OziExplorer 3.95.5n: A Detailed Review of the Features, Benefits, Updates, Pros, and Cons of This GPS Mapping Software for PC and Laptop

OziExplorer 3.95.5n: A Comprehensive Review

If you are looking for a GPS mapping software that can work with your PC or laptop and most GPS receivers for trip planning and real time navigation, you might want to check out OziExplorer 3.95.5n. This software allows you to work with maps that you create from scanned or digital maps, and offers many features and benefits for various outdoor activities such as boating, 4 wheel driving, flying, hiking, etc.

OziExplorer 3.95.5n

In this article, we will review OziExplorer 3.95.5n in detail, covering its features, benefits, usage, updates, pros, cons, and FAQs. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what OziExplorer can do for you and whether it is worth trying.

What is OziExplorer?

OziExplorer is a GPS mapping software that runs on your PC or laptop and works with most GPS receivers for trip planning and real time navigation. It was developed by Des Newman in Australia since 1996 and has been updated regularly ever since.

OziExplorer allows you to work with maps on your computer screen that you create from scanned or digital maps. You can use maps in various formats such as BSB, USGS DRG, ECW, SID, TIF, PNG, etc. You can also purchase maps in digital form from various sources or scan and calibrate your own paper charts.

By using these maps, OziExplorer allows you to plan your trip by creating waypoints, routes, and tracks on screen and upload these to your GPS device. You can also download waypoints, routes, and tracks from your GPS device and display them on a map.

OziExplorer also supports moving map mode, which means you can connect your laptop to your GPS device and show your GPS position in real time on the map. OziExplorer will navigate you along your chosen route giving instructions and alerts.

OziExplorer is compatible with most Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance/Eagle,Brunton/Silvaand MLR GPS receivers for uploading and downloading waypoints,routesand tracksand most brand of GPS receivers for real time tracking of GPS position (moving map).

Features and benefits of OziExplorer

OziExplorer has many features and benefits that make it a useful tool for various outdoor activities such as boating , 4 wheel driving, flying, hiking, etc. Some of the main features and benefits are: - You can create your own maps from scanned or digital maps in various formats and calibrate them using OziExplorer. - You can plan your trip by creating waypoints, routes, and tracks on the map and upload them to your GPS device. You can also download waypoints, routes, and tracks from your GPS device and display them on the map. - You can connect your laptop to your GPS device and use moving map mode to show your GPS position in real time on the map. OziExplorer will navigate you along your chosen route giving instructions and alerts. - You can use OziExplorer with most GPS receivers for uploading and downloading data and real time tracking of GPS position. - You can customize the display of the map, such as zoom level, colors, fonts, symbols, etc. You can also overlay various data on the map, such as elevation, speed, distance, bearing, etc. - You can print the map or save it as an image file. You can also export the map data to other formats such as GPX, KML, CSV, etc. - You can use OziExplorer with other software and devices, such as Google Earth, Android devices, Windows CE devices, etc. How to use OziExplorer

OziExplorer is easy to use once you get familiar with its interface and functions. Here are some basic steps on how to use OziExplorer: Downloading and installing OziExplorer

To download and install OziExplorer, you need to visit the official website and follow the instructions. You can choose between the full version or the trial version of OziExplorer. The full version costs $130 AUD and requires a registration code. The trial version is free for 21 days but has some limitations.

After downloading the setup file, you need to run it and follow the installation wizard. You will need to accept the license agreement and choose the destination folder. You will also need to install some additional components such as Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 Client Profile and Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package.

After installing OziExplorer, you will see a shortcut icon on your desktop. You can double-click it to launch OziExplorer.

Creating and calibrating maps

To create and calibrate maps in OziExplorer, you need to have scanned or digital maps in various formats such as BSB, USGS DRG, ECW, SID, TIF, PNG, etc. You can also purchase maps in digital form from various sources or scan and calibrate your own paper charts.

To create a map in OziExplorer, you need to click on File > New Map File > Create Map File from Image File. Then you need to browse for the image file of the map and select it. You will see a dialog box where you can enter some information about the map such as name, description, projection type, datum type, etc.

To calibrate a map in OziExplorer, you need to click on File > Load Map File > Load from File. Then you need to browse for the map file that you created and select it. You will see the map displayed on the screen. Then you need to click on Map > Calibrate Map > Calibrate Map Using Known Points. You will see a dialog box where you can enter some calibration points for the map. These are points that have known coordinates in both latitude/longitude and pixel values on the map image. You can enter these points manually or use a GPS device to obtain them.

