Still confused about bike gps stuff..

[NickM]

...you would need Mapsource to be installed on the PC you were using to transfer files to the GPS, wouldn't you?

Further to the above, I think I have an answer.

GPSBabel will allow you to load .gpx files into a GPS without Mapsource. Furthermore, it is available as an .exe file, so you can carry it around on a memory stick along with your route library and run it to load up your GPS wherever you can find a PC. It is not the friendliest of programs, but will solve your problem, I reckon

But just in case it doesn't work, please test this suggestion before depending upon it!

PS there is lots of helpful stuff, written in a style which even I (who am techno-reluctant) can understand, here (click on "GPS", at bottom right in the blue panel)

 

[yello]

Like I said, 2 days ago!

You don't need mapping software on a PC to route build; there are a few web sites (e.g. www.mapmyride.com) that allow you to plot a route and save it on your PC as a gpx file. That file can then be sent to GPS using a free sofware tool like GPSBabel.

MotionBased (the Garmin route logging site) will allow you to upload a gpx format and download a crs (Garmin course file) if you prefer.

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

Thanks guys...I will try that babel site thing when I get the unit tomorrow...I found out my memory stick is 2gb which I am told by teenagers is big.

I managed to download the gps file for the romantic strasse in germany (and unzip it I think)...but I cannot do anything with it...I assume I will be able to do something when I have th eunti and the mapsource thing installed.

http://www.gpstracks.nl/
is a cool site...are there any other such places (preferably in English)? ...My Dutch (or was that Flemish??) isnt so good these days

I will try to use bike toaster without th eautorouting etc...thanks for the tip

 

[yello]

I managed to download the gps file for the romantic strasse in germany (and unzip it I think)...but I cannot do anything with it...I assume I will be able to do something when I have th eunti and the mapsource thing installed.

You could upload it to one of the web sites (toaster, mapmyride or even motionbased) just to have a look. If the file has a .gpx extension (end bit of the file name) then it should upload just fine. It's a useful way to check the format is good before sending it to your GPS.

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

You could upload it to one of the web sites (toaster, mapmyride or even motionbased) just to have a look. If the file has a .gpx extension (end bit of the file name) then it should upload just fine. It's a useful way to check the format is good before sending it to your GPS.

Ha! Cool...I jus tuploaded it to biketoaster and it's all there...easy peezy...so I can then do the same thing and have it in my GPS tomorrow hopefully.

 

[yello]

Good man btfb! There's quite a sense of satisfaction of moving these files around; uploading, downloading etc.

If you're using a windows PC, GPSBabel should be a doddle to use as it's all GUI and friendly to use; all point and click etc. I use linux and it's not quite so straight forward.

 

[HJ]

If you are wanting software to communicate with any GPS try GPS Utility.