GPS_LOG (see
10th anniversary page for brief history of
the program)Soaring Pilot Software freeware programs.
GPS_LOG (see
10th anniversary page for brief history of
the program)
This program was developed with a sailplane pilot in mind, but can be used in any situation that GPS position data are available for logging. It is a combination of a navigational aid with a moving map, needed altitude and speed to fly computations, and a data logger. Data are logged in a coma delimited, or International Gliding Commission formats. When logging in IGC format, the program can generate all necessary header and task as well as security related records.
Original version was developed to run on a DOS operating system computers such as HP 100LX. This program is no longer being enhanced. It has been superceded by one running on Windows CE based devices. It is targeted for PocketPC (PalmPC) form factor which is more useful in glider cockpit, but version running on Handheld PC (with keyboard) form factor is also now available for OS 2.11 and higher. A fully functional program version for Windows PC is also available for training and file development purposes.
If you are looking for software of this type running on Palm operating system take a look at SoaringPilot-Final Glide Computer. The name similarity is purely coincidental (except for logical relationship).
News/discussion group. There is a Yahoo discussion group for GPS_LOG users
If you'd like to be notified about GPS_LOG WinCE developments in the future please fill out mail list request.
See a brief description of GPS_LOG WinCE.
Complete manual for GPS_LOG WinCE
In English ( no-frames
version ) v1.2.8.11
En Castellano ( no-frames
version ) v1.2.4.1
Auf Deutsch (
no-frames
version ) v1.2.8.11
En Francais (format
Microsoft Word) v1.2.1.9
Po polsku (To
jest tylko częściowe tłumaczenie. Plik jest w formacie rtf
) v1.2.4.1
See documentation for the DOS version of GPS_LOG.
Click
on the picture to
see GPS_LOG in flight and an idea on how to mount it in your glider. Courtesy of Marco Haakmeester.
Support for FAI certified loggers
Even though GPS_LOG WinCE is a complete
logging solution adhering to all IGC standards that are possible on a WinCE
platform, it is not certified as such by IGC. For situations where you have an
IGC certified logger, you can use GPS_LOG WinCE to define flight declaration and
transfer it to such a logger. You need a separate shareware module for that
available from here. Currently
FLARM, EW logger, Volkslogger, Colibri, GPS_NAV and Cambridge 300 series modules are available.
Colibri module works also for Posigraf, LX7000proIGC and other LX... machines
Some maps, turnpoint files and conversion programs mostly sent in by others can be retrieved from here. These are provided "as is". I take no responsibility for their accuracy. If you feel like e-mailing me more files for putting on this server, e-mail them to me with any relevant information including whether your name on the web page (will appear as default as supplier) should be made into a link to some website.
How to
generate map files if "I can not find what I need".
An
example of a map that can be displayed by GPS_LOG WinCE is shown on the
right. This is a composite image of a full
map in the inset and a partial view as displayed by the PC version of
the program. You can download
this map.
Some other examples 
-part
of map of Germany available on samples page.
Part of South-East Pyrenees and Catalunya map also available from the
samples page
(Click on the images to see full size).
Other maps waypoint files and converters are also available on the samples page
Distribution package for the PC version of the program includes utilities that help map creation from internet available data.
Here is a link for some bitmaps that can be used for map symbols.
A link for
user defined cursor bitmaps
in shape of a sailplane. Courtesy of
Arnaldo Salvaterra
Another set of cursors
(orange arrow). Courtesy of M. Treder.
Dr. Jack Glendenning (Dr Jack) produces
soaring weather forecasts that can be used to generate GPS_LOG map overlays
using BLIPtoMAP utility
Other people's programs that generate maps or provide waypoints data:
Welt2000
originally by Michael-Lorenz Meier, now Michael Köster (direct program
download)
All Airfields and turnpoints of the world and airspace from Europe including 350
glider airspaces.
Airspace and
Eurospace by Carl
Eckdahl
Airspace for North America and Europe. Requires use of
Fix-It program by Bart Jansen for full
functionality.
Polar files for some sailplanes. Form various contributors. Updated 11 Jan, 2005
Included: ASK-21, ASW-15, ASW-19,ASW-20, ASW-24, DG100-1, DG300-3, DG505-20, Diamant16.5, Discus-1, Foka, Grob-102, Grob-109, Janus-B, Jantar 2B, Junior, Ka2b, Kestrel-17, Kestrel-19, Libelle H201, Libelle H301, LS-3, LS-4, Mini Nimbus, Mistral-C, Nimbus-2, Nimbus-3D, Pegase, Pirat, Puchacz, PW-5, SF34, SZD 41, SZD48-1, Twin Astir, Ventus C, VSO-10 You can also try the following Excel spreadsheet to convert "3 point" parabolic data into a polar file readable by GPS_LOG WinCE. The archive with this spreadsheet includes also parabolic data for a variety of gliders.
