empty files when I try to download GPS data

[wazzo]

My wife and I are planning a cross country trip next year and are busy planning and discussing different routes. We've bought all the AC maps and studied them some, but now I would like to download the GPS data. this is where the problem starts. When I go to the AC map list and pick a route, then go through the steps to download and look at the details of the files it shows there is zero data in them, except one Adobe file that doesn't seem at all relevant. What am I doing wrong?
   I have a Garmin 605 but I don't think that matters at this point!

Thanks!

[JHamelman]

Hi Wazzo,

Which route are you downloading? I can check the integrity of the files/folders of the particular route from this end. Also, are you on a Windows or Mac computer? This might change whether you can see the files or not. Unfortunately, I don't know much about the Windows end but someone else here will if that's the issue you're having.

In general, you should be downloading one zipped file containing a folder for each map section of the route. The folders contain 1 or 4 files for that map section. The reason for the 1 or 4 variance is that we used to distribute the files in multiple formats, now we only distribute them in one (.gpx). Outside of the folders you should also have a pdf About file that describes details specific to the route you've downloaded.

Let me know how it goes.

.Jennifer.

[wazzo]

Hi Jennifer, I downloaded Southern Tier on a Windows computer. It seems all the files are there with the proper syntax, although it's not a zipped file.

Thanks for the help!

[JHamelman]

Great! Sounds like you're good to go. Thanks for checking back.

.Jennifer.

[wazzo]

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear on things. In my last post I was just telling you the status of where I am now, but I still have not resolved any issues. i still see the file names, but no data in the files. Sorry for the confusion.

[JHamelman]

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear on things. In my last post I was just telling you the status of where I am now, but I still have not resolved any issues. i still see the file names, but no data in the files. Sorry for the confusion.

Darn! I was hopeful. I downloaded the files myself and they seem to come through intact.

I'm not sure why it didn't come through as zipped, maybe Windows automatically does something with .zip files. What program are you using to attempt to open them? They were created in Mapsource but there are other programs that should open them just fine as well.

.Jennifer.

[Ailish]

I just grabbed the Southern Tier GPS data to take a look at it.  The download is a single .zip file called stgpsdata.zip.  That file unzips to a folder called stgpsdata, which in turn contains a .pdf that explains the files, and seven other folders, named in a format like "ST01v007 Folder" or "ST03v006 Folder".  It looks like the folders ending in 006 are from 2009, and those ending in 007 were updated in 2011.  The 006 folders contain four files, .gpx, .wpt, .rte, and .mps.  While I think .mps is something for mapsource, .wpt is waypoints, and .rte is routes, I'm not sure what that leaves for the .gpx file, but given the relative sizes, it could be a consolidation of them all.  The folders with 007 in the name only contain a .gpx file, which has everything consolidated in it.  None of these files are empty on my system, so I'd echo Jennifer's question and wonder how you were downloading and unzipping them, since that seems to be where things are going wrong.

Ailish

[FredHiltz]

Windows can be set to show zipped files as a folder. This is probably why you see the contents immediately. GPX is the format of choice these days, as virtually every GPS data program can read it. The GPX file contains all of the data, as Ailish said.

Download the GPS Data User Guide from http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/gps.cfm, where you found the list of data files. It contains all the details about their contents and how to use them.

The Edge series are designed for training on familiar courses, not for navigating unfamiliar terrain on long tours. The Vista and GPSMAP series are better for travel by bicycle, as you can load the Adventure Cycling routes and waypoints directly into them. However, some of us have successfully used the ACA data in Edge receivers, albeit with some work. Check this thread http://www.adventurecycling.org/forums/index.php?topic=8407.0

Back to the immediate problem, please tell us what program you are using to open and view the files you downloaded. I agree with Ailish that the problem lies there. If you are not sure you have an appropriate program, the GPS Data User Guide describes several, some of them free.

Fred

[hem]

Windows 7
  will show the zip files but they need to be extracted. But before doing that Right click on the zip file and click properties. Check if it is "blocked'. If it is, unblock it before extracting. Not sure where this blocking of downloaded zip file occurs but it can be frustrating trying to use them.