Last modified: 3/28/2011

Garmin MapSource Quick Glance

Created by Frederick County Public Schools, Technology Resource Teachers

Overview

MapSource software is prepackaged with Garmin Handheld GPS devices. The software is available on a CD with the Garmin device and may be installed onto FCPS computers by your school’s technology coordinator. The software is designed to allow users to connect their GPS devices in order to transfer data from the device to the computer and vice versa. To save waypoints, trips, and tracks from your GPS device to your computer you will need both the GPS device and USB connector cable. MapSource also allows users to view data from the GPS in Google Earth.

Opening MapSource

  1. Click the start button
  2. Choose Programs
  3. Double click on Garmin
  4. Double click on the MapSource icon

MapSource Screen

Transferring Data from GPS to Computer

To save the date on your Garmin handheld GPS device to your computer you’ll need to run the MapSource software, then connect the GPS device to your computer with the USB Cable. The smaller jack of the cable will plug into the device underneath the black rubber cover.

1. click the icon with the arrow pointing up from handheld GPS

  1. wait for computer to find device, choose what to receive, then click “receive”
  2. data will appear in the left window of screen and on map

Transferring Data from Computer to GPS

In the event that you would like to save info from one device and move it to another, or upload coordinates from a web site or Google Earth, you will also need to connect your device to the computer using the USB cable and run the MapSource Software.

  1. select the waypoints, routes, or tracks you would like to transfer
  2. click the icon with the arrow pointing down to the handheld GPS
  3. wait for device to be recognized, then select items to send and click “send”

View Data from GPS in Google Earth Using MapSource

Once data has been transferred to your computer from the GPS handheld, you can use MapSource to view the points, tracks, and routes in GoogleEarth. On a school computer, it is best to open Google Earth first. Google Earth can be found in the FCPS Application Menu / Internet Folder.

  1. Click “View” from the Main Menu in MapSource
  2. Choose “View in Google Earth”
  3. If necessary, save the points in Google Earth in the “My Content” area of the Google Earth navigation window.


View Data from GPS in Google Earth WITHOUT MapSource

Flags, Tracks, and Routes can be opened directly in Google Earth without using the MapSource Software if the GPS device is attached to a computer.

  1. Open Google Earth
  2. Connect the Garmin GPS to computer via USB cable
  3. In Google Earth, click “Tools” from the Main Menu
  4. Choose the GPS option
  5. Wait for the Google Earth GPS Import Window to open
  6. Check the Garmin radio button
  7. Choose Waypoints, Routes, and/or Tracks
  8. Set output to .KML tracks

Your data from the GPS device will now appear as points on Google Earth, and will be listed in the “Places” section of the navigation window on the left side of the screen.

1Frederick County Public Schools- Technology Services

Garmin MapSource Instructions and Use