Connect devices via USB

Land allows you to connect GPS devices via USB to access your files and manage them directly from the software, including GPS devices from TwoNav, Garmin and other brands. This process is straightforward when the device uses Mass storage mode.

Connecting the device

When you connect a GPS device to your computer via USB, a Mass Storage connection is usually established. This means the device appears as an additional drive in the system file explorer. If the operating system recognises it, Land will also detect it automatically.

In the event of detection issues, check the device settings or see the article 'My computer does not detect my GPS device'.

Important: Many modern Android devices restrict access to internal folders, preventing Land from reading them.

Display in Land

If the device is available in the system file explorer, Land will show it in the data tree, under the 'Devices' branch. Its folder structure is equivalent to that of any file system.

Data is mainly organised into two sections:

• My activities: shows tracks considered to have been recorded during the user’s activity, for any of the following reasons:
   
  • The track contains the same user as the one registered in Land.
  • The device is marked as yours. This property can be configured:
     
    • When connecting the device (automatic message).
      
    • From the device properties (“This GPS is mine”).
      
       
• Routes: includes all tracks stored on the device.
   

  • Recorded tracks are usually found in 'Routes > Tracklog'.

    Important: Tracks in 'Tracklog' will usually match those shown in 'My activities' if they meet the requirements mentioned above. In other words, even if the tracks in 'Tracklog' have not been detected as 'Activities', they can still be found under 'Routes > TrackLog'.
    
    

Working with files

Once the device has been detected by Land, you can perform the following actions:  

• Open files: Simply double-click any track to open it.
• Show/Hide start points: Click the eye icons in the 'My activities' and 'Routes' branches to show or hide the start points of these tracks on the map.
  
• Save file: To save a track to Land’s default data folder, right-click the track and select 'File > Copy to my Data folder'.

Transferring files to the device

Once a track is open, there are two ways to send it to the GPS:

• Context menu: Right-click the track, select 'Share', and choose the device.
• Drag and drop: Simply click the track and drag it onto the device in the data tree.

You can transfer several files at once using the 'Control' or 'Shift' keys. If the file includes associated items such as photos, Land can copy those too.

Organisation and management

As elsewhere in the data tree, you can also organise folders or delete files within a device:

• Create folders: Right-click and select 'New folder'.
• Move folders: Drag folders to move them to another location.
• Delete folders: Right-click and select 'Delete'.
• Delete files: Right-click and select 'Delete', or press the 'Delete' key.

See 'Organising routes in folders in Land'

Compatibility with other brands

Land can connect to devices from other brands via Mass storage or other ports. Once connected, they will also appear in the data tree and work in the same way as TwoNav devices.

• Mass storage: Land can connect to Garmin devices using mass storage, just like TwoNav devices. If these devices are available from the computer’s file explorer, they will appear in Land’s data tree in the same way as TwoNav devices. 
• Serial port: It is also possible to connect to older devices that use a serial port. In this case, the connection must be configured from 'Preferences > Devices > General'. Once configured, start the connection from 'Menu > Tools > Connect using custom device configuration'.

Important: Maps cannot be transferred to devices from other brands.

Using GPS as a real-time navigator

You can also connect an external GPS via USB to obtain live position data in Land. 

See 'Navigation in Land'