Leave the box next to “Device” unchecked in the Input section, choose the type of data you want to convert in the dropdown box, find the file you want to convert using the “Start the file open dialog” button at the right, follow the procedure above to set the name and type (GPX) of output file, and you’re good to go.įor a more advanced GPX to KML format converter, as well as a whole host of other way-cool tools for mapping and Google Earth, you have to try out the GPSVisualizer website (free donations accepted). GPSBabel is also useful if you have GPS data already saved in a different format, and want to convert it to the GPX format, or if you want to convert a GPX file to any other format (including KML). A pop-up window will indicate if the data was saved successfully, or if there was a problem. Click on “let’s go”, and the data should be downloaded and save automatically. Finally, there are three checkboxes below the output section that allow you the option of saving Waypoints, Routes, and/or Tracks – make sure the datatypes you’re interested in saving are checked (there’s no harm in leaving them all checked). Click on the “Start the file save” button at the right to choose the name of the data file you want to save, as well as the location you want to save it. Selecting “GPX XML” will save it in the GPX format that can read by Google Earth and other GPS and GIS programs, but you can also save it directly in Google Earth’s native KML format as well. Next, select the kind of file you want the GPS data saved in the Output section using the dropdown selection. If your computer has more than one COM port, you’ll have to select the one your GPS is plugged into.
To download data from a GPS, check the box next to “Device” in the Input section, select the type of GPS you have (limited to Garmin and Magellan units for now), and choose the kind of interface your GPS is plugged into, USB or serial COM port. GPSBabel is a command-line program, but comes with a graphical interface wrapper that allows access to its essential features. GPSBabel also comes with the ability to convert GPS data from one format to another, something lacking in EasyGPS.
But there’s an alternative to using EasyGPS in Windows: GPSBabel (freeware open source Windows, Mac and Linux). Gpsbabel -i kml -f file.kml -x track,faketime=$(date +%Y%m%d%H0000)+10 -o gpx -F file.EasyGPS is simple and easy to use, and it’s my program of choice for downloading data from a GPS unit. Note: if converting from KML be sure to add times!:
Create a new folder anywhere in your Mac OS X user directory, and drag these 2 items inside.