Garmin 296

[Cirrus]

Does anyone here have any experience uploading .SHP files into a Garmin 296?

 

And speaking of the 296, anyone ever have it reset itself during flight? I'm on my second one and they both do it.

[YTS Jockey]

Never had any problems like that. Have you tried doing a Garmin update? This usually solves allot of issues. As far as SHP files go, I've never had them in my 296. I have had them in my 96 but the files were uploaded by the customer. Should be the same software. Ask a GIS person for some help they're usually familiar with multiple types of GPS'. If that doesn't work the best thing to do is to call either GPS central in Calgary or Garmin directly. I've dealt with both and they were really helpful.

 

Cheers

[Cirrus]

Never had any problems like that. Have you tried doing a Garmin update? This usually solves allot of issues. As far as SHP files go, I've never had them in my 296. I have had them in my 96 but the files were uploaded by the customer. Should be the same software. Ask a GIS person for some help they're usually familiar with multiple types of GPS'. If that doesn't work the best thing to do is to call either GPS central in Calgary or Garmin directly. I've dealt with both and they were really helpful.

 

Cheers

 

 

Thanks. I've managed to convert .shp's to Garmin's .gpx and upload them to the 296. It kind of works. I don't think the 296 is meant to deal with .shp's like other Garmins. The 296 converts them to tracks but will only hold 15. I need over 80.

 

I might see if I can route the GPS receiver info into the laptop and just use Arcview or Map Source for mapping.

 

A few more hours and it'll be cheaper to get a 96.

 

 

YTS.. The MayTag.. Good times. :bleh:

[YTS Jockey]

Amen to that! Long live the May Tag. HEHEHE.

I'm guessing you're doing some timber snoozing, that you need to enter that many SHP files. I guess the 296 does have a flaw after all. Maybe the old Map 76 would also do you. You can get them pretty cheap now. I think GPS central was selling the color version for 299.00 before Xmas. The other nice thing about the 76 or 96 is the AA batteries you can carry 100 of em if you want.

 

Whenever I'm working for forestry companies I have the 296 locked onto the nearest fuel source and then fly the job with my older Map 96 on a Ram suction mount for the locations that the customer needs. That way I always know how much time we have on site before heading for fuel. Customers really like that little setup. They always ask for my 96 the night before and they usually upload everything for me. It's really nice, they just hand you the GPS in the morning and everything is ready to go.

 

Cheers

[CJM91]

Thanks. I've managed to convert .shp's to Garmin's .gpx and upload them to the 296. It kind of works. I don't think the 296 is meant to deal with .shp's like other Garmins. The 296 converts them to tracks but will only hold 15. I need over 80.

 

Interesting. I've done a lot of GPS/GIS mapping for years and wasn't aware that the 296 would accept Shapefiles. Sounds like you are converting them first? What software do you prefer for this? I've been happy with GPS Utility from the UK. A bit quirky but powerful. Free for 50 points, $50? for the full version.

 

Any tricks to convert/upload non-Garmin maps?

 

Cheers . . . . . .

[Cirrus]

Interesting. I've done a lot of GPS/GIS mapping for years and wasn't aware that the 296 would accept Shapefiles. Sounds like you are converting them first? What software do you prefer for this? I've been happy with GPS Utility from the UK. A bit quirky but powerful. Free for 50 points, $50? for the full version.

 

Any tricks to convert/upload non-Garmin maps?

 

Cheers . . . . . .

 

 

Since converting back to an older version of Mapsource, I've had to use two programs. DNR Garmin converts the shp's to gpx files, then gpsbabel converts the gpx to mps and finally, mapsource uploads the shapes as tracks into the 296. I guess thats three programs. Its a very bastardized way of doing it and so far, I don't recommend it.

 

 

[XoNe]

Have you ever tried a program called gps trackmaker?? It has quite a few possibilities when it comes to converting files. Its a free download too!!

[47B3]

Whenever I'm working for forestry companies I have the 296 locked onto the nearest fuel source and then fly the job with my older Map 96 on a Ram suction mount for the locations that the customer needs. That way I always know how much time we have on site before heading for fuel. Customers really like that little setup. They always ask for my 96 the night before and they usually upload everything for me. It's really nice, they just hand you the GPS in the morning and everything is ready to go.

 

 

Kinda ties in with the "How short is too short" thread...........

 

[YTS Jockey]

LOL. They must have to add ballast to that poor little Jet Buggy. Anyone know who owns that 206?

 

Cheers

[47B3]

LOL. They must have to add ballast to that poor little Jet Buggy. Anyone know who owns that 206?

 

Cheers

 

 

N119TV in the picture - Google says news helicopter south of the border.