Note: This page describes an obsolete version of GPSBabel that may substantially differ from the current or development version.

GPSBabel Documentation


Table of Contents

Introduction to GPSBabel
The Problem: Too many incompatible GPS file formats
The Solution
1. Getting or Building GPSBabel
Downloading - the easy way.
Building from source.
2. Usage
Invocation
Suboptions
Advanced Usage
Route and Track Modes
Working with predefined options
Realtime tracking
Batch mode (command files)
List of Options
3. The Formats
? Character Separated Values (xcsv)
Alan Map500 tracklogs (.trl) (alantrl)
Alan Map500 waypoints and routes (.wpr) (alanwpr)
All database fields on one tab-separated line (tabsep)
Brauniger IQ Series Barograph Download (baroiq)
Bushnell GPS Trail file (bushnell_trl)
Bushnell GPS Waypoint file (bushnell)
Cambridge/Winpilot glider software (cambridge)
CarteSurTable data file (cst)
Columbus/Visiontac V900 files (.csv) (v900)
Comma separated values (csv)
CompeGPS data files (.wpt/.trk/.rte) (compegps)
Custom "Everything" Style (custom)
Data Logger iBlue747 csv (iblue747)
Data Logger iBlue757 csv (iblue757)
DeLorme .an1 (drawing) file (an1)
DeLorme GPL (gpl)
DeLorme Street Atlas Plus (saplus)
DeLorme Street Atlas Route (saroute)
DeLorme XMap HH Native .WPT (xmap)
DeLorme XMap/SAHH 2006 Native .TXT (xmap2006)
DeLorme XMat HH Street Atlas USA .WPT (PPC) (xmapwpt)
Destinator Itineraries (.dat) (destinator_itn)
Destinator Points of Interest (.dat) (destinator_poi)
Destinator TrackLogs (.dat) (destinator_trl)
EasyGPS binary format (easygps)
Embedded Exif-GPS data (.jpg) (exif)
Energympro GPS training watch (energympro)
Enigma binary waypoint file (.ert) (enigma)
ESRI shapefile (shape)
F90G Automobile DVR GPS log file (f90g)
FAI/IGC Flight Recorder Data Format (igc)
Flexible and Interoperable Data Transfer (FIT) Activity file (garmin_fit)
FlySight GPS File (flysight)
Franson GPSGate Simulation (gpssim)
Fugawi (fugawi)
G7ToWin data files (.g7t) (g7towin)
Garmin 301 Custom position and heartrate (garmin301)
Garmin G1000 datalog input filter file (garmin_g1000)
Garmin Logbook XML (glogbook)
Garmin MapSource - gdb (gdb)
Garmin MapSource - txt (tab delimited) (garmin_txt)
Garmin PCX5 (pcx)
Garmin POI database (garmin_poi)
Garmin Points of Interest (.gpi) (garmin_gpi)
Garmin serial/USB protocol (garmin)
Garmin Training Center (.tcx/.crs/.hst/.xml) (gtrnctr)
Geocaching.com .loc (geo)
Geogrid-Viewer ascii overlay file (.ovl) (ggv_ovl)
Geogrid-Viewer binary overlay file (.ovl) (ggv_bin)
Geogrid-Viewer tracklogs (.log) (ggv_log)
GeoJson (geojson)
GEOnet Names Server (GNS) (geonet)
GlobalSat DG-100/BT-335 Download (dg-100)
GlobalSat DG-200 Download (dg-200)
