How to get waypoints into your GPS the easy way.
If you've got the electronic version of the Defined Tasks Coaching guide, you'll also have a GPX file of waypoints. Getting these waypoints into your GPS should be fairly straightforward, if you've got one of the popular units supported by GPSDump.
If you haven't already got GPSDump, get it now from here.
The first thing you need to do is establish communication with your device. If it's a Flytec or a Brauniger, make sure it's switched OFF, then plug it into the USB port. If it's a Garmin, make sure it's switched ON, then plug it into the USB port. Don't know about any others, but you should be able to work it out. In extreme circumstances, you might like to check the manual.
Once it's plugged in physically, it's time to see if GPSDump can see it.
Click the "Logs" menu, and select an option that mentions your instrument. If you're lucky, it will start reading logs straight away. If you're not, it will say "Connecting to GPS" and start counting down. This means it can't see your instrument. If it's plugged in and properly connected physcially, this just means it's looking in the wrong place, i.e. the wrong COM port.
To change the COM port, click the "Misc" menu, and select the top option, "Set COM port". A drop down menu will present you with some options. Pick one, and repeat the process of trying to read logs. Eventually, you should get a working connection.
Now you have a working connection with your instrument, it's time to get all 78 waypoints into your instrument in just a few seconds, with no typing in.
First, load the waypoints into GPSDump. Click "File", then "Open wpts.". Navigate to wherever you've put "Paragliding waypoints database full.gpx", and click on it. You will see the list of 78 waypoints. If you don't have a copy of the GPX file, it's available from simonpblake@hotmail.com
Now you need to send them to your instrument. Click "Edit", then "Select All". This will select all 78 waypoints. (If you want, you can just select a few, just the Grid Challenge waypoints, say. For now, though, select all of them.) Now click "Wpts", then "Send to..." and whichever option mentions your instrument. It should take just a few seconds to confirm that all the waypoints have been sent.
If you examine your instrument, you should now find all the waypoints are present. You may need to set the correct radii - most are the standard 400m, but some are smaller. Check the Defined Task Guide for details.
You can now set up routes using those waypoints - consult your instrument manual for details of how to set up routes. For details of what the routes are, see the Defined Task Coaching guide.
A summary of the routes is given below:
