GPS Waypoint organization?

[Mike Walerak]

Hi gang.

I currently have a HDS 5 on my bow and an HDS 7 on my console. I have a hadgepodge of waypoints on both of them that I would like to condense down to 1 master set. What is the best way to go about mapping them out on my computer and deciding which are worthless and which have spots marked? Most are not worthless but might have something silly marked. I would like to get them all down and plotted our so I can decide what to keep and what to discard and then load all the waypoints back to the units and store them in my pc for a backup.

Any suggestions?

[CaptainMusky]

This is a good question and one that I would like to resolve myself. Part of your "issue" would be resolved by a simple ethernet network connection between the two units. When you turn them both on, all waypoints are instantly loaded to each. So, you will ultimately get some duplicates, possibly if you are currently storing them on either unit.

The other part of viewing them and organizing etc could be accomplished by using the "Insight Planner" SW that Lowrance offers. You can upload all your waypoints to it, which would require you to put a blank SD card in your units, then download to the card and then plug into your computer. I think regardless of when you get your list cleaned up, make sure you network the two units because that will keep them in sync afterwards.

I have done a lot of cleanup of mine just on the unit itself. I would switch the icons displayed, the names, etc. I would put keywords or letters in the names so I could then sort them.

"LOW" would be on all Lake of the Woods" waypoints, etc. Then you can sort the waypoints in the list. Make sure all hazard or navigation type waypoints are using similar icons, again for sorting.

[delcecchi]

If you search on Lowrance Waypoints you get a bunch of links that discuss various ways of dealing with, uploading, downloading etc waypoints.

DrSonar has a discussion of doing so using Google Earth.

http://doctorsonar.com/pages/google-earth-and-lowrance-waypoints

I also saw mention of a program called expertgps (has a free trial) that purports to be able to do this kind of thing. It is not free. I know nothing about it beyond the claims on its web site.

[Mike Walerak]

Thanks Fellas. As soon as deer huntinging is over I'm going to Get these in order.

As far as the linking the two units togather I think I'm going to stick with what I have. I have been rather dissatified with the last round of Lowrance products and am gradually going to sitch to Hummingbird.

[CaptainMusky]

Its only an Ethernet cable to network them. Cheap and easy. Not like the old nmea 2000 networking with all the special plugs and adapters.