Open CPN - can I import a track from my GPS?

[ProDave]

I use Open CPN at home, and download routes and waypoints to my Garmin GPSMAP 230 The PC stays at home, and the GPS goes with us to the boat.

The GPS can store a track of where we have been.

Is there any way to upload this track information back to Open CPN to see (on a proper chart) where we have been?

If not, any other PC software that will upload it and display it on a chart?

 

[geoid96]

OpenCPN will import and display Garmin GPX tracks.

 

[ProDave]

OpenCPN will import and display Garmin GPX tracks.

Prey tell me how?

I can only find options to "send to GPS" not "receive from GPS"

Does the data transfer have to be initiated from the GPS, if so how?

 

[geoid96]

I don't have OpenCPN installed on the machine in front of me, but from memory I do following: (OpenCPN v2.5.0)
- Download track as GPX file to PC.
- On OpenCPN and select Route Manager from tool bar
- Select Tracks tab and then import GPX button
- Select downloaded GPX file from directory and import
- I can then edit properties to change displayed colour of track from default magenta.

My Garmin is an Oregon not a GPSMAP 230, but I suspect they both create a similar GPX file.

 

[ProDave]

I don't have OpenCPN installed on the machine in front of me, but from memory I do following: (OpenCPN v2.5.0)
- Download track as GPX file to PC.

That's the bit that stumps me.

HOW do I download the track to the PC?

What software on the PC?

Does the PC software initiate a data request, or do you have to "send" the data from the GPS?

 

[geoid96]

With most recent Garmin models, including the Oregon, my PC can see the Garmin as an external drive so it is a simple matter of copying file or pointing OpenCPN straight to it.

With older receivers such as the GPSMAP 230, this is not possible. One option is to use software such as EasyGPS. This specifically supports the GPSMAP 230 so should do what is required.

 

[bluerm166]

Transfer to OPEN CPN

I have a garmin GPS 12.
I connect to the PC and offload the data to EasyGPS which is free and straightforward.As a start you can check that this PC software is recognising the Garmin by using the 'display GPS' sub in the 'GPS 'menu.If it loads you can then save the track as a .gpx file,which will load into OPEN CPN using the 'import GPX' function.
I find that I have to use EasyGPS as the intermediary when importing or exporting tracks from OPENCPN.
You can also upload the same .gpx file to Sportstracklive which will give you a comparable overlay onto Google Earth.The high res ,often low tide images amusingly show you how close you were to grounding.

http://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/GPSMAP230_OwnersManual.pdf
will give you detail on your model (p63) if you don't have it.

 

[ProDave]

With older receivers such as the GPSMAP 230, this is not possible. One option is to use software such as EasyGPS. This specifically supports the GPSMAP 230 so should do what is required.

Thanks, that's the "missing" piece of software I needed.

I've now uploaded some of my tracks, and it's nice to see now on a real chart where we have actually been. (and to compare that with where we intended to go)

Many thanks.