Organizing your GPS files (tracks and waypoints)

[tdefrane]

I have a 60Csx and the geek in me is starting to get stressed about how to organize my files. So what I've been doing for awhile is simply marking waypoints for my car camping spots and various spots throughout AZ. Now I've got some tracks that i'de like to keep as it's trails that i have either done or plan on doing. The 60Csx only will allow like 20 saved tracks on there at a time if I remember. So my questions is how do you guys all manage your files? Do you only load the immediate track for each trip? Do you store everything on your GPS? I've considered maybe doing a file for out in the supes, another for flagstaff area, etc. The problem with this is that now all my Waypoints are stored across multiple 'base files'. Any recommendations? I'm using MapSource and I lost my TOPO CD that came with it, so I'm just using the free 24k AZ topos from a fellow 'depot' site with the Southwestern Trails from the same site.

Please advise... I'm a geek that LOVES organization, but prefer to not have a major ordeal swapping files.

Lastly, have you guys had success in sharing your files across multiple computers? I have several laptops (with a network SAN at my house) that I might load tracks from if possible.

[Sredfield]

I keep all tracks on the computer, very few on the receiver--usually clear the machine before every hike, and have only the track for the hike of the day on it. This was part of the learning curve for me, the gizmo is so much more effective when used with a computer. The file and file size (data points) limits are just too confining, you have to use the computer to manage them all. On the computer they are organized however you want, by region, date, trail if it's a long one, etc. You might load the gps files to a flash drive so you can share them between computers.

[The_Eagle]

For what it's worth....

My GPS also only allows 20 Tracks. On my GPS are only the planned track(s) for the day, and sometimes some plan "B"s... Just in case.
Also....All the Way points I've ever created (Haven't had to worry about deleting any yet)

On My computer's HD, I have a folder called
- GPS

Under that are individual folders with:
- GPS TOPO Mapfiles
- GPS Editing Programs
- GPS Tracks

Under the GPS Tracks folder are folders for
- HAZ Downloaded Tracks
- My Hiked Tracks (Non AZT)
- My AZT Tracks (Both hiked and Drawn)

[big_load]

I keep all tracks on the computer, very few on the receiver--usually clear the machine before every hike

That's pretty much what I do. I keep a bunch of important waypoints always on the GPS, but all other tracks and waypoints are organized by trip or geographical area in .gdb or .gpx files on my computer.

[PLC92084]

I'm with sredfield and big_load... All GPS tracks are stored on my NAS device so I can access them from anywhere. Since I tend towards OCD (been accused of that, anyway...) I've got things organized by State, Hike Name, Track Name and Date. That way I search for any item based on various criteria...

[johnlp]

Ditto. Much easier to organize everything on the computer & load only a few things at most onto the GPS.

[DarthStiller]

I’ve actually started to keep all my tracks on my GPS that I’ve hiked and downloaded from HAZ. I expected to hit some limit on my Oregon, but it seems to allow a whole bunch of tracks. Not sure if there’s a number limit or not, or if it’s just memory-quantity based. I actually have had a time or two when I’ve been back in the same area (South Mt. most recently) or nearby where having the tracks in my GPS came in very handy. As far as organizing them goes, I’m just starting to figure that one out myself. In general I tend to want to keep the downloaded track separate from my hiked tracks. I need to start doing that soon or I’ll start to forget what’s what.

[Tough_Boots]

I like having my GPS pretty clean. I store everything on my computer by area and then usually only load the tracks I need and sometimes tracks for surrounding trails. I also keep one Garmin file with all the tracks I've hiked just cuz I'm a nerd and like to see the ground I've covered.

[tdefrane]

This has been really helpful guys! I really appreciate it. I think one of my dilemas was whether I should keep them all on there or not. I like the idea of keeping it clean. I like the idea of organizing folders by Utils, Topos, then Tracks. Within Tracks, having like HAZ Trails and My trails.

I really would like to somehow still have a GPX file that I can easily load to show 'where I have been'. I still have some playing to do, but i'm definately getting there. My GF has my GPS right now so I cant play. Go figure, the doctor lays me up for 2 days and I don't have my GPS to play with. Boo hoo.

I come from being a programmer, so naming conventions is HUGE to me. I wish HAZ would use some convention (some trails have it) where the trail ID is the first thing. Just looks nicer when you have a bunch of trails in a directory, you can identify them easier, especially the ones with multiple GPS tracks for each trail.

[Sredfield]

I really would like to somehow still have a GPX file that I can easily load to show 'where I have been'.

You can load all the routes/tracks/etc. into a MapSource file and transfer that to the unit if/when there is a reason to. If you have TOPO you could put them all in that format too.

[big_load]

I really would like to somehow still have a GPX file that I can easily load to show 'where I have been'.

You can load all the routes/tracks/etc. into a MapSource file and transfer that to the unit if/when there is a reason to. If you have TOPO you could put them all in that format too.

Here's my simple procedure:

1. copy all my tracks from the GPS into MapSource
2. copy them into the clipboard
3. open my big .gdp or .gpx file
4. paste the clipboard back into MapSource
5. save

Repeat steps 1-5 with Waypoints if so desired. It helps if you're waypoints don't all have names like "car" and "camp".

[AZLumberjack]

I have been keeping all my trails saved on SD card as well as on my laptop. That way I keep my GPS clean and have the SD card available to load or save new trails. As the files are on the computer, I can insert some descriptive file names for easy reference and quick access when on the trail.

[azbackpackr]

Sure wish I was that smart. I have a new laptop and have not even TRIED hooking my GPS to it. I did hook it to the old PC and used a free program, and finally figured out how to upload routes to here on HAZ.

Did you buy a software, and if so, which one? I am terrible about this stuff, just really super-challenged. I mostly use the GPS to tell me how far I have hiked and how fast I have hiked, and to tell me what time it is, and I occasionally look at the very bad map that is on it. (My friend had Mapsource and loaded it on for me. It is just awful, just the worst topo map I have ever seen. Has very few features on it, although it is a topo map. At least it is a bit better than the really stupid highway map that came with it. Why would I need a highway map with a handheld GPS?? I have a Garmin 60Cx.)

[big_load]

Did you buy a software, and if so, which one? I am terrible about this stuff, just really super-challenged. I mostly use the GPS to tell me how far I have hiked and how fast I have hiked, and to tell me what time it is, and I occasionally look at the very bad map that is on it. (My friend had Mapsource and loaded it on for me. It is just awful, just the worst topo map I have ever seen. Has very few features on it, although it is a topo map. At least it is a bit better than the really stupid highway map that came with it. Why would I need a highway map with a handheld GPS?? I have a Garmin 60Cx.)

I use mostly MapSource and National Geographic TOPO, and occassionally Garmin BaseCamp. MapSource doesn't have a map of its own, it shows whatever maps are installed, so what you saw is not indicative of its capabilities. If you didn't like it, I would guess you saw the 100k-series Garmin maps. The 24k maps are a lot better.

As for highway maps on a handheld, they're quite useful, since the 60Cx is an auto-routing unit that (except for beeping instead of talking) gives the same turn-by-turn directions you get from an in-car unit. The City Navigator Map has every road in the continental US (including the most impassable backroad) and well over a million points of interest (restaurants, gas stations, etc). It's great for getting to the TH and I use it all the time for business travel.