Editing/organizing Lowrance Waypoints on PC... - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

ProfessorLongArms · 08-24-2018, 10:50 AM

I'm in the process of backing up my Lowrance waypoints for the first time, and it occurs to me that I wouldn't mind an actual computer interface to properly label some waypoints, delete some old routes, and even program in some GPS points from some maps I've bought/pulled from reports, etc.

The internets don't have a ton of info, though I'm still early in my research.

I'm curious if anyone has thought along the same lines and possibly forged this path ahead of me.

I see Lowrance has "Insight Planner" and I'm reading up on EasyGPS though it looks like it only saves to GPX.

If GPX is my only option, from what I'm reading, I assume what I'd do is backup my waypoints, edit a copy, clear my Lowrance unit so it doesn't duplicate, and then reload the edited file with new, cleaned up waypoints.

There's an actual question in here somewhere:

Does anyone have a recommendation around GPS editing software on PC? Yay or nay is helpful. I don't mind paying a reasonable amount for decent software. I like that Lowrance looks like it will load up NOAA and Navionics charts.

Also has anyone else messed around with this and found any bugs/quirks in the process that I should be aware of? Especially in terms of file format.

Assuming there's not much info here and anyone else is interested, I'm also happy to share my results once I'm done messing around with it.

Cheers,
Spencer

ful-rac · 08-24-2018, 11:06 AM

Use Google Earth...to label, comment, edit, create, delete waypoints. Download your waypoints as GPX files then use them to view on Google Earth.

ProfessorLongArms · 08-24-2018, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Use Google Earth...to label, comment, edit, create, delete waypoints. Download your waypoints as GPX files then use them to view on Google Earth.

Thanks! That's great advice.
I was so busy looking at proprietary stuff I didn't even consider it.

Denis_Ruso · 08-24-2018, 03:12 PM

For the sake of continuing this conversation, I need to back-up my coordinates too. Never done it but I don't have a chip in my unit.

How would I go about backing up my points which are stored on the fishfinder itself, dumb it down for me .

ProfessorLongArms · 08-24-2018, 04:04 PM

Mine almost turned into a cautionary tale. I just spent an hour futzing with my hook5 to get it to power on, and with the multimeter showing full power at the terminal. I was just about convinced the unit was cooked, when I wiggled the cable one. last. time.

I swear, even with dialectic grease, I get so much corrosion in the terminals.

I just saved coordinates from my Hook5. You'll def need a microSD. Can't be bigger than 32gb apparently.

Menu Button>Settings>Charts>Waypoints, trails, etc.>Menu Button>Save data.

Looks like this unit only gives the option to save version 3 and version 2... whereas I had seen tutorials on HDS units to save 5 different formats including GPX. In fact, it looks like the only tutorials available are on the touchscreen models.

Version 3 includes depth data with the coordinates. Version two is just coordinates.
Per this info, it looks like you can use GPSBabel to convert to GPX if you want to edit. https://doctorsonar.com/blogs/educat...ance-waypoints

PapaDave · 08-27-2018, 11:56 AM

Do you have to save all the GPS points separately or does it save all of them at once?

08-24-2018, 10:50 AM	#1
ProfessorLongArms Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 401	Editing/organizing Lowrance Waypoints on PC... I'm in the process of backing up my Lowrance waypoints for the first time, and it occurs to me that I wouldn't mind an actual computer interface to properly label some waypoints, delete some old routes, and even program in some GPS points from some maps I've bought/pulled from reports, etc. The internets don't have a ton of info, though I'm still early in my research. I'm curious if anyone has thought along the same lines and possibly forged this path ahead of me. I see Lowrance has "Insight Planner" and I'm reading up on EasyGPS though it looks like it only saves to GPX. If GPX is my only option, from what I'm reading, I assume what I'd do is backup my waypoints, edit a copy, clear my Lowrance unit so it doesn't duplicate, and then reload the edited file with new, cleaned up waypoints. There's an actual question in here somewhere: Does anyone have a recommendation around GPS editing software on PC? Yay or nay is helpful. I don't mind paying a reasonable amount for decent software. I like that Lowrance looks like it will load up NOAA and Navionics charts. Also has anyone else messed around with this and found any bugs/quirks in the process that I should be aware of? Especially in terms of file format. Assuming there's not much info here and anyone else is interested, I'm also happy to share my results once I'm done messing around with it. Cheers, Spencer

08-24-2018, 11:06 AM	#2
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Use Google Earth...to label, comment, edit, create, delete waypoints. Download your waypoints as GPX files then use them to view on Google Earth. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

08-24-2018, 03:12 PM	#4
Denis_Ruso Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 571	For the sake of continuing this conversation, I need to back-up my coordinates too. Never done it but I don't have a chip in my unit. How would I go about backing up my points which are stored on the fishfinder itself, dumb it down for me . __________________ 2018 Hobie Outback 13 I do not fear the storm as it will teach me how to sail my ship.

08-24-2018, 04:04 PM	#5
ProfessorLongArms Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 401	Mine almost turned into a cautionary tale. I just spent an hour futzing with my hook5 to get it to power on, and with the multimeter showing full power at the terminal. I was just about convinced the unit was cooked, when I wiggled the cable one. last. time. I swear, even with dialectic grease, I get so much corrosion in the terminals. I just saved coordinates from my Hook5. You'll def need a microSD. Can't be bigger than 32gb apparently. Menu Button>Settings>Charts>Waypoints, trails, etc.>Menu Button>Save data. Looks like this unit only gives the option to save version 3 and version 2... whereas I had seen tutorials on HDS units to save 5 different formats including GPX. In fact, it looks like the only tutorials available are on the touchscreen models. Version 3 includes depth data with the coordinates. Version two is just coordinates. Per this info, it looks like you can use GPSBabel to convert to GPX if you want to edit. https://doctorsonar.com/blogs/educat...ance-waypoints Last edited by ProfessorLongArms; 08-24-2018 at 05:27 PM.

08-27-2018, 11:56 AM	#6
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,473	Do you have to save all the GPS points separately or does it save all of them at once? __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...