Download GPS data

[Ronnie Garrison]

I got Mapcreate 6 and I found a cable to hook my GlobeMap 100 to the computer but it has a
power cord with it - I have no idea how to hook that up. The power cord has
two wires attached to the computer end but just bare wire on the other end.


Also, how do you download the info from the GPS? Does yours have a card
in it? MIne is a hand held unit - have not hooked it up yet, don't want
to mess up anything.

Any help appreciated.

 

[Liveliner]

I deal with Garmin and I have no problems. Your stuff should be very similar in the downloading of your mapcreate 6 to your hard drive. You must do that first. I am assuming that you recieved a cd. Close all programs and insert the CD. It will set up and build the required drivers with prompts from you. It should guide you through the steps. You really can not mess up at this step. Just be sure that it saves where you can find it. Once the data loads to your PC you are ready to select data to upload fron your software program.

In most GPS units you have a limited amount of memory. Whereas most software programs hold considerable more data than your GPS unit will hold. Load only the maps or data that you need. There should be a figure on your program as you select your info to show how much memory is required to hold that data. After you get to that point then you are ready to connect your handheld to your PC.

The wire you recieved is a generic wire for many different types/styles of GPS units, The plug to your particular unit must be added to the generic wire if you are to use that wire. If you bought your GPS new then you should have recieved the wire with your unit to hook to the PC. If you have a wire to connect to your PC, use that one.

On the install program on your new disk it should give you prompts to upload to your handheld. Follow the instructions. The only thing that you can do wrong at this step is to stop or interrupt the upoload before it is completed. The upload from your pc to your GPS takes a while.

This stull is not all that hard. The first time leaves some doubts but you will master it as you play and fine tune your software.

 

[Ronnie Garrison]

Thanks. I had no problem installing the software on my computer and playing with it. But nowhere have I found instructions on downloading waypoints from my GPS to the computer. The cable is specifically for my GPS - got it from Lowrance. Best I can tell I download the waypoints to a text file then use them with the software. Still studying.

 

[nwright]

I don’t know if you have figured this out , if not here goes, otherwise disregard.

The power leads with your serial port cable are for powering your GPS with external power using a cigarette lighter plug. You don’t need to connect this if you are using batteries.

To upload waypoints, icons, trails, etc using MapCreate 6, select GDM16 Mapselect when you open the program, not MapCreate.

Connect the GPS to a serial port on your PC and turn the GPS on. Hit exit on the GPS till the map screen is displayed.

On the GDM16 Mapselect display on your PC you will see in the upper left a selection “GPS”. Select this and then select “connect”. If a connection is made your product name will be displayed. If you have trouble the baud rate in the Com Port settings in the GPS may need to be lowered.

After the GPS is connected the upload and download icons will be highlighted. Select upload from GPS to PC. If you hit download, without any waypoints in the GPS file, it will wipe out your waypoints in the GPS.

After uploading you can select the waypoints tab on your PC and your waypoints will be displayed.

Now would be a good time to select GPS on the upper left and select disconnect. Always do this before unplugging your data cable.

Your waypoints will remain loaded on your PC . You can view, edit, name, rename, print, etc these at any time.

When you exit the MapCreate program select file and “save as” to name your file. You can reloaded MapeCreate GDM16 anytime without connecting your GPS and view your waypoint file. If you make changes to the file that you would like loaded onto your GPS you can download these to your GPS. Keep in mind any waypoints you may have saved since you uploaded the file will be lost. Always keep an up to date waypoint file loaded in your PC.

If you have any trouble with this contact me and I will be willing to help.

 

[Ronnie Garrison]

Thanks for that info. I checked on the Lowrance site and found out I could download GPS Data Manager program and used it - the older version worked with my 2 old Globemap 100s. I now have all 976 waypoints saved in files.

Now I want to create a map with all of them on it - would have to be a world map, i guess, then be able to copy one lake, with associated waypoints, to my gps or card for the gps on my boat. Not sure that is possible with the software I have. Hopefully when I put the new system on my boat I can get some updated software.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[nwright]

You can take your old waypoint files from the GlobalMap 100s and load them into the new units. The old waypoint files have a file extension “.low” and the new Lowrance units use a file extension “.usr”. If you have MapCreate 6.3 (new) you can open up the “.low” files and save them as “.usr” for use in the new units that use SD/MMC cards. Converting “.usr” to “.low” is a little more complicated.

You can use the Data Manager to organize your waypoints to be lake specific. It is easier if you named your waypoints instead of using the default numbers.

I “may” be able to help you with software. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.