Garmin HomePort - can't fathom what's going on

[whiteman]

Garmin HomePort has had some threads in the past but thought I'd start a new one (sorry moderators!) ...

I'm using v 2.0.4 - the latest - and it seems rather clunky and the Garmin forum for HomePort is not encouraging. I have created a user in Garmin but there is no direct link to the forum when I log in and when I go to the forum via Google, it does not recognise my login. Go figure ... so I can't post to the experts.

My main question is about getting waypoint data from HomePort to the 750. I manually entered about 30 wayports into HomePort. I then exported this folder and it created a small GDB file on my SD card via card reader. When I loaded this into the 750 only a handful of waypoints were visible. And when I load this file back to HomePort, I only see the same small number of waypoints. About 75% of them are missing! What the?

The 750 exports files in "ADM" format. Why is this? Why not GDB?

Can anyone help?

[Reel'em in]

I haven't had any problems with the software.

When you are creating the waypoints in Homeport make sure you have the directy of the SD card selected and open (on the directory tree on the left hand side of the screen) and that you are not creating and saving them to the local (PC hard drive) file location. That may be the issue??

[whiteman]

This is a strange one. Back on my work PC where I entered the waypoints I click on "my collection" and there they all are. But I aslo have a subfile under My Collection with the truncated file. Can't work this out. Anyway, need to be very carefull so I don't lose the data entry. Have moved My Collection to the SD card to test and now it is OK.

I'm learning that HomePort is a very structured beast and if you move outside of the square it will do some strange things. A trap for young players.

[honda900]

Whiteman,

A truncated file is a file file that is corrupted in some way or the file system needs attention on your work computer.

Right Click on the truncated folder, Select export, then save the file to your to your SD card then you may be able to import it back into the primary file.
If this works create a backup of your data, then copy it to a CD or somewhere safe.

you cant have enough backups.

Regards
Honda.

[whiteman]

I have spent over 30 years in the IT industry yet I feel like a complete dunce trying to use this HomePort garbage...

I have found all my waypoints in HomePort - backed up in several places and feeling safe they are secure. I have exported them to the SD card in both gdb and gpx formats. I can see the files in explorer.

Now the tricky part - getting them to the 750 so I can go fishing tomorrow: load the SD card in the unit and try and import and/or replace waypoints as per the simple instructions on page 52 of the Garmin manual (and following screen prompts) but there are no files recognised on the SD card - so nothing to transfer.

When I output some test waypoints from the 750 to the SD card the test file is in ADM format. So I figure I need to get the GDB/GPX file into ADM before the 750 knows it is there???? HomePort does not have an option to export in ADM format.

What a pot of crock! I am know lerching back into google to find some sort of file converter to try.

I MUST be missing something as no-one has complained on this forum. Can anyone help this newby (Lowrance users are probably in stitches at this point - smug BASTARDS!).

[Moffy]

found this on the net Whiteman.

The NEW Garmin units use a VERY PROPRIETARY code called

.ADM

Therefore, you save your waypoints to GPX format then upload them to Garmin's Trip and waypoint Manager--which they claim is no longer available-

Then evidently Trip and Waypoint "Garminizes" eveything and you can then jump through the rest of the hoops and finally upload to your 520/ 530 etc.

If you can not gain access to Trip and Waypoint you are finished.

GPS Babel does no support .ADM (at least my lastest download does not).

If you or anyone else out there has a work around I and everyone else in this position would appreciate a head's up......


despite what they say in this thread - can get the program from garmin website for $39 - i'd check it will interface with your GPS first though as i don't think the 750 is on the list...

[whiteman]

Thanks Moffy. I found that as well.

Once I worked out I have to get the files into ADM I started searching for a free converter. GPS Utility does the trick (HINT: export/convert files to GPX - not GDB - from HomePort before using GPS Utility). The free version of GPS Utility limits conversions to 150 waypoints so, in HomePort, you have to break up your files to smaller pieces like A-D, E-L, M-R, etc and do them seperately. This creates several ADM files on the SD card which, when plugged in to the 750, are recognised AT LAST!!!

Another hint is that the 750 seems to limit waypoint names to 10 characters and it doesn't recognise all of HomePort's symbols so that is pot luck.

My 750 is now ready for its first outing.

I spoke with the guy at Markwell Marine in Cairns and sent him some waypoints in the HomePort output formats to see what he can do. He will call me tomorrow to report.

I still can't believe this is such a difficult task.

[beardedone]

I just did a trial conversion from GDB to adm in GPSU, no problem. GPSU is worth the $approx 60. It will do 100 waypoints on the trial version for free
]

[honda900]

Whiteman,

Export has two options (with bluechart installed).

Regards
HOnda.

[Reel'em in]

Whiteman,

You shouldn't need to do any converting to get the waypoints from homeport to the unit, just plug the SD card in, merge the data from the card to the 750 and off you go. Then even with the SD card removed the waypoints should still be there. (note to use merge, this will avoid duplicates on the unit)

One question, did you format the SD card in the 750 unit before using it on homeport? If I get a new SD card, first format it in the unit (just put the blank card in the 750 and turn it on, it wil do the rest, then copy the base map from the unit to the card, and then use homeport to add points, routes etc.

Are you in brissy? Happy to meet up sometime and show you how I work it if you like?

[whiteman]

Looks like my man at Markwell Marine has the answer - drag and drop (why didn't I think of that?). Just pick up My Collection and drop it on an existing file on the card and it creates the ADM file.

Got out this morning for the first test of the unit. Although the sounder is no where near as good as the Furuno still had some success in less than an hour on the water! The gaff shot was a little ugly but I was on my own. Spaniard went 12 Kg 126cm. Attachment 67667