How to: Transfer custom maps to garmin 765

I haven't played with creating routes on Google and Mapquest for quite a while. The Google link is broken, Google points fingers at Garmin, Garmin points fingers back at Google. Mapquest works, but then they haven't changed their engine either.

As far as the recalculation of the route, it's a Garmin issue. Different routing engines and algorithms. The only way to come somewhat close is to do the route in Mapsource, and hope it works correctly. But the routing between Gamin's Mapsource and what in your Nuvi are still different. If you put in enough waypoints, you might get the Nuvi to follow the route you want, but don't bet on it.

For me personally, I think Mapsource is about worthless, if you want to do a route that follows a secondary road, it won't plot it for any distance. It defaults to using limited access or arterials and won't follow a secondary road. As an example, try building a route to follow the Natchez Trace Parkway from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN. The route is 488 miles on the parkway, Mapsource won't handle it and says the route is over 600 miles because it won't stay on the parkway.

The sane with routes that do use limited access highways. Mapsource may plot the route correctly without waypoints and transfer it to the Nuvi, but the Nuvi recalculates and sends you off the Interstate because a local road may be 5 feet shorter. It's definitely not faster, but even with the "Use fastest" options set, it doesn't.

I plan my routes using one of the commercial packages and print out the route map only loading the destination into the Nuvi. When i get close enough to the stopping point, I'll have the Nuvi provide directions. otherwise it just displays a map and lets me know when I'm approaching some of my custom POI.

In short, the Garmin routing is hosed and unreliable for any distances.

I used MapSource to make a route from Boise to San Diego, with several shortcuts to trim the miles to less than 1,000 miles.

It works flawlessly in the many times I have driven that route using a Garmin 500 and a Garmin 750.

Have you checked you routing preferences?

That could be a source of your problem.

Also I use MapSource every week to make routes for ATV riding. The maps I use are not route-able, but with via points and way points I get there and back.

For a source of free maps look at GPSFileDepot.
Many excellent free maps for Garmins.

As to routing preferences, I have date and time closures and unpaved roads checked. No preference set for road type.

Just did a test case. With just a starting and end point for a trip we will take, the distance is 1622. Put in 1 waypoint for one overnight stay, the distance dropped to 1601. Put in another waypoint to keep to the Interstate, the distance increased to 1613, but cut over 150 miles of secondary road out that went through many small towns. S&T routed this properly with no waypoints. So tell me Mapsource isn't full of problems.

I just played with mapsouce on your route from natchez ms to nashville, it worked ok for me, you just have to keep moving the route with the rubber band when it goes off the parkway, it ened up being 467 miles and a bit over 9 hrs travel time, then if your gps can do routes you should be able to send it to the gps.

This is really useful information for my new nuvi 765...thanks!!! I was playing with google maps but not quite sure how to transfer etc.

The Nuvi and Mapsource routes won't be the same. The Nuvi recalculates the route according to it's routing so even laying it out in MS is an iffy proposition.

As to the other route I laid out, try routing from Arkadelphia to San Antonio. If you want fixed points, the Hampton Inn in Arkadelphia and 7451 Culebra Ave, 78251. It will have you get off the Interstate at Sulphur Springs and route secondary roads to Waco. Routing to Dallas and the beltway to I-35 is a few miles further. Option is set for fastest time. The time difference is 10 seconds and that assumes there are no traffic control devices and you can travel at or above the posted speed the entire 150+ miles.

Which nuvi do you have, if it dont support routing then what you say is true,

The model isn't really important other to know it does support routes and I have imported and built many routes for this unit and others, It always recalculates whatever route is laid in, even from Mapsource.

As an example, I did a trip from NC to MN. I used Mapsource to plot my route the way I wanted to go. Using 98% interstate. Use of bookoos of waypoints is the key to keeping the Garmin from recalculating another route. Generally chronologically numbering each waypoint. The 1800 mile trip needed somewhere around 18 waypoints. Seems like alot of waypoints, but it took about 4 or 5 waypoints just to pin the route down so the route would use the beltways around the cities. Anyway, that is the synopsis of how I do it. Doesnt take long, and the waypoints were necessary to keep the Garmin from recalculating. Also, be sure you select the interstate waypoints that are in the direction you are travelling, or you will be turning around in the strangest places. The whole trip and others like it that I ahve done, have been the way I wanted to go. I just used a paper map to sortof see where I was spatially. Hope this helps!

Having to insert numerous waypoints is one of the problems of using Mapsource and the Garmin to do the automatic routing. In my example of the 500 mile trip from Arkadelphia to San Antonio, with no preferences set, Mapsource routes you down TX 19, around Athens to Corsicana and then down TX 31 to Waco. Streets & Trips routes you to to the I-20 Beltway around Dallas to I-35E and south. According to Mapsource the difference is about 13 miles and 10 seconds going two lane secondary roads with towns, lights, and stop signs not counted.

