Is there any easy to use mapping program to export custom export custom routes to a Garmin? I played with basecamp for quite a while and was never able to get anywhere other than a mass of unused waypoints with a bizarre route. Maybe I am to stupid to use basecamp. :)

az99 wrote:Is there any easy to use mapping program to export custom export custom routes to a Garmin? I played with basecamp for quite a while and was never able to get anywhere other than a mass of unused waypoints with a bizarre route. Maybe I am to stupid to use basecamp. :)I think the big issue is the routing algorithms along with the specific map version can vary between devices and basecamp. Also even the specific route between two points on the same unit can vary slightly because of the way the routing algorithm is implemented. Then throw in the route and travel preferences and you add another layer or two of variability. About the only sure way I know is to use extensive waypoints that finely define the actual route to force standardization and replicability.Larry

I liked the program called Topo 4.0 by DeLorme. They sell a GPS device that plugs into the laptop, and receives the signals through a USB device you put on the dash. I really liked planning trips on a 15" screen!And the TOPO program you could plan a route, then it would add up all the hills and elevation changes. So one example course that I took in 2006, I was going to drive 850 miles, and would go up and down about 14,000' in elevation changes over that mileage. By changing a couple of things, stopping at scenic places along the way, I could find a direction with less hills if I really wanted to.The Topo program is more for planning than actually attaching to your dash and driving someplace. Yes I did use this as my GPS for many years (2005 to 2010) and did not have a dash size GPS. But I finally needed one for work, and bought a dashtop Garmin in 2011. I think I am finally used to the 5" screen. . . Real time traffic is wonderful on my commute back and forth to work. It has saved many hours of time on the freeway. . . Good luck,Fred.

Have answered this question before. Use Garmins Mapsource to make the route, review it in google earth. Import the the route into Base Camp. Two things need to be done first with BC and the GPS. Remove all routes and waypoints from BC, Garmin also calls them favorites and trips on the newer GPSr's. Now import the route(s) you made in Mapsource into BC. Before you connect the GPSr to the computer with BC open delete all route(trips) and waypoints(favorites) from the GPSr. Now connect the GPSr and open BC then export to the GPSr. You will also want to check the device transfer settings in BC first.Mapsource like BC is a free down load from Garmin. Base Camp must be installed first before Mapsource will install and run on new installations.This is a pita but the newer Garmin GPSr's, 2xxx and above can only be loaded from BC. Not sure about the 1xxx version GPSr's. It doesn't matter if you change the GPSr transfer protocols from MTP to MSP; you still need to use BC even though as a program it is really really bad.since Garmin is buying out Delorme, there is no telling what will happen to that mapping software.The MS mapping software is no longer supported since the day before the release of Windows 10.Guess I need to up load a tutorial on this I did a few years ago after a little refresh and get the mods to make it a sticky since the question comes up here about once a week and the forums search engine doesn't seem to work very well, at least for me.

I used Mapsource until it was supplanted by Basecamp. Personally I don't see much difference between the two. I use Street Atlas to plan out my route because Basecamp, and Mapsource before it, are not very user friendly. Roads and streets disappear as you zoom out making it difficult to easily do long range planning. But I don't have any issues uploading from Basecamp to my Nuvi. I do have to make sure preferences are set the same, but it's pretty much a non-issue. I don't delete routes, I don't delete waypoints, I don't delete anything unless I'm out of room to store routes. KISS.Az99, what Garmin are you using? Are you sure it has the ability to have custom routes uploaded to it? Not all Garmins will do that.

WOW ! That sure does look like an extreme PITA to do. Does Garmin not want anyone to add custom routes?I was hoping to find something easy like S&T then export the GPX file. Is there no way to do the route on Google and export that to it?I have the RV 760 to answer the other question.

Mapping Program For Export To Garmin | Good Sam Community

etrippe
Explorer
Feb 26, 2016
I found this http://www.rvtripwizard.com/
It's web based so you need an internet connection but other than that it looks great. Any thoughts from current/past users?

on edit, Help, I don't know how to make my link a "clicky"
BruceMc
Explorer III
Feb 25, 2016
When Geocaching's mapping/routing is down, I use yournavigation.org to create & download routes. I've used them with Geocaching's routes, but haven't tried loading them into the DeLorme handheld or the Garmin Nuvi.

Fill in your from/to using the mouse wheel to zoom in/out, etc.
Click on Export tab, select gpx. Export
Upload to your device.

Help that Hopes!
tvman44
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
I may have to try motogoloco.
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
etrippe wrote:
az99 wrote:
Is there any easy to use mapping program to export custom export custom routes to a Garmin? I played with basecamp for quite a while and was never able to get anywhere other than a mass of unused waypoints with a bizarre route.

Maybe I am to stupid to use basecamp. :)

I am watching this thread with hopes of learning something. I love my garmin, hate base camp and can't use mapsource as I have a mac. I do like theGood Sam "trip planner" for creating a route on my computer. It's great for planning the route and finding cg's, flying j's and other poi's along the way. It will only export to rand mcnally products however.

