Google Map data to Lowrance Fish Finders

I've been trying to find a way to create maps for a Lowrance unit that I bought that has no Map ability, like the Lowrance Reveal 5X that I purchase last year.  This past week I had planned on going to Albion on vacation, but hurt my back and ended up staying home.  With copious amounts of time on my hands I started looking into backing up my FF data, and transferring it between units, and did some serious geeking out to automate backing up my waypoints, compile the data into a database and re-generate new files to import back into the fish finder. 

Having solved how to backup and consolidate GPS data I started looking at how to generate new data using Google Maps and be able to import that data into the fish finder.  I did a lot of research on what types of files are compatible with what websites or fish finder units and have found that it's really quite easy to create a bunch of GPS points on Google and then load them into your fish finder.

Since I also have this GPS only unit, I was looking for ways to import maps to it without any luck.  But then came up with the idea that if I had a good list of known GPS coordinates, and a contour line of land that it would be pretty good compared to a GPS without any sort of map.  It's only a prof of concept, but I think that it is at least better than a blank page.  You have waypoints you can still use the GPS to route and at least some way to orientate to land.  I can go into detail on the process later, but just wanted some feedback if people think it's useful and want to try it, I can send you a copy of the file to import.

Here is what it ends up looking like, see the red line I drew on Google Maps, and then added it and gps coordinates to my FF:

Does it work for other brands, like Garmin?

I tried looking at the manual for a garmin striker 4, but don't really see any way to export and import data.  Do they have SDCard slots?  Only methods I see mentioned are using a serial connection to another Garmin device.

I tried looking at the manual for a garmin striker 4, but don't really see any way to export and import data.  Do they have SDCard slots?  Only methods I see mentioned are using a serial connection to another Garmin device.

Striker 4 doesn't have this capability

I tried looking at the manual for a garmin striker 4, but don't really see any way to export and import data.  Do they have SDCard slots?  Only methods I see mentioned are using a serial connection to another Garmin device.

Striker 4 doesn't have this capability

Looks like it does according to the manual using the 2 wires on the cables.

I tried looking at the manual for a garmin striker 4, but don't really see any way to export and import data.  Do they have SDCard slots?  Only methods I see mentioned are using a serial connection to another Garmin device.

Striker 4 doesn't have this capability

Looks like it does according to the manual using the 2 wires on the cables.

If so, that would be a pretty cool hack…

I tried looking at the manual for a garmin striker 4, but don't really see any way to export and import data.  Do they have SDCard slots?  Only methods I see mentioned are using a serial connection to another Garmin device.

Striker 4 doesn't have this capability

Looks like it does according to the manual using the 2 wires on the cables.

If so, that would be a pretty cool hack…

Here is the instructions...

 

Got your message loud and clear 

SD card or export/import data? Yeah still cant do that.  Share between other strikers and echomaps (which btw, still doesn't transfer the data, it only makes the data accessible by both units while they plugged in), sure, but that's not what hes trying to do lol.

Here is something that all Lowrance users should find useful, all of the MPA's and 50 Fathom line data from: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1_A1JHTNfGbxeeVXHYiWi9jjPJUYNiNs9&hl=en&ll=36.5478895250656%2C-121.97227490312443&z=15.  A screen shot of the GPS points I created and the 50Fa/MPA stuff. I can supply a copy of the file to anyone that wants it, looking for an easy way to post it.  It will look better on a FF that has maps of course. 

I should note that once you import data, it's imported and merged with your internal data.  Before you import anything I advise creating a backup first in case you want to remove the imported data.

Stumbled across this site: https://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2008/10/worldwide_marine_protected_areas_in.html which actually has a good contour line for all of the cost of California as a link to a .kmz file. https://earth.google.com/gallery/kmz/marine_protected_areas.kmz

 I think the file can be imported directly into a Lowrance Fish Finder by the standard import process.  I'll try it out when I have some time and post a screen shot. 

I was able to get the data I wanted from that site, a contour line of the Monterey Bay.  Combined with the MPA / 50FA data, and some common gps points, you get a pretty basic but still useful representation of land and landmarks on your FF without maps installed: