baris’s blog

I use Memory-Map Pocket Navigator, since I have a Windows Mobile device (T-Mobile Vario II (aka HTC Hermes), connected to a bluetooth GPS, a GlobalSat BT-338).

However, most sites that offer GPS logs seem to tend to use Tracklogs. Memory map won’t open TRL, so here’s an easy way to convert them:

First, get GPSBabel. This is a nice, free, command-line utility that converts between different GPS formats, including TRL. (I did try GPSU before, and found it almost entirely counter-intuitive).

GPSBabel won’t export any memory-map specific files. However, it will export “GPX” format, which Memory Map understands. Invoke GPSBabel as follows:

C:\...\gps>gpsbabel-1.3.3\gpsbabel.exe -i dmtlog -f Peaks100_Day1.trl -o gpx -F Peaks100_Day1.gpx

(-i dmtlog specifies an input type of TRL.)

This gives me a GPX file called Peaks100_Day1.gpx, which I can import into Memory-Map using Overlay|Import.

However, that gives you a “track”, not a “route”. The difference between a route and a track, according to Memory-Map’s help, is as follows:

a “Route” is a sequence of connected “Waypoints” where you intend to go. A “Mark” is a waypoint that is not part of any route (marks and waypoints are really the same thing). A “Track” is where you have actually been, as recorded by the GPS.

The practical implication is that you have context menu options like “follow route” for routes - I don’t know how useful this is because I haven’t tried it (yet).

If you want to use the file as a route instead of as a track, use the following syntax instead:

C:\...\gps>gpsbabel-1.3.3\gpsbabel.exe -i dmtlog -f Peaks100_Day1.trl -x transform,rte=trk,del -o gpx -F Peaks100_Day1.2.gpx

The relevant flags are documented here.

(Alternatively, you could invoke the former command and “Convert to Route” in memory map, but this loses detail; the latter method preserves all waypoints).

Before you import a route for the first time, you may wish to change your default waypoint symbol to a ‘dot’ otherwise you’ll get zillions of annoying flag symbols on your map. To do this, create a “new mark”, in the properties for it, change the symbol and check “make default”.

I can then send this route to my device (when it’s attached) using Mobile Device|Export Data To Device.

Thanks, GPSBabel!