KiwiGPS blog

Profiles are a handy feature of the new GPS units, once they are set up to your liking.  This can take some time and frustration so to minimise the time taken in future I suggest backing up your profile files to your computer.

The advantage of backing up the files is that if, say, you lose the GPS and replace it with the same model, you can simply copy/paste your backed up profiles into the new unit.

Or, say the settings are changed by another user, or the unit is replaced under warranty – there are several situations where you just want your familiar settings back again.

To Backup the Profiles:

The profiles are stored in the folder called Profile in the GPS.  This is in the Garmin folder.  Simply copy and save them somewhere safe.

Some models like the Montana and Oregon have .jpg image files in there as well but most just have a selection of .gpf files such as Automotive.gpf

There will likely be profile files for Geocaching, Recreational, Fitness and perhaps Classic, Marine, Camera and Motorcycle.   If you’ve made additional profiles they will be here too.  There will be one file called Profiles.ver – don’t touch this.

Copy the .gpf files to a safe backup location and the job is done.  Naturally, if you’ve modified the factory .jpg images (if present) copy those too.

If you ever have to replace your GPS – or get it back to the way you like it after changes have been made, the backup will prove invaluable.

To Restore the Profiles:

The Profile restore is a 2 stage process.  This is because the active profile (the one in use) will not change when the complete backup set is copied back from the computer to the GPS\Garmin\Profile folder

1) Note which Profile is currently active

2) Copy / paste all but the active Profile from your computer backup to the GPS\Garmin\Profile folder

3) Switch on the GPS, note the start-up time is a little longer than normal, change the Profile to any other – it does not matter which

4) Connect the GPS to the computer again and send the Profile that was previously in use from computer to the GPS

5) Disconnect the GPS from the computer and switch the GPS on.  Again, note a longer than normal start-up time and check the settings are correct – the way they were backed up.

Next time you start the GPS it will start quickly as normal.

Interestingly, the Profile file can be opened with Notepad so you can see the many, many settings.  Wouldn’t a Profile Setup Editor be a handy bit of software? 

Below is a screen shot of part of the list of files in a Montana 650t – I’ve sorted the list by “type” so the .gpf are all together.

Other GPS units have simpler arrangements but the principle is the same.