How To...

Software

  1. Before and After
  2. Garmin Software
  3. PC Software
  4. Mac Software
  5. Linux Software
  6. Web Software
  7. iOS Software
  8. Android Software




1. Before and After

Before we go running off into the wild with our trusty Garmin GPSr in hand, we must first load it with maps, tracks, routes, waypoints, POI's, and various other files pertinent to our planned expedition.

After we return from our journey with our GPSr still in hand, we must extract all records of where we were, when we were there, how we got there, what we saw, places to remember and other useful information collected along the way.

While our Garmin GPSr is primarily used outdoors, some of our time will be spent indoors, under cover, harvesting memories to share with our friends and families while preparing for the new ones ahead. With the right software, this process can be highly automated and greatly simplified, allowing us to proceed with our next adventure all the sooner!





2. Garmin Software

Garmin provides several software applications and utilities for interfacing between your computer and your Garmin handheld navigation device.

Garmin USB Drivers | PC | Drivers for use with USB equipped GPS receivers
Garmin WebUpdater | PC | Mac | Guides you through the process of updating the software in your GPSr
Garmin Express | PC | Mac | Software that helps you manage your Garmin devices
Garmin MapSource | PC | Transfer waypoints, tracks, and routes between your PC and Garmin device with a serial data port
Garmin BaseCamp | PC | Mac | Comprehensive GPSr database management for Garmin devices with a USB data port
Garmin HomePort | PC | Marine trip planning for use with BlueChart fishing and navigational maps
Garmin Explore | Mobile | Web | Map, Track, Sync and Share your trek from anywhere
Garmin Messenger | Mobile | Never lose touch with friends and family
Garmin MapConverter | PC | Converts maps and unlock codes on your Windows PC to Macintosh format
Garmin MapInstall | PC | Mac | Transfer selected maps from your computer to your Garmin GPSr and micro SD card
Garmin MapManager | Mac | Copies maps and unlock codes to be accessible by MapInstall and Training Center
Garmin POI Loader | PC | Mac | Load custom points of interest into your Garmin GPSr
Garmin VoiceStudio | PC | VoiceStudio lets you create and upload custom voices to your device
Garmin Spanner | PC | Adds a virtual com port to interface with your GPS 18
Garmin Connect | Mobile | Web | Upload and manage workout data from Garmin fitness and outdoor devices
Garmin Lifetime Map Updater | PC | Mac | Get map updates for Garmin devices with nüMaps Lifetime subscriptions
Garmin MapUpdater | PC | Find available updates for all Garmin maps installed on your GPSr
Garmin VIRB Edit | PC | Mac | Combine video footage with GPSr data to create a rich video experience
Garmin xImage | PC | Retrieve and update images on your GPSr





3. PC Software

JaVaWa GPS-Tools:

GSAK | Free | Geocaching Swiss Army Knife - The most popular geocaching and waypoint management tool available
MyGeocachingManager | Free | Import, view, edit, filter, and export Geocaching and OpenCaching GPX/GGZ files
TopoFusion | Demo | A powerful GPS mapping data analysis tool for reviewing and planning your next adventure
GPSBabel | Free | Convert waypoints, tracks and routes between popular GPS receiver file formats
ExpertGPS | Trial | Handles all your mapping and data-conversion jobs
EasyGPS | Free | Transfer waypoints, routes, tracks and geocaches between your PC and your GPSr
GeoGet | Free | Advanced Geocaching database manager with many popular features and script/plug-in add-on support
Viking | Free | Powerful open source GPS data editor and analyzer
GPS Utility | Demo | Manage, manipulate and map your GPS information
GPS Track Editor | Free | Analyze and clean up your GPS tracks, inspect track points, extract and merge tracks
GPX Editor | Free | A small but powerful application for viewing and editing your tracks and routes with real-time preview
RouteConverter | Free | Display, edit and convert routes, tracks and waypoints
ITNConverter | Free | Convert and transfer routes between multiple formats
GeoSetter | Free | View and manage metadata for photos taken with your Garmin GPSr
Paint.net | Free | Powerful image editor for editing photos and/or creating custom icons and symbols
Notepad++ | Free | Edit source code, xml files, gpx files, txt files, etc. with this powerful notepad replacement
SyncBack | Free | Backup and synchronize your files with power, ease and flexibility
BC2GE | Paid | Pass clipboard data from BaseCamp or MapSource to Google Earth, and more
Emlid Studio | Free | A cross-platform desktop application designed specifically for post-processing GPS data
MTPdrive | Trial | A drive letter mapping solution for MTP devices in Microsoft Windows





