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wireless transfer of tracks and waypoints from laptop to Garmin 62 and 64?


caver456

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Hello, first post here, apologies in advance...

 

This is not strictly related to geocaching, but there are some very interesting (but not promising) related posts on this forum, so the knowledge base seems to visit here.

 

Our search and rescue team would like to streamline our procedure of sending tracks and waypoints from Windows computers to GPS handhelds.

 

We want to (generally) send out all searchers with the same data. Because this upload procedure has to be repeated for every GPS, when there are a truckload of searchers, there is a LOT of lag time and a LOT of opportunity to streamline the process.

 

Right now, one at a time, we plug in from the USB port of a laptop to the mini USB port of the GPS. Then we transfer the data using one of a few methods:

- for Garmin handhelds: Garmin Communicator Plugin from our (offline) web-browser-based mapping program

(of course the NPAPI phase-out is forcing us to find alternatives...)

- alternative for Garmin mass-storage models (62, 64, etc): generate/export/download the gpx from the mapping program onto the computer, then just copy the gpx file to the right directory on the handheld

 

It would be ideal if we could just tell all searchers to place their GPS device on the table within a few feet of the laptop, then we click one button on the laptop, and everything (selected tracks and waypoints from the mapping program on the laptop) is transferred wirelessly to all of the GPS devices at the same time.

 

Anyone know of a way to do this, or anything approaching this ideal goal, with either ANT on Garmin GPSMap 62s(t/c/tc), or bluetooth on 64s(t)?

 

Posts that I've read through here so far:

 

"Transfer Caches via Bluetooth"

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=318902

 

"Garmin GPSMAP 64S upload gpx from phone via bluetooth"

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=322429

 

"Copying caches from iPhone to GPS - An answer, not a question"

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=311111

 

Thanks in advance.

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You can use "Basecamp Mobile" with the GPS bluetooth linked to an Apple phone or tablet. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/maps/on-the-trail-maps/on-the-trail-apps/garmin-basecamp-mobile/prod126765.html

 

You can also send from one GPS to another.

 

Both options above require keys to be pressed on the receiving device to get the transfer to occur.

 

Those are your only wireless options currently and unfortunately. The hardware exists for much more, but Garmin is not providing the software.

Edited by Red90
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After reading those other posts that talk about the Basecamp Mobile app, it's a bit unclear: can you use that app to upload tracks and waypoints to the Garmins (or an entire gpx file that contains tracks and waypoints), or, only geocache objects?

 

Either way, good to know about the requirement for keys to be pressed on each receiving device. Sigh.

 

You can use "Basecamp Mobile" with the GPS bluetooth linked to an Apple phone or tablet. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/maps/on-the-trail-maps/on-the-trail-apps/garmin-basecamp-mobile/prod126765.html

 

You can also send from one GPS to another.

 

Both options above require keys to be pressed on the receiving device to get the transfer to occur.

 

Those are your only wireless options currently and unfortunately. The hardware exists for much more, but Garmin is not providing the software.

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Yes that would work, but, would probably not as quick or easy as the current method of using the USB cable to the laptop. We have multiple laptops that we can use at the same time to multitask the chore. 100 searchers, each with a GPS that must be loaded, is the general scale we'd be working towards.

 

Anyway, thanks for the replies, it looks like Garmin just does not want to cater to this type of need.

 

Wouldn't putting all the desired data in one GPX file and pre-installing that file on multiple mSD cards work?

 

Map image files for the specific area could be handled the same way.

 

After the search is over, cards would be turned back in for re-use next time out with different dats / maps.

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After reading those other posts that talk about the Basecamp Mobile app, it's a bit unclear: can you use that app to upload tracks and waypoints to the Garmins (or an entire gpx file that contains tracks and waypoints), or, only geocache objects?

 

Either way, good to know about the requirement for keys to be pressed on each receiving device. Sigh.

 

You can't upload entire files.

 

Just looking at it right now. You actually don't need to do anything on the GPS. But.... You need to connect to a single GPS by bluetooth from the app, then you can choose individual items (waypoints, routes or tracks. Geocaches don't work) to the GPS. One thing you can do is copy "Adventures". So I suppose you could make an adventure and send all of that. Still pretty clunky.

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After reading those other posts that talk about the Basecamp Mobile app, it's a bit unclear: can you use that app to upload tracks and waypoints to the Garmins (or an entire gpx file that contains tracks and waypoints), or, only geocache objects?

BaseCamp will let you select a group of anything you want; waypoints, tracks, geocaches and routes and export it all to a single GPX file. This single file can then be copied to multiple devices or SD cards. I do this all the time for our cache outings. I copy the file to my Garmin and upload to Dropbox. Both our phones can access Dropbox so they can download from there. In a pinch, I can connect my phone to the Garmin via OTG cable and fetch the file wirelessly from Dropbox and send it to the Garmin. That's as close to a wireless transfer as I have been able to do.

