Author Topic: GPS babel/eTrex  (Read 2676 times)

PaulF

  • "World's Scariest Barman"
  • It's only impossible if you stop to think about it
GPS babel/eTrex
« on: 27 April, 2009, 03:19:57 pm »
Another newbie 'howto'

I've downloaded a route from Bikely and am trying to upload to my eTrex using GPS Babel.

GPS Babel reports that it's uploaded successfully but I can't see it in the eXtrex.

This is the route Bicycle Path - Manhattan Bridge to Nyack - Basic NYC training ride on 9w at Bikely.com

I'm sending as a route, is there anything obvious that I'm doing wrong?

Chris N

Re: GPS babel/eTrex
« Reply #1 on: 27 April, 2009, 03:24:41 pm »
I've not used GPS Babel to upload files, but Bikely doesn't output routes, just tracks - maybe you need to change what you're sending?

andygates

  • Peroxide Viking
Re: GPS babel/eTrex
« Reply #2 on: 27 April, 2009, 03:55:17 pm »
Check that you have the right boxes ticked - there's one each for "Waypoints" "Tracks" and "Routes".  I just tick all all the time.
It takes blood and guts to be this cool but I'm still just a cliché.
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Re: GPS babel/eTrex
« Reply #3 on: 27 April, 2009, 03:57:14 pm »
I'm sending as a route, is there anything obvious that I'm doing wrong?

As Chris says, bikely downloads as a bunch of waypoints (the few points in that track that have names/descriptions) and the rest is a track. It's not a route.

If you're converting it to a route (either actively, or implicitly because you're telling gps babel to upload it as a route) before uploading then you're going to have problems because lots of the subsequent route points have identical names (because they're blank).

Try uploading it as a track and seeing if it's listed in the track list.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

PaulF

  • "World's Scariest Barman"
  • It's only impossible if you stop to think about it
Re: GPS babel/eTrex
« Reply #4 on: 27 April, 2009, 04:27:13 pm »
Thanks - it's working as a track

How can I convert a track to a route? Or do I even need to?

Re: GPS babel/eTrex
« Reply #5 on: 27 April, 2009, 04:44:47 pm »
Thanks - it's working as a track

How can I convert a track to a route? Or do I even need to?

Wouldn't bother, stick with a track for something you've downloaded.

If you did want a track I'd create a new route in bikely sticking one routepoint per routesheet instruction (i.e. where you need to be told to do something other than go straight on) with each point labeled with the instruction (in just 6 characters).

Download the subsequent gpx file from bikely (it'll download as a track), then:-

Edit it in Notepad (or any other text editor).
1) Delete everything from the first <trk> tag to the end of the file.
2) Add a newline and "<rte><name>FOO</name>" before the first <wpt> tag (just after the opening <gpx> tag)
3) Search/replace every occurrence of "wpt" to "rtept" (without the quotes).
4) Add "</rte></gpx>" to the end of the file.
5) Save and upload via gpsbabel as a route.

Change "FOO" to be whatever you want the track to be called. 10 character limit applies I think.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

PaulF

  • "World's Scariest Barman"
  • It's only impossible if you stop to think about it
Re: GPS babel/eTrex
« Reply #6 on: 27 April, 2009, 05:12:35 pm »
Thanks Greenbank - worked perfectly

Re: GPS babel/eTrex
« Reply #7 on: 27 April, 2009, 05:32:56 pm »
One extra bit. Some programs that use GPX files expect a <metadata> tag. GPS Trackmaker (Free) needs it.

It doesn't need to contain anything, it just needs to be there.

So, optionally, step 4.5:

4.5) Add "<metadata></metadata>" before the opening "<rte>" tag.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."