GPSrChive How To - Data Management

How To...

Data Management

Common Files
File Locations
Transferring Data
Best Practices

1. Common Files

BIN

CPE.BIN - Connected Predictive Ephemeris (CPE) data file
EPO.BIN - Extended Prediction Orbit (EPO) data file
OUT.BIN - Wi-Fi network settings
DAT

{name}.DAT - Incomplete Outdoor Maps+ map download
FIT

{name}_course.fit - Course saved on the device
Device.fit - Device configuratin file
Lctns.fit - Waypoints saved on the device
Settings.fit - Fitness configuration settings
temp.fit - Recent course navigation destination
TRACBACK.fit - Active TracBack course points
YYYY-MM-DD-HH-MM-SS.fit - Recorded activity file named by start date and time
YYYY-MM-DD HH.MM.SS.fit - Recorded activity file named by start date and time
GCD

GUPDATE.GCD - Device firmware update (full)
GGZ

geocache.ggz - Geocache GPX Zip database files containing detailed geocache information
GPC

{name}.gpc - Garmin Point Cache for the identically named course
{name}_course.gpc - Garmin Point Cache for the identically named course
TRACBACK.gpc - Garmin Point Cache for the active TracBack recording
YYYY-MM-DD-HH-MM-SS.gpc - Garmin Point Cache for the identically named activity
YYYY-MM-DD HH.MM.SS.gpc - Garmin Point Cache for the identically named activity
GPF

{name}.gpf - Garmin profile configuration file
GPI

{name}.gpi - Garmin POI database file
GPX

additional_waypoints.gpx - Child waypoints for geocaches loaded via GCLive
Chirp.gpx - Most recent information received from a Garmin chirp beacon
Coordinates.gpx - Recent 'Where To?' Navigation Destination
Current.gpx - Active Tracklog Recording
GCxxxx.gpx - Geocache data
MOB.gpx - Coordinates saved from Man Overboard application
.Position.gpx - Last known position
Route_{date time}.gpx - Route created and saved on the GPSr
Saved.gpx - Contains Area Calculation track data
SightNGo.gpx - Last destination created with Sight 'N Go application
Send_File.gpx - Most recent data shared wirelessly
Send_GGZ.gpx - Most recent geocache shared wirelessly from GGZ file
temp.gpx - Waypoints sent to the device from MapSource or BaseCamp
{date time}.gpx - Track created and saved on the GPSr
{YYYY-MM-DD-HH-MM-SS}.gpx - Activity created on the GPSr and saved as a Track
Track_{date time}.gpx - Track created and saved on the GPSr
Track_{date time} Area Calculation.gpx - Track created and saved on the GPSr while using the Area Calculation page
Waypoints.gpx - Waypoints transferred from Garmin computer application
Waypoints_{date}.gpx - Waypoints created on the GPSr
{date time} Auto.gpx - Tracklog archive when [Setup > Recording > Advanced Setup > GPX Auto Archive > When Full]
{date time} Day.gpx - Tracklog archive when [Setup > Recording > Advanced Setup > GPX Auto Archive > Daily]
{date time} Week.gpx - Tracklog archive when [Setup > Recording > Advanced Setup > GPX Auto Archive > Weekly]
{date time} Stopwatch.gpx - Tracklog created from Stopwatch page while Stopwatch Activity Sync is enabled
xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx.gpx - Garmin Adventure data (tracks, waypoints, geocaches)
GSP

GUPDATE.GSP - Device firmware update (delta)
IMG

{dxxxxyyza}.img - Garmin Vector Map
gmapdem.img - Digital Elevation Model map pre-loaded on GPSr
gmapdem1.img - Supplemental Digital Elevation Model map pre-loaded on GPSr
gmapdem2.img - Additional supplemental Digital Elevation Model map pre-loaded on GPSr
gmapbmap.img - Basemap pre-loaded on GPSr Tip: Do not delete or modify this file!
gmapprom.img - Primary Garmin map pre-loaded on GPSr
gmapprom1.img - Supplemental Garmin map installed on GPSr
gmapprom2.img - Additional supplemental Garmin map installed on GPSr
gmapsupp.img - Supplemental map sent to GPSr via Map Installer application
gmapsup1.img - Supplemental map sent to GPSr via Garmin Express application
gmaptz.img - Garmin Time Zone map Tip: Do not delete or modify this file!
{map name}.gma - Garmin map authentication certificate (required for all maps with FID > 2199)
{map name}.sum - Garmin map update checksum (used to verify error free map updates)
{map name}.unl - Garmin map unlock code (required to use locked maps)
JNX

{name}.JNX - Garmin Raster Map (Satellite Imagery - BirdsEye/BirdsEye Direct)
{name}_{#}_1.JNX - Garmin Raster Map (Satellite Imagery - Outdoor Maps+)
{name}_{#}_8.JNX - Garmin Raster Map (USGS Quads - Outdoor Maps+)
{name}_{#}_9.JNX - Garmin Raster Map (Canada NRC Sheets - Outdoor Maps+)
KMZ

