Garmin/Mapsource question

[PatrickL]

Whenever I download a route from the site and upload it my GPS through Mapsource, I'm left with only a fraction of the track. IE: A 15 mile route will be reduced to 4 miles. Has anyone had this issue before? Any suggestions for a fix?

[big_load]

A route or a track? For a track, you may have to filter it to however many points your unit supports. I suspect you're hitting a 500-point limit that only applies to some units.

[PatrickL]

I downloaded the routes, and when I open them with Mapsource, they are automatically listed as tracks (when the program asks me what I want to transfer - waypoints, tracks, routes - tracks are my only option). Kind of figured the term was interchangeable. How can I make the tracks routes?

Edit: I reduced the track to less than 500 points and it's visible, so thanks for that.

[big_load]

Leaving them as tracks is better, since as routes, each of point is a waypoint and the map will be unreadable. I suggest looking at one you had trouble with to see how many points are in the original track.

[johnlp]

Rename the track ACTIVE LOG in Mapsource, then put it in your GPS. At that point you can save it and rename it in your GPS as something else (hike name).

[big_load]

@johnlp I'm pretty sure that will work for most recent units. I don't have anything less capable to check with.

[PatrickL]

Rename the track ACTIVE LOG in Mapsource, then put it in your GPS. At that point you can save it and rename it in your GPS as something else (hike name).

This worked as well. Super helpful.

[Grasshopper]

Rename the track ACTIVE LOG in Mapsource, then put it in your GPS. At that point you can save it and rename it in your GPS as something else (hike name).

This worked as well. Super helpful.

It is kind-of confusing with some of our older Garmin units, but yes this ACTIVE LOG option will also work and then like John suggests you save it to your saved memory section, but when you do this, the saved memory section of your receiver will always reduce the total number of points to be not more than 500, so if the original GPS track you downloaded (using the ACTIVE LOG option) from HAZ was more than 500 points, it will be reduced to 500 points in your saved memory section. It is best to retain the original number of points in the HAZ track and not reduce them since this point reduction could make your hiking track less accurate.
All this and how best to do it is discussed here if your unit is a Garmin 60/76/eTrex series: faq.php#f2r2 ;)

[johnlp]

The track divide in Mapsource is pretty easy - just tried it for the first time. Open the track, click "show on map" then click on the track to a spot in the track that is less than 500 points. Rename tracks and send to unit.

[kingsnake]

Have a similar problem. Do not recall having this issue several months ago last time I did it. Created a route using Route Mgr. Saved it. Downloaded it as a .gdb. Opened Mapsource. Opened to .gdb. It is listed as a track. (Whatever.) Use the area hilite tool to outline the track. Click the download to GPS icon. It says it will download map and track. Process completes. Look at GPS. All I got is the map. No route, track or anything similar anywhere in the map section I just downloaded. Have tried this, in various ways, a half dozen times with the exact same lack of success.

p.s. - GPSmap 60CSx

p.p.s. Route / track is only 87 points.

p.p.p.s. I public'd the route so someone else can try it: http://hikearizona.com/map.php?MY=620

[Grasshopper]

I public'd the route so someone else can try it: http://hikearizona.com/map.php?MY=620

This track download in .gdb format from HAZ-Route Mgr to MapSource on my computer then from here to my 60CSx is working fine for me. I have no errors when this 87 point track (named Track #1) downloads in my 60CSx to the "Track Log Page- Saved Tracks" section. Your track is also showing up correctly TH Start just off my Aravaipa Creek maps section loaded on my 60CSx. It all looks good at my end.

After download of this 87 point track from MapSource on your computer to your 60CSx unit, check your "Track Log" page on your 60CSx. You should see "Track #1" showing up in your unit's "Saved Tracks" section on this "Track Log" page. Highlight this "Track #1" and then hit enter, then highlight the "Map" option, then hit enter again and it should take you to the mapped location within your unit where you should see your full "Track #1", then hit "in" to see more track detail.

[kingsnake]

Ah eggplant, I see what happened. It went to the bottom of the track list (alpha order), rather than most recent at the top ...

Thanx grasshopper!

