Connecting a laptop to a GPS allows you to transfer .gpx files from your laptop to your GPS to navigate a trip. It also enables you to transfer .gpx files from your GPS to your laptop for reviewing a completed trip. You can also connect your laptop and GPS and take both of them with you on a trip to capture real-time tracking and view your GPS tracks as you travel.
Instructions
Connect a Laptop to a GPS
1. Locate the USB ports on your laptop and GPS. The GPS ports are typically on the back of the device and may be covered by a rubber cap for protection.
2. Plug one end of the USB cable (typically a flat, rectangular USB A connector) into your laptop.
3. Plug the other end of the USB cable (typically a five-pin trapezoidal USB mini connector) into your GPS.
Transfer a GPX File From a Laptop to a GPS
4. Connect your laptop to your GPS.
5. Open EasyGPS or the software included with your GPS.
6. Click "File -- Open," select the GPX file on your laptop and click "Open."
7. Click "GPS -- Send to GPS."
8. In the "Send to GPS" window, select "Waypoints," "Routes" and "Tracks" and click "OK." You will now have waypoints, tracks and routes on your GPS for navigating your trip.
Transfer a GPX File From a GPS to a Laptop
9. Connect your laptop to your GPS.
10. Open EasyGPS or the software included with your GPS.
11. Click "GPS -- Receive from GPS."
12. In the "Receive from GPS" window, select "Waypoints," "Routes" and "Tracks" and click "OK." You will now have waypoints, tracks and routes on your laptop for reviewing your completed trip.
Capture Real-time Tracking
13. Connect your laptop to your GPS.
14. Open Google Earth and click "Tools -- GPS." In the GPS Import dialog box, click the Real-time tab. For "Select protocol" choose NMEA. Choose the desired "Track point import limit" (default is 10) and "Polling interval (seconds)" (default is every four seconds). Click to enable "AutomaticallyFollow the Path" to enable the 3D viewer to follow the real-time GPS track. Click "Start" to start real-time tracking.
15. Walk, ride or drive your track from start to finish. At the end of your trip, click "Stop" to end real-time GPS tracking. Close the GPS Import dialog box.
16. Click the Historical tab. For Device choose the name of your device. For Import select "Waypoint," "Tracks" and "Routes." For Options, choose among the options "Created icons for tracks and routes show direction,""Draw lines for tracks and routes" and "Adjust altitudes to ground height."
17.Click "Import" to import the file. When Import finishes, it displays the pop-up alert window "Loaded # Tracks with # Track Points." Click "OK." Click "X" to close the GPS Import window.
18. In Places click "Temporary Places." Select your GPS device (e.g. Garmin GPS Device) to display your map, waypoints, tracks and routes.
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