Columbus GPS (.csv, .gps)

Columbus GPS is a line of South Korean GPS/GNSS data loggers. RouteConverter reads and writes the CSV track formats these loggers export, and reads the older binary log format.

At a glance

Extension .csv, .gps
Encoding csv

History

RouteConverter's own Columbus support code identifies the Columbus V-1000 by name (its timezone-handling class is named for that specific device), so the V-1000 is a verified reference device for this format family; no publicly documented invention date exists for the format itself.

Where it is used

The format is native to Columbus's own line of handheld and wearable GPS/GNSS data loggers (models include the V-900, V-990, V-1000 and the newer P-series), which log a track to onboard storage for later CSV or binary export rather than displaying a map themselves.

Structure

Columbus GPS Type 1 and Type 2 are line-based CSV: every row starts with an index, a tag, a date and a time, then latitude and longitude with their hemisphere letters, height, speed and heading. Type 2 optionally appends barometric pressure and temperature columns; Type 1 optionally appends fix mode, validity and DOP (dilution-of-precision) columns instead. Columbus Fusion is a newer CSV variant with up to five column layouts depending on which sensors were logged — plain GNSS, GNSS with satellite count, GNSS with fix quality, or IMU (accelerometer) data with no coordinates at all — the layout used is named in a #Format= directive on the first line. Columbus GPS Binary (.gps) is an older, undocumented little-endian binary log with position, altitude, speed, pressure and temperature encoded as fixed-point integers.

How widespread

Columbus loggers are consumer/prosumer hardware for GPS track logging (hiking, cycling, photo geotagging) rather than a format used by other software or services; RouteConverter's support exists to let owners of these loggers get their tracks into a GPX-based workflow.

RouteConverter support

Reads Columbus Fusion, Columbus GPS Binary, Columbus GPS Type 1, Columbus GPS Type 2
Writes Columbus Fusion, Columbus GPS Type 1, Columbus GPS Type 2

RouteConverter reads and writes Columbus GPS Type 1, Type 2 and Fusion (.csv), and reads (but cannot write) the older Columbus GPS Binary (.gps) format.

Specifications and documentation