{name}.KMZ - Garmin Raster Map (User Created)
LN4

{language}.LN4 - Language translation database file
MET

{name}.MET - Outdoor Maps+ map configuration file
SID

{name}.SID - External TYP (Etyp) map display configuration file
TMP

GUPDATE.TMP - Partially downloaded firmware update file
TXT

geocache_visits.txt - User logged geocache visits Tip: Do not edit this file!
manifest.txt - A complete list of files found on the device (with hash values)
startup.txt - User configurable device startup message
XML

Adventure_Logs.xml - User logged Adventure ratings Tip: Do not edit this file!
GarminDevice.xml - Device configuration manifest
geocache_logs.xml - User logged geocache visits Tip: Do not edit this file!
index.xml - Weather application data
system.xml - Basic system information and error reports

2. File Locations

GPSr Directory

Parent Directory \ Active Directory \ Files \ Content Description ( file types )

GPSr \ Garmin \ GarminDevice.xml \ Primary system files and vector maps folder ( *.GCD *.GSP *.ico *.img *.sum *.TMP *.txt *.ver *.xml )

GPSr \ Garmin \ AB \ Applied Ballistics program files ( *.pro )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Activities \ Garmin Activity Logs ( *.fit )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Adventures \ Garmin Adventures Database ( *.adv )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Apps \ Garmin Connect IQ Application Files ( *.BIN *.PRG )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Audio \ Folder system for audio files

GPSr \ Garmin \ Audio \ Test \ Contains test tone audio files ( *.wav )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Audio \ Tones \ Folder system for tones files

GPSr \ Garmin \ Audio \ Tones \ WBL \ Contains system audio files (*.opus)

GPSr \ Garmin \ Audio \ VoiceNotes \ Contains user created voice notes ( *.wav )

GPSr \ Garmin \ BirdsEye \ Garmin BirdsEye high-resolution raster map imagery ( *.jnx )

GPSr \ Garmin \ CONNECT \ Contains Garmin Connect configuration files ( *.BIN )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Courses \ User created courses ( *.fit )

GPSr \ Garmin \ CustomMaps \ User created raster maps ( *.kmz )

GPSr \ Garmin \ CustomSymbols \ Contains custom waypoint symbols ( *.bmp )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Data \ Folder system for system data files ( *.bin )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Data \ Dictionary \ Contains language dictionary files ( *.dict )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Data \ Videos \ Contains system video files ( *.mm )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Debug \ Event Logs, RAM Dumps, etc. used for diagnostics ( *.log, *.txt )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Debug \ EventLogs \ Diagnostic event logs ( *.txt )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Debug \ Uploads \ Folder system for additional debug files

GPSr \ Garmin \ EDM \ Garmin Explore database files ( *.BIN )

GPSr \ Garmin \ ExtData \ Extended Data files ( *.bin *.fnt )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Filters \ Folder system for saved filters

GPSr \ Garmin \ Filters \ Geocache \ Contains filters used when searching geocaches ( *.gff )

GPSr \ Garmin \ GeocachePhotos \ Folder system containing geocache specific spoiler photos ( *.jpg )

GPSr \ Garmin \ GGZ \ geocache.ggz \ All ( *.ggz ) files are stored in this directory and sub-directories

GPSr \ Garmin \ GPS \ WebUpdater program configuration files ( *.BIN *.nvm )

GPSr \ Garmin \ GPX \ temp.gpx \ All ( *.gpx ) files are stored in this directory and sub-directories

GPSr \ Garmin \ GPX \ Archive \ Saved.gpx \ Contains saved tracks and waypoints ( *.gpx )

GPSr \ Garmin \ GPX \ Archive \ Auto \ Auto-archived track recordings (Day, Week, Full) ( *.gpx )

GPSr \ Garmin \ GPX \ Current \ Current.gpx \ Contains the currently active track log recording ( *.gpx )

GPSr \ Garmin \ GPX \ Nav \ Chirp.gpx, Coordinates.gpx, SightNGo.gpx \ Recent Navigation Destinations ( *.gpx )

GPSr \ Garmin \ GPXActivities \ {YYYY-MM-DD-HH-MM-SS}.gpx \ Activities saved in GPX format when 'Save as FIT + GPX' is enabled ( *.gpx )

GPSr \ Garmin \ HTTP \ Working directory for web related data

GPSr \ Garmin \ HTTP \ dl_manager \ Outdoor Maps+ map downloads and configuration files ( *.DAT *.MET )