4. Mac Software

JaVaWa GPS-Tools:

MacGPS Pro | Paid | Link your Mac with your GPS receiver
GPSBabel | Free | Convert waypoints, tracks and routes between popular GPS receiver file formats
Viking | Free | Powerful open source GPS data editor and analyzer
RouteConverter | Free | Display, edit and convert routes, tracks and waypoints
LoadMyTracks | Paid | Gather tracks, waypoints and routes from your Garmin GPSr
iCaching| Paid | Import, organize, manage, explore and export your geocaches with this indispensable Mac App
HoudahGPS | Free | Transfer and convert track log files from various formats to GPX, NMEA and KML
Adze | Paid & Free | Edit GPX data like a champ
Emlid Studio | Free | A cross-platform desktop application designed specifically for post-processing GPS data





5. Linux Software

Viking | Free | Powerful open source GPS data editor and analyzer
GPSBabel | Free | Convert waypoints, tracks and routes between popular GPS receiver file formats





6. Web Software

wikiloc | Paid | Discover and share the best outdoor trails for hiking, cycling and many other activities
AllTrails | Paid | Trails that fit your nature (was GPSies - Tracks for vegabonds)
Trackprofiler | Free | Edit and organize your collections of GPS tracks and routes
CourseCompacter | Free | Compacts GPX tracks, course and activity files
GPSVisualizer | Free | Online utility that creates maps and profiles from geographic data
JaVaWa Calorie Calculator | Free | Calculates calories using heart rate data
JaVaWa Track Analyzer | Free | Provides a detailed overview of your GPX tracks and FIT activities
JaVaWa DEM Downloader | Free | Add missing elevation data to your tracks and waypoints
JaVaWa Move Route Start | Free | Modify the start/finish locations for downloaded routes
JaVaWa Make WEB Map | Free | Create a portable HTML format web map from your saved track
JaVaWa GEO-Calc Tools | Free | Perform frequently desired geographic calculations with your coordinates





7. iOS Software

Garmin Connect Mobile | Free | Receive current weather conditions, forecasts, phone notifications, and more - directly on your Garmin GPSr
Garmin Explore | Free | Map, Track, Sync and Share your trek from anywhere
Garmin Messenger | Free | Never lose touch with friends and family
Connect IQ Store | Free | Download and manage Apps, Widgets and more on your Connect IQ compatible Garmin device
Cachely - Geocaching | Paid | Simple and Powerful geocaching app for iOS
Wherigo | Free | Play Wherigo cartridges on your iOS device
Active Captain | Free | Provides the ultimate connected boating experience for compatible Garmin marine devices
Earthmate | Free | Scout, Map, Track, Explore, Sync and Share your trek from your mobile device
Garmin Pilot | Paid | Plan, File, Fly, Log. Turn your mobile device into the ideal cockpit companion





8. Android Software

Garmin Connect Mobile | Free | Receive current weather conditions, forecasts, phone notifications, and more - directly on your Garmin GPSr
Garmin Explore | Free | Map, Track, Sync and Share your trek from anywhere
Garmin Messenger | Free | Never lose touch with friends and family
Connect IQ Store | Free | Download and manage Apps, Widgets and more on your Connect IQ compatible Garmin device
GCDroid | Free/Paid | Provides direct access to caches via the Live API and integrates seamlessly with GSAK and Dropbox
GDAK | Free | Geocaching Droid Army Knife uses your geocache databases created with GSAK
c:geo | Free | An open source, full-featured, always ready-to-go unofficial client for multiple geocaching platforms
Geooh GO | Paid | A feature rich geocaching app that is beautiful to look at and easy to use
CacheBox | Free | Geocaching.com Live API enabled paperless mobile geocaching and database management
WhereYouGo | Free | Play Wherigo cartridges on your Android device
Benchmap | Free | Search and view National Geodetic Survey (NGS) survey stations on an interactive map
Benchmark Explorer | Free | Search the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) database to discover benchmarks near your location
Active Captain | Free | Provides the ultimate connected boating experience for compatible Garmin marine devices
Earthmate | Free | Scout, Map, Track, Explore, Sync and Share your trek from your mobile device
Garmin Pilot | Paid | Plan, File, Fly, Log. Turn your mobile device into the ideal cockpit companion