How to import a Google maps route to COMAND

[kilters]

I'll use this. Will let you know how I get on. Thanks Wiz!

 

[malbry]

Building on the idea Wiz had, I have created a little freeware utility program which takes a route from Google Maps and creates GPX file(s) on an SD card which can be imported into the Comand navigation. This differs from the Google Maps 'Send to Car' function which only sends a destination via MB's servers.

The utility program, plus detailed operating instructions can be found here:

http://www.freepoc.org/download/Routes100.zip

I hope it may prove useful for members on our forum.

Regards,
Malcolm

 

[FaeLLe]

Building on the idea Wiz had, I have created a little freeware utility program which takes a route from Google Maps and creates GPX file(s) on an SD card which can be imported into the Comand navigation. This differs from the Google Maps 'Send to Car' function which only sends a destination via MB's servers.

The utility program, plus detailed operating instructions can be found here:

http://www.freepoc.org/download/Routes100.zip

I hope it may prove useful for members on our forum.

Regards,
Malcolm

Any insturctions on how to use this?

I would think that the Mercedes Benz POI Loader free tool (Google for details) can convert Garmin Mapsource GPX files into COMAND. This is also what we use for PocketWorldGPS files.

 

[malbry]

>> Any insturctions on how to use this? I would think that the Mercedes Benz POI Loader free tool (Google for details) can convert Garmin Mapsource GPX files into COMAND. This is also what we use for PocketWorldGPS files.

Hi,

There are full instructions provided in the zip file, along with screenshots etc. Yes, I'm aware of the POI Loader tool which - as you say - can convert Garmin files. But I think there are probably more people using Google Maps. In any event, it's good to have a choice

Regards,
Malcolm

 

[FaeLLe]

>> Any insturctions on how to use this? I would think that the Mercedes Benz POI Loader free tool (Google for details) can convert Garmin Mapsource GPX files into COMAND. This is also what we use for PocketWorldGPS files.

Hi,

There are full instructions provided in the zip file, along with screenshots etc. Yes, I'm aware of the POI Loader tool which - as you say - can convert Garmin files. But I think there are probably more people using Google Maps. In any event, it's good to have a choice

Regards,
Malcolm

Okay I just saw your tool in detail and it is an amazing piece of work.
It will definitely be useful.

Look at a product roadmap of extending the capability to create a GPX file from Google Maps URL output and your product will become amazing.

Possibly as a professional version of your product for a few pounds.

 

[malbry]

Hi all,

An updated version of my free utility for converting Google Maps routes for the Comand navigation is here:

http://www.freepoc.org/download/Routes101.zip

This update has options to create one GPX file with all route destinations or multiple GPX files (one per destination). It can also directly import KML files produced by the Google My Maps function. A simple GUI is provided to select the options required. Full documentation is included in the distribution zip.

Regards,
Malcolm

 

[missel]

Hello Malcolm,

Thank you very much for your program. Very helpful.
However I tested it and there is an error during the conversion :

H:\Routes>java -jar Routes.jar
Exception in thread "main" java.lang.StringIndexOutOfBoundsException: String ind
ex out of range: -22
at java.lang.String.substring(Unknown Source)
at Routes.Routes.processKmlFile(Routes.java:320)
at Routes.Routes.<init>(Routes.java:105)
at Routes.Routes.main(Routes.java:20)

Any idea ?

Details
Done with Google MyMap and kml creation.

Your program works with the GPS Visualizer method.

Missel

 

[malbry]

Hello Missel,

Thanks for the feedback. Please can you send me the kml file to malcolm(at)freepoc.org and I'll take a look and provide a fix if needed. I did test the program with quite a few kml files, but perhaps there's something that's in your file that wasn't in the ones I tested with.

Thanks & regards,
Malcolm

 

[malbry]

Hi all,

Thanks to Missel, we discovered that the kml conversion wasn't working for Google My Maps in languages other than English. This has now been fixed - if you were affected, please download the program again. Apologies to anyone who encountered the bug.

Regards,
Malcolm

 

[missel]

Route

Hello Malcolm,

It works like a charm.

Thanks.

 

[Jimbo147]

Hi Malcolm
I am having a few issues with your program. I have created the route and have it on my sd card but the car is saying that no routes are available. I have personal poi's on the sd card and not sure that i have done it properly. I am using windows 10 and have tried many times but just cant seem to get it to work. I know its something that i am doing wrong and i am off to Wales next week so would love to get it sorted.
James.

 

[malbry]

Hi James,

Thanks for this and your separate email. Seems like there's an undocumented limit in the Mercedes Comand for the number of waypoints on a single route. I was able to import your routes to my car's Comand by introducing a single stop-over point on the outbound and return legs of your trip. I've sent you the GPX files so that you can test on your car.

Regards,
Malcolm

 

[malbry]

Hi James,

I think my emails may be going to your spam folder - please can you check. I can't PM you on this forum as I don't have enough posts.

Regards,
Malcolm

 

[Jimbo147]

Nothing in my spam. Could you try [email protected]
Kind regards
James.

 

[malbry]

Forwarded to your btinternet account. Please let me know if you receive. Thanks.

 

[Jimbo147]

Many thanks to Malcolm. My routes are now all saved to Comand. Will be going from Lymington to Black Mountain Pass then onto North Wales. From there to Carlisle via Lake district. Then its all the way from Carlisle to the Isle of Wight after watching Spectre. 1000miles and a few tanks of petrol we will be back. Will post some pics of the trip for anyone thats interested.

 

[SLKGirl]

Unless of course you have an iPhone in which case you are stuffed

Iphone 4 / 4s or earlier work, it's the 5 and newer they took DUN support off

 

[Jimbo147]

No need to use a phone as its done with google maps on a laptop and then saved to sd card and inserted into car! Really easy and perfect for me as i wanted to go a specific way.

 

[malbry]

Just a quick update for anyone who is using this program. We've discovered by trial-and-error that the Comand system has a limit of 10,000 track points per route - at least on 2015 models. The Comand system won't import a GPX file which contains more than this number. I have updated my program to show a warning message if a route exceeds 10,000 track points. In practice, it's easy to work around this limit - if necessary just introduce an interim destination / stopover point and/or use the 'Multiple GPX files' option in the program.

I have updated the program to version 1.02, which can be downloaded here:

http://www.freepoc.org/download/Routes102.zip

Regards,
Malcolm

 

[Flows]

This is a great little app!

I don't have a routes destination option in my NTG 4.5 based system. I have created the folder in my SD card but no luck.

Is this 4.7 only?