GPSr \ Garmin \ inReach \ Folder system for inReach related files

GPSr \ Garmin \ inReach \ Media \ Contains inReach related files

GPSr \ Garmin \ inReach \ Media \ NewFiles \ Contains inReach related files

GPSr \ Garmin \ Iridium \ inr.log \ Iridium satellite constellation log ( *.log )

GPSr \ Garmin \ JPEG \ Photos and images ( *.jpg )

GPSr \ Garmin \ KBD \ Contains keyboard configuration files ( *.sar )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Locations \ User created waypoints ( *.fit )

GPSr \ Garmin \ MapThumbnails \ Outdoor Maps+ map sample images ( *.png )

GPSr \ Garmin \ NewFiles \ Place data files here for automated import and conversion on select models ( *.crs *.fit *.gpx *.tcx )

GPSr \ Garmin \ POI \ Points of Interest database files ( *.GPI )

GPSr \ Garmin \ PointCache \ TRACBACK.gpc \ Garmin Point Cache files for saved activities and courses ( *.gpc )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Profiles \ Hike.gpf \ Profile (Activity) configuration files ( *.gpf )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Prompts \ Contains system message configuration files ( *.sar )

GPSr \ Garmin \ RegionData \ Map region overview files ( *.png )

GPSr \ Garmin \ RemoteSW \ Update files other than device firmware ( *.bin *.GCD )

GPSr \ Garmin \ RINEX \ grmnxxxyyy.18O \ RINEX log files ( *.18O )

GPSr \ Garmin \ scrn \ Screen capture image storage ( *.bmp )

GPSr \ Garmin \ SCRNSHOT \ Screen capture image storage ( *.bmp )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Settings \ Settings.fit \ Fitness settings ( *.fit )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Shortcuts \ Shortcut configuration files ( *.gsf )

GPSr \ Garmin \ SID \ Map display configuration files ( *.sid )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Sports \ RunningRunning.fit \ Fitness settings ( *.fit )

GPSr \ Garmin \ SQL \ CustomMaps.db \ Database index files ( *.db *.sqlite3 *.txt )

GPSr \ Garmin \ TempFIT \ laps.fit, sessions.fit \ Temporary navigation directory ( *.fit )

GPSr \ Garmin \ TempFIT \ Course \ TRACBACK.FIT \ Temporary course navigation files ( *.fit )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Text \ Language database files ( *.gtt *.LN4 )

GPSr \ Garmin \ UpdateManager \ Map update directory ( *.xxx )

GPSr \ Garmin \ UpdateManager \ database \ UpdateManager.db \ Update database files ( *.db )

GPSr \ Garmin \ UpdateManager \ downloads \ 006-Dxxxx-yy.img \ Map update folders and files ( *.img )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Vehicle \ Vehicles.ver \ Position icon files ( *.srf *.ver )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Weather \ index.xml \ Weather application data ( *.json *.png *.xml )

GPSr \ Garmin \ Weather \ radar \ Weather radar images ( *.png )

GPSr \ Garmin \ WIFI \ OUT.BIN \ Wi-Fi network settings ( *.BIN )

microSD Directory

Parent Directory \ Active Directory \ Files \ Content Description ( file types )

microSD \ Garmin \ Secondary vector maps folder ( *.img )

microSD \ Garmin \ Adventures \ Garmin Adventures Database ( *.adv )

microSD \ Garmin \ BirdsEye \ Garmin BirdsEye high-resolution raster map imagery ( *.jnx )

microSD \ Garmin \ CustomMaps \ User created raster maps ( *.kmz )

microSD \ Garmin \ GGZ \ geocache.ggz \ All ( *.ggz ) files are stored in this directory and sub-directories

microSD \ Garmin \ GPX \ All ( *.gpx ) files are stored in this directory and user created sub-directories

microSD \ Garmin \ HTTP \ Working directory for web related data

microSD \ Garmin \ HTTP \ dl_manager \ Outdoor Maps+ map downloads and configuration files ( *.DAT *.MET )

microSD \ Garmin \ JPEG \ Photos and images ( *.jpg )

microSD \ Garmin \ POI \ Points of Interest database files ( *.GPI )

microSD \ Garmin \ SQL \ CustomMaps.db \ Database index files ( *.db *.sqlite3 )

3. Transferring Data

Data transfer between Garmin BaseCamp and GPSr
- See BaseCamp - Transferring Data
- Video: Transferring Data in BaseCamp
- Video: Sharing BaseCamp Data with your Device
Data transfer between Garmin GPSr using the 'Share Wirelessly' feature
- See Wireless - Share Wirelessly

Manual data transfer between PC/Mac and Garmin GPSr

Do not add, delete or modify any files on the GPSr if you are not absolutely certain you know what you are doing
Reference Common Files and File Locations above to determine correct file transfer locations
Tip: You can temporarily disable large files quickly by changing file extensions to an unused type (for example: *.img to *.bak, etc.)

4. Best Practices