Importing GPX File into a Garmin GPS 5212

[geoffschultz]

I'm in Belize trying to help a new cruiser by supplying them with routes in Belize. I have the routes in a GPX file. I know nothing about Garmin marine products, and the boat's owner isn't very technical. We have been unable to figure out how to import the GPX file into his GPS 5212. Can anyone provide some guidance?

Thanks, Geoff

 

[Rich Stidger]

Maybe I can help. First a couple of questions-
Do you have the owner's manual for the GPS 5212?
Do you have a micro SD memory card whose size is 8Gb to 32GB?
Do you have a computer with a SD card slot?
Do you have an adapter for the micro SD card that will allow it to insert into the SD slot on the computer?
Can you load the .GPX file onto the computer?

If you answer YES to all of the above, I think I can help you. Send me your answers.

Rich

 

[TimFromLI]

The Garmin has a slot for an SD card. If you can copy them onto an SD card, you should be able to import them into the garmin.

 

[geoffschultz]

Maybe I can help. First a couple of questions-
Do you have the owner's manual for the GPS 5212?
Do you have a micro SD memory card whose size is 8Gb to 32GB?
Do you have a computer with a SD card slot?
Do you have an adapter for the micro SD card that will allow it to insert into the SD slot on the computer?
Can you load the .GPX file onto the computer?

If you answer YES to all of the above, I think I can help you. Send me your answers.

Rich

Yes to all of the above

 

[geoffschultz]

The Garmin has a slot for an SD card. If you can copy them onto an SD card, you should be able to import them into the garmin.

I wish that were the case.

 

[TimFromLI]

Page 3 (page 7 of 116) shows an sd card slot

 

[Rich Stidger]

I wish that were the case.

I'm with @TimFromLI , according to the Garmin manual for the 5212, there is a micro SD slot in the lower right corner of the instrument.
Are you saying that your instrument doesn't have such a slot? If there is no memory slot, then I can't help you and you are stuck.
The issue is that you can't simply copy the .gpx file to a card and import it directly. You need to convert the gpx file to an adm file and then you should be able to import it.
I can point you to a file converter and describe the steps involved.

 

[geoffschultz]

I wish that were the case.

Yes, it has an SD slot, but I have not been able to find any method to simply copy the GPX files to the SD card and import them. It appears to involve software on a PC, and I have been unable to put the pieces together to do this.

 

[geoffschultz]

I can point you to a file converter and describe the steps involveI can point you to a file converter and describe the steps involved.

This is what I need. I have been unable to figure out what converter to use, what format to output, and/or where to place the converted files.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I have company arriving today, but I will have time to detail instructions tonight. Meanwhile, go to the following link and download and install "GPS Utility" file version 5.50 and read the instructions. It is a free utility but you may like to make a donation to the creator.

GPS Utility - Download

In a nutshell, you install the micro SD device into the chart plotter and format it. Then save all of the existing waypoints, and routes, and tracks to it. Then put the micro SD card into an adapter and then into the computer and save the file to the computer. It will be in a particular folder on the SD card and it will have an extension of .adm.
Then, using the GPS Utility, input the .gps file with all of the new waypoints & routes and then save it as a .adm format. Copy that adm file to the SD card and then load into the chartplotter.
I can answer questions tonight if you have any.
Let me know how you make out.

 

[Rich Stidger]

In the GPS Utility Manual ( a separate file created when the utility is installed), these instructions seem important:

Thes notes are not easy to find so I am posting them here-

Garmin SD Card files

Some Garmin GPS receivers write/read user data (waypoints, routes and tracks) to SD card files instead of using aninterface cable. The folder structure is normally

..\Garmin \ UserData \ UserData.ADM
|
\ GarminDevice.xml

To transfer data to/from the GPS using GPS Utility, first initialise the SD card by following the procedure in your Garmin GPS manual. This will write the correct folder structure to your SD card. Move the SD card to a suitable card reader device on your computer.

To transfer data from the card to GPS Utility open the 'UserData.ADM' file in the '..\Garmin\UserData' folder using File|Open...

To transfer data to the SD card from GPS Utility File|Save.. the data as a file, 'UserData.ADM' in the '..\Garmin\UserData' folder on the SD Card as the file '. If the filename is not correct then GPSU will ask you to confirm the filename.

 

[geoffschultz]

I have company arriving today, but I will have time to detail instructions tonight. Meanwhile, go to the following link and download and install "GPS Utility" file version 5.50 and read the instructions. It is a free utility but you may like to make a donation to the creator.

GPS Utility - Download

In a nutshell, you install the micro SD device into the chart plotter and format it. Then save all of the existing waypoints, and routes, and tracks to it. Then put the micro SD card into an adapter and then into the computer and save the file to the computer. It will be in a particular folder on the SD card and it will have an extension of .adm.
Then, using the GPS Utility, input the .gps file with all of the new waypoints & routes and then save it as a .adm format. Copy that adm file to the SD card and then load into the chartplotter.
I can answer questions tonight if you have any.
Let me know how you make out.

Thanks for the info. We've been moving yesterday and for the next 2 days, so I haven't had time to go over to their boat and try this.

Does it matter what I name the ADM file?

 

[Rich Stidger]

Does it matter what I name the ADM file?

I don't think so. But I don't have this GPS5212. I have used the GPS Utility to transfer between my ancient GPS 492, my computer, and my Raymarine RL80C. The ADM format is new to me.

 

[geoffschultz]

Thanks for the info. We've been moving yesterday and for the next 2 days, so I haven't had time to go over to their boat and try this.

Does it matter what I name the ADM file?

thank you for your help. Yesterday I was able to install the GPS Utility and merge my routes into the existing ADM file. I'm not sure if that was the best way to do it, but it worked....to a point.

I didn't realize the the 5212 is limited to 20 (not a typo) routes! Now we'll need to go through and delete a bunch of exiting routes that they don't need (right now).

What this has shown to me is a huge appreciation for the ease of use of my prior RayMarine, NorthStar, and current B&G chartplotters. I had a Garmin as a backup chartplotter (I have always had a primary and a backup) quite some time back, and this reminded me why I never used it. It's crazy to have to go through all of these steps.

Thanks again--Geoff (underway to Lighthouse reef in Belize)

 

[Rich Stidger]

I didn't realize the the 5212 is limited to 20 (not a typo) routes! Now we'll need to go through and delete a bunch of exiting routes that they don't need (right now).

My Garmin GPS492 has a 50 route limit. What I do is create longer routes by concatenating shorter ones. Then I just run part of a route.

I also have two files with all my waypoints and a selection of routes for a particular area. Depending upon my location I just load the appropriate set of routes.

I'm glad to learn the software and instructions worked for you.