Transferring GPS Data

After you have a cable and then get the ports, baud rates, and protocols all figured out (or have a memory card and card reader), the next step is getting the data transferred between the GPS receiver and your computer. This is where software comes in, and you generally have three options:

• GPS manufacturer software: The commercial mapping programs that GPS receiver manufacturers sell can all upload and download waypoints, routes, and tracks as well as upload maps to certain models of their GPS receivers. GPS receivers that display maps work only with proprietary maps provided by the manufacturer. You can’t upload maps from third-party mapping programs into your receiver. Sometimes GPS novices believe that they can load maps from DeLorme, Maptech, National Geographic, or other mapping companies directly into their GPS receiver. You can’t.
• Third-party mapping software: Most third-party, commercial map programs can also upload and download waypoints, routes, and tracks —they just can’t upload a digital map that appears on your PC. This is an essential feature so you can overlay GPS data on a digital map to see where you’ve been or plan a trip with the mapping software and then upload waypoints and routes from your computer to a GPS receiver.
• GPS utilities: Software programs used to interface GPS receivers to computers are utility programs designed specifically to download and upload waypoints, routes, tracks, and other information. These programs are usually freeware or shareware and have a number of useful features.

A few drawbacks to GPS receivers that support memory cards

Here are a few drawbacks to GPS receivers that support memory cards:

• Added cost: They add a bit more cost to the receiver price because of the built-in card reader and associated technology.
• Reader: You need a memory card reader connected to your computer to transfer data back and forth between the GPS receiver. However, some computers (notably laptops) have built-in card readers. If your GPS receiver didn’t come with a card reader, any third-party reader will work. These devices are inexpensive and easy to use. Just plug the reader into a USB port, and Windows treats the memory card like a hard drive or floppy disk. You can then copy data back and forth between your hard drive and the memory card. Card readers are inexpensive, and you can purchase a basic model for under $20.
• Removal: Memory cards can be a little tedious to swap because you need to remove the GPS receiver batteries to access the card slot. Just like digitals cameras, GPS receivers that support memory cards usually come with a card that has a relatively small amount of storage space (8–16MB). In fact, if they both use the same type of memory card, you can swap a card between your digital camera and GPS receiver. You’ll probably want to upgrade to a larger capacity card. Blank memory cards with the GPS receiver manufacturer’s brand name tend to be more expensive than standard MMC and SD cards. I don’t find any difference between the two, and you can save money with third-party memory cards in your GPS receiver.

Managing GPS Receiver Memory

If you own a GPS receiver that uses a memory card, congratulations! I personally like the versatility these receivers offer (such as stuffing a bunch of maps onto a single, large-capacity memory card). This section talks about how to get the most out of your memory card GPS receiver. If your GPS receiver uses only a cable to connect to a computer, you can skip this section. Better yet, read along to see how memory cards work for transferring data.
If your GPS receiver supports using a memory card, you have some significant advantages when exchanging data with a computer, including

• Upload speed: Uploading maps from your computer to a GPS receiver is considerably faster with a memory card than via a serial port cable. Because GPS receivers communicate at a fairly low baud rate, transferring 10–20MB of map data can take a long time (up to hours depending on how the serial port is configured).
• Affordable and practical: Memory cards have gotten inexpensive over the years. You can load frequently used maps on several cards and not bother with repeatedly uploading data from map program CDs. You can easily pick up a 128MB memory card, which I’d recommend as a minimum size, for under $40. I like to use Froogle (http://froogle.google.com) to find the best prices online.
• More storage: Memory cards give you considerably more storage than GPS receivers with fixed amounts of internal memory. You can currently purchase memory cards that provide between 8–512MB of data storage. Handheld GPS receivers that don’t support memory cards might have only 1–115MB of internal storage.
• Versatility: You can use the memory card in your PDA, digital camera, and cellphone (if all the devices support the same type of card).
• Minimal settings: When using a memory card, you don’t need to worry about COM ports, baud rates, and protocols when transferring data. (However, if you’re using your GPS receiver with a laptop and cable connected to a moving map program, you still have to contend with getting all the settings just right.)