GPilotS

version 5.0
Introduction | Requirements | Features | Installation | Usage

Introduction

GPilotS allows connection between a PalmPilot and a Garmin GPS in order to take advantage of the memory and the ergonomics of the PalmPilot to store, create and edit waypoints (with symbol and display mode support) & Routes. Tracks can also be stored in order to be re-transmitted to other Garmin GPS (II+, 12 ,12XL, 48. eTrex, eMap, ...) or any Garmin compatible software.

Requirements

PalmPilot with PalmOs 2.0 or later.
A communication cable between the PalmPilot and GPS. The 3 signal used between the PalmPilot and the Garmin GPS are "Ground", "Transmit" & "Receive".

Garmin's cable                  9 pin serial
--------------------------      -------------------
Ground (-, black)          ---> pin 5 ground
Transmit (T, brown)        ---> pin 2 Receive
Receive (R, white)         ---> pin 3 Transmit

Possible adapters:

PalmPilot docking station (9 pin female) to Garmin connector (swap ping 2 & 3 in the above diagram).
PalmPilot modem cable adapter (9 pin male).
Ready made PalmPilot - Garmin adapter available at http://www.blue-hills-inovations.com

Optional : MathLib library ( http://www.probe.net/~rhuebner/mathlib.zip ) needed for datum conversion.

Features

Waypoints :

Storage and classification: the waypoints are recorded and sorted in categories (ex. Channel, Atlantic, Sahara,...) with the following attributes: name, comment, latitude, longitude, altitude, symbol and GPS display mode.
Display: by category and with name, comment and symbol. Waypoints can be sorted by name, latitude, longitude, symbol or distance from a user selectable point.
Search: find a waypoint by writing its name.
Creation and edition: all attributes can be modified, the datum used for displaying and entering co-ordinates can be changed. Also, a new waypoint can be created relative (bearing & distance) to another one.
datum: conversion to and from most known datum.
Upload: transmit all or a partial set of waypoints
Download: receive in selectable category from GPS
mark function: current GPS position is captured.

Routes :

Storage and classification : by category
route editing
rename
download
upload
display
modify (inclusive name & number)

Traces :

storage and classification : by category
rename
download
upload
display
Map view with waypoints and grid. Zooming and panning.

implementation of the Garmin protocol allows the PalmPilot to act as a Garmin GPS when transmitting and receiving waypoints, routes and tracks.

The PalmPilot's time is synchronized on the GPS.

Installation

To load GPilotS-en.prc, GPSlib*.prc & GPSutil*.prc in your PalmPilot, use the standard procedure or use your preferred install tool.

Standard procedure (for Windows):

On your PC, double click on the .prc files, which activates Palm's install tool.
Clic on OK.
Synchronize your PalmPilot.
On the PalmPilot you will find GPilotS in the undefiled category. (You may assign a category).
Instal MathLib.prc as above (optional if no other datum than WGS84 is needed).

Usage

Communication with the GPS : set the protocol (INTERFACE) to GRMN/GRMN Warning: When starting GPilotS for the first time after an upgrade from a version earlier than V4.5, GPilotS will convert your data (waypoints & tracks) to a new internal format and delete your routes. After having backed-up your points (via HotSynch or GPS Transfer), confirm conversion.

Clic on to start GPilotS.

GPilotS starts with one of the 3 possible displays: Waypoints, Routes or Tracks. To switch display clic on on menu -> display then the desired display.

1. Waypoints

The display list all available waypoints within a category. One entry displays the name, comment and symbol of a waypoint. When sorted by latitude, longitude, altitude or distance the display of the comment is replaced by respectively the latitude, longitude, altitude or distance. The list can be scrolled using the on-screen arrows or the Palm's hardware scroll buttons.

Automatic conversion: GPilotS tries to accommodate itself with the various Garmin GPS model relative to the characteristics of waypoints such as altitude or proximity waypoints.

- In host mode, when GPilotS identify itself, it will present itself and act with the characteristics of the model selected in the preferences and send its data in the correspondent information.

- When uploading / downloading to/from a GPS, GPilotS will identify its partner and adapt it's communication stream accordingly regardless of the model selected in the preferences. This is done in the limits of the formats known by GPilotS.

- When the format of a waypoint doesn't correspond to the one selected in the preferences, GPilotS will propose to convert it when edited.

Note that GPilotS can handle all Garmin symbols.