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Wouldn't putting all the desired data in one GPX file and pre-installing that file on multiple mSD cards work?

 

Map image files for the specific area could be handled the same way.

 

After the search is over, cards would be turned back in for re-use next time out with different dats / maps.

Here is a link to a four slot micro SD card writer/reader that might speed up Grasscatcher's suggestion. Due to Map file and other potential issues of replacing existing mSD cards, pulling existing cards for combo gpx file transfer might be preferable. Delorme PN-60 handheld gps devices can also read from SD cards containing Garmin Combo "Current" track and waypoint gpx files, at least from newer Nuvis.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820192030

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I think 39 steps probably has the best solution. Burn a bunch of them and then insert them into all the devices. There is no way to go one to many and as pointed out each unit receiving has to press a button saying i want this. Even before that they have to go to the Receive screen (a couple of button pushes just to get there).

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Thanks all for the feedback so far. One more question which might be the deciding factor as to whether we even try this:

 

we don't always have to send to 100 units - 20 is more common - but we do always have to send multiple pieces of data, usually around 10 tracks and at least two waypoints.

 

On the 62s(etc) I think you have to press buttons anew on each receiving unit for each individual piece of data (each track and each waypoint) that you want to receive, i.e. pieces of data are sent one-at-a-time with button presses required on both sending and receiving units before each piece of data.

 

Does anyone know if that's the same case on 64s/st, or, can you transfer multiple data objects with just one transfer operation, i.e. without having to press buttons on the sender between each piece of data, and/or without having to press buttons on the receivers between each piece of data?

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With Basecamp Mobile, you can send multiple items at once. You get a list of either all Cloud items or what is in one Adventurer and you hit check boxes on the list and then send at one go with no input from the GPS.

That does make it sound promising enough to try out. We will plan to try at our monthly meeting on Tues Sept 8 and I'll report the results back here.

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With Basecamp Mobile, you can send multiple items at once. You get a list of either all Cloud items or what is in one Adventurer and you hit check boxes on the list and then send at one go with no input from the GPS.

That does make it sound promising enough to try out. We will plan to try at our monthly meeting on Tues Sept 8 and I'll report the results back here.

 

As I understand it, the IOS Bluetooth is capable of connecting with up to ten devices, but the protocol that Garmin uses with its units seems rather limited to me - perhaps that is because I was disappointed with both the limitations of Bluetooth using my Oregon and with basecamp's limitations. I would be surprised if basecamp mobile allowed the app to connect with very many devices simultaneously. But I am curious.

Edited by geodarts
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Now this might be a crazy idea and please tell me if I'm wrong.... When I first got my Oregon 600 I was looking for a way to wirelessly send geocaches from my iPad or my iPhone to my gps and ditch my old laptop. i posted in the 64st/650t comparison post about this and someone suggested the kingston mobilelite g2 wireless router. I looked into it and ended up ordering one and no longer need my computer. I use the usb cable to plug the gps into the router which creates its own wireless signal that I bridged to my home network. I can get on gc.com and download the gpx file and use the Kingston app on my idevice and save it directly to the memory card in my gps. Now, do you think it would be possible to use something like this and use a usb splitter with multiple USB ports to plug multiple gps units into the router at the same time? Maybe plug 4 gps units or so in at a time and just keep switching until you get through them all. You could use a tablet be it android or iOS or a phone or even a laptop to send the files to a few devices almost at the same time? Maybe each one separately, but the file transfer only takes a few seconds. i download the files and with the app open I can go through the folders of the gps and dump them into the gpx folder and have the full paperless files. Since it works with my iPhone too, I can take it with me and as long as I have cell service, I can use it in the field too. It's only a tad bigger then my iPhone 5c and it has enough internal battery power to charge my phone two times if I needed it to. Like I said I have no idea if it would work but it might be another option to look at. Got it on amazon for $30.

 

Went back and re read the first post. Using the app. You can save the files for offline use to be downloaded to the device if you don't have an Internet connection. I think there are different apps you can use with it in case the files you're using aren't supported by the Kingston one.

Edited by Dradicus
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It was probably the guy from Portland who recommended that procedure. He is a wiz on IOS interface and there is why you had to do it tat way. Apple places such draconian restrictions on what can be transferred via a direct interface he developed that to get around them. In the windows world just hon up a multi usb port and plug the devices in and wrote to them which was previously suggested. What the OP is looking for its one broadcast many receivers which is not available because of the Garmin interface procedure for sending and receiving the info.

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