GPS Help

Chuck Kopelson's Free Book on how to use a Garmin GPS with Garmin Basecamp software.

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Import GPX Files into BaseCamp
Why do I want to do this?

1. Since GPX is a generic format for map data you can share routes created by other people off of websites, attached to emails or on flash drives for your own use.
2. When you get these files you are able to look at them in BaseCamp before you use them.
3. You can edit these files to include route changes and new waypoints.
4. It allows you to easily download the files to your Garmin GPS

How to Import a GPX file
Let’s say I sent you a gpx file via an email attachment of one of my favorite twisty routes. First you would save the file attachment off the email in a convenient place on your computer.  Within BaseCamp select or create a list directory where you want the file to be placed such as “Chucks Routes”. Right click on “Chucks Routes” and create a New list container and name it for instance “Morrison to Deckers”.  Select / click on the Morrison to Deckers list.  Go to File/ import into and browse for the gpx file. It will import it into the Morrison to Deckers list item. If you import it into the wrong place you can copy or move the file anywhere you want later.  Click on the list item and the contents of the gpx file will show up in the lower left box. Depending on what is in the GPX file you may see:

1. Waypoints
2. Tracks
3. Routes

If you click on a route or track it will display on the map. Double click on a route or a track and a dialog information box will come up showing you all the properties. At this point you can edit the file and or download it to your GPS.

Copying from BaseCamp to the GPS
When you plug your GPS into your computer with a USB cable a new folder will appear on the left under devices. You transfer tracks, routes and waypoints from BaseCamp to the GPS by simply dragging it to the Internal Storage folder. You can also select an item, and on the top of the screen go to Device/ send to device or click on .

If you drag a Track or a route that has waypoints all of it will be transferred to the device. If you are transferring a track to the device it will transfer under the name you gave it. I always name the objects in my list /containers.  The track file within the list defaults to the name “Track”. You should rename this because it will transfer to the GPS with the name “track”. You won’t know what it is and will end up renaming it on the GPS which takes more time.

NOTE: You can’t delete anything on the GPS in BaseCamp. You have to delete on the GPS.

Running the Route on the GPS
Once the route is copied to the GPS unplug the USB from the GPS and turn it on. The GPS will come up with a message asking if you want to import new routes into Trip Planner. Say yes. The GPS will recalculate the routes. Go into Apps/ Trip Planner/ Saved Trips and you should see your new routes. Select the route with your finger. To run the route just touch Go! I like to check the route out so I always select Map to see if the route looks reasonable. I also like to check the directions. Touch the wrench icon and View Turns. If that looks reasonable you are ready to go.

Transferring Routes Between Garmin GPS’s Via Bluetooth

1. Select Apps/ Share Route.
2. Select Bluetooth. 
3. Select the routes you want to share
4. Select Done. The gps will prepare files to transfer
5. The GPS will look for a nearby Bluetooth device and transfer the files.
6. Note: the Zumo 595 and 396 series, BMW Nav 5 & Nav 6 have notoriously low capacity batteries that may run out when transferring data when not hooked up to power.

Transferring Tracks Between Garmin GPS’s Via Bluetooth

1. Select Apps/ Tracks.
2. Choose a track.
3. Click on the wrench icon in the top left corner of the screen.
4. Select share
5. Select Bluetooth. 
6. Select Done. The gps will prepare files to transfer
7. The GPS will look for a nearby Bluetooth device and transfer the files.
8. Note: the Zumo 595 and 396 series, BMW Nav 5 & Nav 6 have notoriously low capacity batteries that may run out when transferring data when not hooked up to power.