GPS for Dummies.pdf - Engineering Surveyor

164Part III: Digital Mapping on Your Computer4. Ensure that the protocols and settings on both the GPS receiver andthe computer are the same.See the earlier section, “Understanding Ports and Protocols.”At this point you can Select the type of data (waypoints, routes, or tracks) and upload it to theGPS receiver from your computer or download it from the GPS receiverto your computer. Upload a map to the GPS receiver that was created with a GPS manufacturer’smapping program. Have the GPS receiver start providing location data to the interface programfor real-time mapping.G7ToWin and other utilitiesG7ToWin is the Swiss Army knife of the GPSworld. This free utility program works with mostall brands of popular GPS receivers. With thisWindows program, you can Upload waypoints, routes, and tracks toyour GPS receiver. Download waypoints, routes, and tracks toyour computer. Edit waypoint, route, and track data in aspreadsheet-style window. Create waypoints, routes, and tracks. Save waypoints, routes, and tracks in differentfile types. (Remember that GPSreceiver and software manufacturers alluse a number of different file formats forwaypoints, routes, and tracks.) Save the image that appears onscreen ofmany Garmin GPS receivers.G7ToWin is a must for the serious GPS receiveruser. Its author, Ron Henderson, continues toadd new features to the program. DOS andPocket PC versions of the utility are also available.You can download G7ToWin at www.gpsinformation.org/ronh.Other GPS utilities worth consideration include EasyGPS: A popular, free utility for creating,editing, and transferring waypoints androutes, available at www.easygps.com. GPS Utility: A popular freeware/sharewareprogram that lets you manipulate and mapwaypoints, routes, and tracks and workswith Geographic Information System (GIS)data. It’s available at: www.gpsu.co.uk. GPS TrackMaker: A free utility that creates,edits, and deletes waypoints, routes, andtracks. It supports mapping features. Youcan download the program at www.gpstm.com. GPSy: For users who want to interface theirreceiver with a Mac. For more information,see www.gpsy.com.