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How to use the Google Earth

GPS Toolbar
Introduction
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of
satellites placed in orbit. These satellites circle the earth twice a day, and transmit information back
down to earth. GPS devices take this information and use triangulation to calculate the users exact
location. Users save locations onto their GPS device as waypoints, tracks or routes.
Waypoints are points entered by the user that shows a single location. They are imported into Google
Earth as points.
Tracks are points automatically recorded by the GPS device periodically along the recorded route. They are
imported into Google Earth as paths.
Routes are lists of waypoints, normally set up to e traveled in a specific order. These are setup by users using
the go to command on the GPS device. They are imported into Google Earth as paths.

To better view GPS data, users can connect their GPS to a computer and import their data into Google earth.
Users have the option of viewing data that theyve collected in the field or real-time data. You need either a
serial or USB cable to connect the GPS device to your computer.
How to View Collected GPS Data?
1. Open Google Earth
2. Connect the GPS device to the computer.
3. In the Google Earth window, go to Tools> GPS.
4. Select the GPS Device (Garmin or Magellan), which data to Import
(Waypoints, Tracks, Routes) and the desired Options.
5. Click Import.
6. The imported data appears in the Places panel located on the left
hand side of Google Earth and is labeled after the device used to
import the data. Expand the folder to see different data types.
(tracks, waypoints, routes).

**Google Earth supports Garmin & Magellan GPS devices only

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Google Earth
GPS Toolbar

How to View GPS Data in Real Time

1. Open Google Earth
2. Connect the GPS device to the computer.
3. In the Google Earth window, go to Tools> GPS.
4. In the GPS Import window , select the Realtime tab.
5. Select NMEA (National Marine and Electronics
Association) for the protocol.
6. Select your Track Point Import Limit. This is the maximum
number of points imported per poll of the device
(smaller number = faster upload)

7. Select your Polling Intervalsthe frequency that Google Earth

collects data from the GPS.
8. Select Automatically Follow Path to have the 3D viewer centre
on and follow the current real-time GPS track.
9. Click Start.
*Real-time data can be collected in Google Earth by connecting a GPS device to a laptop while riding in a car.
How to View GPS Data in a Timeline
Use the Slide Timer to visually follow a sequence of GPS data
collection.
1. Import time-related GPS data (see above).
2. Select the data from the Places panel located on the left hand side of Google Earth.
3. A Slide Timer will appear automatically at the top of the screen with a time range which corresponds to the
selected data.
4. The Slide Timer will allow you to play the sequence, change the time range to an earlier or later date, or
re-define the time range.
Troubleshooting
If your GPS data fails to load into Google Earth, please try these troubleshooting steps:
For a Magellan serial device, ensure that your baud rate is set to 4800 baud/sec.
For a Garmin device, select Garmin as your interface on your GPS. Please note that Garmin DGPS is no the same
as Garmin. For a Garmin USB device on a Windows machine, please install the Garmin USB driver from the CD
that came with your GPS device.
Still Not Working?
Use the software that came with your device and export a .GPX file. Open this file by either going to the Google
Earth menu File> Open, or by dragging and dropping the file into the Google Earth Places panel.

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