GPS Question

[WapitiTalk1]

Hey folks, my buddy and I both own older Lowance IFinder Hunt GPS units. They have been great units for geesh, for over 13 years! Sad news is that Joe's GPS died last year. He started getting white screens on it and ultimately, it wouldn't boot up again. Mine is a few years newer but I did notice it was struggling a bit last year as well (got some brief white screens) and I feel it may be on it's last leg.

Question 1: Can the waypoints on my old Lowrance be saved/transferred to a new unit?

Question 2: What do you cats recommend for a new GPS when the time comes?

As always, thanks! RJ

[Buzz2401]

I doubt the old waypoints will be able to be saved.  I would write them down and then you can hand enter them into your new gps.  I really like the Garmin brand but all of the major companies make good products.

[Bob33]

http://www.lowrance.com/Root/Lowrance-Documents/US/iFinderHunt_0148-481_072204.pdf

Page 38 describes the process for saving waypoints. If the waypoints from the Lowrance can be saved, there should be a way to upload them to a new unit.

[timberghost72]

Page 60-61 of that document tell you how to transfer data to and from your unit.

Are you getting another Lowrance or a different brand GPS? A different brand is a few more steps for file conversion to a different brand of GPS but can be done. 

[WapitiTalk1]

I thought you guys were gonna let my thread sink deep into the abyss!  Thank you for chiming in.  This is great information and I thank you.  Timberghost, I didn't thing Lowrance made hand held GPS's anymore?  I know they put a few out a few models a couple of years ago but again, didn't think they were making them currently.  RJ

[timberghost72]

I'm a Garmin fan so did not know that. I haven't shopped around for a GPS in years.

Check this site out http://www.gpsbabel.org/
Lots of good info. There are a few ways to convert GPS files.

Can you upload your waypoints to Google Earth? If so than converting that to a garmin file format is easy with Garmins Basecamp software (a free download).

[WapitiTalk1]

I'll check it out.  I know the older Lowrance models weren't "packed" with features that are probably commonplace nowadays. 

[timberghost72]

I am not familiar with Lawrance but all waypoints have xy coordinates attached to them based on a specific geographic coordinate system, WGS 84 for example. This is what gives them a place on the earth surface. If you have waypoints, you have xy coordinates. Just need to convert those to another file format for the new GPS. Like to a .gpx or.gdb. It really isnt too difficult one you dive into it.

Good luck.