GlobalSat GH625XT GPS training watch (globalsat)
Google Directions XML (googledir)
Google Earth (Keyhole) Markup Language (kml)
Google Navigator Tracklines (.trl) (gnav_trl)
GoPal GPS track log (.trk) (gopal)
GPS Tracking Key Pro text (land_air_sea)
GPS TrackMaker (gtm)
GPSBabel arc filter file (arc)
GpsDrive Format (gpsdrive)
GpsDrive Format for Tracks (gpsdrivetrack)
GPSman (gpsman)
gpsutil (gpsutil)
GPX XML (gpx)
HikeTech (hiketech)
Holux (gm-100) .wpo Format (holux)
Holux M-241 (MTK based) Binary File Format (m241-bin)
Holux M-241 (MTK based) download (m241)
Honda/Acura Navigation System VP Log File Format (vpl)
HTML Output (html)
Humminbird tracks (.ht) (humminbird_ht)
Humminbird waypoints and routes (.hwr) (humminbird)
IGN Rando track files (ignrando)
iGo Primo points of interest (.upoi) (igoprimo_poi)
iGO2008 points of interest (.upoi) (igo2008_poi)
IGO8 .trk (igo8)
Jelbert GeoTagger data file (jtr)
Jogmap.de XML format (jogmap)
Kompass (DAV) Track (.tk) (kompass_tk)
Kompass (DAV) Waypoints (.wp) (kompass_wp)
Lowrance USR (lowranceusr)
Magellan Explorist Geocaching (maggeo)
Magellan Mapsend (mapsend)
Magellan SD files (as for eXplorist) (magellanx)
Magellan SD files (as for Meridian) (magellan)
Magellan serial protocol (magellan)
MagicMaps IK3D project file (.ikt) (ik3d)
Mainnav (mainnav)
Map&Guide 'TourExchangeFormat' XML (tef)
MapAsia track file (.tr7) (mapasia_tr7)
Mapbar (China) navigation track for Sonim Xp3300 (mapbar)
Mapfactor Navigator (mapfactor)
Mapopolis.com Mapconverter CSV (mapconverter)
MapTech Exchange Format (mxf)
MediaTek Locus (mtk_locus)
Memory-Map Navigator overlay files (.mmo) (mmo)
Microsoft Streets and Trips 2002-2007 (s_and_t)
MiniHomer, a skyTraq Venus 6 based logger (download tracks, waypoints and get/set POI) (miniHomer)
Mobile Garmin XT Track files (garmin_xt)
Motoactiv CSV (motoactv)
Motorrad Routenplaner (Map&Guide) .bcr files (bcr)
MTK Logger (iBlue 747,...) Binary File Format (mtk-bin)
MTK Logger (iBlue 747,Qstarz BT-1000,...) download (mtk)
MyNav TRC format (mynav)
National Geographic Topo .tpg (waypoints) (tpg)
National Geographic Topo 2.x .tpo (tpo2)
National Geographic Topo 3.x/4.x .tpo (tpo3)
Navicache.com XML (navicache)
Navigon Mobile Navigator .rte files (nmn4)
Navigon Waypoints (navigonwpt)
NaviGPS GT-11/BGT-11 Download (navilink)
NaviGPS GT-31/BGT-31 datalogger (.sbp) (sbp)
NaviGPS GT-31/BGT-31 SiRF binary logfile (.sbn) (sbn)
Naviguide binary route file (.twl) (naviguide)
Navitel binary track (.bin) (navitel_trk)
Navitrak DNA marker format (dna)
NetStumbler Summary File (text) (netstumbler)
NIMA/GNIS Geographic Names File (nima)
NMEA 0183 sentences (nmea)
Nokia Landmark Exchange (lmx)
OpenStreetMap data files (osm)
