Mapping Program For Export To Garmin

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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