Which Gives Superior Route: Your Garmin Device or BaseCamp?

 

We are planning a long trip, so I was updating my Nuvi 650. In doing so, I ran across BaseCamp (which I never seemed to get around to using). So I took-up experimenting developing the route with BaseCamp.

It dawned on me that BaseCamp may possibly generate a better route than the one developed on an external device such as the Nuvi650. Any thoughts on this?

PS: There does appear to one of those "minor" problems.
"Why can't I find the route I sent from MapSource or BaseCamp on my nuvi series device?"
http://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={b78f1b60-29a7-11de-76c5-000000000000}

"This article is applicable to the nuvi 30, 40, 42, 44, 50, 52, 54, 200, 205, 300, 600, 1100, 1200, 1300, 2200, 2300, and 3700 series devices.

Although MapSource or BaseCamp will indicate that a route has been sent to the device successfully, these devices are unable to read the file since they do not support this feature. MapSource and BaseCamp can still be used to transfer maps and waypoints to these devices.

Looks like I will have to figure out what this means -->"MapSource and BaseCamp can still be used to transfer maps and waypoints to these devices."

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Garmin Nuvi650 - Morehead City, NC

In your

In your case I don't think it will manner much. If I remember correctly the 650 doesn't support multi point routes. AFAIK you could only have a start and end point and add one waypoint between those 2. All of this would be done on the Nuvi.

I think this is detailed on page 5 of the owner's manual which you can still find at http://static.garmin.com/pumac/nuvi650_OwnersManual.pdf

--
Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

Which Gives Superior Route: Your Garmin Device or BaseCamp?

Well it did not work out to well. First, to get the BaseCamp file onto the Nuvi 650, it has to be exported as a GPX file and then imported into the Nuvi with the POI loader.

After that the the route from origin to destination turned out to be different that that computed by BaseCamp.

On reflection, this was obvious. As the Nuvi650 does not really handle a computed route, but computes it's own route to the destination. As t923347 noted: "if I remember correctly the 650 doesn't support multi point routes."

Both the Nuvi 650 and BaseCamp reported travel time at approximately 10 hours. But the Nuvi reported the distance as 472 miles and BaseCamp as 607 miles. I suspect that may have to do with how the miles are computed. Road miles versus "bird miles".

The apparent solution for long-distance trips would be to cut the trip into a series of short trips using either BaseCamp or Google Maps.

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Garmin Nuvi650 - Morehead City, NC

Try Google Earth

Go into Google Earth and click on "Get Directions" on the left side of the screen. Enter your starting and ending points and let GE show you the route, the miles, and the driving time.
I THINK that the route GE generates should be identical to the route that your 650 generates.
Note: starting and ending points can be an address, a zip code, or even the lat/long of the point(s).

Phil

--
"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse."

Mapquest/Google Maps/ Earth

While I love my Google hikers, and never leave w/o a Nuvi, I only start paying attention to it the last couple of miles.

Here's an interesting experiment: while walking on the street in any major city glance on to the dash of cars you pass and see how many drivers have a Nuvi set up. That's not an accident or want of sophistication. Chicago? perhaps. New York City and it's boroughs, traffic? At best useless (and that includes a 40 mile radius). There are exceptions of course, like making multiple stops or finding a restaurant when you find your choice closed on an odd day. neutral

Try Mapsource

I also have problems with Basecamp and my older Nuvi's. I have better luck using Garmin's older Mapsource mapping software. Although obsolete since 2010, it is still available for download here:

http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209

It won't solve your multi point route issue but it will make file downloads to your 650 easier.

Interested ...

... as to why you say it'll make 'downloads to your 650 easier'?

--
Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20

Yes

sussamb wrote:

... as to why you say it'll make 'downloads to your 650 easier'?

Both Mapsource (which I haven't used in a couple years) and Base Camp have the same "Download to Device" option on the menu.

--
Illiterate? Write for free help.

Mapsource...

sussamb wrote:

... as to why you say it'll make 'downloads to your 650 easier'?

Since I don't have a 650 to experiment with, I'm assuming it's operation is similar to that of the older 265 and 760 GPSr's I frequently use.

I'm by no means an expert here and perhaps one of our other members can explain why but I have the same problem as the OP when I try to load a Basecamp created .gpx file into my older units.

Mapsource uses Garmin's proprietary .gdb formatted files which in my case will load directly into the 265 and 760 units without using poi loader.

Basecamp can be used the same way if you import a .gdb file and sent it directly to the device.

Files can also be created in Basecamp, exported and saved in the .gdb format instead of the default .gpx.

I experience no problems at all using Mapsource with my older units.

