[GIS] SVY and QDC files from Quickdraw Contours in QGIS

contourconvertgarminqgis

I am trying to view data collected from a Garmin sonar unit in QGIS.
The data on the Fishfinder shows or creates the contours but I can't seem to find a way to convert it to a format that QGIS can "display" or use.

The files are saved to the SD card as SVY file and as QDC file types. Does QGIS have anyway of even using these data sets?

Is there any software that can convert it into a usable file type that QGIS can use?

Best Answer

I am not a lawyer, but it seems like exporting Quickdraw Contour data might be prohibited by the end-user license agreement:

Export Control. You agree not to export from anywhere any part of the Application or any direct product thereof except in compliance with and with all licenses and approvals required under, applicable export laws, rules and regulations.

It might be possible to load the data into BaseCamp, a free GIS software from Garmin. BaseCamp has some (limited) export options:

Overlay data, including Garmin Custom Maps and BirdsEye imagery, cannot be exported to a file. To export overlay data, you must back up your data. -BaseCamp user manual, "Exporting Data"

You can back up all data, lists, and folders to a single archive file. The archive file can be restored to a different BaseCamp™ installation. -BaseCamp user manual, "Backing Up Data"

So if the QuickDraw Contours are considered "overlay data," you won't be able to use them outside of the Garmin product universe. There might be a way to "jailbreak" the data, but it wouldn't surprise me if that's a violation of Garmin's terms of use. Note: As of April 15, 2019, the "terms of use" link on the bottom of the Garmin website is broken (it leads to a page that says, "404 You seem to be lost. Let us help you find your way.").

If the data you want to export is data you collected yourself, it does seem like you should be able to to what you want with it. I would recommend contacting Garmin customer service about it.

Just Googling "convert svy file" and "convert qdc file" does yield some results that claim to convert these file types, but they don't look especially reliable or safe.

Related Question