[CA] [CA11] Plotter file formats

[viben]

Does the new wifi-enabled chart plotters, with Navionics charts, support seamless import of routes / waypoints as .KML, .GPX or other file formats?

I'm getting tired of having to convert to the Raymarine .FSH format.

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Welcome to the Raymarine Forum viben,

Since the introduction of LightHouse II software more than five years ago, all Raymarine MFDs and Dragonfly chartplotter/fishfinders have featured support for GPX files. Raymarine's latest generation of MFDs (i.e. Axiom/Axiom Pro/Axiom XL) as well as the recently introduced Element chartplotter/fishfinders also support GPX files. These products do not support other waypoint/route/track file formats.

[viben]

Thank you for reply.

Since many of us use Navionics charts - in fact my plotter came with Navionics charts pre-installed when new - and therefore use the Navionics app for planning, would it not make sense that the new Raymarine plotters could read .KML files, which is the format that the Navionics app exports to???

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Viben,

On the contrary, it stands to reason that since GPX is the most commonly supported waypoint/route/track file format among marine electronics products, as well as other navigational electronics products, that a company which is developing navigational planning applications (PC, Mac, iOS, or Android) would support GPX format and it would be recommended that this request be submitted accordingly to Navionics (508-291-6000). It should be noted that the Navionics Boating App has previously supported waypoint/route synchronization (Plotter Sync feature) with marine electronics products via Wi-Fi transmission of GPX files. Historically missing from the Navionics Boating app has been the ability to export/e-mail/message a GPX file. Perhaps this has changed.

This said, your comment regarding future support for .kml files has been noted and a feature request will be logged accordingly. Please click here more information concerning product and feature suggestions.

[viben]

I agree totally that GPX is essential - and greatly appreciate that support for KML files has been noted as a feature request.

In an ideal world, all marine GPS suppliers share one common file format and thereby "flattening the Tower of Babel that the authors of various programs for manipulating GPS data have imposed upon us". (Quote copied from GPSBabel.com)

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Viben,

That ideal world which you have referenced is already here. Unfortunately, the MFD within your system was developed long before GPX became the standard for waypoint/route/track files within the marine industry. BTW - Navionics UK is recommending a navigational planning product known as Navigation Planner. In addition to supporting Navionics cartography, it claims support for the C/E-Series Widescreen MFDs (Archive.fsh) and may well support .kml files ... recommend reaching out to them ([email protected]).

[viben]

Thank you! I will look into that.

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

You're welcome.