To be clear, none of this will solve the OP's multi point route problem however.

it's a problem

Your 650 is so old and limited as far as routing is concerned anything you try will be a problem. When I was using my old 200 (before I gave it to my daughter) we tried setting up routes by having it navigate to points along the route. It always defaulted to what it thought was the "quickest" way between the points and often to city streets and country roads away from the super slab Interstates. We found the best way was to revert to a paper map, plan the route and then use the Nuvi to monitor our position and find locations along the way. The 885 wasn't much better as it would often override a planned and downloaded route with its own choices. The 3597 is much better, but it still requires a lot of preplanning and careful placement of route shaping waypoints.

All-in-all, a paper map from either the state supplied maps or an atlas is still the best route to go. The old adage, "Know before you go" still applies. I remember from years ago, back in the late 90's, Microsoft had an option in their online maps to output a "line map" which just listed points where you would turn or meet junctions connected with a line and the mileage between points. I wish someone would bring that option back for route planning.

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ɐ‾nsǝɹ Just one click away from the end of the Internet

Route

Even with my ancient Nuvi 855 I can and do import and export routes using MapSource.
I am not saying it will work for a 650.

This is how I do it!

I connect the 855 to my computer. Then I safely copy the current.gpx file to another location, just in case. Next I use MapSource and load the current.gpx file into MapSource.

Next I delete all ***.gpx files in the GPX folder on the GPS.

Now I have all my waypoints to play with in MS. I create a route using my waypoints or even add more by zooming in on a location and make a waypoint to use in the route.

Once the route is done I use the "recalculate" feature to make sure everything is as I want it.

Finally I use the "Send to device" in MS to copy it all into the GPX folder. This works using my 855 and my 2797.

BTW: I have never heard of using POI loader to do that with, but I could be wrong.

I have to admit I do not like BaseCamp since I find it hard to maneuver in.

--
Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

...

I've never noticed much difference for a simple point to point route between the computer software or the device. Occasionally there are minor differences, but even recalculating the route during a trip can have a difference too.

Interesting. I saw the GPX - Rply to Melaqueman

Interesting. I saw the GPX folder, but I was unaware of its use. I will have to look into how to use it. It may prove to be useful.

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Garmin Nuvi650 - Morehead City, NC

Route Developed

It was a pain, but I was able to set-up two "way points" as favorites, based on Google maps. It was tedious comparing the Nuvi route to the Google route. The Garmin 650 had two segments in the route that did not seem to be that great when compared to Google maps.

Google maps itself was difficult to use. Next time it should go a lot easier. For a future trip, I may create a csv file for the route.

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Garmin Nuvi650 - Morehead City, NC

Reply to telecomdigest2

Correct, for simple trips not much of a problem. But on the longer trips with numerous interstates and cities you occasionally get some bizarre results.

The small size of the screen is an occasional hindrance too since the entire route is not visible. That why I am doing the route planning on a home computer.

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Garmin Nuvi650 - Morehead City, NC

Too much

I know that there are smarter people here than I am, but me thinks you are making it too difficult. Using Google maps, csv files etc. Just load your current.gpx file into MapSource and you can play with your waypoints to your hearts content. When done just send everything back to GPX which is what the GPS uses.

Even my LOOOONG ago departed Nuvi 350 used GPX files !!!
The only difference is that 15 years ago there was no help available !!!

--
Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

.

Melaqueman wrote:

I know that there are smarter people here than I am, but me thinks you are making it too difficult. Using Google maps, csv files etc. Just load your current.gpx file into MapSource and you can play with your waypoints to your hearts content. When done just send everything back to GPX which is what the GPS uses.

Even my LOOOONG ago departed Nuvi 350 used GPX files !!!
The only difference is that 15 years ago there was no help available !!!

This won't work for the unit that the OP is using.

Basecamp

There have been substantial improvements to Basecamp and I have not used the unsupported Map Source in many years. For users of older Garmin Units maybe time to upgrade?

--
romanviking

Garmin needs

Garmin needs a new choice to add to the Shortest or Fastest area called Planned or Plotted. Nothing like having your route totally changed by your particular GPS unit because IT wants to tour the countryside.

--
Curiosity is the acquisition of knowledge. And the death of cats.

Yep

And it should be do-able. Zumos have an option that you can set to never recalculate or be prompted so you can decide to recalculate or not. Could do with that on the nuvi line also.

--
Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20

want to like it

I want to like BaseCamp, but I don't. It is not easy to make routes with the stops I want. But, on my Nuvi, it is very easy so I just make all my routes directly on my Nuvi. I really like planning my trips, and have multiple screens open on my computer with other information that I search for - GasBuddy for one, a large map like Bing Maps for another.

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___________________ Garmin 2455, 855, Oregon 550t

...

telecomdigest2 wrote:

I've never noticed much difference for a simple point to point route between the computer software or the device. Occasionally there are minor differences, but even recalculating the route during a trip can have a difference too.

I haven't either. I'll often use Basecamp on a more complex route because of the ease of dragging the route line where I want it.

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Nuvi 2460

Hmm ...

rigel wrote:

I want to like BaseCamp, but I don't. It is not easy to make routes with the stops I want.