After entering at least three calibration points for the map, you need to click on OK. OziExplorer will calculate the calibration parameters for the map and save them in a .map file. You will see a message that says "Map Calibration Successful".

Planning trips with waypoints, routes, and tracks

To plan trips with waypoints, routes, and tracks in OziExplorer , you need to have a map loaded and calibrated in OziExplorer. Then you can use the following tools to create and edit waypoints, routes, and tracks on the map: - Waypoints are points of interest that you can mark on the map with a name, symbol, and description. You can create waypoints by clicking on the waypoint tool on the toolbar and then clicking on the map where you want to place the waypoint. You can also right-click on the map and select Add Waypoint. You will see a dialog box where you can enter some information about the waypoint such as name, symbol, description, coordinates, etc. You can also edit or delete waypoints by right-clicking on them and selecting Edit Waypoint or Delete Waypoint. - Routes are sequences of waypoints that define a path to follow on the map. You can create routes by clicking on the route tool on the toolbar and then clicking on the waypoints that you want to include in the route. You can also right-click on the map and select Add Route. You will see a dialog box where you can enter some information about the route such as name, description, color, etc. You can also edit or delete routes by right-clicking on them and selecting Edit Route or Delete Route. - Tracks are records of your GPS position over time that show where you have been on the map. You can create tracks by clicking on the track tool on the toolbar and then clicking on Start Track Logging. OziExplorer will start recording your GPS position every few seconds and display it as a line on the map. You can also stop track logging by clicking on Stop Track Logging. You will see a dialog box where you can enter some information about the track such as name, description, color, etc. You can also edit or delete tracks by right-clicking on them and selecting Edit Track or Delete Track. After creating waypoints, routes, and tracks on the map, you can upload them to your GPS device by clicking on File > Upload Data to GPS > Upload Waypoints/Routes/Tracks. You will see a dialog box where you can select which data to upload and which GPS device to use. You can also download waypoints, routes, and tracks from your GPS device by clicking on File > Download Data from GPS > Download Waypoints/Routes/Tracks. You will see a dialog box where you can select which data to download and which GPS device to use. Connecting to GPS devices

To connect to GPS devices in OziExplorer, you need to have a compatible GPS receiver that can communicate with your PC or laptop via a serial port, USB port, Bluetooth connection, or TCP/IP connection. You also need to have the appropriate drivers and cables for your GPS device.

To connect to a GPS device in OziExplorer, you need to click on File > Configuration > GPS tab. You will see a dialog box where you can select which type of connection to use (serial port, USB port, Bluetooth connection, or TCP/IP connection) and which port number or address to use. You also need to select which type of GPS device you have (Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance/Eagle,Brunton/Silvaand MLR) and which protocol it uses (NMEA 0183 or Garmin). You can also set some options such as baud rate, parity bit, stop bit, etc.

After setting up the connection parameters for your GPS device, you need to click on OK. Then you need to click on File > Connect To GPS. OziExplorer will try to establish a connection with your GPS device and show its status in the bottom left corner of the screen. If the connection is successful, you will see a green light and a message that says "GPS Connected". If the connection fails, you will see a red light and a message that says "GPS Not Connected".

Using moving map mode

To use moving map mode in OziExplorer , you need to have a map loaded and calibrated in OziExplorer and a GPS device connected to your PC or laptop. Then you can click on File > Moving Map Mode. OziExplorer will switch to moving map mode and show your GPS position in real time on the map. You will also see some information on the screen such as speed, distance, bearing, etc.

In moving map mode, OziExplorer can navigate you along a route that you have created or loaded on the map. You can click on File > Load Route > Load from File or Load from GPS to load a route on the map. Then you can click on File > Navigate Route to start navigating along the route. OziExplorer will give you instructions and alerts such as turn left, turn right, waypoint reached, etc.

You can also use some tools in moving map mode such as zoom in, zoom out, pan, measure distance, etc. You can also change the display options such as map orientation, track tail length, track color, etc. You can also access some menus such as File, Map, Waypoint, Route, Track, etc.

To exit moving map mode, you can click on File > Exit Moving Map Mode or press the Esc key.

What's new in OziExplorer 3.95.5n?

