-Jim Graham

Importing Waypoints between Brands One of the few concerns that accompany moving from i brand of GPS unit of measurement to another is not being able to save and transfer existing waypoints into a different brand unit of measurement. Nobody wants to lose their waypoints when upgrading to a new unit. Some manufacturers make information technology easy but others, well… not so much.

Our 2015 Nitro Z8 Pro Package came equipped with Lowrance HDS9 Gen 2 Touch units at the bow and the helm. My previous boat had Humminbirds front and back so I set out on a mission to import my waypoints into the Lowrance units in the simplest style possible.

First, I turned to the Lowrance Owner's Manual. I found information there on how to consign and fill-in my existing data, but there was no aid or even mention on converting or importing the data files to restore my waypoints. My internet research lead me to a procedure that is relatively painless and, best of all, free – providing you have access to a figurer and an SD card.

Here is a list of what you will need to upload your waypoints into practically any brand unit of measurement.

  • A computer with the necessary hardware to write to an SD card
  • A fill-in file of your waypoints from your former unit saved to your computer
  • A Download and install of the free plan GPSBabel from their website http://www.gpsbabel.org/
  • A blank SD card to import your data to the HDS unit
  • About 20 minutes of fourth dimension to complete all operations mentioned here

I am going to start bold you are able to save or backup your existing unit. For this example I will be transferring from a Humminbird 1198 to a Lowrance HDS9. Beyond the exporting of your waypoints I would expect that the balance of the procedure is pretty much the aforementioned for all of us using any of the the Lowrance units.

  1. Consign or save your existing waypoint data so it can be transferred to your computer. In my case, I used an SD card to export all of the waypoints from the hummingbird. I was then going to use the same SD menu to transfer the information to the Lowrance HDS unit and then I Cut and Pasted the file from the SD card to a folder on my computer. waypoints how to
  2. Next, using the estimator, you need to download and install the FREE GPSBarbel program
    (it really is free, I am just as amazed as you lot probably are, and no, I couldn't
    believe information technology either simply information technology's true).         waypoints how to 2
  3. Open GPSBabel and:
    1. Up at the acme of the page where it says "Input"
      Select the format type of your old units data. In my case I selected "File"
      then after Format I selected "Humminbird Waypoints and routes (.hwr)"
    2. Beneath Input, Click on the box that says "File
      Name (S)" and navigate to the location of your old units saved file. In my instance
      I backed up the 1198 file from the SD menu and saved it to My Documents on the
      computer
    3. Afterward "Translation options" I put checkmarks to
      transfer Waypoints and Tracks as I don't use routes
             waypoints how to 3
    4. Next Find the "Output" area I once again made sure
      the "File" bullet was selected and after "Format" I selected "Lowrance USR". (NOTE:
      for some unknown reason USR4 which is a newer format won't work where as the
      older version 2 USR format does) Anyhow…
    5. Later on File name: you can navigate to your SD
      card as I did or save it to a computer. In the lower left of the GPSBable
      program hit the "OK" button to kickoff the process. Once consummate y'all tin hit the
      "Close" button. (Neither OK or Shut are shown hither)             Waypoints how to Screen Shot
  4. The next stride is transferring the SD file to the
    HDS unit of measurement. Put the SD menu in either menu slot on the HDS unit. I chose the elevation
    slot.
  5. Press the "Folio" button on the HDS unit of measurement.
         Waypoints how to Screen Shot 2
  6. Scroll down and select "Files". (Note: I take updated the software in this unit of measurement to Version four.0 which came out in march 2015, however, appearance aside I believe the menu choices and path are the aforementioned)
  7. Press on the Memory carte (peak or lesser) that contains your .usr file. The contents
    of the card will expand so that you can run into it. In my example I was looking for "Graham.usr"
         Waypoints how to Screen Shot 3
  8. Selecting your file past Tapping on it brings upward this box; Select "Import" on the lesser left.
    It volition ask for your confirmation and begin the process. Once the import process is complete you can leave by once again hitting the pages button.         Waypoints how to Screen Shot 4

  9. To confirm your data was imported, tap "Waypoint" in the upper left of the screen to
    open the Waypoints, Routes and Trails Data table.

    Waypoints how to Screen Shot 5 Waypoints how to Screen Shot 6

Mission Complete.

The Nitro Pro Package comes with 2 HDS9 units that are networked via cable. The two units not simply share maps from my Navionics + SD bill of fare, they too share Waypoints. As soon every bit you turn on the second unit of measurement it is updated with the waypoint data you just imported.

Hope that helps, and If you have whatever questions don't hesitate to requite us a call.

Meet you lot on the water.

Jim Graham

Schnelker Marine Fishing Pro Staff