Mapping

[WRThumper]

I've tried doing the route thing with MapSource, but have never been able to make it work (my Zumo 550 kept trying to take me to the start of the route). I've yet to be able to import a MS S&T gpx file into either MapSource or BaseCamp. What I do is determine my stops along the route using MapSource, look up the stops in googlemaps, use the "what's here?" feature to get the coordinates for each stop (gas, food, rest, whatever), plan the route in MS S&T, and put the time/mileage info into a spreadsheet I created. I then create a POI file for that trip/ride and upload that file to the Zumo. I have a stop-by-stop itinerary in my tank bag map holder, so at each stop I enter the next destination into the Zumo. It's a bit complicated, but it works for me.

I will, however, keep playing with MapSource and BaseCamp routes.

 

[Fred W]

I've tried doing the route thing with MapSource, but have never been able to make it work (my Zumo 550 kept trying to take me to the start of the route).

That is not a MapSource or BaseCamp issue. It's the way the GPS works.

The first thing that you should do is to go into your GPS Navigation setup screen and set recalculation mode to Off or Prompted. You should never leave that set to Auto, as that can cause all sorts of errors when running a route. I use Prompted. Generally speaking, when running a route and it asks to recalculate the route, you should always answer "No" or risk having a borked up route.

If you start a route and you are not already someplace along the route*, the GPS always asks if you want to navigate to the beginning of the route. If you answer 'Yes" it will find the best way to the start point of the route using the same routing parameters and avoidances that you have selected as default on the GPS.

You can also answer No (to navigating to the start) and then just find the pink route line on your GPS and get onto it manually. Once you start down the route it will pick it up from there.

*One more gotcha is if you are going to run a loop. If you fire up the route when you are at (or near) the beginning of the route, it will think that you are already running the route and close to the finish, and just tell you to proceed to the end. Instead, when you form your circular / loop routes have them end a short way away from the start.

 

[ionbeam]

...*One more gotcha is if you are going to run a loop. If you fire up the route when you are at (or near) the beginning of the route, it will think that you are already running the route and close to the finish, and just tell you to proceed to the end. Instead, when you form your circular / loop routes have them end a short way away from the start.

Ouch. At EOM Johnson City TN, all of HaulinAsh's routes did this to my GPS. Getting ready to leave to run the route my GPS says, "You have arrived" in the parking lot. Even 100 miles away it wanted to return me to the parking lot and refused to pick up and guide me along the route. After a while Pillion turned off her communicator, for some reason she got tired of listening to my b!tching

 

[WRThumper]

Thanks, Fred. The Zumo is set up as "prompted" for recalculating the route (but can't say if it was set up that way the last time I tried a route). I'll make up a short route with different start and end points and see how it works.

 

[snackbauer]

The first thing that you should do is to go into your GPS Navigation setup screen and set recalculation mode to Off or Prompted. You should never leave that set to Auto, as that can cause all sorts of errors when running a route. I use Prompted.

Hmmm, my nuvi 750 doesn't have that option. That would be nice though.

If you start a route and you are not already someplace along the route*, the GPS always asks if you want to navigate to the beginning of the route.

My nuvi 750 no longer asks, it used to but now it just restarts the route from your current location, then it's like starting over and the data regarding how far you have to go is wrong.

One more gotcha is if you are going to run a loop. If you fire up the route when you are at (or near) the beginning of the route, it will think that you are already running the route and close to the finish, and just tell you to proceed to the end. Instead, when you form your circular / loop routes have them end a short way away from the start.

Yeah, I love this one. I can't tell you how many times this has happened and I can't wait 'til I get far enough along the route for it to quit telling you to make a u-turn.

I really think most of my problems with loading a complete route into the GPS are related to the age of my 750, but I've just gotten used to routing using coordinates and numbering them sequentially and as I reach one I select the next one as a new destination.

 

[Fred W]

Hey... as long as you have a system that works for you, you're all set, right?

 

[snackbauer]

Yes, and I've polluted the OP's thread enough, on to the next one.

 

[RaYzerman19]

...*One more gotcha is if you are going to run a loop. If you fire up the route when you are at (or near) the beginning of the route, it will think that you are already running the route and close to the finish, and just tell you to proceed to the end. Instead, when you form your circular / loop routes have them end a short way away from the start.

Ouch. At EOM Johnson City TN, all of HaulinAsh's routes did this to my GPS. Getting ready to leave to run the route my GPS says, "You have arrived" in the parking lot. Even 100 miles away it wanted to return me to the parking lot and refused to pick up and guide me along the route. After a while Pillion turned off her communicator, for some reason she got tired of listening to my b!tching

The fix for this is....... assuming you know which direction to go at the start of the route...... start out on the route, press stop the kill the GPS route and then reselect it, say no to the go to the beginning prompt. Problem should be over in the first 200 yards...... if you're quick with the button pushes or pulled over to do it.....

 

[Hollywoodgt]

Well might be able to play with this GPS stuff today after honey do's. Have a trip coming up in July and want to get all the great routes for around Deals Gap loaded. I was playing in Map Quest just doing a basic look for a SS1000 and noticed I can send it right to my phone. My turn by turn will not work with my Garmin and J&M Com system. I get music, phone and the Garmin shows incoming calls, but will not stayed paired up with my Garmin.

Off the topic a bit. Anyway I seen I can send it to my GPS on my Map Quest. When selecting that it said something like hook up your Garmin cable? If I did that would it covert it to the proper file (GPX ?) and I'd be good to go? Ya I know sounds way to easy to be true