Route Planning using a laptop

[rreid01]

I have a Garmin 942 chartplotter with the G3 maps. I would like to do my route planning on my laptop and transfer those planned routes to the chartplotter. When I attempted to do this with the Garmin Homeport software, I discovered that they don't support this product anymore and it is not compatible with the G3 maps. Is there another product that will allow me to do my route planning and then export the work to my chartplotter?

[MikeFergie]

Far in map sources ?

[MikeFergie]

Garmin mapsources ?

[rreid01]

After a little more research, I might refine my question by asking if it is possible to output a route planned in the Open CPN software to my Garmin 942 with G3 map software. What I would like to do is plan my route on the laptop, then upload that route to the chartplotter at the helm so I can use it.

[AedanC]

I have been trying to do something similar from OpenCpn down at the nav station in our boat to the Garmin GpsMap 750s at the helm. They are connected via NMEA0183. When I attempt to transfer a route the way points arrive and are visible in the Garmin but they are not linked together to form a route.

[wryanddry]

I have done this on my B&G Zeus 2 by exporting the route form Open CPN to a micro SD card then plugging that into the Zeus 2 and importing the route.

[rreid01]

That is an approach I could use to import into my Garmin. The question is whether Open CPN can output a format that Garmin can consume.

[AedanC]

Originally Posted by rreid01

That is an approach I could use to import into my Garmin. The question is whether Open CPN can output a format that Garmin can consume.

I'm not sure which of the two methods in the last two replies you are referring to here?

[rreid01]

Sorry. I could use a microSD card to transfer planned routes from my laptop to my Garmin chartplotter. The question is whether OpenCPN can create those routes in a format that Garmin will recognize and import successfully.

[AedanC]

I'd imagine a gpx file might work. Worth a try.

[Rasbats]

I use EasyGPS or GPSBabel with a GPSMap 4010. Not sure if this will work with the latest generation of Garmin MFD.

Mike

[rreid01]

MFD=Multi Function Device? Meaning a Garmin Chartplotter?

[Rasbats]

rreid01 ...

Yes, Garmin chartplotter.

Mike

[Capt.Tony]

Am looking for converter for .route file into .gpx and vise versa.
Somebody once posted an Excel sheet that can convert .route files into .gpx files
Can't seem to find that utility anymore.
GPSBabel has no support for .route files from Sperry Marine Vision Master FT ECDIS.

[rreid01]

So OpenCPN will not output route files natively in the GPX format? You need software to convert the route files it does ouput to GPX? What format or formats does OpenCPN output route files in?