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September 26, 2005
Garmin Supports Google Earth
Garmin has released a beta of their MapSource software which supports Google Earth directly. You simply pull down the "View -> View in Google Earth" and you can see your tracks, waypoints, and routes in GE directly. You can download the beta version of MapSource here. I was just playing with MapSource this morning and was thinking I should see if there was an update, and then I saw this blurb at OgleEarth. This new beta just continues to show how influential Google Earth is becoming. Nearly all of the primary geographically oriented software products are rushing to release convenient features to either support the GE file format (KML/KMZ), or direct access to GE.
If you don't have a Garmin GPS, or don't want to download the beta, then all you need to do is save your track (or get it converted) into the GPX file format. Google Earth allows you to open GPX files and will convert them for you. This is how I've been getting my GPS data into GE for months now.
Posted by FrankTaylor at September 26, 2005 8:52 AM
Comments
Posted by: Bob Kusik at October 8, 2005 8:26 AM
Operator error .... if there are no routes or waypoints in MapSource, View in GE is gray'ed out because there's nothing to display.
Posted by: Bob Kusik at October 8, 2005 9:07 AM
Hi,
I created a script to convert Garmin maps into Google Earth.
Check it out in: http://jolcese.googlepages.com
Jose
Posted by: Jose Olcese at September 18, 2006 7:20 PM
read it do it read it do it read it do it read it do it read it do it
Posted by: raman rana at February 19, 2007 12:47 AM
It's not working for me. I click on the "View in Google Earth" and it tells me that Google earth must be installed first and provides a link to Google Earth so I can install it. Trouble is: Google Earth is already installed. Now what?
Posted by: Owen at June 14, 2007 7:37 PM
Is it possible to get a Google Map into a Garmin etrex Vista? Normally, I use MapSource but it would be nice to use the actual image as background when i am out GPSing.....
Posted by: Gary at June 15, 2007 8:46 AM
Perhaps it doesnt work in microsoft's latest operating system. I've used mapsource for nearly 10 years and am familiar with its functionality, and I have google earth plus installed. I am, however, running Vista 64-Bit edition, which is even poorly supported by microsoft at present. I can imagine that mapsource has trouble finding google earth in the redesigned vista architecture.
ps- gary, i believe the only garmin gps' that support raster based maps are the G1000 glass-cockpit series and the marine 4xxx/5xxx series. All the rest potentially only support vector maps, such as street/marine/topo charts.
Posted by: Ryan at August 7, 2007 10:17 PM
I wrote a little program that converts a MapSource export to Google Earth KML. Screenshots, download and instructions are here: http://kris.krytek.ca/gtokml
Posted by: Kris at August 8, 2007 10:23 AM
I've written a small program that converts mapsource exports to google earth kml files. Works great with aviation gps as it shows your altitude as well. Screenshots, download and instructions are here: http://kris.krytek.ca/gtokml
Posted by: Kris at August 8, 2007 10:25 AM
How do I draw a route in GE, then export it to MapSource? I can import Tracks/Route/Waypoints into GE, but when I try to export new Placemarks back into MapSource, it won't let me copy & paste. I have GE Plus..... Perhaps I need GE Pro or other?
Posted by: Jim at October 7, 2007 12:53 PM
See also http://bevhoward.com/G2WPT.htm for great tips on converting google map directions to routes and tracks. Works great (except since yesterday, possibly google changed the format?)
Posted by: Eric at October 30, 2007 4:19 AM
It's not working for me. I click on the "View in Google Earth" and it tells me that Google earth must be installed first and provides a link to Google Earth so I can install it. Trouble is: Google Earth is already installed. Now what?
Posted by: Robert at February 2, 2008 2:31 PM
I use a Forerunner 305. All my tracks, waypoints and routes on Google Earth are 40-50 metres off to east. How can this be fixed?
Posted by: Otto at February 7, 2008 9:24 PM
It is likely that your waypoints are off because of the datum in which they are stored. By default, most Garmin units are in WGS84. By interfacing mapping software with disparate datums, the points may be offset.
Posted by: GPSGuro at September 24, 2008 12:43 PM
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View>>View in Google Earth is gray'ed out in MapSource 6.9.0.2 Beta. Is that because it only works with the "Pro" version of GE?