Basic Roadbook questions for DMD use

[TR42]

I’m new to Roadbook. I mean, I know what it is and how it’s used, but I’ve never used it. The closest thing I’ve used to a Roadbook is a Roll chart.

To be able to use Roadbook in DMD, do you have to import a specific “Roadbook” file/track made by someone else? Or can I make my own from my own tracks? I guess you’d need some kind of program/editor specifically for making Roadbook files, so they display properly in the Roadbook app.

Would be interesting to play with. If it’s possible for one to create their own Roadbook file, can someone suggest a program for Windows PC for doing so?

Wondering if it’s as simple as importing an exiting .gpx file I’ve made of a route or track into such a program, then configuring the turn pictograms and such that the Roadbook format uses, accordingly.

As in, instead of following the line of a track/route of a .gpx file I’ve made/imported, turn the .gpx file into a Roadbook file that displays in Roadbook format in the DMD Roadbook app. Can I do that?

[Guzzist]

Hi @TR42  usage of Roadbook section in DMD2 app is easy:
If you are running the DMD2 app on a DMD device, you can start immediately. If you are running the DMD2 app on a mobile phone, then you need to purchase an “add on” license first.

In the roadbook section, there is at bottom line a “folder” icon, to search and open a roadbook file, which is locally stored on the device (or in GoogleDrive); such files are in pdf format – not in gpx format!

Nowadays, rallye event organizations, will handover (close to start) a roadbook in classic style (a paper roll) – as well as in modernstyle (a pdf file). You need to load this file onto your device.

You can use DMD2 app on a mobile device for navigation, driving a track from map opverlay, etc. – but for roadbook, the screen is to small. Also to operate it while riding, it’s needed to have a remote controller mounted on handle bar of your bike. It’s really not easy to read and operate a touch screen while riding offroad at bumpy sections!

To create your own roadbook p.e. for training (which is really needed!), you can use dedicated apps like https://www.rallynavigator.com. By this, you can draw a track line on a map (as usually) – the app produces an output with all the needed lines and distances, where to turn right, or left, etc. – as pdf file. The app offers also a range of icons (called tulips), you need to illustrate in each line the situation, the riders must find in nature while riding. I’m not sure, if the apps will be able to produce the output in same way if you will start with an imported gpx file of a elswere created track.

Because it’s not that easy in the beginnen – to ride by a roadbook. Imagine, at expected distance according to roadbook, you will not find in nature a situation like description in roadbook. Then you need to drive back to the last well known point. You need to adjust your tripmaster (odo meter) to the correct value for this point. Then you can start again…

So, I suggest to search for roadbook training events at your home base. It’s really fun, to learn and train in a group – with out competition atmosphere of a real rallye.

Kind regards – have fun
Rainer

__________________________________________
www.youtube.com/@moto.in.travel

[TR42]

Thanks Rainer.

I took a look at some YT videos of building a Roadbook in Rally Navigator. Looks pretty easy to do.

[Guzzist]

@TR42   I found one more nice app to create a road book by load a gpx track:  https://seekers.app

__________________________________________
www.youtube.com/@moto.in.travel

[TR42]

Thanks Rainer, I’ll check it out. Looks to have a full version for free, just limits you to 5 edits per month. Enough to play with.

The Rally Navigator app looks really polished.  Tho, It requires a subscription to use. Not what I want to do for just playing with for now to see if it’s something I’d like to delve further into.

My searching for such programs seems to suggest most of them are android based apps. I’d want one that is Windows PC based.

I’m also looking into maybe trying to install an Android Emulator app on the PC, which the Android app will run inside of on a Windows PC. Found a free Roadbook builder Android app to try that with. Doesn’t look to have the bells and whistles like Rally Navigator, but it does the basics.

I hate trying to do build anything like this on a phone. I can barely tolerate using Gaia on a phone. At least I can do all my Gaia route/track building/editing on the PC at their website. Then I can choose whether or not to have those tracks automatically exported to the app on the phone.

EDIT:

Dang, I keep forgetting the 865X Tablet is an Android device and will run Android apps. Putting together a Roadbook file on the tablet may not be as cumbersome on an 8″ tablet as doing it on a phone.

The other free app I’m looking at is Rabbit Roadbook Designer.

• This reply was modified 2 weeks ago by TR42.
• This reply was modified 2 weeks ago by TR42.

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