Index

# Load a track log

The second, "yellow", step of geocoding consists of providing HoudahGeo with information on where the pictures were taken.
In order to enable automatic geocoding you need to load a track log generated by a GPS device. HoudahGeo supports trag logs in the GPX, NMEA, Sony LOG, TCT and various CSV formats.
You don't need a GPS device. You may also geocode manually using the built-in map or Google Earth. Alternatively you may simply enter longitude and latitude information manually.

## Load GPS data from device

HoudahGeo connects directly to a wide variety of GPS track loggers:

- Garmin

- Magellan

- Wintec WBT-201, WBT-200, WBT-100

- MTK-based devices (iBlue, Qstarz, ...)

- Holux M-241

- NaviGPS/LocoSys GT-11/BGT-11
- GlobalSat BT-335

HoudahGeo relies on the third party tool GPSBabel in order to connect to GPS devices. You may also want to download the free HoudahGPS which acts as a front-end to GPSBabel.
It is always a good idea to use a tool like HoudahGPS or LoadMyTracks to download track logs as independent files. These may be kept on archive for future use.

### Instructions

From the "Geocode" menu select "Load GPS Data from GPS device".
First, you need to select the type of your device (Garmin, Magellan, Wintec...). Next, select the port used to connect to your device. A device name is also required. However, HoudahGeo provides sensible defaults. You will probably not need to modify this value. Situations where you need to select an alternate value include:

- Use of a serial-to-USB from a brand other than KeySpan or simultaneous use of several such converters

- Use of custom serial device name during pairing of a Bluetooth device

- Use of a native serial port (e.g. on a PCI card)

- Devices which are assigned a name as they are connected

Note: Serial devices connect using a serial-to-usb converter may show up either as USB or serial device. Please check both options.
Now click the "OK" button.
The "OK" button is enabled only when there is a reasonable chance for the device to be available. E.g. the device name should match the name of a known device.
For USB devices with a "usb:" device name, the "OK" button is enabled only once the device is plugged in.

### Set up Bluetooth devices

First, make sure Bluetooth is enabled both on your computer and on the GPS device.
Using "System Preferences", you will need to pair the device with your computer before first use. In the pairing process, you will get the opportunity to specify a serial device name. It is recommended you use the suggested default value.
You may now address the device in HoudahGeo by the above specified name.

### Set up Wintec WBT-201 USB connection

In order to use the USB connection of your Wintec device, you need to install an appropriate driver. You may get that driver from Silicon Labs. The Wintec device will be known to HoudahGeo by the name of "SLAB_USBtoUART".

### Set up a MTK-based device for USB connection

The MTK name refers to the GPS chipset used in these devices. DIfferent brands of MTK-based devices use different USB chipsets. Set-up depends on the USB chipset used. Some devices need no driver: The Qstarz BT-Q1300 shows up as usbmodemXXX where XXX varies.
Other devices need Mac drivers to operate. You will need to find the appropriate drivers for your device. Actually, some of these devices use the exact same chipset as the Wintec WBT-201. For these you need to follow the instructions detailed above.
Note: Some devices may need Bluetooth to be switched on for the USB connection to operate.

### Use of a serial-to-USB converter

Serial-to-USB converters require the installation of a driver provided by the converter's manufacturer. The driver decides of the name by which HoudahGeo will see the device. E.g. for the KeySpan converters the name to use is "KeySerial1".
GPS devices come in a wide variety conceived for many different uses. It is a good idea to assess your needs and buy the receiver that matches those.
For the use with HoudahGeo, you need a device which has a track logging feature. This is available in most handheld receivers. Car navigation devices however usually do not have this ability. There are also pure track loggers: devices with no purpose other than logging tracks. Advantages of such devices include: small size, ease of use, price.
We can recommend the Wintec WBT-201 as well as the Qstarz BT-Q1300. These devices have been tested with HoudahGPS and HoudahGeo.

## Load GPS date from file

HoudahGeo supports track log files in the GPX, NMEA, Sony LOG , TCX and many CSV file formats. It loads both tracks and waypoints.
In order for track logs to be used for automatic geocoding, their track points must have time information attached to them.
Waypoints which have a creation time will be used for automatic geocoding of photos which match no track log. Waypoints may be used to manually geocode images. Use the Inspector window to assign waypoints to images.
If your GPS device is not directly supported by HoudahGeo, you may be able to create a compatible GPX or NMEA file using software that came with your device or using the third party LoadMyTracks application.