I like to plot my trips using Google Maps set to "Terrain" feature, and once upon a time I would spend a lovely time plotting a nice route only to find that when I went to save it and convert it to a KML file, I'd lose many of the waypoints I created and end up with 3/4 of a route instead of what I wanted. Lately I've hit on a method that works fairly well and I thought I'd share that with you. If you haven't figured it out, I've an older GPS:
A Garmin eTrex Vista Hcx and a Garmin 60cx. Both are waterproof, battery operated, and can be used with gloved hands albeit discontinued models.
I can convert a google maps file and load it onto my gps in ten minutes or less using the method I outline below.
http://www.elsewhere.org/journal/gmaptogpx/
2. Then you would plot your route using google maps:
http://g.co/maps/9wzee
3. Now use that bookmarklet for GMapToGPX and you will see this:
I select "FULL" as I prefer a full track, but if you prefer waypoints or have a gps that doesn't support tracks, you can choose "POINTS" instead.
4. Now open a new tab in your browser with this address:
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert_input
5. Select all the text from the GMapToGPX dialogue in step three, and paste it into the gpsvisulizer/convert window:
6. Ensure you have selected "GPX" output and then hit "CONVERT", now you will see this page:
7. Simply download the gpx file onto your harddrive, and open it with your gps software and you should see something like this Garmin Mapsource version:
8. Now because I have an older GPS that will truncate or cut a track that has more than 500 points to it, I need to filter the track to a maximum of 500 points, as well as change the name to something user friendly:
9. Now attach your GPS and send the track to it. Use the "Trackback" feature on a Garmin to follow this route. It will never deviate, and will give you point to point guidance, although it will show on your GPS as a blue line, so you should be able to visualize the turns very easily, similar to highlighting a paper map.
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Converting Google Earth or Google Maps KML files using GPSVisualizer
Right, this one has a steeper learning curve and I've not got it down pat myself, but it can be done.
With Google Maps, you have a dialogue at the bottom of the map to "Save to My Maps", and then select "Create New".
Once you click save, you should see something like this: (Note it truncated my track!!! WHY oh WHY??)
Now you have a wee link in blue to download the KML file, so do that and upload it to GPS Visualizer and convert it to a GPX file which will contain the track, and each blue route marker as a waypoint. From these you can create your auto-routing route with your gps software. I prefer tracks.
Note that I have a number of tracks that need to be joined with the join tool, then filtered so they are reduced to 500 points maximum? And cryptic waypoints that need to chained together to form a route with via points.
I strongly prefer the method listed above.
You can use Google Earth to create and save KML files then convert them using the same method shown above.
Hopefully this will make it easier for some of you to convert your routes, and if you have any tips or suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
Cheers!
A Garmin eTrex Vista Hcx and a Garmin 60cx. Both are waterproof, battery operated, and can be used with gloved hands albeit discontinued models.
Day 3
http://g.co/maps/vpahdDay 3
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/download/co...111.20.gpxI can convert a google maps file and load it onto my gps in ten minutes or less using the method I outline below.
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1. First off, you need to create a bookmarklet with this wonderful little java script available here:[/FONT]
http://www.elsewhere.org/journal/gmaptogpx/
2. Then you would plot your route using google maps:
http://g.co/maps/9wzee
3. Now use that bookmarklet for GMapToGPX and you will see this:
I select "FULL" as I prefer a full track, but if you prefer waypoints or have a gps that doesn't support tracks, you can choose "POINTS" instead.
4. Now open a new tab in your browser with this address:
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert_input
5. Select all the text from the GMapToGPX dialogue in step three, and paste it into the gpsvisulizer/convert window:
6. Ensure you have selected "GPX" output and then hit "CONVERT", now you will see this page:
7. Simply download the gpx file onto your harddrive, and open it with your gps software and you should see something like this Garmin Mapsource version:
8. Now because I have an older GPS that will truncate or cut a track that has more than 500 points to it, I need to filter the track to a maximum of 500 points, as well as change the name to something user friendly:
9. Now attach your GPS and send the track to it. Use the "Trackback" feature on a Garmin to follow this route. It will never deviate, and will give you point to point guidance, although it will show on your GPS as a blue line, so you should be able to visualize the turns very easily, similar to highlighting a paper map.
====================
Converting Google Earth or Google Maps KML files using GPSVisualizer
Right, this one has a steeper learning curve and I've not got it down pat myself, but it can be done.
With Google Maps, you have a dialogue at the bottom of the map to "Save to My Maps", and then select "Create New".
Once you click save, you should see something like this: (Note it truncated my track!!! WHY oh WHY??)
Now you have a wee link in blue to download the KML file, so do that and upload it to GPS Visualizer and convert it to a GPX file which will contain the track, and each blue route marker as a waypoint. From these you can create your auto-routing route with your gps software. I prefer tracks.
Note that I have a number of tracks that need to be joined with the join tool, then filtered so they are reduced to 500 points maximum? And cryptic waypoints that need to chained together to form a route with via points.
I strongly prefer the method listed above.
You can use Google Earth to create and save KML files then convert them using the same method shown above.
Hopefully this will make it easier for some of you to convert your routes, and if you have any tips or suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
Cheers!
