[Rich11111]

Garmin and Simrad use GPX as the "language" for waypoints. I use a garmin presently but I've got a boat on order that will be coming with a Simrad. I Looked into this before committing to the Simrad. In the past I have created waypoints on google earth then converted the KML file (language of Google earth) to GPX then uploaded to Garmin. With the Simrad platinum plus having the satellite map capability I may not need to use google earth. I will find out in a few months. Every so often I update an SD card with GPX files to keep my waypoints as a backup for newly added waypoints in case I loose the stored GPS waypoints. Hope that makes sense. Garmin now uses basecamp app for mac.

 

[Rich11111]

I am curious to try the Simrad mapping app. It is PC, iPhone and iPad, which I've never used the iPad for mapping, so curious how good the interface is.

EasyGPS is a FREE program that is for a PC that I've recently played with and I like. Also lately I am on the 14 day trial of Navionics app for iPhone/ipad and looks very good so far. Zooming in shows bottom details in some areas I wasn't aware of. When i first tried it I didn't have my areas the downloaded. You will need to download the map where you fish when you give it a try if you are out of wifi range.

 

[Rich11111]

would be so kind as to post an easy to follow, step-by-step process for using Google Earth, placing waypoints, using GSBABEL to convert

Here is a Youtube instruction that helped me understand how to do it. Basically Google earth saves waypoints as KML/KMZ file and GSbabel converts to GPx file that Garmin and Simrad can read. So make (all )your waypoints on google earth then covert with GPS visualizers. You don't have to convert each waypoint individually but all as one file will all of them in file.
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GPS Visualizer: Web interface to GPSBabel

An easy-to-use on-line interface for converting a GPS data file with GPSBabel.

www.gpsvisualizer.com