August 25, 2006

Use Garmin eTrex Files in Garmin Training Center

Long time readers of GPS Lodge know that I like to use my Garmin eTrex GPS for bike rides. I have piloted several week-long bike rides with friends covering hundreds of miles with routes pre-programmed on the GPS giving us a decent turn by turn reference for the entire trip. (I know some friends will read this, so I have to say that we did make a wrong turn or two when intersections got crazy - the rides weren't flawless.) I also use it to plan training rides that can last up to 80 miles. It’s nice to be able to capture this information and log it somewhere. This past summer I found myself liking the Garmin Training Center interface that allows you to track training performance metrics like average speed. You can use Training Center with the Garmin Forerunner series, but I was unable to get my eTrex Tracks that I create when I ride, into the Training Center database. Here’s a workaround – Keep your eTrex, and use it like an Edge 205. Don't have Training Center? You can download that too - for free.

The issue is that Training Center imports History, or *.HST files, and that is not what MapSource can export. Use a simple program and you can easily convert these files. To do this, you’ll need a program like GPS Utility; a rather inexpensive piece of GPS Software that can help you accomplish a lot, now including batch file conversion, if you really want to take on this work. If not, a simple one off conversion takes about 2 minutes.

1. Download your track from your most recent ride/activity from your handheld GPS into MapSource.
2. In MapSource, delete all other waypoints, routes, and tracks except the track you want to import into Training Center.
3. If you have the most recent MapSource, you can save the track as a *.GPX file. If you don’t go download an update and then save as a *.GPX file.
4. Use GPS Utility to open your *.GPX file. Then save the file as a Garmin “History”, *.HST, file.
5. Open Training Center and import the “History” file that you just created.
6. The activity will import into the “Other” sport category. Just drag it into the appropriate folder in your Training Center Tree.

I’ve ridden over 1,000 miles this summer, all nicely logged into the Training Center software, thanks to the simple conversion above.

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