OziExplorer 3.95.5n is the latest version of OziExplorer as of June 2023. It was released on May 2023 and has some new features and improvements over the previous versions. Some of the main changes are: New GPS receivers supported

OziExplorer 3.95.5n supports some new GPS receivers that were not supported by the previous versions. These include: - Garmin GPSMAP 66i - Garmin Montana 700/700i/750i - Garmin Zumo XT - Garmin Edge 1030 Plus - Garmin Edge Explore - Garmin eTrex 22x/32x - Garmin GPSMAP 64sx/64csx/65/65s - Garmin Oregon 750t Seamless map removed from map searches

OziExplorer 3.95.5n has removed the seamless map option from the map searches. The seamless map option was used to search for maps that were stitched together from multiple map files and displayed as one map. However, this option was causing some problems and confusion for some users, so it was removed.

Instead of using the seamless map option, users can now use the MapView feature to view multiple maps as one map. The MapView feature allows users to create a virtual map that consists of multiple maps that are automatically loaded and displayed according to the GPS position or the screen center.

Option to delete MapView map cache

OziExplorer 3.95.5n has added an option to delete the MapView map cache. The MapView map cache is a folder that stores temporary files that are created when using the MapView feature. These files can take up a lot of disk space and slow down the performance of OziExplorer.

To delete the MapView map cache, users can click on File > Configuration > Map tab > Delete MapView Cache button. This will delete all the files in the MapView cache folder and free up some disk space.

Pros and cons of OziExplorer 3.95.5n

OziExplorer 3.95.5n is a powerful and versatile GPS mapping software that has many pros and cons for different users and situations. Here are some of the main pros and cons of OziExplorer 3.95.5n:

Pros

Cons

- You can create your own maps from scanned or digital maps in various formats and calibrate them using OziExplorer.

- You need to pay $130 AUD for the full version of OziExplorer and register it with a code.

- You can plan your trip by creating waypoints, routes, and tracks on the map and upload them to your GPS device.

- You need to have compatible GPS receivers for uploading and downloading data and real time tracking of GPS position.

- You can connect your laptop to your GPS device and use moving map mode to show your GPS position in real time on the map.

- You need to have appropriate drivers and cables for your GPS device and set up the connection parameters correctly.

- You can customize the display of the map, such as zoom level, colors, fonts, symbols, etc.

- You may experience some glitches or errors when using OziExplorer, especially with large or complex maps.

- You can use OziExplorer with other software and devices, such as Google Earth, Android devices, Windows CE devices, etc.

- You may need to purchase additional software or hardware to use OziExplorer with other software and devices.

- You can use the MapView feature to view multiple maps as one map.

- You may need to delete the MapView map cache regularly to free up disk space and improve performance.

Conclusion

OziExplorer 3.95.5n is a GPS mapping software that can work with your PC or laptop and most GPS receivers for trip planning and real time navigation. It allows you to work with maps that you create from scanned or digital maps, and offers many features and benefits for various outdoor activities such as boating, 4 wheel driving, flying, hiking, etc.

OziExplorer 3.95.5n has some new features and improvements over the previous versions, such as new GPS receivers supported, seamless map removed from map searches, and option to delete MapView map cache. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as the cost of the full version, the compatibility of GPS receivers, the setup of the connection parameters, the glitches or errors when using large or complex maps, and the need to purchase additional software or hardware to use OziExplorer with other software and devices.

Therefore, OziExplorer 3.95.5n is a powerful and versatile GPS mapping software that has many pros and cons for different users and situations. It is worth trying if you are looking for a GPS mapping software that can work with your PC or laptop and most GPS receivers for trip planning and real time navigation.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about OziExplorer 3.95.5n:

Q: Where can I download OziExplorer 3.95.5n?

A: You can download OziExplorer 3.95.5n from the official website: https://www.oziexplorer4.com/

Q: How can I register OziExplorer 3.95.5n?

A: You can register OziExplorer 3.95.5n by purchasing a registration code from the official website: https://www.oziexplorer4.com/au/ordering.html

Q: How can I get help or support for OziExplorer 3.95.5n?

A: You can get help or support for OziExplorer 3.95.5n by visiting the official website: https://www.oziexplorer4.com/au/support.html

Q: How can I update OziExplorer 3.95.5n?

A: You can update OziExplorer 3.95.5n by downloading and installing the latest version from the official website: https://www.oziexplorer4.com/au/download.html

Q: How can I contact the developer of OziExplorer 3.95.5n?

A: You can contact the developer of OziExplorer 3.95.5n by sending an email to des@oziexplorer.com dcd2dc6462