Route Scout - Waypoint Proximity Audio Alerts

[topohiker]

One option I think that would be useful is to have the proximity alarm go off every time you get neat a way-point. This would be very helpful on out and back hike where you have a way-point for a key turning point. Or have an option on the way-point where you set the proximity to go off once or every time.

[The_Eagle]

@topohiker
Route Scout already does this and has for quite awhile

[joebartels]

@topohiker
RS attempts to notify waypoints at 500, 50 & 5 feet in an imported route that is being followed. The volume on the phone must be up. On Android it's media volume.

So that it doesn't get annoying it will not recall a waypoint for a certain amount of time.

Perhaps you are referring to the several hundred nearby waypoints auto imported with a route. These waypoints are semi transparent to differentiate waypoints explicitly included in the route. Years ago it was too much data to constantly calculate. It might be possible now, I wrote it down.

[RowdyandMe]

@joebartels When I hike I love the silence. I can always take a look to see where I at

[big_load]

I'm still trying to keep myself from getting freaked out by the mile birds.

[Stavman]

I'm still trying to keep myself from getting freaked out by the mile birds.

Ya or a Coyote...lol

They should add a Rattle snake... that would be EPIC!!!!

[fricknaley]

@big_load
wait until you are in the middle of nowhere and instead of birds you hear Joe start singing!

[The_Eagle]

@fricknaley
Unfortunately, for me, I don't need RS for that...

[joebartels]

Perhaps you are referring to the several hundred nearby waypoints auto imported with a route. These waypoints are semi transparent to differentiate waypoints explicitly included in the route. Years ago it was too much data to constantly calculate. It might be possible now, I wrote it down.

okay I dug through the code

There are two types of waypoints in RS
- Following Route Waypoints, part of the imported route
- Following Extra Waypoints, a few hundred nearby locations such as peaks and water sources

Both are already included in waypoint audio proximity voice alerts.
RS attempts to notify at 0.25 mi, 500 ft, 50 & 5 feet in an imported route that is being followed.

The audio alert is automatic, when imported Route or Extra waypoints exist. Proximity for Extra are calculated less often. The phone does not vibrate, volume must be high enough to hear. Android has 4 volume controls, "media" is what apps such as RS use. The home screen of RS has a button for settings, when tapped "master" under "audio options" must be "on".

Bruce and I get Route alerts all the time. Keep in mind our imported follow routes typically have 5-20 waypoints. We may not get all 4 distance alerts but it's safe to say at LEAST 2 of the 4. The 5 foot alert only started working this year. I'm not sure if we've ever heard an Extra waypoint alert as we typically stick to the itinerary.

[chumley]

I've never heard an Extra waypoint alert.

Just this weekend I was following a route that had zero Route waypoints, but passed directly over several named places that were marked with Extra waypoints, but none made announcements approaching, leaving, or drinking a beer on top of.

[joebartels]

@chumley
awesome, good to know!
I'll experiment with calculating them more often

[topohiker]

@joebartels
I make my route in Route MGR and add in Way-points. Then download the route to my Android phone. The proximity alert does go off at .3 / .2 miles, 500 feet, 50 feet and within 5 feet. Once I go past a way-point 'A', I don't remember hearing the proximity alarm going off again for way-Point 'A' again. I would like to set a way-point for the TH, but the proximity alarm would go off when I start the hike and not go off when I finish the hike. I hope I explained this clear enough.
Thanks

[joebartels]

@topohiker
right on, thx for the clarification!

Originally I intended RS to repeat waypoints after a set time. Looking at the code I just have a todo note in that spot...lol
Working on that now.

In other RS news...
Extra Waypoints are broken down into other categories. Only nearby water sources were included in proximity alerts. I made a change to include all and will be testing that soon.

Other earth shattering level of exciting RS news coming soon!

[chumley]

When I upload a route that includes waypoints, but the route is an out and back or lasso loop, RS recognizes when it comes within 500 feet of the waypoint, but often does the math wrong and computes the distance in the opposite direction.

So it triggers 1/4 mile away, but announces Waypoint X as 15.4 miles, or something like that. Which would be true if I hiked the route in reverse.

A good example is my recent South Fork Gold Ridge loop: https://hikearizona.com/map.php?GPS=35540

I had a waypoint marked at the junction of the two trails just about .3 miles west of the trailhead. After completing nearly the entire loop, RS announced the upcoming trail junction when I approached it, but it indicated the mileage as 13 miles away (what it would take to get to that junction by hiking the reverse route).

And yes, my following route was in the same direction that I was also hiking.

I've had this happen on many occasions.

[joebartels]

@chumley
yeah the logic needs improved
thx, wrote it down

[syoung]

I'm still trying to keep myself from getting freaked out by the mile birds.

They should add a Rattle snake... that would be EPIC!!!!

HAHAHAHA, you'd literally see me jump in the air; the birds already get my attention enough.

[joebartels]

just submitted

3.1.6
- begin/finish waypoints added to imported tracks for audio proximity alerts
- fixed quarter mile proximity bug
- waypoints created during activity now work with proximity
- proximity resets after set time to alert future encounters

iOS probably available by Friday

Android should be available in an hour or two for Beta Testers.
Join Beta Testers, first 2 posts here explain how.
Android release version is holding at 3.0.56 until May-ish.

-------- keep reading if you want to know more or get confused

There are three types of waypoints in RS
- Route Waypoints, part of the imported route
- Extra Waypoints, a few hundred nearby locations such as peaks and water sources
- Created Waypoints, added while recording activity

Checks proximity often, important to navigation.
Checks proximity less often, more of an unexpected surprise.

begin/finish waypoints added to imported tracks

Currently under Extra to see how often they trigger. This is a test to see how well Extra performs.

[hikeaz]

I'm still trying to keep myself from getting freaked out by the mile birds.

Ya or a Coyote...lol

They should add a Rattle snake... that would be EPIC!!!!

(dead link removed)

[Stavman]

I solo Backpack.. so its fun when she pops up to chat with me

Cant even count how many times Ive been startled by her

so ta hear a Rattler... ... Would be so fun...