Route File Transfer via SDcard to Garmin 441s

[four winds]

I need some advice working this out.


Creating routes is cumbersome with the arrow keys and select button on the Garmin 441s. I'd like to do trip planning with PolarView or OpenCPN and then transfer the route to the Garmin via SD card. No NMEA network on my boat.


I have GPSBabelFE, GPSUtility, Google Earth/Maps on my Mac so far to aid in this effort.


So far, each file I have tried will not show up in the “Merge From Card” dialog box on the 441s. The dialog box appears empty.


First trying a .gpx file exported from PolarView with no luck. However, I could open and convert this file in Google Earth to a .xml file that displays fine in GE. And is actually a good way to enhance planning by seeing the proposed route on the GE imagery.


This was a first effort without internet research. Realizing the file is likely proprietary to Garmin prompted some searching online, where I read GPSUtility might help. Already had that on the computer but was unable to find any resource for exporting or converting a .gpx file.


Then, a search of the forum here resulting in an awareness of and attempt to use GPSBabelFE to create a Garmin file. There are lots of choices there but the .gpi file created there on my first attempt did not show on the Garmin as well. Just for fun I also had the GE .xml file on the SD card but it did not show.


Included the .xml file from GE because after the first attempt with the .gpx from PolarView I noticed the Garmin had created a folder call “Garmin” on the card, with a file called “Garmindevice.xml” and the original .gpx file I had placed there was no longer present on the card.


The Garmin has software version 3.60.


I've only been at this effort for a short while, but I thought maybe someone here could put me on the fast track to a procedure. It's raining out and I'm stuck inside the boat trying to solve this puzzle.


Could just download Home Port from Garmin, but I'm trying to work this out at no cost if possible.


Any advice would be appreciated.