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Using GPS files

GPS files on THEN

Most THEN projects include KML and GPX files of points of interest (POIs), and Custom Map files for the project areas that you can download. This page explains how to use them.

Go to Downloads.

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KML files

Putting KML information (from .kml files) onto your GPS device may vary from model to model and depend on what software you have in hand. Information here is for Garmin GPS devices.

The first step is to download the .kml file from THEN. When you're on the project page for which you want the POI KML file, right click on the KML link and save the .kml file to a place on your computer where you can find it again, e.g., desktop.

If you have the Garmin BaseCamp software on your computer (it's a free download even if you don't buy any maps or satellite images for it), you can then:

  1. import the .kml file you downloaded into BaseCamp using [File][Import into...]
  2. connect your GPS device to your computer with the USB cable and wait until your computer recognizes it as a USB device
  3. send the data you imported to your GPS device using [Device][Send to Device]

KML files are slightly smaller than GPX files. You can also use them on GeoYukon.

If you use the KML version of the THEN POI files, you do not also need the GPX version.

Go to Downloads to download KML files.

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GPX files

Putting GPX information (from .gpx files) onto your GPS device is much the same as for KML files above. You do not need both the KML version and the GPX version of the same file. They contain the same information in different formats.

The first step is to download the .gpx file from THEN. When you're on the project page for which you want the POI GPX file, right click on the GPX link and save the .gpx file to a place on your computer where you can find it again, e.g., desktop.

If you have the Garmin BaseCamp software on your computer (it's a free download even if you don't buy any maps or satellite images for it), you can then:

  1. import the .gpx file you downloaded into BaseCamp using [File][Import into...]
  2. connect your GPS device to your computer with the USB cable and wait until your computer recognizes it as a USB device
  3. send the data you imported to your GPS device using [Device][Send to Device]

Here is an article from Garmin on the subject. And here is more information on transferring data to your device using BaseCamp as well as another way of loading it directly into your device without using any special software.

Go to Downloads to download GPX files.

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Custom Maps

Garmin GPS

Custom Maps from THEN are satellite images with claim boundaries and points of interest overlaid on them. With a Custom Map for an area installed on your GPS, you can see your progress on the ground overlaid on the satellite image on your GPS. This helps you visualize the geographical context on your GPS screen bigger than you can see on the ground. This might help you see that you are approaching a certain feature or getting near a point of interest. Of course, with the points of interest in either KML or GPX format on your GPS, you can navigate right to those points.

Garmin says that Custom Maps work with the following Garmin GPS model families.

Here is how you put a THEN Custom Map on your Garmin GPS if it's one of the ones above.

  1. Right click on the map link and save the map (.kmz) file to a place on your computer where you can find it again, e.g., desktop.
  2. Connect your GPS device to your computer using the USB cable.
  3. Wait until the GPS starts up and your computer recognizes it as a USB device (or maybe two USB devices if you have an SD memory card installed in your GPS). The GPS will appear on your computer like a USB memory drive (or two USB memory drives).
  4. Navigate to the (device)/Garmin/CustomMaps folder on either the GPS or the SD card. If the CustomMaps folder does not exist under (device)/Garmin, then create the CustomMaps folder there.
  5. Copy the Custom Map .kmz file that you downloaded from THEN into the CustomMaps folder.
  6. Eject the GPS from your computer as you would a USB memory drive and then disconnect the USB cable.
  7. When you turn on your GPS and navigate to the area of the Custom Map, you should see the map on the screen.

You can import Custom Maps into the free Garmin BaseCamp software to help plan your visit to project areas.

Go to Downloads to download Custom Maps related to THEN projects.

Also check TIMaps for more free Custom Maps.

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