Typical problems one runs into getting a GPS to talk to GPS_LOG WinCE.
Unlikely, but possible problems and solutions.
For answers to some other common questions try this link.
Bluetooth
compatibility: GPS_LOG WinCE was tested with iPaq HP1940 and a
Pharos
Bluetooth iGPS-BT unit. You should use the Bluetooth outgoing serial
port for communication. In the above test case it is COM5 and 4800 baud. Program
versions 1.2.1.1 and higher are more reliable with Bluetooth connection than
earlier ones. Bluetooth was also shown to work in iPaq 2210 and
Fortuna
Electronic GPS combination. In some cases you need to check "Continuous"
checkbox in NMEA setup for reliable connection
Please click on this link for some Bluetooth related issues.
Download latest versions. Choose appropriate processor, or package:
Warning: I had a couple of reports indicating that this program may not run properly on iPaq hx2110 devices. Application hardware keys become frozen and unusable even after program exit. This problem was also reported to have been fixed - use alternate keys method in keys options.
|
DOS |
|||
| GPS_GLID.ZIP (Version 2.4.3.4 - updated 26 May 2001) | |||
|
Windows 9x, Windows NT, .... |
|||
| GPS_LOG Win32 (version 1.2.5.55) including DAFIFtoMap (v1.0.0.13), ESRItoMap (v 1.0.6.1), DEMtoMAP (v 1.0.10.9) | |||
|
Windows NT(?), Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista |
|||
| GPS_LOG Win32 (version 1.2.8.10) including DAFIFtoMap (v1.0.0.13), ESRItoMap (v 1.0.6.1), DEMtoMAP (v 1.0.10.10) and ANSItoUTF8 (v1.0.0.1) | |||
|
Windows CE |
|||
|
PalmPC (version 1.2.3.5) |
Pocket PC OS2 (version 1.2.5.56 ) |
Pocket PC OS3 |
Handheld PC (version 1.2.5.56) |
| OS 2.01 (menu on top) | OS 2.11 (menu on top) |
OS 3.0 (menu on bottom) |
These have a keyboard |
| for SH3 processor | all processors (2MB) | all processors (4.0MB) | all processors (4MB) |
| for MIPS processor | |||
| this OS is no longer supported | this OS is no longer supported | this OS is no longer supported | |
|
Windows Mobile |
|||
|
Pocket PC 2003 and
2003SE (version 1.2.8.11) (including VGA and
240x240 pixels screen
devices) use OS3.0 ARM/... above if this installer fails |
for all processors
(1.5MB) |
||
|
Windows Mobile 5, 6... devices (version 1.2.8.11) including VGA and square screen devices) See an installation problem note |
for all processors
(1.8MB) |
||
| PNAs |
|||
| iPaq 310 series (version 1.2.8.10). Make certain to read instructions in Readme-GPS_LOG.txt file. Thanks to Klaus-Peter Renner who wrote supporting software. | iPaq 31x (1.5MB) | ||
|
PNAs do not contain all the support functionality that is in Windows
Mobile. GPS_LOG in principle will not run on them. The only chance is to
use the PPC2003 version and add dlls contained in the archive linked to
on the right to the \Windows folder of a PNA, or the same folder as the
GPS_LOG executable. In order to install the PPC version on a PNA you will probably need to extract CAB files from the archive, transfer them to a PNA, and execute them on the PNA. |
Missing DLLs (11kB) | ||
| Program to clear "Can't execute gps_logwakeup.exe" system message (read the ReadMe.txt file in the zip) | |||
|
Auxiliary modules |
|||
| Real time position reporting module | |||
| WinCE OS3.0 and higher only Backlight control module | |||
| FLARM support module updated 11 Feb 2010 | |||
| FAI certified loggers support modules | |||
| Pocket PC 2003 and higher only Bluetooth module Microsoft Bluetooth stack only | |||
| Microphone test for engine noise level recording | |||
 For languages other than English |
|||
Note: the binaries for OS2.01 will run on the newer OS2.11 and OS 3.0, but are having problems with file dialogs. Suggested names do not show up and "All files" file filters may have to be used.
Above Windows CE programs are capable of
producing a flight record compatible with IGC security
requirements. The
following link downloads a file verification program required by IGC, but
GPS_LOG
WinCE is NOT a FAI approved logger:
IF you are using GPS_LOG WinCE version 1.2.1.18 or later
you need to use validation program version 17 (posted 13 Nov. 2004) or
later.
Download : GPS_LOG
WinCE flight record verification program. Updated 6 Jan., 2010
Freeware:
Flight
Display, 
ESRI shape,
E00 and Digital Elevation Data files to GPS_LOG WinCE map converters,
BLIPtoMAP overlay generator, and 
Magellan GPS to IGC track format
converter, 
Geoid
For other things see the home page
