![Garmin Garmin](http://img.bhs4.com/55/A/55A9B06D884DFF2493B5F1384593B10C28953043_large.jpg)
Step 1: Connect the GPS unit to the computer You will need a cable., of course, and there are also third-party cables. Step 2: Configure the GPS receiver Ensure that your GPS unit is 'Garmin' transmission mode. For the Garmin 12 receiver, this is done by accessing the Main Menu page, choosing Setup Menu, then choosing Interface, highlighting the first line, then changing it to the GRMN/GRMN setting. For more information, consult your manual.
Free worldwide Garmin maps from OpenStreetMap, available in Basecamp, MapSource, RoadTrip and gmapsupp. Request your map or download it directly.
If you do not have a manual, Garmin has manuals on-line (Go through the and find your receiver, then go to the page about your receiver and there should be a link to a downloadable manual.) Step 3: Start the download software There are many software solutions available for downloading waypoints from your GPS. I will introduce two options but there are others:. Garmin's software is called MapSource and is as part of any of their. There is free software called available that will allow you to download waypoints and other data from your GPS unit. Whichever program you are using, start it.
![Garmin Garmin](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125425491/643305751.jpg)
Step 4: Download the waypoints Using the MapSource software, go to Edit - Preferences. In the Preferences window, set Distance and Speed to Metric and Position Format to 'Lat/Lon hddd.ddddd'. Click 'OK' to close the window and go to File - Open from Device. Select Waypoints, Routes and Tracks to be downloaded and click on Open. See screenshots below.
If you are using Waypoint+ you will need to go to the File – Configuration – Modes menu. Set the coordinates to Decimal Degrees and units to meters. Then go to the File – Datum menu and select North America 1983 (NAD83). (Choose a different datum if you know what you need.) Next you will need to go to GPS – Port and make sure the port is set to COM1 (or whichever port you are using). Last, select Waypoints – Download to download your waypoints.
If you want to download tracks or routes, you can do so from the appropriate menu. See screenshots below. Step 5: Save the waypoints Using the MapSource software, choose File - Export and choose Text (Tab-Delimited). In Waypoint+, save the waypoints as a comma-delimited textfile ( File – Save – Waypoint). Make sure to note where you save your waypoint file.
If you are saving tracks or routes you can save each kind separately or you can create a combined file using File - Save - Combined.