How do I back up favorite files?

Upgraded and want my saved favorites to computer then to the other gps.

The favorites are in file current.gpx. On the older units, this file is in the Garmin\GPX folder.

To restore the favorites to another unit, you need to rename the file to something other than current.gpx (like temp.gpx), then copy it back into the GPX folder in the new unit.

It's the CURRENT.GPX file which is normally in the GPX folder.

You can use either EPE or Mapsource for easy access to the file.

They will either be saved in gpx or csv files in your garmin folder. Also, they might be saved as gpx in your favorites file if you saved them on to your unit.

Thats exactly what i needed. Thanks to all.

These instructions are very "current"

How do I backup my saved addresses or Favorites on my nuvi, zumo, dezl or nuLink! series device?

10/24/2011

Our nuvi, zumo, dezl, and nuLink! devices allow you the ability to backup the locations saved in the Favorites menu on the device. To backup the Favorites from the Garmin device:

Instructions for a PC:

1.Connect the Garmin device to a computer using a data transfer USB cable.
2.Double-click on My Computer or Computer.
3.Right-click on the Garmin device drive and select Open.
4.Locate and double-click the GPX Folder.
◦Some devices require you to open the folder named "Garmin" or "Internal Storage" first, then the GPX Folder
5.Right-click and copy the Current.gpx file.
6.Locate your computer's Desktop.
7.Right-click and select Paste to save the Current.gpx file onto your Desktop.
To send the file back to the GPS, please follow the steps below:

1.Right-click on the Current.gpx file on your Desktop and select Rename.
2.Name the file Current1.gpx and then press Enter.
3.Right-click on the Current1.gpx file and select Copy.
4.Connect your device to your computer.
5.Double-click on My Computer or Computer.
6.Right-click on the Garmin device drive and select Open.
7.Locate and double-click the GPX Folder. (On some devices you may need to open the Garmin Folder first then open the GPX Folder)
8.Right-click and select Paste.
9.Disconnect your device from your computer and allow it to boot up. Some devices do not automatically boot up. If your device does not automatically boot up, turn the device on as normal.
Your favorites will now be restored on your device. To transfer the saved Favorites from one mass storage device to another, connect the new device to the computer in Step 4 and then follow the remainder of the steps.

Instructions for a Mac:

1.Connect the Garmin device to the Mac using a data transfer USB cable.
2.Double-click on the Garmin device when you see it mounted to the Desktop.
3.Locate and double-click the GPX Folder. (On some devices you may need to open the Garmin Folder first then open the GPX Folder)
4.Right-click1 and copy the Current.gpx file.
5.Right-click1 on your Mac's Desktop and select Paste to save the Current.gpx file onto the Desktop.
To send the file back to the GPS:

1.Right-click1 on Current.gpx file on your Desktop and select Get Info.
2.Under Name & Extension, rename the file Current1.gpx and press Enter.
3.Right-click1 on the Current1.gpx file and select Copy.
4.With Garmin device connected to the Mac, double-click on the Garmin Drive.
5.Locate and double-click the GPX Folder. (On some devices you may need to open the Garmin Folder first then open the GPX Folder)
6.Right-click1 and paste the Current1.gpx file into the GPX folder on your Garmin device.
Your favorites will now be restored on your device. To transfer the saved Favorites from one mass storage device to another, connect the new device to the computer in Step 4 and then follow the remainder of the steps.

(1)If using a Mac with a one button mouse or trackpad, hold the Control button on the keyboard and then click the mouse.

I just use mapsource, click the upload icon and it moves my waypoints to mapsource, then I save that file to my computer.

Some of the newer units don't play well with mapsource like my 2595. You can transfer them easily with Basecamp. Just plug in the old gps and in the upper left corner of basecamp select the gps internal storage. The pavorites will show in a column on the left. Select the ones you want to transfer (select the first one and shift/select the last one to select them all) Drag them to the My Collection folder. Now remove the old gps and plug in the new one and select/drag the My Collection entries to the new gps internal memory.

I just copy and paste to a folder that I create on my desk top.

Connect unit, create and name folder on PC then copy from unit to folder on computer and vice versa.

Are you copying current.gpx to your PC and, when restoring, copying current.gpx from your PC back to your unit?

My understanding is that current.gpx must be renamed when copied to the unit to {anynameotherthancurrent}.gpx (say, currrent1.gpx)

if you were to just copy current.gpx back from PC to the unit I would assume windows explorer would just ask you if you want to replace the old file. If you rename than how would the unit distinguish between which .gpx to use?

When you have it on the computer, rename it to something else like "redsfan.gpx". Garmin is doing some strange things with the current.gpx file and it knows if you try and copy one over top the existing current.gpx. It doesn't like it.

When you copy the redsfan.gpx file back onto the GPS after the master reset it will automatically load the information into the current.gpx. So that method will work for you too.

gotcha, thanks!

The critical thing to remember is that current.gpx is an OUTPUT only file. If you replace current.gpx, the operating system will overwrite it when you next turn on your unit.

This file is a copy - repeat COPY - of the "favorites" on the GPS. It is NOT the favorites.

Just want to say thank you for the information above.
It worked perfect