I tried the one motogoloco in the post above...

it does work well. small learning curve.. not bad.. I figured it out.. and a Big help with finding the new route saved inside Garmin..also from above help..

now I am able to pick all the roads I choose... not Garmin.

thanks again everyone. a big help.
etrippe
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
az99 wrote:
Is there any easy to use mapping program to export custom export custom routes to a Garmin? I played with basecamp for quite a while and was never able to get anywhere other than a mass of unused waypoints with a bizarre route.

Maybe I am to stupid to use basecamp. :)

I am watching this thread with hopes of learning something. I love my garmin, hate base camp and can't use mapsource as I have a mac. I do like theGood Sam "trip planner" for creating a route on my computer. It's great for planning the route and finding cg's, flying j's and other poi's along the way. It will only export to rand mcnally products however.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Feb 24, 2016
That's right, it's for "Traffic". No truck. I got confused because I have the 465T which also has the "Truck" option.
tvman44
Explorer
Feb 24, 2016
No not a truck, the "T" is live traffic or something like that. No truck or auto option
fj12ryder wrote:
tvman44 wrote:
I have created a route in Mapsource then loaded to my Garmin 765T, but the gps still wants to take the route it wants to get to my destination. I called Garmin and they said that is normal. So it does me no good to plot the route I want to take if the gps picks it's own route.
Isn't the 765T a truck GPS? Which the "T" stands for? If so it will route you on roads that are truck friendly, so trying to get it to follow a different route can be all but impossible. Can you set it to "Auto" instead of "Truck"?
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Feb 24, 2016
Operator Error.:(
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Feb 24, 2016
schlep1967 wrote:
Chuck_thehammer wrote:
schlep1967 wrote:
Chuck_thehammer wrote:
schlep1967 wrote:
I use this one when planning motorcycle trips. No reason it wouldn't work for RV's. Motogoloco
It starts you overseas but just drag the map to get to the US.

You can enter your start location but I just zoom in to where I want and right click then choose start here. Then move the map to the next rd you want to travel on. Right click and choose end here. Continue following the route you want and choosing end here. I add a point just before I would want to turn off of a route. As long as you keep selecting end here it will keep adding via points.

When you get the route you want click save and it will tell you you will have to register. It is free. Once saved you can export a GPX file that you can then import to your garmin. Once you do that view the route on the garmin to make sure it follows the route you want. You may have to go back and add a point somewhere due to the different routing selections.

I tried this.. make route. save file. generate a GPX file to local drive.. open basecamp.. open GPX file then download to my Garmin 2597.. but nothing is in the saved area.

3 times. what possibly am I doing wrong.

Different GPS have different places the file would go to. On mine once I save the file to the GPS I then have to go through custom routes to import it into the active part of the GPS. This link to Garmin should help you. Garmin download instructions

If that doesn't help I'll look for some instructions I typed up before. I don't use basecamp at all. I drag and drop it into the folder on the GPS.

THANK You... it did work..
I did use the motogologo for routes.. export to local drive... inport to basecamp and SEND to GPS... go to app... trip planner.. and there is the route with MY changes to the route...

Thank You again..

Glad it worked for you. I planned a 6,000 mile trip with it. I set each day up as a different file. I would get up in the morning and choose the file for that day and off we went. 17 glorious days on the Goldwing.

that sounds like a great trip.

last LONG trip on a Goldwing... before a GPS.... 7,300 miles in 15 days... camped 10 of the days.
Trunk was full of AAA maps.:)
schlep1967
Nomad
Feb 24, 2016
Chuck_thehammer wrote:
schlep1967 wrote:
Chuck_thehammer wrote:
schlep1967 wrote:
I use this one when planning motorcycle trips. No reason it wouldn't work for RV's. Motogoloco
It starts you overseas but just drag the map to get to the US.

You can enter your start location but I just zoom in to where I want and right click then choose start here. Then move the map to the next rd you want to travel on. Right click and choose end here. Continue following the route you want and choosing end here. I add a point just before I would want to turn off of a route. As long as you keep selecting end here it will keep adding via points.

When you get the route you want click save and it will tell you you will have to register. It is free. Once saved you can export a GPX file that you can then import to your garmin. Once you do that view the route on the garmin to make sure it follows the route you want. You may have to go back and add a point somewhere due to the different routing selections.

I tried this.. make route. save file. generate a GPX file to local drive.. open basecamp.. open GPX file then download to my Garmin 2597.. but nothing is in the saved area.

3 times. what possibly am I doing wrong.

Different GPS have different places the file would go to. On mine once I save the file to the GPS I then have to go through custom routes to import it into the active part of the GPS. This link to Garmin should help you. Garmin download instructions

If that doesn't help I'll look for some instructions I typed up before. I don't use basecamp at all. I drag and drop it into the folder on the GPS.

THANK You... it did work..
I did use the motogologo for routes.. export to local drive... inport to basecamp and SEND to GPS... go to app... trip planner.. and there is the route with MY changes to the route...

Thank You again..

Glad it worked for you. I planned a 6,000 mile trip with it. I set each day up as a different file. I would get up in the morning and choose the file for that day and off we went. 17 glorious days on the Goldwing.

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