Garmin Basecamp

ericrobinson · Aug 27, 2017

Hey team,

Garmin Basecamp seems to have been written in the 90's, and never updated. It's the worst piece of software I've used in ages.

I'm using it with a Zumo 595LM. I found a nice route on www.motowhere.com, but Basecamp ends up mashing the route, to make it unusable. It will go from the start point to the end point directly, without using the route in the middle.

This is part venting, but if anyone has a better bit of software / website to recommend, I'd love to hear about it.

RSL · Aug 27, 2017

Creating and maintaining a stable route is a challenge, if it is backroads you desire.

I've been creating ride routes since 1999, so have seen a lot of software over the years. Maybe that's why I still use the unsupported MapSource.

The most difficult thing with routes will be recalculation. Export to a GPS and the new route import will include recalculation.

I limit exposure to error by including a lot of viapoints, intersection to intersection, especially on backroads.

Proper viapoint usage and placement is critical.

In addition, turn auto-recalculation off on the GPS.

BadToTheBown · Aug 27, 2017

ericrobinson said:
...Garmin Basecamp ...the worst piece of software I've used in ages.

+1 Makes me a little crazy too...

ferdi · Aug 28, 2017

i also use mapsource and not basecamp. basecamp makes me crazy

.

RSL · Aug 28, 2017

A whole lot of people use BaseCamp just fine.

I find that for accurate viapoint placement I have to zoom in to at least 1/2 mile scale. Sometimes maximum zoom, 800 feet.

If you fail to properly locate the viapoints, to where an recalculation can't change the road selected, you may be disappointed when the route is imported.

These kind of roads take numerous viapoints.

st2cmack · Sep 17, 2017

I fully agree with all the Base Camp bashers. I've been using Map Source since 2008 and this year attempted to make the change to Base Camp...how unfriendly can a piece of software get?!?!

I do wish that MS , and for that matter BC, offered more road detail at scales of 5 miles. I realize this would make for a busy map but I could handle that.

Colin

RSL · Sep 17, 2017

Garmin keeps changing their GPS and mapping software to be more consumer friendly by adding automated features. Well, it is those features that destroy the routes I work so hard at creating.

Loading my routes into the GPS now requires a number of trial and error attempts as the import calculation makes stupid unwanted changes. Making the optional settings on the software and BaseCamp as similar as possible helps, but in the end only reduces the re-route errors.

I wonder if purchasing the new chartplotter designed for motorcycle use also would solve the problem?

BadToTheBown · Sep 17, 2017

RSL said:
Garmin keeps changing their GPS and mapping software to be more consumer friendly by adding automated features. Well, it is those features that destroy the routes I work so hard at creating.

+1

RSL · Sep 17, 2017

Dumbed Down Software will never offer you superior routes like this road. A road that seems like it was made for motorcycles.

Garmin should offer a system option of leaving imported routes as designed.

Garmin Basecamp

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