03-07-2015, 11:14 PM
Basically, I inserted an SD card into my HDS-5 Lowrance and used the page/menus to "export" the waypoints to the SD card.
Then I downloaded a [url "http://www.eaglenav.com/en/Downloads/GPS-Data-Manager-GDM/"]free waypoint management program from Eagle called "GDM6" (GPS Data Manager)[/url]. Understand that for many years, Eagle and Lowrance were to fish finders as Chevy is to GMC or Ford is to Mercury. So Eagle had a GPS data management program that worked for both. Lowrance support told me that it still works for most Lowrances. I downloaded it and gave it a try and yup ... works good.
So anyway, with the GDM6 program downloaded and installed on my PC, I plugged the SD card (with all the waypoints that I had previously copied from my Lowrance) into a SD card reader slot in my PC. Then launched GDM6. In that application, under "File" you have the option to go out to the SD card and save the data file down to your computer. Doing so backs up your data. I didn't need to but GDM6 has a feature where you can go into the individual waypoints and make modifications to them or rename them, etc.
So, at that point, I had them backed up on my PC and I have a backup of them on an SD card as well.
If/when I want to, I can take that SD card and insert it into my brother's Lowrance and, and using the page/menus I can copy them onto his unit(s).
A couple things to keep in mind here is that certain Lowrnce units only accept certain size SD cards. You have to call [url "http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Contact-Us/"]Lowrance support[/url] to find out which SD card to use in your unit.
Also, understand that each model of Lowrance unit has a slightly different menu system. You have to use a little logic to figure out how to get to where you want to go in the particular menu system. Lowrance support was kind enough to guide me though that a little too.
I highly doubt that one could use the Eagle GDM program for any brands other than Eagle or Lowrance. But I am certain that any fishfinder manufacture worth their salt will have an equivalent application that can be downloaded to use to backup/modify and manage your saved waypoints for your particular manufacture.
I'll bet that many of the vendors will be at the ISE show next weekend and you could ask them for details too.
Attached are my notes on how I backed up my waypoints and copied them to my PC. But remember, they are just for Lowrance and then just form my particulr model (HDS-5).
Oh, and here is the Web page to download that free Eagle/Lowrance [url "http://www.eaglenav.com/en/Downloads/GPS-Data-Manager-GDM/"]GPS Data Manager program[/url]:
[url "http://www.eaglenav.com/en/Downloads/GPS-Data-Manager-GDM/"]http://www.eaglenav.com/en/Downloads/GPS-Data-Manager-GDM/[/url]
--- Coot ---
[signature]
Then I downloaded a [url "http://www.eaglenav.com/en/Downloads/GPS-Data-Manager-GDM/"]free waypoint management program from Eagle called "GDM6" (GPS Data Manager)[/url]. Understand that for many years, Eagle and Lowrance were to fish finders as Chevy is to GMC or Ford is to Mercury. So Eagle had a GPS data management program that worked for both. Lowrance support told me that it still works for most Lowrances. I downloaded it and gave it a try and yup ... works good.
So anyway, with the GDM6 program downloaded and installed on my PC, I plugged the SD card (with all the waypoints that I had previously copied from my Lowrance) into a SD card reader slot in my PC. Then launched GDM6. In that application, under "File" you have the option to go out to the SD card and save the data file down to your computer. Doing so backs up your data. I didn't need to but GDM6 has a feature where you can go into the individual waypoints and make modifications to them or rename them, etc.
So, at that point, I had them backed up on my PC and I have a backup of them on an SD card as well.
If/when I want to, I can take that SD card and insert it into my brother's Lowrance and, and using the page/menus I can copy them onto his unit(s).
A couple things to keep in mind here is that certain Lowrnce units only accept certain size SD cards. You have to call [url "http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Contact-Us/"]Lowrance support[/url] to find out which SD card to use in your unit.
Also, understand that each model of Lowrance unit has a slightly different menu system. You have to use a little logic to figure out how to get to where you want to go in the particular menu system. Lowrance support was kind enough to guide me though that a little too.
I highly doubt that one could use the Eagle GDM program for any brands other than Eagle or Lowrance. But I am certain that any fishfinder manufacture worth their salt will have an equivalent application that can be downloaded to use to backup/modify and manage your saved waypoints for your particular manufacture.
I'll bet that many of the vendors will be at the ISE show next weekend and you could ask them for details too.
Attached are my notes on how I backed up my waypoints and copied them to my PC. But remember, they are just for Lowrance and then just form my particulr model (HDS-5).
Oh, and here is the Web page to download that free Eagle/Lowrance [url "http://www.eaglenav.com/en/Downloads/GPS-Data-Manager-GDM/"]GPS Data Manager program[/url]:
[url "http://www.eaglenav.com/en/Downloads/GPS-Data-Manager-GDM/"]http://www.eaglenav.com/en/Downloads/GPS-Data-Manager-GDM/[/url]
--- Coot ---
[signature]