[azbackpackr]

Once again, I tried to upload a little route, Hermit Creek Loop, starting from the river, on July 30, 2011, and I uploaded everything in my computer!! I'm surprised it didn't also include letters to my aunt and uncle, old resumés, and last semester's sociology class essays.... ;)

On hikelogs, triplogs, photosets, there is a delete function. I want to delete this, but I can't see how to do it.

I also need to figure out how to upload just the route I want, not the whole gamut!

[Grasshopper]

On hikelogs, triplogs, photosets, there is a delete function. I want to delete this, but I can't see how to do it.

From the home page, click on "Routes". When the Routes page comes up, you will see a (x) to the right of Hermit Trail, click on this and it will give you the option to delete the loaded route. I believe that Joe has this (x) showing up on our newly posted routes for approx 4 hours, then after that you have to contact him directly if you decide you want to delete your posted route.

I also need to figure out how to upload just the route I want, not the whole gamut!

I briefly touched on this last time you loaded that Flagstaff hike with the same issues. Basically, you need to have installed a track editor on your computer, like one that would includes the same MapSource Topo maps that you have loaded on your Garmin 60CS. The guy that helped you load the maps into your 60CS also has a DVD of these same MapSource Topo Maps.. when he is in a good mood, ask him if you can borrow it and load it on your computer (you will need to know that you have enough memory file space available on your computer to load this DVD). Loading this DVD will give you all the topo maps and the important MapSource editor which after a learning curve, will allow you to edit out (delete) the tracks, waypoints and other stuff that you do not want to upload to HAZ.

Also, a maybe better option would be for you to learn how to use the new HAZ "Route Manager" function which, after you go through a learning curve (HAZ instructions are listed), will allow you to upload your GPS tracks from your computer file and then edit it A/R and then name it and save it in the Route Mgr file section, and then upload and post this edited and corrected GPS track to your selected HAZ hike description. I can help you get started with this, but you will need to definitely want to learn it to make it a worthwhile effort ;) . I think it is an excellent new HAZ tool and I'm still learning and using it more and more as time goes on..

[azbackpackr]

Thanks very much! I'm interested! I'll get back with you after I get back home where there is normal internet. This Marble Canyon connection is SaLoooooooow....!

[PLC92084]

Before I waste a lot of time searching online for a solution, thought I'd check with the HAZ-geeks first... I need to reduce the size of a map segment in order to upload to an older (antique) device. The 8MB limit is preventing me from getting it on the unit. Map file size is 9.13MB, I'd like to shave some of the outer areas off to reduce file size.

And... While I know the easiest fix is to donate the GPS to a museum and upgrade to something without vacuum tubes, not possible yet... I'm actually looking for a software solution to a hardware problem (which I hate to do)

[Grasshopper]

Before I waste a lot of time searching online for a solution, thought I'd check with the HAZ-geeks first... I need to reduce the size of a map segment in order to upload to an older (antique) device.

Most all I learned on older Garmin stuff was from GPSjoe, who if still with us, would probably know how to instruct you. HAZ- Nonot (Steve) may also know.

[nonot]

Open the map in GPSmapedit, delete 1MB worth of stuff, recompile it with cgpsmapper, and upload it to your GPS.

Note: you may have to reapply transparency and change the mapID to unlock it.

[PLC92084]

@nonot

Thanks, nonot! I was on the right track, apparently... One minor hang-up at the moment. I'm using (I think) a newer version on GPSMapper (1.0.70.0). Got the map size reduced and compiled back to Garmin img format (now about 2MB!). Can't seem to find the function to install the new "map product" into Mapsource or Basecamp so I can work with my Track, Waypoint info... On my other system (which I don't have access to til tonight), I have an option to Install Map Product (can't recall, offhand, if it's the same app). May just have to wait til tonight to see if I've solved the problem...

[PLC92084]

Answered my own question... I was too impatient to wait til this evening! The program I was thinking about is MapSetToolkit; it's used for creating/installing MapSets into Garmin's Mapsource program (can't say if it works in their BaseCamp app - Basecamp sucks so who really cares!?).

I now have a functional map that fits into the dinosaur GPS device. Kind of a pyrrhic victory but...