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Topo Map for Researching Locations

gavin		Posted : Monday, 2 August 2010 6:39:06 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Administrators, Registered Joined: 20/02/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,326 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 736 times Was thanked: 535 time(s) in 287 post(s)		I've stitched together all the topo maps available from LINZ and made the map available at www.topomap.co.nz - I'm guessing a good few of you will find this useful for research!? I used to download the large GeoTIFF images LINZ makes available but found it frustrating when trying to load the huge files and when the location I was interested in crossed map boundaries. So this is my simple solution. If it's popular I might add more functionality: Linking to specific map locations, email to friends, place name searching, integration with Google Maps, enhanced printing, etc. Enjoy, Gav :) Edited by user Friday, 13 August 2010 12:18:33 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified
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goldtimer		Posted : Tuesday, 3 August 2010 11:43:05 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Flake Groups: Registered Joined: 8/05/2010(UTC) Posts: 26 Location: New Zealand Thanks: 5 times Was thanked: 11 time(s) in 9 post(s)		Good map - Thanks :)

gavin		Posted : Tuesday, 3 August 2010 12:22:44 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Administrators, Registered Joined: 20/02/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,326 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 736 times Was thanked: 535 time(s) in 287 post(s)		Colin mentioned to me that the map appears fuzzy on his computer. If this is the case it's probably due to map images not being downloaded fast enough - if you're patient it should sharpen up as you wait. Let me know if it doesn't and I'll investigate! At present I still need to upload about 1.7 million more map images to let you zoom in and keep a fairly crisp image, but the resolution available at present should be good enough for most purposes. Attached is a screenshot to show you the level of detail available at present. The map is also on fairly cheap hosting, if it's too slow and the site is popular I'll probably upgrade it to a faster service ;) File Attachment(s): topomap.jpg
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gavin		Posted : Friday, 6 August 2010 5:19:50 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Administrators, Registered Joined: 20/02/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,326 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 736 times Was thanked: 535 time(s) in 287 post(s)		To make the topographical map a bit more usable I've added the ability to link directly to a location just like in Google Maps. A few examples of maps for public prospecting spots: Topo map of Slab Hut Creek Topo map of Lyell Creek Topo map of Gabriels Gully
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Gold_Striker		Posted : Thursday, 21 October 2010 1:03:10 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 18/10/2010(UTC) Posts: 6 Location: Colorado,USA Was thanked: 1 time(s) in 1 post(s)		WOW I'm jealous I wish I could do this with maps. This looks like an excellent contribution to all who come here thank you! Edited by user Thursday, 21 October 2010 1:17:13 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

criticol		Posted : Thursday, 21 October 2010 2:24:47 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 14/05/2010(UTC) Posts: 234 Location: coromandel Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 66 time(s) in 48 post(s)		I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one whos jealous of Gavins abilities with this computer stuff! I certainly think that he's got his head screwed on the right way too! Apart from that, he's not a bad guy!,and I say that were lucky to have him overseeing the Forum, as there are not to many rules to keep in mind, unless you "Overstep the Mark" with your sense of "Decorum". Keep up the excellent way forward Gav. Cheers---Colin.
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gavin		Posted : Thursday, 21 October 2010 2:30:10 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Administrators, Registered Joined: 20/02/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,326 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 736 times Was thanked: 535 time(s) in 287 post(s)		Cheers for the compliments :) BTW: I'm working on a v2 of the topo map which integrates with Google Maps to make it a bit more usable. Not sure how long it will take though - just finding bits of time here and there.
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roman holiday		Posted : Saturday, 23 October 2010 10:28:51 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 26/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 147 Location: Tauranga Thanks: 18 times Was thanked: 8 time(s) in 7 post(s)		Thanks for the tools gavin. Good luck with finding some of the yellow over the summer! I get into the country at the end of summer so hope to get some fossicking in myself beofre it gets too cold.

gavin		Posted : Saturday, 23 October 2010 11:17:41 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Administrators, Registered Joined: 20/02/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,326 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 736 times Was thanked: 535 time(s) in 287 post(s)		Cheers and hopefully get a chance to catch up with you somewhere if you're keen ;)
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gavin		Posted : Monday, 29 November 2010 3:30:09 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Administrators, Registered Joined: 20/02/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,326 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 736 times Was thanked: 535 time(s) in 287 post(s)		Just to let you all know... I'm currently in the process of rolling out version 2 of the topo map: 1) Now uses the full page map as default. 2) Search functionality for helping track down those elusive creeks you might have overheard someone talking about in the pub. 3) Mobile version for those lucky enough to have an iPhone, Android device, etc. and want to use the topo map in the bush (obviously not too deep in the bush though as you'll probably not have a signal!). 4) Faster map loading (should be anyway, let me know if it's not!). Main site: www.topomap.co.nz Mobile version: m.topomap.co.nz As I write this, all the Topo250 maps are there now but the Topo50 maps are still being uploaded to the site (and could take another day to finish). So for now you might not be able to zoom in to the level of detail you'd like everywhere - but give it a day and she should be good ;) Enjoy, Gav :) Edited by user Monday, 29 November 2010 3:31:13 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified
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starflash		Posted : Thursday, 13 January 2011 11:14:07 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 16/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 192 Location: auckland, tairua Thanks: 18 times Was thanked: 38 time(s) in 30 post(s)		just discovered your contribution, the maps are brilliant thanks very much mate

