Alternatives to the GPX format

When it comes to storing the track of a GPS in a terminal or in our computer, there are many formats that we can choose for it. Although the GPX format is the most widespread, we are going to list and detail other formats, no less popular, so that you know what they are like and what to do with them when you find them.

Let's start with the main format, GPX, which is the most widespread format used both by GPS terminals and by computer programs dedicated to handling them. It is used to store waypoints, tracks and routes.

It is a plain text file, so we can view its content, and even edit it by hand, with any text editor, although it is advisable to use programs dedicated to it. Internally it stores the information using an XML schema, identifying the data between "tags".

GDB

GDB (Garmin Database) is a proprietary format from Garmin and used in its software and devices, in order to store waypoints, tracks and routes. Even so, it is possible to handle this format from other programs and specialized websites.

KML / KMZ

KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is a standard from the Open Geospatial Consortium, which defines open standards within Geographic Information Systems. It is used to store geographic data in three dimensions, waypoints, polygons, textual descriptions, etc.

It is a plain text file just like the GPX format. Internally it stores the information using an XML schema, identifying the data between "tags".

LOC

LOC is a format created by Geocaching.com to store only waypoints.

It is also a plain text file that internally stores the information through an XML schema, identifying the data between "tags".

TRK

TRK is a proprietary format of the TwoNav Land software. It is used to store waypoints, tracks and routes, although the program allows to reference the coordinates based on any type of Datum.