BaseCamp installs with the new 2012.30 map update

for the heads up as I haven't yet made the switch neither.

Good catch!

MapSource does still work with the 2012.30 map.

If you already have MapSource, you're good to go. However, if your a new Garmin owner, it looks like BaseCamp is the new MapSource replacement.

What if you download the mapset but chose not to install to the computer. Is it possible to go back now and get basecamp?

I had thought basecamp was specifically for topographical maps, guess I was mistaken

No, it's not too late. I haven't tried it but others report that you can go back to the map update page and re-download the update. In this case, you'd click the "Install Options" button, then select "Install to computer only" and if you wish, optionally identify where on your computer you want the files to be placed.

In the future, when you do an update, click the "Install Options," then select "Install to device and computer."

For this map update, when installing to a computer, you are not only installing the BaseCamp software but are also installing the 2012.30 map to the computer to be used by BaseCamp. You currently have the map files only on your GPS so they're needed on your computer along with BC.

I'm with you--when I first heard of BC, I thought it was more for hikers, etc. But it is now the default software for using Garmin-compatible maps on computers, whether a motorist, trucker, biker, hiker or whatever. Don't ask me more about it yet--I still have to play with it.

Thank You CraigW, Very Helpfull

You don't have to repeat the map download process. Download BaseCamp from this link:
http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=4435

Yes, that'd give you the BaseCamp software on the computer but it won't have the new 2012.30 map available for BaseCamp's use, at least not if the GPS is not connected. Somehow I think I remember that BaseCamp can see and use maps on devices. Even if true, I'd hate to have to connect my GPS to the computer to use BaseCamp with the current map. I want BaseCamp to use the current and past maps directly from map files on the computer.

Or do I misunderstand how BC works?

BaseCamp is a free download from Garmin and will read the map in your GPS. I found it to be the most useful tool for creating routes recently for a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. MapSource would wander off, even with a bunch of points added. Streets and Trips would too and GPX would not convert a Google Map this complicated very well. The interface to BaseCamp is a little odd but once you get used to it, it works really well.

Ah, I thought that. Good to know for sure.

But BaseCamp also can use maps on the computer, right? I found and tried BaseCamp without a device connected and it saw and opened my new 2012.30 map as well as my previous pre-2012.30 City Navs and my various Garmin and non-Garmin topos.

I still prefer using mapping software on a computer without having to connect a GPS to use its maps. The only advantage I can imagine to seeing and using a GPS' maps is if I bought a Garmin pre-loaded SD card map of Europe or some such thing that I had inserted into my nuvi.

I found the same thing Craig. Transfer some favorites and it doesn't show some of the address's with them.Still playing around with it.

BaseCamp can use maps from either your computer or your GPS. I have one GPS with lifetime maps, I am about to set up the second one for that now (I have the card, I just need to register it) and I have a third with old maps. I created the routes I used for the BRP using 2010.10 and then switch my 885t - the one with lifetime maps - to 2010.20. That seemed to mess up one of the routes. Recalcuating it might have fixed it but didn't seem to after the fact. What I get from that experience is it might be better to create a route using the same map version you will use when traveling it. That might mean connecting a GPS if you are like me with several GPSs which do not all use the same map.

The other reason I tend to connect the GPS is the only purpose I use BaseCamp for is to create a route. So by having the GPS connected I can easily transfer the completed route into the nuvi.

Jim

Hey, fellow 2012.30 updaters who updated both their GPS and computer (and therefore now have BaseCamp on their computer),

Can you check out this new thread and respond? Thanks.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/34891

Making the transition from Mapsource to Basecamp, so I have both installed on the computer. I still find Mapsource easier to use, probably due to familiarity.

If you don't see Basecamp on the start menu, go to All Programs, and look for the Garmin folder. Basecamp should be there. You can move it to desktop if you want.