Converting Google Earth to Garmin?

18523 Views 13 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Jim1960, Dec 16, 2014

Nevada_FJ

Discussion Starter · Jul 4, 2008

So I love the look of google earth and it seems that everyone is using it for trails these days. is there a way to take a google earth file and convert it for use on a garmin?
Also I am new to Google Earth I have the trails from FJCruiser Mag from Shane4X4 and they are great. Is there a way to view the coord in a list for each trail or to convert the kml file?
Thanks for any help.:cheers:

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KD7NAC_07FJ

· #2 · Jul 4, 2008

Sort answer - no.

Reason - very different formats. Garmin uses vector based data and Google, Delorme and a number of others use image based data.

You can find waypoints (point of interest), export them and import them into Gramin but most of the navigation/mapping companies have their own proprietary process and data because they want you buying their goods.

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Nevada_FJ

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 4, 2008

I thought that as well but on the Garmin website they list a program that seems like it would? Here is the link: Garmin | Communicator Plugin
It is for both PC and Mac but I have not been able to get it to work on either. Has anyone tried this and if so what are the steps that I need to follow to make it work?

Thanks

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Mr R2FJ

· #4 · Jul 4, 2008

GPSBabel: convert, upload, download data from GPS and Map programs

Will convert anything to anything..

I use it to convert KML files to GPX (for use on garmin and other gps software)

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Nevada_FJ

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 4, 2008

Great Program that is just what I needed. It seems to work 4.0 I took the Google Earth tracks and waypoints and bam they are now on my GPS. Thanks that could have taken all week and we only have one week to go. See you all at the summit.
:rocker::bigthumb:

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Mr R2FJ

· #6 · Jul 4, 2008

No worries. I spend a lot of time in like 4 different gps programs, so I know how conversion can be important ;-).

We try to keep all of our tracks on azfj in gpx, since that seems the most universal (even google earth will open it!)

See ya at summit!

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mattmainster

· #7 · Jul 4, 2008

Mr R2FJ said:
GPSBabel: convert, upload, download data from GPS and Map programs

Will convert anything to anything..

I use it to convert KML files to GPX (for use on garmin and other gps software)

I use GPSBabel too. It does a great job converting between my Magellan Crossover and .KML files and back.

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Psychlone

· #8 · Jul 4, 2008

Just saw the thread, and I see the problem is solved. So just want to point to the "navigation software thread" - also in this same section (Trail Navigation Files).:wave:

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redthunder1202

· #9 · Jul 4, 2008

gps visualizer will do the conversion online...

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hero

· #10 · Jul 4, 2008

Nevada_FJ said:
I thought that as well but on the Garmin website they list a program that seems like it would? Here is the link: Garmin | Communicator Plugin
It is for both PC and Mac but I have not been able to get it to work on either. Has anyone tried this and if so what are the steps that I need to follow to make it work?

Thanks

The Communicator Plugin is for uploading GPS data to Garmin Connect or MotionBased:

Garmin Connect - Details
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/6148751

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PaulThePhotographer

· #11 · Jul 5, 2008

For Mac People there is

MacGPS Pro Which I use all the time.

And even

LoadMyTracks

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KD7NAC_07FJ

· #12 · Jul 5, 2008

Nevada_FJ said:
I thought that as well but on the Garmin website they list a program that seems like it would? Here is the link: Garmin | Communicator Plugin
It is for both PC and Mac but I have not been able to get it to work on either. Has anyone tried this and if so what are the steps that I need to follow to make it work?

Thanks

Maybe I misunderstood what you were trying to do. I did say you could export/transfer waypoints/point of interest, basically anything that can be converted to lat - long coordinates but you cannot transfer the Google Earth map data (the pictures). If you are just trying to get your way points over then yes GPSBlable is a good tool.

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gpsaaaa

· #13 · Apr 9, 2013

Try to use this simple convertor: How to get path from Google Earth to GPS as route. Converts paths created in Google Earth to gpx format which you can load to Garmin GPS device... I.

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Jim1960

· #14 · Dec 16, 2014

Mr R2FJ said:
GPSBabel: convert, upload, download data from GPS and Map programs

Will convert anything to anything..

I use it to convert KML files to GPX (for use on garmin and other gps software)

+1 on gpsbabel

draw the trial in Google Earth, save file, use gpsbabel toconvert to GPX or any other format and off you go.

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