Home > Categories > Software > Reference > TUMONZ - The Ultimate Map of NZ : v1.93 review
TUMONZ : The world of vector mapping and smart map based information delivery.
Standard TUMONZ is a vector based map of New Zealand on ONE CD which has the entire country's 1:50,000 topographical vectorised data set (sourced from LINZ) along with named streets.
As well as the outstanding capabilities listed below, the powerful TUMONZ engine loads and displays an ever increasing number of exciting add-on modules ranging from map based products like the Cadastral Property Boundaries and NZ wide Aerial Photos set through to recreation focused 'book' based products such as NZ's Top Fishing Locations, Best Restaurants, Camping Guide and New Zealand's Golf Courses.
• Zoom anywhere and at any scale with total clarity
• Automatic Route Solving or interactive Route Planning between any two or more points on the map
• Click on 3-dimensions anywhere in NZ and 'fly' through the landscape
• Apply 2-dimension relief shading to the map to give the land depth, making it 'stand out'.
• Build your own map - from just adding a walking track to a complete property map with text
• Add your own records in either the diary or as text associated with map features
• Customize the map to meet your personal requirements
• Connect live to your GPS or upload & download waypoints and routes
• Add icons with text and photos anywhere
• Powerful Search on roads or thousands of localities
• Print maps OR copy/paste into other applications
• Show tides & sun and moon phases for 197 ports
• Show Grid lines, map coordinates as map grid OR lat/longs (NZMG, NZGD49, WGS 84)
• Bookmark any location e.g. My Home
Product reviews...
The basic kit is $95. With add-on modules (available via download or 0800 4 TUMONZ) the price can climb, so you need to be picky with what you buy. But what use IS TUMONZ? Of what use is it to Joe Public? Allow me to illustrate...
Imagine someone staying in a motel in a city they have never visted. But where is the motel? What's the street name? Suburb? ARGH! A voice speaks from the screen. "Fear not, for I am with thee..." so you reach out, and goggle! Punch in the motel name and a few key words, like Auckland, Zealand (don't need 'NEW' as it gets ignored by most searches) etc. Bingo, a listing in an online accommodation guide! (Thanks to www.jasons.co.nz for their unknowing assistance)
Head back to TUMONZ, punch the street name into the search engine there, and bingo! Double-click the right entry in the list and TUMONZ will take you there. Zoom in or out until you get what you need, and hit PRINT. Repeat steps for longer trips, at various zooms, to give you a COMPLETE roadmap door-to-door. Awesome.
Sound cool? That was just one test. Let your imagination run... tours, road trips, family outings, maps to wedding venues... stunning range of applications for this powerful application.
Add to that the expansion power of the skins (or layer sets, map books, etc... a rose by any other name...) detailing datasets, such as camping spots, golf courses, ocean contours, schools and educational establishments... what CAN'T you see through the virtual eyes of TUMONZ.
2d, 3d, rotate, pan and zoom... it's all here. And you can save snapshots (for PDFs, slideshows, presentations, brochures, etc) or print direct. The mind simply boggles at the range of uses this package could be used for.
The interface itself is a little cludgy in places (pan in 2d mouse mode is... erm... awkward I guess would be the truth.) but the sheer scope makes it worth learning and adapting to. Overall I would have to rate this BRILLIANT. And at a price comparable with many reference books in hardcopy. Making this far more powerful and usable... laptops with wireless connectivity (to a remote printing station, fax, etc) would be a brilliant setup for travelling salespeople for example.
Version 1.93b is currently shipping, with v1.94 currently available for download. Also a pile of modules and skins available for free download on-site. Check it out, you'll be amazed.
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