above. Click GPS->Track Log Prefs. Set time period and minimum distance between trackpoints. Optionally, choose a track color and change track display settings. These options will be stored after saving for later usage. Click GPS->Start Track. Enter a track name and click OK. Trackpoints will now be recorded. Data will be saved to a PDB file with the same name as the track. To stop recording, click GPS->Stop Track. You can then export this track as a GPX file to a storage card and transfer it to a PC or other PDA. To do this, click File->Save track to GPX file on card. Enter a name for the file and click Save. TOP What if I forget to save the track to GPX before closing MapAdvisor? Restart MapAdvisor. You can reopen the saved track PDB file in PDA memory by clicking File->Open track pdb. After opening the file, you can export it to GPX as above. TOP How can I view the recorded track on PC? Move the saved track GPX file from storage card to PC. Use QuakeMap or another program capable of opening GPX files to open the GPX file. If using QuakeMap, uncheck the menu option Photo->Analyze when loading a GPX before you open the file. You can drag and drop GPX files to QuakeMap. TOP How to set and use a destination waypoint? Click GPS->Set Destination. If there are any waypoints, you can select one of them from the list. If there are no waypoints, you can click Action->New Waypoint to create a new waypoint. In the waypoint creation dialog, you can check Set As Destination to automatically set the waypoint to be the destination. When the destination waypoint is set, the GPS->Position and Velocity dialog will display the distance from your current location to the destination if GPS data is available. TOP Importing/Exporting GPX and LOC files Where can I get LOC files with geocache information? You can find locations of geocaches in your local area and LOC files for them via the www.geocaching.com website. This is free and easy to use. However the geocache information in LOC file is limited to the cache's name, short description, and location. There are no geocache logs in LOC files. We recommend you use small LOC files that only have information about 1 geocache, because reading a file from the storage card is slow on Palm devices. If you want to find several geocaches a day, just make separate files on a card for them. TOP Where can I get GPX files with geocache information? How to use it? GPX format is an extended format that contains a lot of information about geocaches including recent logs (who and when found this geocache). You should have a subscription to receive updates of GPX files from website www.geocaching.com. This information is extremely useful when hunting for geocaches. If you have a subscription, you can order files with up to 500 geocaches around your coordinates. If you are not planning to find distant geocaches, order files with 100 geocaches. It will speed up reading the file from the storage card on Palm devices. On Pocket PC reading card is very fast and you can use files all the time. For Palm we recommend the following procedure to speed up loading geocache information. If you want to use files with 500 geocaches, we recommend to read this file once from the card in MapAdvisor and Save the information in a new waypoint database file (PDB). Later you can open this waypoint database in MapAdvisor and the loading of geocache information will be very fast. TOP How to import LOC and GPX files into MapAdvisor from a storage card? Place the file(s) in a directory called "mapadvisor" on the storage card (Secure Digital card, Memory Stick, etc.). For PocketPC devices, this may be done via ActiveSync, and the directory may be accessed through "My Pocket PC\Storage Card\mapadvisor". For Palm devices, a separate storage card reader/writer is required to place the file(s) in the "mapadvisor" directory. To access the files in MapAdvisor, click "File->Open LOC or GPX file on card". TOP How to import GPX files into MapAdvisor via QuakeMap? You can import GPX files into MapAdvisor via QuakeMap to get waypoint information. However, geocache information obtained in this manner contains no logs. The geocache waypoints only have a short description and "last found" dates. TOP How to export tracks and waypoints from MapAdvisor to GPX files on a storage card? The MapAdvisor menu option "File->Save track to GPX file on card" will create a file in directory /mapadvisor on storage card. This file includes the current track information and all waypoints you see on the screen. You can open a file later in other programs and view the track there. For example, it can be opened with the PC program QuakeMap. TOP General Questions Can MapAdvisor be used for areas outside of the US? Unfortunately, at this time, MapAdvisor only has access to aerial photo maps for the continental US, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. TOP I want to be a beta-tester MapAdvisor has a program for beta-testers including a free license. Please, contact our support. TOP Troubleshooting I have installation problems. The program doesn't start. What do I do? Some versions of HotSync cannot send several files with long and similar names to the Palm. Because Superwaba has several files with names stating with XPlat..., HotSync only sends the first file to the Palm and skips sending the rest. As a result, MapAdvisor has an incomplete set of required libraries on PDA. The workaround is to install all of the XPlat...pdb files separately. If you install just one such file at a time, it will work. TOP I found a bug and I want to have it fixed ASAP. What do I do? MapAdvisor creates a log file named Superwaba DebugConsole that is located in the Memo Pad on Palm. Sync Palm with PC, copy the SuperwabaConsole memo to your favorite e-mail client, and send to mapadvisor@cox.net We will try our best to solve your problem. Typically we need to send just 1 file to install on your PDA to fix a problem. There is no complicated reinstallation process. On PocketPC a similar file named DebugConsole.txt is located in the Superwaba\Mapadvisor folder. You can copy it from there using ActiveSync (use the Explore toolbar button in ActiveSync). TOP I cannot see landmarks on the map? It is possible that there are no landmarks in the area. Otherwise, landmark data was probably not included during the creation of the map. To obtain a map with landmark data: Order maps via our support (see support page how to do it) Use QuakeMap version updated 01/02/2004 or later to export maps to PDA. You have to enable landmark display in QuakeMap before exporting.

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