Mapping Program For Export To Garmin

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.

scrubjaysnest wrote:
...

since Garmin is buying out Delorme, there is no telling what will happen to that mapping software.

Tell us more! References?
We've used DeLorme PN handhelds for years, and Garmin vehicle GPSr too.

After looking at the RV760 I think your problem lies with the GPS. It has RV specific routing, which means that any route you plan in Basecamp has to also be RV specific. Otherwise when you upload it to the GPS it will change things to agree with the RV specific routing. Depending on how restrictive the RV/Truck routing is, it could make it very difficult to create your own routes that don't conflict with the GPS routing software.

I have the Garmin Nuvi 465T which can be set to "Truck" or "Auto". If I set up a route in Basecamp and upload it to my GPS, and I have the GPS set to "Truck", it can turn out to be a total mess because the GPS will adjust my uploaded route to be approved for its "Truck" specifications. If I upload the same route and have the Nuvi set to "Auto", there are no problems. The route is exactly as I created it in Basecamp.

az99 wrote:
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.

BC seems to be more for the fitness crowd rather then RV'ers taking back roads.

Since we normally do under 200 miles per day Mapsource works great for us. Also you should be able to load directly into the 760 from Mapsource. As others noted you may have to disable/change RV settings in the GPSr.

Mapsource lets you view your route in Google Earth at the approximate zoom level your at. BC your only choice is select the route and it zooms you all the way out. The other two choices in BC for using Google Earth you loose the route. I use Google Earth to look at zig zags thru small towns, why the mapping software won't let me make a specific turn and see if the road is paved or dirt. Using county or sometimes state roads like we do can get you a dirt if you don't look.

If your not very careful with BC when you connect the GPSr waypoints(favorites) from the GPS will overwrite ones of the same name in BC. Not a problem if you don't use the comments portion in the waypoint. When I build a waypoint in Mapsource it has things like favorite sites within the CG, amenities, and price.
The GPS truncates the comments so you could loose that info in an overwrite. Not a problem for us as I load all waypoints into POI's so I can pull them up on the GPSr.


@BruceMc The Delorme buy was announced on the Garmin website Feb 11, 2016; also shows up in the Garmin forums and GPSreviews and POI factory forums.

fj12ryder wrote:
After looking at the RV760 I think your problem lies with the GPS.

I have no problem with the GPS. I never even got a route planned with BC before I realized that I was not going to be using it. Far too user unfriendly.

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.