roman holiday		Posted : Thursday, 13 January 2011 2:19:37 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 26/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 147 Location: Tauranga Thanks: 18 times Was thanked: 8 time(s) in 7 post(s)		gavin wrote: Just to let you all know... I'm currently in the process of rolling out version 2 of the topo map: 1) Now uses the full page map as default. 2) Search functionality for helping track down those elusive creeks you might have overheard someone talking about in the pub. 3) Mobile version for those lucky enough to have an iPhone, Android device, etc. and want to use the topo map in the bush (obviously not too deep in the bush though as you'll probably not have a signal!). 4) Faster map loading (should be anyway, let me know if it's not!). Main site: www.topomap.co.nz Mobile version: m.topomap.co.nz As I write this, all the Topo250 maps are there now but the Topo50 maps are still being uploaded to the site (and could take another day to finish). So for now you might not be able to zoom in to the level of detail you'd like everywhere - but give it a day and she should be good ;) Enjoy, Gav :) Hi Gav, I could never access the topomap.co.nz for some reason. But just discovered I can access the m.topomap.co.nz. AWESOME, what a great resource. I have family living in the Waitakauri area [between Waihi and the Komata Reefs], and the close-up on the topomap shows some nifty little tracks within walking distance that would take me into likely fossicking spots. Edited by user Thursday, 13 January 2011 5:24:40 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

criticol		Posted : Thursday, 13 January 2011 3:11:04 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 14/05/2010(UTC) Posts: 234 Location: coromandel Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 66 time(s) in 48 post(s)		Gavin, I’ve said before that you are a bloody Genius, and I again repeat that sentiment!!! Like Roman holiday, I could never access these Topo maps on my computer as they always came out “Funny”, so I gave up in the end, and resorted to older ways. But “Now” they come up so clear that I don’t have to clean my glasses to see them!!! Great achievement on your part. (APPLAUSE) Thanks muchly for the time and troubles you have put up with for our benefits : ), : ), : ). Many regards---Colin. P.S. Now, how can we get rid of that bloody “Chrome Fast” thingy? Also, can you print the part of the map that you are interested in from the site itself?
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roman holiday		Posted : Thursday, 13 January 2011 4:49:49 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 26/04/2010(UTC) Posts: 147 Location: Tauranga Thanks: 18 times Was thanked: 8 time(s) in 7 post(s)		criticol wrote: Gavin, Also, can you print the part of the map that you are interested in from the site itself? A good question indeed. I doubt I'll be lugging my laptop around the foothills...lol.

gavin		Posted : Friday, 6 January 2012 9:50:24 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Administrators, Registered Joined: 20/02/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,326 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 736 times Was thanked: 535 time(s) in 287 post(s)		Just a quick update: NZ Topo Map now also includes some advanced print functionality to make it easier to take maps bush with you. And if you're lucky enough to own a Garmin GPS unit that supports Garmin Custom Maps, these have also just been made available to download for free from NZ Topo Map. More detail here: http://nztopomap.tumblr.com/post/15386610778/free-linz-nztopo50-based-garmin-custom-maps
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diggerjoe		Posted : Friday, 6 January 2012 10:44:03 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 21/09/2011(UTC) Posts: 36 Thanks: 24 times Was thanked: 23 time(s) in 15 post(s)		Fantastic job Gav,even a bugger like me who struggles with the hi tech stuff found your topo maps no problem to use.Great for finding all the fossicking areas!

gavin		Posted : Friday, 6 January 2012 11:34:33 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Administrators, Registered Joined: 20/02/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,326 Location: Christchurch Thanks: 736 times Was thanked: 535 time(s) in 287 post(s)		Originally Posted by: diggerjoe Fantastic job Gav,even a bugger like me who struggles with the hi tech stuff found your topo maps no problem to use.Great for finding all the fossicking areas! Cheers :) Was the very reason I originally put the site together - researching locations ;)
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lifejockey		Posted : Saturday, 14 January 2012 6:29:15 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 3/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 68 Location: Thames Thanks: 15 times Was thanked: 24 time(s) in 17 post(s)		Originally Posted by: gavin Cheers :) Was the very reason I originally put the site together - researching locations ;) It also saves one getting lost... I have an Android app called Backcountry Navigator that uses this map. I feel confident enough to wander the ranges and as long as the batteries are good I always know where I am. Thanks muchly Gavin. ps would be nice to be able to get max enlargement but I guess thats the apps problem.
		Gold Bug Pro and Lots of Hope