Functions:

Create a waypoint Menu -> Edit -> new
Note: if the waypoint's name is already used, the new waypoint will overwrite the old one except if the option "allow duplicate" is selected in the preferences (see options). In this case 2 waypoints with the same name are available. This is also true for downloads to the PalmPilot of waypoints.
Note: If the waypoints have been sorted by distance, a new sort (slow operation) will automatically take place when a new waypoint is added.

Create a relative waypoint First, select the reference waypoint by clicking on it, followed by the ref button and ok. Then create the new waypoint with Menu -> Edit -> new from ref. Enter distance and bearing (true north). Distance units are selected in the Menu -> Opt -> preferences.

Display and modify a waypoint's detail Clic on it
To modify a co-ordinate click on the desired number an select the a number from the popup list.
Modify the symbol by clicking on it and selecting the appropriate one.

Search a waypoint When viewing the waypoint list, writing the beginning of a waypoint's name in the Graffiti area will highlight the waypoint with the closest match (similar to the lookup in the address book) . To cancel selection, use Graffiti backspace or select another waypoint.

Delete a waypoint Display it and clic delete

Delete all waypoints in a category Select the appropriate category then Menu -> Edit -> delete

Sort by name (default) Menu -> Sort -> by name

Sort by latitude Menu -> Sort -> by latitude

Sort by longitude Menu -> Sort -> by longitude

Sort by symbol Menu -> Sort -> by symbol

Sort by distance First, select the reference waypoint by clicking on it, followed by the ref button and ok. Then Sort with Menu -> Sort -> by distance.
Note: This operation can take a while.
Note: Extremely close waypoints might not be sorted properly.

Sort by altitude
Menu -> Sort -> by altitude

Waypoint upload or download Menu -> GPS -> Upload or Download followed with one click on Go.
Select the appropriate category to upload to the GPS. When downloading, it is possible to create a new category by clicking on a existing category then selecting "Edit categories".

Note: If waypoints have been sorted before a upload or download, GPilotS will do a "sort by name" before uploading / downloading. This results in a slight delay before the the upload / download is started.
Note: GPilotS will automatically convert the format of your waypoints to/from your target GPS device type. You may mix waypoints coming from any Garmin GPS device be it eTrex (with altitude info), 12xl (with proximity info) or other.

Download only new waypoints Menu -> GPS -> Download new... will download only new waypoints (based on names).

Capture current GPS position Menu -> GPS -> Mark

2. Routes

gps-routes2.gif (1878 bytes)

The route list is displayed by category.

Functions:

Display a route Display a specific route by selecting it. Bearings are True North.

Create a new route Menu -> Edit -> New.
On the left is the list of available waypoints from the selected waypoint category. On the right the route is displayed.

To add a point click on the waypoint in the waypoint list then on the waypoint in the route after which the waypoint should be inserted (or keyword "TOTAL" to insert a waypoint at the end of the list).

To delete a point from the route, click the waypoint then the trashcan.

If the route is not named, it will automatically be named "First-point to Last-point".

Note: if the route has more waypoints than the capacity of your GPS unit, it will be truncated during transfer.
Note: You can mix waypoints coming from various GPS device type.

Edit a route Display the route and click edit.

Rename a route Edit the route and change the name in the uper right.

Renumber a route Edit the route and change the number in uper center.

Delete a route Display the route and click "Delete" to delete route

Delete all route Menu -> Edit -> Delete

Upload / Download routes Menu -> GPS -> Upload or Download followed with on click on Go.
Select the appropriate category to upload to the GPS. When downloading, it is possible to create a new category by clicking on a existing category then selecting "Edit categories". Routes are named after their extreme waypoints.

Warning:

3. Tracks

track

The track list is displayed by category.
Delete all tracks from the current category with Menu -> Edit -> Delete
Display a specific track by selecting it. Click "Delete" to delete track. A track cannot be modified, except for it's name with the field on the bottom left.

When cliking on the "Map" tab, the track is displayed with the following additional capabilities:
- Waypoints are overlayed (click "w"). The waypoints are selected from all categories. A waypoint with a proximity information, will have a circle around it.
- A grid is overlayed (click "g").
- Zoom in, Zoom out (Click "+" or "-")
- Panning (click on a trackpoint to have it centered on the map).

Warning:

Select the appropriate category to upload to the GPS. When downloading, it is possible to create a new category by clicking on a existing category then selecting "Edit categories". Also, the track can be compacted (to save memory) by stripping altitude and time information. This function is useful to use a track as a map.

4. Host Mode

Menu -> GPS -> Host Mode... will activate the host mode. It is then possible to chose the upload or download category of waypoints, routes and tracks. A Garmin GPS or appropriate software may then download or upload from/to the PalmPilot. The "Stop" button will quit the host mode.

