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CONVERT KML TO GARMIN TUTORIAL

MARCH 14, 2014 | GRANT | 1 COMMENT

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We hope to help you get the most out of your GPS unit with our KML to Garmin tutorial.

One of the most common types of mapping data available on the internet is KML (keyhole markup
language). KMZ is another type of file that is basically the same as KML but usually contains some
extra embedded information The purpose of this tutorial is to show you how to convert a
KML/KMZ file into a format that will work in your Garmin GPS unit. There are two types of
KML/KMZ files that you often run into. One contains binary waypoints and tracks, in other words
just numerical data and labels. This type is almost always used for data sets that just contain
points and tracks (eg. snowmobile tracks, Tim Hortons locations, etc.) This is the type this tutorial
will be concerned with. The other type will include emededd material such as pixel-based
orthophotos and therefore have bigger file sizes. I will be doing another tutorial for that type
soon.

Definitions
So that we can better understand what exactly we are dealing with, I want to define a couple of
the terms that will be used throughout this guide.

KML This is a file that contains XML data with locations and other attributes. It can be opened
in Google Earth as well as many other programs. It can not be read directly by Garmin GPS

KMZ Think of a KMZ as the equivalent of a zip file of a KML and any external items the KML file
may source. For example a KMZ may contain a KML file and 100 individual jpgs that the KML
references. This way it is all present in one easily downloadable file. These cannot be read
directly by a Garmin GPS either. (certain types can but not the sort mentioned in this tutorial)

GPX This is a GPS exchange file. It is also an XML file that is used in almost any GIS or mapping
program. It may contains waypoints, tracks and routes. Handheld Garmins made within the last
4 or so years can read these directly. (62, 64, 78, Oregon, Rino 6xx, eTrex 20/30, Montana,
Monterra and more)

Step 1 Sourcing your KML

Find a KML or KMZ file of mapping information that you are interested in. For the purposes of
this tutorial we will be using snowmobile maps of Manitoba found here:
http://www.trackshare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67072

Save the KML to your computer. Try opening it up in Google Earth if you want to see what
information the file contains.

KML snowmobile track and shelter waypoint in Google Earth

Individually named tracks within the KML

Step 2 Converting KML to GPX

We will need to convert this data into a format that a Garmin GPS unit can read, like GPX. To
make this happen we will need to download a program. The program I have always used is called
GPS Babel and it can be downloaded here:

GPS Babel is a small and free utility program that any self respecting person who is into this kind
of thing should have on their computer. Once you have downloaded and installed the program,
select your KML file as the input and GPX as the output. Make sure to also select Google Earth
(Keyhole) Markup Language for input format and GPX XML for the output format. You can
also filter if you want waypoints, tracks or routes. Hit Apply.

GPSBabel Settings

Step 3 VIewing and Modifying the GPX

Now that we have a GPX file, we can view it in many different mapping programs. When dealing
with a Garmin GPS unit I like to use Garmins own Mapsource program which can be downloaded
for free here.

Garmins other free mapping program Basecamp can also view GPX files.

In Mapsource, click file -> open then select the GPX file you made. From here the tracklogs,
waypoints and routes from the KML will show up in Mapsource much like they did in Google
Earth. If you have any Garmin mapping products this GPS data will display on top of the map.
Garmins Topo Canada is being used as a background in the picture below.
Tracklog and waypoint from GPX displayed in Mapsource

A list of all waypoints, tracklogs and routes opened from the GPX will appear in the left column in
Mapsource. You can view, modify, delete or change color and icons here.

A complete breakdown of all waypoints, routes and tracks

As you can see, these track names arent very descriptive and you may decide to name them
something that will be easier to recognize on the GPS. Once you are done, click file -> save.

Step 4 Putting the GPX Into a Garmin

Now that you have made sure all the tracklogs, routes and waypoints are there and ready for use,
we need to get them into your handheld Garmin GPS unit. (nuvis will work for waypoints but not
tracks or routes) There are 2 ways to do this. If you have a Garmin that is 4 or more years old
such as the 60cx/csx or 76cx/csx you will want to transfer it to the device through Mapsource. If
you have a more current model such as a Montana, Oregon, 62 or 78 you can either place the
GPX file right into its internal memory or open the GPS in Basecamp and sync it that way.

For the older units:

Transferring via Mapsource to older models

Click Send To Device. Once device is found click Send.

For newer models:

Drag and drop into Garmin GPX folder method

Once your GPS unit is connected to your computer via USB, it will appear as an external device
under your My Computer. Click through to the Garmin folder then the GPX folder. Drag your
GPX file into the folder. You have now successfully taken the KML file you found on the internet
and put it into your unit. This manual method is the way I prefer to do it, but you can also do it
through Garmins Basecamp program:
Sending your GPX data to your Garmin GPS
through Basecamp

Launch Basecamp with your GPS unit connected to your computer via USB. It will appear in the
left menu under Devices. To bring the GPX into Basecamp select My Collection under Library
then click File -> Import into My Collection. Select your GPX file and Basecamp will put it into
your My Collection. Now select the GPX file from My Collection and click the button circled in
yellow in the picture above. Select your GPS unit and click done. Now you know how to do it
through Basecamp as well.

Step 5 Enabling Tracklog Visibility

You have almost made it all the way through our KML to Garmin tutorial. Now that the
information is on your GPS you will need to be able to use it. Waypoints are simply found under
waypoints just as they normally are. Tracklogs are found under Main Menu -> Tracks on older
models and Main Menu -> Track Manager on the newer models. One unfortunate thing is that
your GPS will have all tracks set to invisible by default. I think they do this so that your map isnt
cluttered up by tracklogs. To make them visible, go into your Track Manager then select the
track you want to make appear on your map. From here one of the options will say either Show
On Map or Hide on Map. This part has thrown me for a loop before as it can be tricky to tell
which of the two you should have showing to make the map visible. The correct answer is Hide
on Map, believe it or not.
Hide on Map

Now when you go to your Map Page you will see the tracklog overlaid on top of whatever map
you are using.

Tracklog over top of Topo

Canada

KML to Garmin Tutorial Conclusion

There you have it. One thing you should take away from this post is that all spatial data such as
waypoints and tracklogs are really just a latitude and longitude with a label and therefore can be
fairly easily converted from one format to another. If you stumble across something out there
that you think you would like to have on your GPS there is very rarely anything stopping you.

We hope you learned something from our our KML to Garmin tutorial and we are going to keep
bringing you these blog posts. If there is a topic or tutorial you would be interested in reading
about please let me know: grant@gpszone.ca

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TRACKS TRAILS WAYPOINTS