Getting ready to upgrade to a new GPS and my 196 is going to a new home. I'm on their site now trying to figure out how to extract all my data off of it. Do you have to pay to get Mapsource? Also from what I'm seeing did they stop doing Map updates for the 196? Any of you guys sharper on this stuff want to walk me through the process?

What data of yours do you have on it? I think all mine has is user waypoints, which should have a delete button on their page.

If you go to Garmin's website, you can download "Basecamp". It is free and will let you download all your waypoints a and tracks. You just need the USB to connect to your 196.

Do you just want all your waypoints? How many do you have? I know it might be a pain in the ass but you can probably sit down for an hour and just manually plug them into your new GPS. It's not that hard I've put a lot of strips into my GPS using the coordinates from shortfield.com and also utahbackcountrypilots.org

Rob yes I have about 50 custom waypoints that I want. I am trading the GPS so once I hand it over it's gone I won't have the other one. I really don't want to write down and hand jam that many waypoints back in if there's an easier way. I don't care about my log and tracks. I downloaded that program and have a Serial to USB cord. The Garmin site recognized the GPS but I can't get that program to show it. All the directions for transferring data have me click on my device in the devices and printers page. It shows up as a Prolific USB to Serial COM port not a GPS. Maybe I don't have the right cable or something.

There is a way to download from your existing garmin to a "clipboard" on your computer with a USB cord. Then plug in the GPS you want to put the info on and upload it to that one from the clipboard. I have done it several times so friends have the same wayopoints as me. I have over 300 waypoints in mine, so doing it one at a time isn't much of an option.

On a side note, Another thing to be aware of.
I had a problem with my 496 a couple years ago, sent it in. They will either fix whatever problem you have, or send you a new GPS. It is a fixed price., $400 at that time. I needed a new GPS, and they wouldn't transfer the waypoints. I thought that was bullshit cuz they could probly do it in a couple minutes, but that wasn't happenin. Luckily I had put my waypoints on other GPS's and could reverse the process. Didn't get 'em all, but, most of em. If you are gonna send your GPS in, better pull the waypoints off first and save em.
Gary

This is what I use for transfers over USB, import and export. I used to overlay my tracks on Google Earth too by pulling the track data off as a KML file. Should support Garmin X96 series, I have a 496 and it works great.

http://www.gpsbabel.org/

Guys the 196 is serial only NO USB that's the issue. I need a converter cord. I have an adapter but it's not working.

I sent my 560 back to Garmin for a fix and nobody there knew how the hell to down load or move. They had me down load basecamp and it really was of no use to me. Zane I'll look into your suggested software hope it's worth a darn.

AvidFlyer wrote:Guys the 196 is serial only NO USB that's the issue. I need a converter cord. I have an adapter but it's not working.

Ahh sorry I missed that. Hit your local radio shack for a serial to USB adapter for use with a regular USB cable. USB is just a modern serial protocol, but I think most Windows will just attach it at COM1 device handle even though it's plugged into your USB port. GPS Babel should be able to easily connect to that device then.

Get a Keyspan Serial to USB adaptor. They work like a charm and are recognized by the Garmin programs. You can get one at Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.com/Keyspan-USA-19HS-Hi-Speed-supports-Sequence/dp/B0000VYJRY or get it cheaper off Ebay for about $15. It should work with any program that can read the Garmin protocol and it works with Macs & PC's. Ensure you have your setting correct on the GPS side. Use Garmin for BaseCamp or Mapsource and it may work as well for some of the third party programs as well. Heck, even Google Earth can read your Garmin, provided you get the serial to USB adaptor.

Well joey, you might be screwed. I think your gonna have to manually enter them into your 396. I know it sounds like a pain in the ass... but you could have been done by now