Install TipsGetting the data into your GPSVia Software:Mapsource is a inexpensive program that will load Waypointsonto SD cards or directly to a Garmin GPS. Once it has been installed on acomputer, upgrades are free. The cheapest place I have found forpurchasing this program is here ($25). Garmin Basecamp is a free programthat will also work for this purpose. A downloaded version of Mapsourcewill install and run on any computer that already has Basecamp installed.Babel is a free utility that will load and unload manybrands of GPS receivers.
Garmin owners can download free Garmin POI updates. We provide free Garmin POI Loader data: Free Garmin POI updates, speed cameras, redlight cameras, converters and POI management tools. All files are in a Garmin GPI, CSV and Garmin GPX file format.
You can download it here:Another free utility is GPS Trackmaker. It is a bitmore user friendly than Babel.The practical issue with these GPS programs is that theymake it difficult to change data sets in the field unless you have access to aPC. The more robust GPS receivers made by Garmin will load themselves froma inserted SD card. The card can then be removed and a Map card inserted.These units include the Garmin 62, Colorado, and Oregon series. Thesmaller units (Etrex Series) will work with the SD card containing the waypointsinserted, but won't self load. This presents a problem if you are using aMap card - you can use either the Map card or the waypoint card, but notboth.
Here is a method that works around that issue.How to load Waypoints or POI's into GPS main memoryvia copying so youstill have access to Map Cards.This method requires a USB cable and acomputer, but no special software. It can be done from almost any pc, suchas computers found in coffeeshops anf libraries along the trail. (It is stronglysuggested that you practice this at home a few times before beginning you hike.)1.
Remove theMap Card from the GPS. Insert thecard with the Waypoints or POI's.2. Connect theGPS to the PC via a USB cable.3.
Using Windows Explorer, or any other file manager,navigate to the GPS, which will show as two disk Drives, one a removable and theother a regular drive. Go to theregular drive for the unit itself and open the Garmin Directory. Mouse driver for windows 7 32 bit. Then goto the removable drive and copy these files:Waypoint files:Copy the userdata. Adm file to theuserdata folder.
If the folderdoesn't exist, copy the entire folder. If the file already exists, overwrite it.Copy the userdata.gpx file to the GPX folder. If it already exists, overwriteit.POI Files:POI files have a.gpi extension. To load the POI's, Copy the appropriate.gpi file from the POI folder on the card to the POI folder on the GPS. You canhave multiple POI files in the GPS.After the desired files have been copied, turn off the GPS,remove the card and re-insert your Map card.(Use the back button on your computer to return to whereyou were when you accessed this page)Toupdate POI's on the unit or a card:Removeany cards from the GPS. (if you are programming a card, skip this)Connect the GPS to a PC.Using Windows Explorer, or any other file manager, navigate to the drive letterfor the GPS or card.Open the Garmin Directory.Open the POI subdirectory and delete the current POI file.
It will have a.gpi extension.Copy the new.gpi file to the POI subdirectory.Disconnect the cable. The GPS is nowready to use.