Earlier Garmin GPS units
Store timestamped track points only for internal “Active Log”. The coordinate points (“breadcrumbs”) are retained when the internal log is stored (in whole or in part) as one of the 10-20 “stored” tracks. Sadly, the timestamps for each point are discarded when the track is saved, thus users interested in “geotagging” their photographs will be out of luck if they “save” their track log (saved tracks contain only the starting timestamp).
New Garmin units with MicroSD/Transflash storage
Have an option to automatically save the “Active Log” in both the unit (same as older models) and concurrently on the data card. Enabled data card storage from the Tracks screen: Setup -> Data Card -> Log Track To Data Card.
The unit saves each track point in both the standard internal log and also to the root directory of the data card using a file named using the day’s date (YYYYMMDD.gpx). A new file is created each day, and old files must be removed manually (using unit interface or PC). Both the internal and data card logs contain the same new “Active Log” tracks created when the unit loses reception (e.g. “Active Log 001″, “Active Log 002″, etc.).
Exploiting the new features:
- The card and internal log are both updated with each new track point
- Points cannot be deleted from the data card
- Points on the data card cannot be viewed using the Map or TracBack-ed like internal tracks. It seems the unit cannot do anything with the logged points on the card (maybe a good feature for future firmware…)
- The internal “Active Log” can be saved, renamed, or deleted without changing the contents of the log on the data card. The points on the data card always contain full timestamps no matter what happens to the internal log (good for geotaggers)
- The .gpx files on the data card can only be accessed by mounting the card (using the device’s USB mode or removing the card and reading it in another reader)