OziExplorer (ozi)
PocketFMS breadcrumbs (pocketfms_bc)
PocketFMS flightplan (.xml) (pocketfms_fp)
PocketFMS waypoints (.txt) (pocketfms_wp)
Qstarz BL-1000 (qstarz_bl-1000)
Raymarine Waypoint File (.rwf) (raymarine)
Ricoh GPS Log File (ricoh)
See You flight analysis data (cup)
Skymap / KMD150 ascii files (skyforce)
SkyTraq Venus based loggers (download) (skytraq)
SkyTraq Venus based loggers Binary File Format (skytraq-bin)
SubRip subtitles for video mapping (.srt) (subrip)
Suunto Trek Manager (STM) .sdf files (stmsdf)
Suunto Trek Manager (STM) WaypointPlus files (stmwpp)
Swiss Map 25/50/100 (.xol) (xol)
Tab delimited fields useful for OpenOffice (openoffice)
Teletype [ Get Jonathon Johnson to describe (teletype)
Textual Output (text)
TomTom Itineraries (.itn) (tomtom_itn)
TomTom Places Itineraries (.itn) (tomtom_itn_places)
TomTom POI file (.asc) (tomtom_asc)
TomTom POI file (.ov2) (tomtom)
TopoMapPro Places File (tmpro)
TrackLogs digital mapping (.trl) (dmtlog)
U.S. Census Bureau Tiger Mapping Service (tiger)
Universal csv with field structure in first line (unicsv)
Vcard Output (for iPod) (vcard)
VidaOne GPS for Pocket PC (.gpb) (vidaone)
Vito Navigator II tracks (vitosmt)
Vito SmartMap tracks (.vtt) (vitovtt)
WiFiFoFum 2.0 for PocketPC XML (wfff)
Wintec TES file (wintec_tes)
Wintec WBT-100/200 Binary File Format (wbt-bin)
Wintec WBT-100/200 GPS Download (wbt)
Wintec WBT-201/G-Rays 2 Binary File Format (wbt-tk1)
XAiOX iTrackU Logger (itracku)
XAiOX iTrackU Logger Binary File Format (itracku-bin)
Yahoo Geocode API data (yahoo)
4. Data Filters
Add points before and after bends in routes (bend)
Include Only Points Inside Polygon (polygon)
Include Only Points Within Distance of Arc (arc)
Include Only Points Within Radius (radius)
Interpolate between trackpoints (interpolate)
Manipulate altitudes (height)
Manipulate track lists (track)
Rearrange waypoints, routes and/or tracks by resorting (sort)
Remove all waypoints, tracks, or routes (nuketypes)
Remove Duplicates (duplicate)
Remove Points Within Distance (position)
Remove unreliable points with high hdop or vdop (discard)
Reverse stops within routes (reverse)
Save and restore waypoint lists (stack)
Simplify routes (simplify)
Swap latitude and longitude of all loaded points (swap)
Transform waypoints into a route, tracks into routes, ... (transform)
Validate internal data structures (validate)
A. Supported Datums
B. Garmin Icons
C. GPSBabel XCSV Style Files
Introduction to GPSBabel Styles
Style file overview
Internal Constants
Global Properties of the File
GPSBabel Behavior Directives
Defining the Layout of the File
Defining Fields Within the File
Examples
Miscellaneous Notes
Glossary

List of Examples

