1) Launch ArcMap and add your data in Michigan GeoRef coordinates to your map.
2) Make ArcToolbox visible and expand Data Management Tools > Projections and Transformations > Feature > and double-click the Project tool to open it. You can also open the Search window (Windows > Search or Ctrl-F) and search for the Project (Data Management) tool.
3) Select the layer you want on your GPS as the Input Dataset and verify that the Input Coordinate System is NAD_1983_Michigan_GeoRef_Meters. Choose the location and name of your output file (maybe adding WGS84 to the end of the file name). Be sure you are saving a shapefile and not a geodatabase feature class. Click the Spatial Reference Properties icon to select the Output Coordinate System. Expand Geographic Coordinate Systems, then World, and select WGS 1984.
Tip: If you right-click on this (or any) projection definition and choose “Add to Favorites” it will be easier to find in the future.
4) Click OK to run the tool. Your re-projected layer will be added to your map after the tool has finished. You can verify your new layer’s projection by opening its properties and examining the Source tab. If all went well, the Projected Coordinate System should read GCS_WGS_1984.
5) Launch DNRGPS. Choose File > Load From > File… and navigate to the shapefile you just saved. Select it and click Open. Verify that the values in Latitude and y_proj are the same, that Longitude and x_proj are the same, and Projection: No Projection is shown at the bottom of the window. If the values are different or a projection name is shown, something was not set properly in a earlier step and DNR GPS is converting projected to unprojected coordinates, perhaps incorrectly…
6) Connect your GPS and turn it on. You should see a message near the top of the window that your GPS now connected. If you don’t, verify the GPS is on, check your cable, and select GPS > Connect to Default GPS. If that fails, try GPS > Find GPS.
7) To transfer your GPS data, select Waypoint > Upload. Your points should appear in the DNR GPS window. (if you loaded a line shapefile into DNR GPS, choose Track > Upload). You should see a status message after the upload is complete.