Planning a route for upcoming trip

[pcv57]

I have a 5 day trip coming up and have been plotting out my routes on Google Maps, importing them into Basecamp, then to the Nav 5 as routes. I have had some issues where a 150 mile route wouldn't upload saying it was too long! Also, I'm concerned that if I upload these to the Nav 5 as routes and I decide to go off course to see something, the GPS will then route me directly to my next waypoint, instead of back on the roads I initially chose. Should I be using tracks instead? I'd like to have turn by turn directions, as well so what's the best way for me to proceed. I have to say that I'm fairly frustrated with the Google Maps - Basecamp - Nav 5 dance 

[Mareng1]

I've not tried Googlemaps to basecamp, but the other software packages seem to recommend using tracks, and then convert to a route within Basecamp.

There is a thread on here where someone recommended "FURKOT", and I tried it and found it to be really good.   I think that thread has some details in it.

I think that using 'tracks' as the basis - means that the route is made up of 'shaping points' on the NAV5 - the sig being that if you miss a Shaping Point - The unit will take you back on to the route the easiest way at the earliest opportunity (not recalculate completely)

Have a search for the word "FURKOT" and see what is there.

An alternative is "KURVIGER" which excels in the way that you can very simply alter the road-criteria between different sections of your journey - individually.

[pcv57]

When you import the Google Maps gpx file into Basecamp, it comes in as a tracks file then you convert it to a route. From what I understand, a route will give you turn by turn directions, whereas tracks you have to watch your gps map for the next turn. However, if you use a route then decide to go have lunch somewhere off your route, the Nav 5 will try to navigate you to your next waypoint using the shortest route, not the roads you chose.
What's nice about using Google Maps is that you can just drag the route over to cover any roads you want. It's very easy to use and you can even use Street View to see what the road looks like. There are going to be lots of scenic and historical locations along the way that we won't know about until we're there. I'd like to take a slight diversion to see them without completely undoing the routes I planned

[wessie]

Originally Posted by pcv57

When you import the Google Maps gpx file into Basecamp, it comes in as a tracks file then you convert it to a route. From what I understand, a route will give you turn by turn directions, whereas tracks you have to watch your gps map for the next turn. However, if you use a route then decide to go have lunch somewhere off your route, the Nav 5 will try to navigate you to your next waypoint using the shortest route, not the roads you chose.
What's nice about using Google Maps is that you can just drag the route over to cover any roads you want. It's very easy to use and you can even use Street View to see what the road looks like. There are going to be lots of scenic and historical locations along the way that we won't know about until we're there. I'd like to take a slight diversion to see them without completely undoing the routes I planned

have you experimented with the detour function of the Nav? Try it locally before your trip. Create a route then press detour and see what happens when you go off piste for a few miles. It seems designed for what you want to do but I can't say I have experimented with it too much. I tend to navigate back to the pink line if I go off piste then resume the trip from there, using the skip waypoint function if needed.

[pcv57]

Wessie, I haven't tried that but it makes sense. I plotted a slightly different route home from work today and will try it out and see what happens. If using the Detour function allows me to go off route then navigate back to the original route, that would work as long as the original map route stays intact

[the bartender]

your nav 6 will ask you if you want to recalculate your route, you simply just need to select No.

[pcv57]

Originally Posted by the bartender

your nav 6 will ask you if you want to recalculate your route, you simply just need to select No.

In Settings - Navigation - Off-Route Recalculation, I just changed the setting from automatic to Prompted. In the past, every time I veered off the route it constantly tried to put me back on it which was annoying. This may work., thanks

[duerrs]

First, the Nav 5 will always try to route you to your next waypoint when you deviate course unless you tap skip. You may want to mute nav when you deviate if using comms as this can be quite irritating if you don't skip. You can also turn-off navigation when you deviate and then re-start your route. When you do this, it will try and navigate to the closed waypoint or you have the option to select one that was added to the route.  I'm not familiar with the detour function someone previously mentioned so I'll have to experiment myself with this.

Second, I had to add an SD card to my Nav 5 as the internal memory that comes with this unit is quite small. This may be why you are having issues uploading your route as you don't have enough memory.

Finally, I've never created a route in anything other than Basecamp. I know many say it's hard to use and find other options easier to create routes, however, I've become very familiar with it. Once you understand how to use it, you quickly realize that it is a very powerful route planner. I suggest watching a couple YouTube videos to help as they are very informative in the workings of Garmin Basecamp.

Good Luck!

[Deano747]

First off - why are you doing your routing in Google Maps & then transferring? Why not just plan your trips in Basecamp from the start? Many will say that Basecamp isn't a good programme, but I suspect that is because they have not invested the effort to learn it. I have tried many of the other programmes and while all are much for muchness if you merely wish to go from A to B, none as as powerful as Basecamp for having multiple options loaded and replanning on the fly.

Second, all routes can be saved as a route & also a track. Once done, go to tracks on your nav, enable it to be shown on the map and change the colour to something easily seen. I use the bright green.

Then while you are riding along using the route, the green track will also be there. You won't see it under the Magenta line of the track, but if you deviate off it will show. So go off the planned track for whatever reason, and when you wish to rejoin, zoom out with the Wonder wheel, locate the green line and head back towards it. The Magenta line of the route will eventually catch up.

Learn Basecamp.

[pcv57]

Deano, you hit the nail on the head...I haven't taken the time to learn Basecamp. I did make an attempt but got frustrated. Google Maps is very intuitive and importing the file was easy. It's when I convert from tracks to route that I get the error message if I don't limit the number of via points. When I upload to the Nav 5 I do notice there are two entries for each trip; one is the route and the other is the track. I like your idea about showing the track on the map and then just navigate back toward the line. I need to test it out on a couple of short local runs but I travel for work and am gone much of the week so I'm limited to just weekends. The trip is coming up on June 15th so time is running out