The 'Magellan GPS Import v 2.2' (formerly known as 'Import DataSend') extension for ArcView 3.x enables you to import GPS waypoints and/or routes from Magellan GPS units. The extension does not communicate directly with the GPS unit, you must first download your waypoints to your PC using Magellan's MapSend(c) or DataSend(c) program, and then save them as waypoint files. The extension reads the waypoints and routes from the waypoint file, and converts them to shapefiles.
The extension has several useful features including:
- reads waypoint files created by the MapSend, DataSend, or DataSave programs (MapSend users should export waypoints to text format)
- imports both waypoints and routes
- users can select by name which waypoint(s) and route(s) to import
- waypoints and routes can be saved in new shapefiles, or appended to existing shapefiles
- when appending waypoints/routes to existing shapefiles, the extension checks to make sure the waypoints and/or routes are not already in the shapefile, so you don't wind up with duplicate features
- all available attribute data from the waypoint file is preserved (e.g., waypoint name, comments, elevation)
- option to create additional metadata fields in the attribute table and fill them with ancillary information (e.g., date of acquisition, name of collector, GPS unit, etc.)
- when importing waypoints into a view that already has projected data, the extension provides an option to automatically re-project the incoming GPS data to a user-specified coordinate system
- the documentation also includes a couple of tips for managing waypoints with MapSend/ DataSend
For more details, see http://nature.berkeley.edu/~alyons/magellan_gps_import
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