OpenStreetMap
Garmin Etrex H data capture troubles!
Posted by Former OSM contributor on 10 January 2010 in English.Is it only me, but I have spent the last 2 days trying in vain to extract the tracks from my Garmin unit. I tried XP, Vista, Ubuntu and Ubuntu Mint with a mixture of different GPS software packages and hardshke protocols. The annoying thing is the GPS part works with Linux and tangoGPS! With the extra money I spent buying a Prolific PL2303 serial to USB cable, I could have put another few quid towards a Garmin model with a USB port.
We live and learn!
Discussion
Comment from JohnSmith on 10 January 2010 at 12:01
If you tried all that and can't extract the data did you attempt to contact garmin and/or get your money back?
Comment from JohnSmith on 10 January 2010 at 12:01
If you tried all that and can't extract the data did you attempt to contact garmin and/or get your money back?
Comment from Gnonthgol on 10 January 2010 at 14:15
gpsbabel fixes most problems, sometimes a bit hard to use.
The other thing you might try is to set the gps to storage mode, that way you can copy the trace using a file manager.
You could try removing the flash card and use an external card reader.
Comment from UrbanRambler on 11 January 2010 at 16:28
if memory serves me right, on linux (Ubuntu)
gpsbabel -w -t -i garmin -f /dev/ttyUSB0 -o gpx -F (file name & location)
Comment from UrbanRambler on 11 January 2010 at 16:36
if memory serves me right, on linux (Ubuntu)
gpsbabel -w -t -i garmin -f /dev/ttyUSB0 -o gpx -F /location/filename.gpx)
or gpsbabelgui does it with tick boxes - it's all in the gpsbabel documentation (somewhere).
Comment from Former OSM contributor on 11 January 2010 at 21:12
No, the gpsbabel instruction didn't work.
dmesg gives the following
[14834.784177] usb 2-2: USB disconnect, address 12
[14834.784576] pl2303 ttyUSB0: pl2303 converter now disconnected from ttyUSB0
[14834.784616] pl2303 2-2:1.0: device disconnected
[14838.788122] usb 2-1: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 13
[14838.947356] usb 2-1: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
[14838.949310] pl2303 2-1:1.0: pl2303 converter detected
[14838.971338] usb 2-1: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB0
Again, NMEA function works o.k. and connects to TangoGPS but thats not I want the Garmin for because I have what seems a more accurate GPS dongle that I used for my mapping input after driving around the local area with the laptop recording the track. This Etrex was purchased to use when out walking and cycling where the car can't go. As it's a serial connection same as when it's talking Nmea, this proves the cable hasn't a broken connection. I'm used to handshakes for serial devices and apparently the Garmin protocol doesn't handshake?
If I plug the unit into the adjacent USB port it reports the same ttyUSB0 although listing it as [15355.343325] usb 2-2: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB0.
Anyway: This - gpsbabel -w -t -i garmin -f /dev/ttyUSB0 -o gpx -F /home/andrew/mytrack.gpx
Results in this - [ERROR] A800_Off: Not acknowledged
This results in a hang with a blinking cursor - gpsbabel -t -i garmin -f /dev/ttyUSB0 -o gpx -F garmin.gpx
I apologise if this is forum like but I am so frustrated due to the fact I driven to a remote part of Scotland today for work which I could have logged but the Garmin will not take any more tracks. I believe 11 being the limit?
Comment from Former OSM contributor on 11 January 2010 at 21:47
Seems I owe a big apology, gpsbabel didn't hang it took such a long time to download the data it seemed like a hang. I noticed after typing the reply above the Garmin had a message on the bottom of the screen "Transfer complete". I have loaded them into JOSM and can now get to work mapping again. Thanks for the help.