Note: This page describes the development version of GPSBabel. It may substantially differ from the latest released GPSBabel.

Realtime tracking

Introduced in GPSBabel 1.3.1, we now have an experimental feature for realtime tracking via the new -T option. This reads position reports from selected formats and writes an output file when a position report is received.

As of this writing, Garmin's PVT protocol and NMEA are supported inputs. KML, NMEA, and the various XCSV formats are supported on output. Additional formats may be added by interested parties later.

Example 2.6. Read realtime positioning from Garmin USB, write to Keyhole Markup

gpsbabel -T -i garmin -f usb: -o kml -F example.kml

Will read the USB-connected Garmin and rewrite 'example.kml' atomically, suitable for a self-refreshing network link in Google Earth.


Example 2.7. Read realtime positioning from Wintec WBT-201 via Bluetooth on Mac, write to Keyhole Markup

gpsbabel -T -i nmea -f /dev/cu.G-Rays2-SPPslave-1 -o kml -F example.kml

Will read the Wintec WBT-201 via Bluetooth, using the name that the Mac assigned it, and rewrite 'example.kml' atomically, suitable for a self-refreshing network link in Google Earth.


Be sure to substitute an device name appropriate for your device and OS, such as /dev/cu.usbserial or /dev/cu.BT-GPS-37A695-BT-GPSCOM-1 for Mac, COM23: for Windows, or usb: for Garmin USB . These names (except the "usb:" parlance for Garmin USB) are assigned by your operating system.