After several years of struggling with data all over the place, and spurred by questions from friends and a few FM'ers, I decided to finally take the time to figure this out.
It's a typical problem. We've got data in one place, and we want it in another. For backup (in case of breakage), upgrades from one fishfinder to another, selling boat, data on fishfinder you'd like on your handheld for ice-fishing, etc, etc, etc.
Previously, I've dead-ended with problems relating to software compatibility (Garmin vs. Lowrance) as well as issues with unreadable/unsupported file formats.
With some searching and a little bit of reading, I found an easy to use program called gpsbabel. It's downloadable freeware, and although unsupported, offers fairly good documentation (read it all!). The basic function it executes is to convert one waypoint file format into another, that is, a format which is readable to the unit that you're transferring the data to.
Here's an example. I had some hunting information (waypoints) on a Garmin 12XL unit I had a few years ago, and saved this data on computer. Until recently, I was unable to put this data on my H2O Here were the steps I performed:
1)Transfer data to computer (with serial cable provided with unit)
2)Install GPSBABEL by unzipping it into a folder of choice
3)Doubleclick on GPSBabelGUI.exe
4)Select input format type and filename (.txt file here) and select output type and filename(Lowrance .USR filename)
5)Use default options for first run (you can do this a number of times and save to different filenames)
6)Use GPSBABEL GUI program to convert Garmin type data to Lowrance data by clicking "Let's Go"
7)Insert blank SD card into card reader (cheap at bestbuy, compusa, etc)
8)Save filename.usr you converted/created with GPSBabel to blank SD card
9)Insert SD card into back of H20
10)Turn on H2O, hit menu twice from main map screen
11)Go into System setup menu and select "Transfer my data"
12)Select "Load" and choose filename on the card
Keep in mind, this is simply an example, and can be recreated, even more easily when transferring b/w units of same manufacturer.
Say you've got points on your older Lowrance GPS/fishfinder, and you want them on your H20 handheld.
1)Insert SD card into old unit
2)Transfer my data --> save (similar to above) and specify filename on card
3)Insert card into H20
4)Transfer my data --> Load
Follow the same general path from fishfinder to fishfinder as well.
Do some digging in the documentation, and you'll see that this software program supports multiple file types, even Delorme Street Atlas, Microsoft Streets & Trips, as well as Google Earth.
With the help of this program, I'm identifying deep rocks I didn't previously know were present in some of the lakes I fish with the help of Google Earth. I save a set of placemarks, save them as .kml's, and then convert and put into my H2O. This is a pretty slick way to locate previously unknown structure, esp. with good photos on clear lakes.
Wanderer, thanks for your reply. I do intend for it to be 24 volt, with a thrust of 70-80. Spot lock is a must (my wife is looking forward to
not being the anchor person any more). With my old boat we did quite a lot of pulling shad raps and hot n tots, using the trolling motor. Unlikely
that we will fish in whitecaps, did plenty of that when I was younger. I also need a wireless remote, not going back to a foot pedal. We do a fair amount of bobber fishing.
I don't think I will bother with a depth finder on the trolling motor. I am leaning toward moving my Garmin depth finder from my old boat to the
new one, just because I am so used to it and it works well for me. I am 70 years old and kinda set in my ways...
Dang, new content and now answers.
First, congrats on the new boat!
My recommendation is to get the most thrust you can in 24V, assuming a boat that size isn’t running 36V. 80 might be tops? I’m partial to MinnKota.
How do you plan to use the trolling motor is an important question too.
All weather or just nice weather?
Casting a lot or bait dragging?
Bobber or panfish fishing?
Spot lock? Networked with depth finders? What brand of depth finders?
We have bought a new boat, which we will be picking up this spring. It is an Alumacraft Competitor 165 sport with a 90 horse Yamaha
motor. I will be buying and installing a trolling motor, wondering if I can get some recommendations on what pound thrust I will
want for this boat? Also, I will be selling my old boat, is there a good way to determine the value on an older boat ( mid-80's with a 75 horse 2-stroke
Mariner motor) I will appreciate any help with these questions.
I went ahead and watched some of the MLF coverage. Wheeler didn’t make the cut but the bigger story was the Poche/Avera fallout.
Kinda funny listening to both sides of the story and putting together the scenario, reading between the lines.
Question
Hotspotter
After several years of struggling with data all over the place, and spurred by questions from friends and a few FM'ers, I decided to finally take the time to figure this out.
It's a typical problem. We've got data in one place, and we want it in another. For backup (in case of breakage), upgrades from one fishfinder to another, selling boat, data on fishfinder you'd like on your handheld for ice-fishing, etc, etc, etc.
Previously, I've dead-ended with problems relating to software compatibility (Garmin vs. Lowrance) as well as issues with unreadable/unsupported file formats.
With some searching and a little bit of reading, I found an easy to use program called gpsbabel. It's downloadable freeware, and although unsupported, offers fairly good documentation (read it all!). The basic function it executes is to convert one waypoint file format into another, that is, a format which is readable to the unit that you're transferring the data to.
Here's an example. I had some hunting information (waypoints) on a Garmin 12XL unit I had a few years ago, and saved this data on computer. Until recently, I was unable to put this data on my H2O Here were the steps I performed:
1)Transfer data to computer (with serial cable provided with unit)
2)Install GPSBABEL by unzipping it into a folder of choice
3)Doubleclick on GPSBabelGUI.exe
4)Select input format type and filename (.txt file here) and select output type and filename(Lowrance .USR filename)
5)Use default options for first run (you can do this a number of times and save to different filenames)
6)Use GPSBABEL GUI program to convert Garmin type data to Lowrance data by clicking "Let's Go"
7)Insert blank SD card into card reader (cheap at bestbuy, compusa, etc)
8)Save filename.usr you converted/created with GPSBabel to blank SD card
9)Insert SD card into back of H20
10)Turn on H2O, hit menu twice from main map screen
11)Go into System setup menu and select "Transfer my data"
12)Select "Load" and choose filename on the card
Keep in mind, this is simply an example, and can be recreated, even more easily when transferring b/w units of same manufacturer.
Say you've got points on your older Lowrance GPS/fishfinder, and you want them on your H20 handheld.
1)Insert SD card into old unit
2)Transfer my data --> save (similar to above) and specify filename on card
3)Insert card into H20
4)Transfer my data --> Load
Follow the same general path from fishfinder to fishfinder as well.
Do some digging in the documentation, and you'll see that this software program supports multiple file types, even Delorme Street Atlas, Microsoft Streets & Trips, as well as Google Earth.
With the help of this program, I'm identifying deep rocks I didn't previously know were present in some of the lakes I fish with the help of Google Earth. I save a set of placemarks, save them as .kml's, and then convert and put into my H2O. This is a pretty slick way to locate previously unknown structure, esp. with good photos on clear lakes.
Good luck!
Joel
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