2.1. Command showing Linux download from Magellan serial and writing to .loc file
2.2. Command showing Windows download from Magellan serial and writing to .loc file
2.3. Merging multiple files into one
2.4. Merging multiple files of differing types.
2.5. Writing the same data in multiple output formats.
2.6. Read realtime positioning from Garmin USB, write to Keyhole Markup
2.7. Read realtime positioning from Wintec WBT-201 via Bluetooth on Mac, write to Keyhole Markup
3.1. Command showing writing to Bushnell files
3.2. Conversion of a v900 csv log file to a gpx format
3.3. Conversion of a v900 csv log file to a gpx 1.1 format
3.4. Example 'csv' file
3.5. Example for gdb bitcategory option to put all waypoints in categories 1 and 16.
3.6. Using gdb option roadbook to create simple html roadbook
3.7. Command showing garmin_txt output with all options
3.8. Command showing garmin_gpi output example
3.9. Read GPX file, create GPI to alert when you're 1/2 mile from a speed camera.
3.10. Example with unspecified language and a garmin points of interest dual language file.
3.11. Example for specifying language with a garmin points of interest dual language file.
3.12. Example for garmin bitcategory option to put all waypoints in categories 1 and 16.
3.13. Command showing DG-100 download and erase on Linux
3.14. Command showing DG-100 erase_only option on Linux
3.15. Command showing DG-200 download and erase on Linux
3.16. Command showing DG-200 erase_only option on Linux
3.17. Command showing list of tracks on device
3.18. Command track can be used to fetch a single track, default is all tracks
3.19. Command showing list of tracks on device
3.20. Command track can be used to fetch a single track, default is all tracks
3.21. Lowrance GPX Export Data
3.22. Forcing creation of old Mobile Mapper files
3.23. Command showing miniHomer download of tracks and erasing the logger on Linux
3.24. Command showing miniHomer erasing the logger without download on Linux
3.25. Command showing miniHomer setting Car and Home POI
3.26. Command showing how to read data from an erased device
3.27. Set the target location of the miniHomer Home POI
3.28. Set the target location of the miniHomer Car POI
3.29. Set the target location of the miniHomer Boat POI
3.30. Set the target location of the miniHomer Heart POI
3.31. Set the target location of the miniHomer Bar POI
3.32. Sample BCR command with all options
3.33. Convert MTK binary trackpoints to GPX
3.34. Command showing MTK download track and waypoints and erase on Linux
3.35. Command showing skytraq download of tracks and erasing the logger on Linux
3.36. Command showing skytraq erasing the logger without download on Linux
3.37. Command showing skytraq download tracks via bluetooth on Linux
3.38. Set the target location of the Skytraq location finder
3.39. Set the logging parameters for Skytraq device
3.40. Command showing how to read data from an erased device
3.41. Example for splitoutput option to text format
3.42. CSV input for UK data with XY coordinates
3.43. CSV input for UK data with alphanumeric coordinates
3.44. Example for unicsv format option to write names of input formats.
3.45. Example for unicsv filename option to write filenames of input formats.
3.46. Example for unicsv fields option to describe input file.
3.47. Command showing conversion of a Wintec binary file to GPX
3.48. Command showing WBT-200 download and erase over Bluetooth on Mac OS X
3.49. Command showing conversion of a Wintec binary file to GPX
3.50. Command showing a download from itracku connected to com14.
3.51. Command showing a download from itracku with automatic port detection.
3.52. Download from the data logger while and append the new binary logger data to a backup file. Read the contents of the backup file.
3.53. Download from the data logger and append the new logger data to a backup file. Output only the new waypoints.
3.54. Command showing reading an itracku data file.
4.1. Using the polygon filter
4.2. Using the polygon and arc filters to find points in or nearly in a polygon
4.3. Using the arc filter
4.4. Using the radius filter to find points close to a given point
4.5. Using the interpolate filter
4.6. This option subtracts the WGS84 geoid height from every altitude. For GPS receivers like the iBlue747 the result is the height above mean see level.
4.7. This options adds a constant value to every altitude.
4.8. Time-shifting a track with the track filter
4.9. Time-shifting a track with the track filter to correct WNRO
4.10. Time-shifting a track with the track filter with combined units
4.11. Merging tracks with the track filter
4.12. Extracting a period of time with the track filter
4.13. Replace time values of a track
4.14. Add time values to a track
4.15. Merging tracks with missing timestamps with the track filter
4.16. Filtering data types with nuketypes
4.17. Using the duplicate filter to suppress points with the same name and location
4.18. Using the duplicate filter to implement an "ignore list."
4.19. Using the duplicate filter to correct the locations of "puzzle" geocaches
4.20. Using the position filter to suppress close points
4.21. Using the discard filter for HDOP and VDOP.
4.22. Using the discard filter to require at least three satellites.
4.23. Discarding specific point by regular expression
4.24. Converting a track to a sequence of waypoints
4.25. Converting a pile of waypoints to a GPX route
4.26. Converting a pile of waypoints to a GPX track
4.27. Convert a GPX track to a GPX route, deleting the original track, using 2 digits for the generated numbers.
4.28. Convert a GPX track to a GPX route, deleting the original track, naming the generated points like the original track name.
4.29. Convert a GPX track to GPX waypoints, tossing the original track