Select the "compact tracks" option to strip altitude and time information from the downloaded tracks.

5. Options

Menu -> Options -> Preferences allows to change some of GPilotS behaviour.

Select your timezone.
The display unit of the distance sort can be selected here (metric, nautical or statute).
The display format of co-ordinates can be D, DM or DMS.
"allow duplicates" will allow waypoints with identical names to coexist
Emulated GPS: Choose the option that match the closest your GPS devices. This will allow you to enter additional information when creating a waypoint. Additional information available for:

12CX: Proximity waypoints & color.
Map 175, 210, 200: Proximity waypoints.
GIII, GIII+: Proximity waypoints.
eTrex, eMap: Altitude and color
GPS76, GPSMAP76: Altitude and Color

6. Miscellaneous

Menu -> GPS -> Check GPS, will check GPS connection and return specific device information.

C. Claveleira , (Doc: G. Darmon ) - February 2002

Create a waypoint	Menu -> Edit -> new Note: if the waypoint's name is already used, the new waypoint will overwrite the old one except if the option "allow duplicate" is selected in the preferences (see options). In this case 2 waypoints with the same name are available. This is also true for downloads to the PalmPilot of waypoints. Note: If the waypoints have been sorted by distance, a new sort (slow operation) will automatically take place when a new waypoint is added.
Create a relative waypoint	First, select the reference waypoint by clicking on it, followed by the ref button and ok. Then create the new waypoint with Menu -> Edit -> new from ref. Enter distance and bearing (true north). Distance units are selected in the Menu -> Opt -> preferences.
Display and modify a waypoint's detail	Clic on it To modify a co-ordinate click on the desired number an select the a number from the popup list. Modify the symbol by clicking on it and selecting the appropriate one.
Search a waypoint	When viewing the waypoint list, writing the beginning of a waypoint's name in the Graffiti area will highlight the waypoint with the closest match (similar to the lookup in the address book) . To cancel selection, use Graffiti backspace or select another waypoint.
Delete a waypoint	Display it and clic delete
Delete all waypoints in a category	Select the appropriate category then Menu -> Edit -> delete
Sort by name (default)	Menu -> Sort -> by name
Sort by latitude	Menu -> Sort -> by latitude
Sort by longitude	Menu -> Sort -> by longitude
Sort by symbol	Menu -> Sort -> by symbol
Sort by distance	First, select the reference waypoint by clicking on it, followed by the ref button and ok. Then Sort with Menu -> Sort -> by distance. Note: This operation can take a while. Note: Extremely close waypoints might not be sorted properly.
Sort by altitude	Menu -> Sort -> by altitude
Waypoint upload or download	Menu -> GPS -> Upload or Download followed with one click on Go. Select the appropriate category to upload to the GPS. When downloading, it is possible to create a new category by clicking on a existing category then selecting "Edit categories". Note: If waypoints have been sorted before a upload or download, GPilotS will do a "sort by name" before uploading / downloading. This results in a slight delay before the the upload / download is started. Note: GPilotS will automatically convert the format of your waypoints to/from your target GPS device type. You may mix waypoints coming from any Garmin GPS device be it eTrex (with altitude info), 12xl (with proximity info) or other.
Download only new waypoints	Menu -> GPS -> Download new... will download only new waypoints (based on names).
Capture current GPS position	Menu -> GPS -> Mark

Display a route	Display a specific route by selecting it. Bearings are True North.
Create a new route	Menu -> Edit -> New. On the left is the list of available waypoints from the selected waypoint category. On the right the route is displayed. To add a point click on the waypoint in the waypoint list then on the waypoint in the route after which the waypoint should be inserted (or keyword "TOTAL" to insert a waypoint at the end of the list). To delete a point from the route, click the waypoint then the trashcan. If the route is not named, it will automatically be named "First-point to Last-point". Note: if the route has more waypoints than the capacity of your GPS unit, it will be truncated during transfer. Note: You can mix waypoints coming from various GPS device type.
Edit a route	Display the route and click edit.
Rename a route	Edit the route and change the name in the uper right.
Renumber a route	Edit the route and change the number in uper center.
Delete a route	Display the route and click "Delete" to delete route
Delete all route	Menu -> Edit -> Delete
Upload / Download routes	Menu -> GPS -> Upload or Download followed with on click on Go. Select the appropriate category to upload to the GPS. When downloading, it is possible to create a new category by clicking on a existing category then selecting "Edit categories". Routes are named after their extreme waypoints.