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Version 6.3 & Free Desktop App for Members!

Hi ExplorOz Reader

We have some exciting news detailed below. The version 6.3 update to ExplorOz Traveller has just been released, with a couple of nifty new features, plus we're offering all existing app users with a Member account access to the new desktop app free. Read on to find out more...

NEW DESKTOP APP

If you're an ExplorOz Member (subscription required) with an existing Traveller app licence purchased from one of the app stores, then you're in luck!

We have decided to give you exclusive access to a special desktop version of the ExplorOz Traveller app to allow you more flexibility with the devices you use for trip planning and research (not for active navigation). For some people this will be appealing as you aren't restricted by the existing store-platform licence you have. You will simply open the app from a webpage using Chrome, Edge or Opera as the browser. (Not compatible with Safari or Firefox).

For most people the advantage will be access to use a larger monitor/screen attached to a desktop computer (Mac or PC) for planning purposes.

Remember - you can only access the web-version if you have a purchased app-store version of the app (any platform) and an ExplorOz Member account. You will be required to login each time to use the web-app.

The desktop app is not platform specific, does not work offline, and the GPS and tracking features have been removed so it cannot be used for active navigation but can be used for planning. You'll be able to login to your ExplorOz account, use the Data Manager to access your Personal Places, Treks and Track Logs, and be able to create new Personal Places, lookup Addresses, create navigation plans with turn-by-turn and save them as Personal Treks for later use on your other device/s.

To open the ExplorOz Traveller Desktop App - ensure you have one of the supported browsers installed on your Mac or PC computer and then go to the ExplorOz Traveller webpage. Check that you are logged in to your account and open the MyAppControl Panel. If you qualify, you'll be able to successfully click the OPEN button and the web-app will launch for you.

GET YOUR MEMBERSHIP HERE

Get 12 months Membership for $29.95

In addition to providing Australia's No 1 Top Selling app in the Navigation & Mapping category we also provide services via the ExplorOz website. Amongst these are features that are not available to all ExplorOz users, only those with a Member account.

Exclusive Member Benefits are:-

Tracker activation - a Member's only feature offered in both our apps (Traveller/Tracker). Whilst the app provides tracklogging, this data remains stored in the device. For Members however, this data can be automatically syncing to the ExplorOz server as you travel where a map is generated so your family/friends can follow your trip progress with ease. Offers secure data backup, ease of creating Track Logs, and ability to share, post or embed the map externally or into your ExplorOz blog.
Access to use hidden Member-only tools on the website - write your own Blogs and embed your Tracking maps, photos & videos, lookup the Members list and use the exclusive Member-Messaging service, create your own Member Profile page with photogallery and contact details of your choice, and enjoy enhanced usability of the Forum with smart Member-only features
Free Member sticker upon joining/renewing
Access to download GPX files from Treks, Places, and Track Logs
Access to discounts when placing ads in the Classifieds
Discounts off purchases of ExplorOz branded wheel covers, and apparrel
Free entry to the annual Members' Photo Comp
Free invite to all Members' Trips & Gatherings
Option to suggest/host/coordinate trips using the ExplorOz Gathering System
Access to the free web-version of Traveller IF you also own a paid app-store version
Recognition for your support of a small family-owned Australian business

PLACES COMMENTS - YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED!

In the Traveller app we provide over 80,000 Places which you download to your device to use as POI markers on the map and for navigation. However, did you know that you can post a COMMENT in these listings so others can learn from your experiences? You can even post comments to give feedback to our administrators to alert us to errors/updates required to the position or description.

Comments can be added when offline or online. If you see a Place icon on the map near you, simply press the icon and then the pop-up will appear and you can simply press Show. You'll then see the description and other comments. You'll also see a button to Add A Comment.

The sorts of comments that are useful are:

verification that the site exists at the marked Place
additional information about the Place not provided in the main description
anything that could be useful to other people looking at stopping here
a rating of your experience whether it was good or bad, please use the star rating (1-5)

We also encourage you to add photos and descriptions to Places that have none.

TIPS FOR CREATING PLACES

By default, the Create Place screen has all the mandatory options filled in for you so after you've used the Pin to bring up this screen you can simply click SAVE. Doing this, your Place will be saved with some defaults. The defaults are:

your Place will be saved as a PERSONAL Place
your Place will be saved with Place Type "Waypoint" and therefore will show that icon
your Place will be saved in the "Ungrouped" Personal Group
your Place will be saved with the lat/long captured by the PIN (either at your current location, or at the position of the cross-hairs if you have touched the map). The screen will tell you if its saving current position or crosshairs. TIP: for accuracy, you should not drop a pin at cross-hairs unless you are zoomed in to high levels. You create get an accurate location otherwise. This is very important.

The ideal method is keep the default SAVE option and then re-check the marker appears where you expected it to go. If not, you can delete it. You will see the waypoint icon appear on the map - just tap it.

Edit will reopen the Save Place screen so you can make changes to the Name, Description, select a specific Place Type from the available list, and even create a Group and save the Place to a Group folder name of your choice. To Save your changes, just click SAVE.

Please don't adjust the default SAVE to ExplorOz unless you have adjusted all the defaults and provided useful/accurate information that adds value to the system.

The Create Place screen looks like this:-

The use of Personal Groups enables you to use Filters to better manage and declutter the Places you display on the map screen. It also helps you organise your Places to assist finding them when using Search. For example - set up a 2002 TRIP group name, or FAVOURITES group name and then simply assign new Places as relevant to those groups.

WHAT'S NEW IN 6.3

An update to ExplorOz Traveller is now available from the app stores. Each device and each store handles this a little differently so it's not possible to give step-by-step instructions.

Latest version check system installed - after you have 6.3.0 installed, you'll receive a pop up message in the app to advise when a new update is available together with link options to make it easier for you
New pop up message will advise when opening a new version for the first time with a list of what's new
Data Manager now checks and auto syncs your Track Logs
Changed display of turn-by-turn calculations offered before accepting. Shows avg speed used in calcs with option to adjust to personal preference for any mode (cycling, walking, driving). TIP: can use Cycling mode to get routing for minor tracks if Driving mode won't offer and then adjust speed, or use Walking mode and change avg speed to get time calcs for your known personal pace (eg. trail runners)
Changed map display when turn-by-turn calculations are offered - map can now be zoomed to check route in more detail before accepting
Fixed bug in Navigation panel that was not panning map to correct position when tapping destination to view map
Support for Members desktop web-app

NEED HELP?

QUICK START GUIDE

In addition to the main User Manual, we now a Quick Start Guide. This guide is a jump-start to getting you going so that you have all the basic knowledge to start using the app for navigation. To find this guide, please go to the Traveller webpage.

Quick Start Guide PDF

BEGINNERS VIDEO TUTORIAL

For visual learners, we've also got a new video tutorial that will help those that are new to the app find their way around the basic things you need to get started. The video is published on the ExplorOz YouTube Channel and is also embeded into the Traveller webpage.

Getting Started Tutorial

FACEBOOK GROUP

Our Facebook group ExplorOz Traveller Community is also an excellent way to get prompt assistance from other app users - especially if your questions relate to device-specific queries.