I just haven't been able to trust Garmin to plot a logical route for about the past year. Even with a route shown correctly in Mapsource (using waypoints to force travel on specific roads) when the route is activated in the unit - and all the Garmins supporting routes do it - it is recalculated to use the routing algorithims within the device to get you from waypoint to waypoint. The only way i have found to ensure the route plotted in the unit is correct is to insert so many waypoints it's almost impossible to get an estimated arrival time to the destination. (Oh, it does do a good job of extimating your arrival at the next waypoint though!)

Not sure anyone actually answered your original question. If I understood you right, you want to create a route in Google maps and then download it to your Garmin 765T.

It would be nice if it did this, but it actually only downloads the destination from google maps to your favorites. Then the GPS creates the route for you. Custom routes are designed to be created on your GPS. You probably already know some of this, but I'm going to write this so anyone reading it can do it download a destination from Google Maps.

1. Download the Communicator plugin from the Garmin website http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/products/communicator

2. Connect your GPS to your PC via a usb cable.

3. Create your google map driving directions. In the upper right hand corner of the map, click on the "Send" link.

4. On the left hand side, click on the "GPS" link.

5. Pick "Garmin" form the list. (Optional, add notes)

6. Click "Send" to download it to your GPS

7. It will then search for your device and come back with a screen where you can check a box next to your GPS type and press "Send". It will then confirm its sent.

8. Go to "Favorites" on your GPS and it should be listed there. Then chose it to have your GPS create the route.

Do the same thing with Mapquest and get the entire route including via's. Then on the 765T go to My Data - Import Route from file.

Thanks for that additional info. I don't typically use MapQuest and didn't realize it has that option.

To add some more details for anyone that isn't familiar with the process. Follow all instructions in my prior post for Google Maps, except go to the MapQuest website instead. Then do the following:

Import Map
1. Go to "Tools"
2. Select "My Data"
3. Select "Import Route From File"
4. Select the "MapQuest" entry
5. Select "Import" and back out to menu

Use Downloaded Map
1. Select "Where To"
2. Select "Custom Routes"
3. Select "MapqQuest" entry
4. Select "Go"

And this does create the exact route you downloaded from MapQuest.

...you are saying that when you import the Mapquest map, or when you choose it from Custom Routes, that the nuvi doesn't use it's own algorithm, and recalculate the route?

I have never been able to do this, without the nuvi recalculating and going "its way" instead.

The nuvi imports only the route points (start, finish and vias) and recalculates using these points and its own routing engine including the preferences you have set. To improve the chances of it calculating the same route you created in the source (Mapquest, Mapsource, Streets & Trips or whatever), include more via points.

Sorry, in my test it did create the exact same route on my GPS as the MapQuest route. Based on alandb's more experienced response, it must have just been a coincidence that they both used the same exact route.

This information from racj was very interesting and in a form i could follow. Note that racj has been a member for a little ove a week and has given very good instructions.

I thought that I might put together instructions that would cover the complete process so I would have them for later reference.

Well, it did not go as smoothly as I had anticipated. So my notes include comments about the problems.

Hopefully someone else will check me out and improve upon the following:

Creating a Custom Route with Mapquest
Note that it is applicable only on units that accept “routes” and these instructions are written for a 765T.

Make sure that you have installed the following software.
http://www8.garmin.com/products/communicator/

There is a “test” option at the web site. Note, however, that I had the Communicator installed (based on the “test” page) but Mapquest did not think so. I reinstalled it from Garmin and Mapquest then accepted my GPS.

In your browser, go to http://new.mapquest.com/ and be sure you are using what is called “Classic Mapquest”
(1) Click on “Get Directions”
(2) Enter your “Start” and “End” points and then click on “Get Directions”
(3) Once your route has been calculated and shown, click on “Add Another Location”
(4) Enter your next point and then click on “Add To Directions”
(5) Repeat Step 4 as necessary
(6) Make sure your GPS is attached to your PC
(7) Click on “Send” in the upper left Menu bar of Mapquest
(8) In the dialog box that appears, click on “Send To GPS”
(9) In the new dialog box that appears, click on your GPS unit, then click “Send”
(10) You should receive a “Success” message which you can close.

Now switch to an Explorer window showing your GPS unit. Look in the \Garmin\GPX folder and you should see a new file whose name starts with “Mapquest …” and has a .gpx extension. Finally, safely disconnect your GPS unit.

Notes: Rename the Mapquest file if you wish, but in my case the rename was not recognized by the GPS when safely disconnected. Also my GPS continued to recognize a previous Mapquest “Send” that I had deleted from the GPX directory. Later, after, another connection to my PC and a safely disconnect, the first Mapquest “send” was gone but the “My Data” files showed the last Mapquest “Send” twice.

Power up your GPS unit.
Click on “Tools” .
Scroll to “My Data” and click on it.
Choose the option to “Import Route from File”
Choose the “mapquest” file you just sent to your GPS
Click on “Import”
Use the “Back” button till you get to the main menu

Click on “Where To” > “Custom Routes” and select the just imported route.
Note that you can click on “Edit” and then reorder the route if you desire

I just tried to transfer the route I created with Mapsource to my 765T. I get a messaage the map is transferred on my desktop but when I look at my Custom Routes on my 765, it's not there.

What am I doing wrong?

Tools,Settings,System and My Data then select Import Routes.Go to Where To then routes to see them.