Waypoint icons

I have had problems when moving files of waypoints between GPS receivers and
software. I often find that the sets of waypoint types and associated icons
differ and my chosen waypoints have been reduced to a single type (such as
Garmin's default "waypoint"). Garmin's MapSource has evolved different sets
of waypoint icons and types in successive versions. I have had four
different Garmin GPS receivers and all seem to have a different set of
waypoint icons. The latest problem I have struck is differences between
icons in MemoryMap (which provides a version of OSGB's 1:50,000 maps) and in
MapSource.

I have found information on the Internet on the waypoint types and icons
available in a number of individual GPS receivers and software. Can anyone
point me to a comparison of the sets of waypoint icons and types used or to
a method or strategy for moving files of waypoints with minimal loss of
information?

Mark I, UK

Mark Illingworth wrote:

I just went through a similar thing with a recently acquired Garmin 76Cx
and the MapSource application used for managing Garmin mapping packages.

My initial problem was that I wanted to use a less intrusive icon than
the default icon (a blue flag) used for waypoints on the GPS. I
downloaded all the waypoints to MapSource, changed them all to use
another icon and uploaded them back to the 76Cx.

The 76Cx changed the icons back to the blue flag that I did not want to
use. I started experimenting and found that the icons selected in Map
source (this was for BlueChart V8.0) would either revert back to a blue
flag, be changed to an icon on the GPS that was other than the one seen
in MapSource, or I would get the icon chosen in Map source on both the
GPS and MapSource.

So I eventually found a icon that would work for me. But I certainly
have not "broken the code" on the myriad Garmin symbol sets and how they
are used between the different GPS units.

I also use GPS Utility for storing some waypoints and routes and it
offers a choice of a number of symbol sets and has some information in
its help file about the different sets. But it is all pretty confusing
to me and I don't think I understand quite what is going on here. It
looks like maybe Garmin has changed and enlarged its icons and may have
invalidated some of the symbol set used in the past.

You might look at the trial version of GPS Utility, the details in the
help file might be helpful to you.


I can't help with the first part of that but you might try to find some
icons that are generic or used consistently between the different sets
and devices and limit yourself to using those.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA (jackerbes at adelphia dot net)
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine dot com)

I went through this when upgrading from an eTrex Yellow to a GPSMap60cs.
Using MapSource, or g7towin, or ExpertGPS, all of my "houses", changed to
"cities". Closer examination of the gpx file showed a symbol and type of
house/house changing to residence/residence, but that didn't seem to map
correctly.

I made something that worked for me, with little dots, but I'm not overly
happy. I have radio beacons, flags, dots and exclamation points on my GPS
now, and white squares when I view one of my gpx files in Google Earth.

--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

If you download the programmer's documentation you'll see the symbol
mappings. Garmin did not keep the symbol mapping constant in their
various GPS's. This is a major pain in the neck for programmers. It
is ironic that the Garmin program doesn't get this right. You'd think
they would test that.

-wolfgang
--
Wolfgang S. Rupprecht http://www.wsrcc.com/wolfgang/

"Wolfgang S. Rupprecht"

Thanks Wolfgang. I have downloaded the Garmin Device Interface Software
Development Kit from http://www.garmin.com/support/commProtocol.html and
intend to use the long list of symbols as the starting point for comparison
of the various sets.