Family, Work, Life

Using Garmin with linux and gpsbabel

This post if more for myself then for others because you can find this information on many places. I bought a Garmin GPS Map 60 some time ago. It works great with Linux and the GPSBabel software. In order to transfer the loc files from the Geocaching.com side you can use this script:

#!/bin/bash
rm a.csv
rm a.kml
rm a.gpx
for i in *.loc
do
gpsbabel -i geo -f $i -o csv,prefer_shortnames -F $i.csv
cat  $i.csv >> a.csv
rm  $i.csv
done
gpsbabel -i csv -f a.csv -o kml -F a.kml
gpsbabel -i csv -f a.csv -o gpx -F a.gpx

sudo gpsbabel -i gpx -f a.gpx -o garmin -F usb:0
sudo gpsbabel -i garmin,power_off -f usb:0

This script converts all the *.loc files in one folder into one GPX and one KML file. the KML file can be placed on a webserver and then fiewed with google maps or via google earth. Here are some usefull commands:

Upload route:

sudo gpsbabel -r -i garmin -f usb:0 -o kml -F u.kml

Tracks downloaden from Garmin:

sudo gpsbabel -t -i garmin -f usb:0 -o gpx -F tracks.gpx

Switch the Garmin off:sudo gpsbabel -i garmin,power_off -f usb:0

Best Webpage I found for creating routes for bike tours is Marengo

And now have fun. :-)

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5 Responses to “Using Garmin with linux and gpsbabel”

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  3. I’m amazed and happy to say that garmin products is of high quality albeit the price is also a bit high but it’s worth paying.

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