Planning trip over several days with preferred scenic routes

That's exactly what I do.

I know this isn't directly related to your question, but I noticed that you used the term "shaping points" for your route. On newer Garmin devices, shaping points are supported in the Trip Planner and act somewhat differently than way points. But I don't think shaping points are supported on the 34x0/35x0 series. So if I am correct, you will need to use way points to shape the route.

Shaping points are kind of like "soft way points". You can skip them without the nuvi trying to recalculate and route you back to the point.

Argh! I've just tried to verify the shaping point capability (or lack) via search but could not find a definitive answer. I guess I'll have to create a simple route on basecamp with a shaping point and try it out on the Nuvi.

One thing I seem to remember about using way points for shaping is that you want to put them well before any intersections (especially if a turn is required at the intersection) to give reaction time while the unit is switching to the next way point.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/45037

I usually set up my complete route from start to finish. This really allows me to stop anywhere I want to for an overnight stop. I try not to pick a spot to stay overnight in advance, too many variables involved which may not let you get there. Also if I go off my route for some unexpected sightseeing, the Garmin will then take me back to my original route. The Garmin will get me back on my route when I start up the next day when I am asked what my destination is. I usually pick one a bit further than where I am potentially going to stay again

I created a short local route in basecamp and added a shaping point that forced the route almost in the opposite direction. I uploaded to the 3590 and found the trip in trip planner. It included the shaping point with a different color flag. When I hit the Go button, the shaping point was in the list for "Select Next Destination" and was even preselected. I guess that means I can use shaping points instead of way points for my need to stay on my route.

Melaqueman,

I've done the one long trip thing and I think it was fine for the car and no prearranged lodging. I've heard references to the maximum number of way points being something in the high twenties so that could necessitate more than one trip.

In this case however, I'm pulling a travel trailer through a 5000+ mile circuit through the mid west and back. I've spent hours trying to identify suitable camping sites and routes at reasonable drive time distances. We frequently spend more than one night at the day's endpoint. So, for me with the camper, day trip routes have more appeal.

You said you pick a destination a little further than where you think you might drive when you resume. On my unit, it wants to know the next destination. I take that to mean that the nuvi will calculate its own route to that point and then follow the preplanned route. If I select something several way points away, it might put me back on interstates when I've gone to great lengths to plan a trip without them.

I guess it depends on your trip goals or preferences.

If you can select it then it's not a shaping point. For devices that can't use shaping points they are converted to viapoints and these can be selected.

If you use BaseCamp, it seems like there is some fine tuning you can do with the Activity Profiles (car vs. motorcycle vs. walking, etc.) setting. They've got their default settings which you may wish to over-ride and make more aggressive. I've been playing around with these settings recently. I plotted a course from Roanoke to Lynchburg and applied the various default activity settings. There's a big difference in routing in Basecamp between motorcycle vs. driving vs. hiking. I'm just not sure if this difference in routing is transferred over to the device. Maybe this only works with a certain Garmin product line?? I can't find anything on Garmin.com about it.

It may not be a true shaping point, but the device makes at least some distinction. There is a different flag symbol. Not sure what it would do differently, if anything, during the route. When I have time, I will pull the route back from the device to basecamp and compare an exported gpx file to the original.

... Viapoints show differently also. Not sure exactly about your model as I don't have it but generally viapoints are orange flags, shaping points are dots and not flags.

I always plan my long trips in detail. I use shaping points to force roads I want to use. I plan all gasoline and overnight stops in advance. Depending on the kind of trip I am making, I will either make one long trip or make daily trips. It depends on if I am simply traveling through to a destination or if each day is its own destination, so to speak.

I am also planning a trip to the Holy Land but since I have not international maps on my unit and will be with a church group, I'll just use my iPhone to somewhat navigate

Good plan nickjr. Download the maps anead of time to avoid excessive charges. And ... be safe over there. Enjoy your trip.