Really? I just start with a start and end point, then 'rubber band' to anywhere I want to stop. I can plan a route in under five minutes, often less.

Same as tomkk posted above.

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Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20

BC

tomkk wrote:

I haven't either. I'll often use Basecamp on a more complex route because of the ease of dragging the route line where I want it.

Well you make it sound interesting, just drag the route.
One thing always happened to me, it gave me a route and I did not know how to alter that.
Maybe I'll give BC a try again.

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Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

Models for shaping points

Melaqueman wrote:
tomkk wrote:

I haven't either. I'll often use Basecamp on a more complex route because of the ease of dragging the route line where I want it.

Well you make it sound interesting, just drag the route.
One thing always happened to me, it gave me a route and I did not know how to alter that.
Maybe I'll give BC a try again.

For your 2797 have you considered this http://www.poi-factory.com/node/45037 ?

--
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

S P

charlesd45 wrote:

One thing always happened to me, it gave me a route and I did not know how to alter that.
Maybe I'll give BC a try again.

For your 2797 have you considered this http://www.poi-factory.com/node/45037 ?

Yes I have been using shaping points on the 2797. Only bad thing about it is if you do a recalculate the route then you have to go over it again to set up the shaping points.

I tried to set up a looooong route in BaseCamp this morning. In my opinion it still sucks. MapSource is so much easier to use.
somewher I have 3-4 lessons stored on BaseCamp. Maybe I should give them another try.

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Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

Well ...

... I would. If you're used to MapSource then BaseCamp can take a bit of getting used to, but once you are try using MapSource as I do occasionally and you'll find it's MapSource that's difficult to use smile

As for shaping points I don't quite follow your comment. Recalculating or adding points, whether in BaseCamp or on my nuvi, doesn't delete any shaping points.

--
Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20

Personally

sussamb wrote:

... I would. If you're used to MapSource then BaseCamp can take a bit of getting used to, but once you are try using MapSource as I do occasionally and you'll find it's MapSource that's difficult to use smile

Personally I find them both not worth the effort when I can create all the routes/trips I want using much easier tools. My current favorites are Furkot (Furkot.com) and Tyre (http://www.tyretotravel.com/download-tyre/). Furkot is a web based route creation facility which allows creation of Garmin GPX files that when loaded on the Nuvi work very well in Trip Planner. Tyre, is route creation software that allows for the direct downloading of created routes to the Nuvi trip planner.

Granted neither of these use Garmin maps (Google in both cases if I remember correctly) but I haven't really found that a problem in 2 years of use. Certainly both are one heck of a lot easier to use than Mapsource or Basecamp. Tyre also has the added advantage of allowing you to simulate the drive of a created route at something like 250+ mph and not just at posted highway speeds like on the Nuvi.

--
Nuvi 350, 760, 1695LM, 3790LMT, 2460LMT, 3597LMTHD, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, DriveSmart 61, Garmin Drive 52, Garmin Backup Camera 40 and TomTom XXL540s.

And ..

t923347 wrote:

Tyre also has the added advantage of allowing you to simulate the drive of a created route at something like 250+ mph and not just at posted highway speeds like on the Nuvi.

You can do that in BaseCamp too smile

--
Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20

Tyre ?

I downloaded the FREE version and I see no benefit in using it and judging it by the free version I would not pay
about $ 10.00 for the paid version.

For example if I import my current.gpx file into it, it only imports the route waypoints and not my regular waypoints of which there are approximately 147 currently. Also maybe the poster is using a paid version, but I did not see any 250 Mph simulation option. Also almost ANY additional features TYRE has are ALL Europe oriented.

MapSource and BaseCamp at least will import ALL waypoints and routes already created and then let me decide what to do with them. I can also add more waypoints and then export all that back to the GPS.

What in my opinion is even more important is that either MS or BC use the identical GARMIN map that is on your computer and in your GPS and there cannot be any mapping error in the waypoint location between those two programs and the GPS.

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Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

Shaping points ?

sussamb wrote:

... I would. If you're used to MapSource then BaseCamp can take a bit of getting used to, but once you are try using MapSource as I do occasionally and you'll find it's MapSource that's difficult to use smile

As for shaping points I don't quite follow your comment. Recalculating or adding points, whether in BaseCamp or on my nuvi, doesn't delete any shaping points.

When you have been using MapSource for eons it is easy !

Sorry my bad, I meant to say "OPTIMIZE" removes the shaping points.

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Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

Ah ...

... That makes more sense. Yes agreed, if you stick to MapSource it is easy. My point was more that if you're used to BaseCamp dipping back into MapSource is just as difficult as it is to folks who occasionally dip into BaseCamp wink

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Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20

OK

sussamb wrote:

... That makes more sense. Yes agreed, if you stick to MapSource it is easy. My point was more that if you're used to BaseCamp dipping back into MapSource is just as difficult as it is to folks who occasionally dip into BaseCamp wink

OK we'll agree to agree LOL !

--
Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.