Anyone use Garmin BaseCamp? Just got a new GPS, yes, still old school and not into cell phones, etc. and BaseCamp was touted as a trip planning to use with our new GPS.What I thought interesting was that it sounded as though you plotted your trip and uploaded it to the GPS and you were good to go from then. From what little research I did, it seems that the base maps were pretty poor and didn't have much detail, but there again I didn't look real hard.Just trying to gather opinions if it is even worth while spending my time with.thanks

I use BaseCamp extensively, and you're correct: plan your route and upload it to your GPS and you should be good to go. As long as the route you plan on BaseCamp doesn't conflict with the parameters/settings of your GPS.If you donwload the Maps for BaseCamp to use, the detail is excellent. BaseCamp will be using the latest maps you've downloaded from Garmin. I use it for every traveling trip, and every sidetrip when stopped. Works a treat.

When you update your Garmin GPS maps, you have to also do a second map update to your computer where base camp is installed. The GPS AND Basecamp have to have the same map version number before they will communicate.Youtube has some good Basecamp tutorials. It's a bear to learn, but it's the best mapping software that I've used.

Does Base Camp require the use of a windows based computer to use it and upload to a garmin device?

Bull Rider wrote:When you update your Garmin GPS maps, you have to also do a second map update to your computer where base camp is installed. The GPS AND Basecamp have to have the same map version number before they will communicate.Youtube has some good Basecamp tutorials. It's a bear to learn, but it's the best mapping software that I've used.Well, not really. You can use different versions of the maps on the computer and GPS. I do it a lot. It will usually comment that the maps may not reflect the route exactly because of the differences, but it will work. I use a Nuvi GPS that has old maps on it because I don't want to pay for a map update.And usually when you do a map upgrade there will be an option to do both an upgrade to the computer as well as the GPS.

wiskeyVI wrote:Does Base Camp require the use of a windows based computer to use it and upload to a garmin device?You mean will it work with Apple's? I believe it will but since I don't use Apple I can't say for sure.

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bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Mar 07, 2019
There was a steep learning curve (for me) to learn BaseCamp basics.
BaseCamp has a nice "Optimize Route" feature that I like.
Yes, once you have a route, you can export it to the Garmin GPS unit.

However, I use Google Maps (MyMaps) to find places, save them on the map and then export them to a KML/KMZ file - which can be imported to BaseCamp, then optimized, then downloaded to the Garmin.

BaseCamp forum for Win/Mac users: https://forums.garmin.com/forum/mac-windows-software/windows-software/basecamp-aa?179-BaseCamp=
GordonThree
Explorer
Mar 07, 2019
Depending on what map and device you have, the device will need to be connected to the computer while using Basecamp. This allows it to read the license for the more detailed map that was installed when you did the update.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Mar 07, 2019
wiskeyVI wrote:
Does Base Camp require the use of a windows based computer to use it and upload to a garmin device?
You mean will it work with Apple's? I believe it will but since I don't use Apple I can't say for sure.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Mar 07, 2019
Bull Rider wrote:
When you update your Garmin GPS maps, you have to also do a second map update to your computer where base camp is installed. The GPS AND Basecamp have to have the same map version number before they will communicate.

Youtube has some good Basecamp tutorials. It's a bear to learn, but it's the best mapping software that I've used.
Well, not really. You can use different versions of the maps on the computer and GPS. I do it a lot. It will usually comment that the maps may not reflect the route exactly because of the differences, but it will work. I use a Nuvi GPS that has old maps on it because I don't want to pay for a map update.

And usually when you do a map upgrade there will be an option to do both an upgrade to the computer as well as the GPS.
wiskeyVI
Explorer
Mar 07, 2019
Does Base Camp require the use of a windows based computer to use it and upload to a garmin device?
Bull_Rider
Explorer
Mar 07, 2019
When you update your Garmin GPS maps, you have to also do a second map update to your computer where base camp is installed. The GPS AND Basecamp have to have the same map version number before they will communicate.

Youtube has some good Basecamp tutorials. It's a bear to learn, but it's the best mapping software that I've used.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Mar 06, 2019
I use BaseCamp extensively, and you're correct: plan your route and upload it to your GPS and you should be good to go. As long as the route you plan on BaseCamp doesn't conflict with the parameters/settings of your GPS.

If you donwload the Maps for BaseCamp to use, the detail is excellent. BaseCamp will be using the latest maps you've downloaded from Garmin. I use it for every traveling trip, and every sidetrip when stopped. Works a treat.

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