Frequently-Asked Questions about ExpertGPS Mapping Software
Click on any question to reveal the answer.
Does ExpertGPS run on Macintosh, Linux, or on my Mobile Phone or PDA?
ExpertGPS is desktop mapping software for Windows XP and Windows Vista. ExpertGPS does not run on Windows 98, Windows NT, Mac OSX, Linux, or Unix. ExpertGPS cannot be run on a mobile phone, Palm, or Windows PDA. If your smartphone uses the Palm or Windows Mobile operating systems, you can use ExpertGPS to save data in GPX format, which can be read by a number of GPX-enabled programs that run on Palm and WM5 phones. ExpertGPS can exchange waypoints, routes, and tracks with Garmin, Magellan, and other GPS receivers, but it does not actually run on the GPS or replace the GPS receiver's user interface.
Will ExpertGPS work with my GPS receiver?
ExpertGPS supports hundreds of handheld GPS receivers from Garmin, Magellan, and Lowrance. If your GPS doesn't have a screen (that is, if it is a GPS antenna or GPS mouse), or if your GPS isn't listed above, chances are you can still use it as an input to the Tracking feature in ExpertGPS. Tracking works with any Bluetooth, Serial, or USB GPS receiver or antenna that outputs NMEA data to a virtual or physical COM port.
Does ExpertGPS have maps for my country?
The map server that ExpertGPS uses has seamless topo maps and aerial photos for the United States only. You can use your own maps of Canada, Europe, or other parts of the world with the Scanned Maps feature in ExpertGPS. You can have your paper maps scanned, photograph them with a digital camera, or purchase digital maps in TIFF or JPEG format for use in ExpertGPS.
Can ExpertGPS send maps to my GPS?
ExpertGPS can send waypoints, routes, and tracks to your GPS receiver, and display waypoints, routes, and tracks recorded by your GPS over USGS topo maps and aerial photographs on your computer. The aerial photos and topo maps that ExpertGPS displays on your PC are bitmaps, and cannot be displayed on your GPS. Garmin's MapSource (or Magellan's MapSend) are the only programs that can send basemaps to your GPS. Your GPS basemap is in vector format, and cannot display raster (bitmap) maps like those in ExpertGPS. Many ExpertGPS customers use MapSource or MapSend only for sending vector line maps to their GPS, and use ExpertGPS for data management. Before heading out into the field, they print paper topo maps from ExpertGPS, which are far more detailed, and much easier to read than the line maps displayed on the small screen of a handheld GPS.
I have a GPS antenna that does not have a display. Can I use it with ExpertGPS?
You have a GPS antenna, not a handheld GPS receiver. If your antenna can output NMEA data to a serial port (physical or virtual COM port), you can use it as an input to the Tracking feature in ExpertGPS. Because your antenna has no way to store or display waypoints, routes, or tracks, you cannot use it with the Send to GPS/Receive from GPS commands in ExpertGPS.
My GPS uses a serial connection, but my new computer only has USB ports.
Purchase a USB to Serial adapter. It will come with software that creates a virtual COM port. Select this port in ExpertGPS. Which adapter to buy? We don't have a specific recommendation, but we do have two pieces of advice: don't buy a really cheap one, and buy locally so you can return it if it doesn't function correctly. We can't provide help in getting your USB to Serial adapter to work, but we have put together step-by-step instructions on using a USB to Serial Adapter with your GPS Receiver.
I cannot get ExpertGPS to communicate with my GPS receiver. Now what?
Confirm that you have a working cable connection between your GPS and your PC by upgrading the firmware in your GPS. You can do this even if you believe the firmware on your GPS is current. Get the latest firmware for your GPS: Garmin Magellan Lowrance/Eagle
I get Error 5 when installing a new version of ExpertGPS
Restart your computer. The Error #5 (Access Denied) message appears because the installer cannot replace ExpertGPS.exe on your computer, because some part of ExpertGPS (like the Map Retrieval thread) is still running. This can happen if ExpertGPS crashes, for example. Just restart and retry the installer.
How do I transfer ExpertGPS to a new computer?
How can I buy an ExpertGPS upgrade?
Access your ExpertGPS account page by clicking Get Support for ExpertGPS on the Help menu. From your account page, you can purchase an upgrade to ExpertGPS Pro or renew your support contract for ExpertGPS.
When I change the color of a track, all my other tracks change colors as well. Why?
Read Working with ExpertGPS Types in the Help file. Just like on a printed map, ExpertGPS displays all objects with the same type (highway, dirt road, hiking trail) with the same graphic style (color, pattern). If you want your main hiking trails to be blue, and spur trails to be red, you need to create two different Track Types: Hiking Trail (Main), and Spur Trail, for example.
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