Translating GPS files

“OK, so a friend sent me Garmin .gdb file of coordinates for a geocaching event we're doing.

I need it in either.mps (I think... which would be for Garmin's Mapsource software)... or in whatever type file National Geograhic's TOPO takes... or the EasyGPS stuff.

Any way to do this?”

“Although I don't have personal experience with those two formats, GPS TrackMaker seems to be able to convert most of the formats and OziExplorer converts most of the other ones. Being a GIS oriented person DNR Garmin (created at Minnesota taxpayer expense) also helps. I've been forced into picking intermediate formats to convert things to when I can't get from one to the other in one step. I've even done a text file dump and column movement in Excel to get data in formats I needed it in. I suppose it's just way too easy to create incompatible GPS data formats and I wish "they" would cut it out!”

“A .gdb file is a Mapsource file. Mapsource should be able to open it.
last edited: 4/19/07 11:04:10 AM”

“I have mapsource, but not too thrilled with Garmin's Topo's, but they're OK. (like Delorme's best) Garmin's street navigator is first rate though.”

“Mapsource files I create with mine are .mps. Which I guess is a different version of Mapsource.

And here is more on it:

I would go into Mapsource, go to "import" and when I went to where I saved the file, it wouldn't show up.

I don't how the file sent to me was saved. For example, would a whole map file show up differently than a list of GPS waypoints? OR... is that what a map is, just a series of waypoints, based on the idea you are going to be able to bring up the same map to put them on?

When I would go to import, it would ask about the files to show, which were listed as PCX5 files as follows:

Waypoint: *.wpt
Route: *.rte
Track: *.trk
Plot: *.grm

Does that shed any light on it? LOL!

I had the guy just copy them and send them, so I will have to recopy and enter. But some day, with more time (and a better attitude!), I need to learn more about this.

Last night I did download GSAK, but haven't looked at it.

Also, when it gives options of saving waypoints on my end (for eventual use elsewhere), is the text file the best way to do it? Is it best (easiest, whatever) to use commas in between? If you do that, do you need a space after the comma?

LOL, I am a dolt, but trying to move up the dolt scale to be at the top of the dolts!”

“I upgraded to the new 76CSx and have a chip with all of the maps I need. I sold my Mapsource. Never used it for routes or waypoints. Did and still do all of that work in NG TOPO! which I think is the best SW for making your own maps. All I ever used Mapsource for were the base maps anyway.

HEY!!! are you using the basic MApsource that comes with the unit or Mapsource Topo USA? I used the latter.”