Need help with Garmin GPS

[Mike38]

Hopefully someone can help me. I have a Garmin Nuvi 750 and I am trying to download a created route to it using Microsoft Streets and Trips 2010. When I open the GPS pane in Streets and Trips and try to configure GPS, it will not recognize my GPS unit. It does not find a Com port. Any help would be appreciated.

Mike

[denny]

Streets and trips will only send waypoints, not routes.

You need to install Garmin's MapSource and bite the bullet and learn it.
In spite of it's clunkiness it is the best software to interact with Garmin devices

[Dusty Boots]

Streets and trips will only send waypoints, not routes.

You need to install Garmin's MapSource and bite the bullet and learn it.
In spite of it's clunkiness it is the best software to interact with Garmin devices

I just bought a Garmin Nuvi 255W and have a bunch of routes for this coming summers 85 day tour I saved, using Google Maps. I guess I can't download those directly to my GPS?
I take it that you have to pay for Garmin Mapsource to do what I want to do?

Help ... I'm a total newb to the world of GPS :confused:

[denny]

Mapsource is Free. Mapsource is only the program that allows you to work with maps to make routes, find and save waypoints, etc.

City Navigator is the Maps, those are not free. Those are already on your Nuvi.
But Garmin does not include the computer compatible version with many of their GPS units.

You can use Garmin's BaseCamp. It will be able to use the maps on your Nuvi as long as the nuvi is plugged into your computer.

But the Nuvi 255 does not support custom routes.

Try the GPS passion forums. Those folks know lots about getting around that limitatioin.

[Dusty Boots]

Thanks for the reply/info, denny! P^

Now I'll know what to look for in a better, fuller featured GPS the next time around..
Not all is lost, however. I decided that since I can't create my own custom route to each campground, I'll just save the GPS coordinates for each one, with the campground name, closest town and the state/province. Then I'll use my map for the route I want and then use the GPS to guide me to the campground entrance, as I get near. That way, I won't forget what/where the campgrounds that I figure on using, are located. I can also add some 'alternative' campgrounds for different areas, in case I don't like my 1st choice. ;)
I think it will all work out alright, in the end! :cool:

Dusty

[denny]

There are ways to use waypoints to steer your route where you want it to go.

I've not learned how to do that. I had enough learning curve trying to figure out how to make my Zumo correctly use a route.

I think the most important thing I've learned about GPS, is that the Learning curve is pretty steep. And there are several GPS specific forums out there that have the information you need.

[vectorprime27]

I use Streets and Trips to plan my routes, then use the Export to GDX command to export the file to a Garmin Database Exchange format. Mapsource can then Open this file. All you need to do is go to the Routes tab in Mapsource, right-click, and select "Recalculate Route". Mapsource will then update the route. You can tweak it as needed, then Transfer it to your GPS via the USB cable, or a Datacard.

One note of caution. The new version of Streets and Trips (2011) creates an Export (GDX) file the Mapsource will not import without editing. It apparently puts a "<time" Illegal timestamp entry </time>" sting in the file. All you need to do is open the export file in a text editor (Notepad will work) and delete all the <time>....</time> entries and the file will then import.

This is a quick and dirty explaination....email me if you need a more detailed instruction set.

[R3Tmac]

I use the Harley Davidson Ride Planner.http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.com/rideplanner/ridePlanner.jsp
It works very well with most Garmin GPS.
And its very easy to use, you do not need GPX files or mapsource or anything else, it does it all for you.
You can draw up your routes on the computer and download directly into your
GPS.
To get started follow these steps.
1. register yourself
2. install this so everything works smoothly http://www8.garmin.com/products/communicator/
3.put in a starting location and an ending location.
4. you can drag the roads around by right clicking and moving it to another road, this also produces a waypoint.
5. The more waypoints you have the more accurate the map will be.
6. When you are finished with the route you can now upload it into your GPS,
plug your GPS into the computer,click on the orange box in upper right hand corner that says GPS sycronization,and wait for the computer to recognize your GPS.
7.Now click export files
8.Now it should be in your GPS.
9. In your Garmin GPS click on tools, click on the "data" icon, click on 'import routes'
Thats it, your map is now in the GPS. to find it it will be under "custom routes"
Hope this helps.

[bowdon]

I also use the HD Ride Planner. Planned a trip (June 2011) to New Orleans and around Georgia, Tenn and Florida. Works well and downloads to almost all GPS Systems.

Check this out!!

Regards,
Bowdon

[quadancer]

Wow. I use it but didn't know until just now I could load it into my Garmin!
I feel so dumb...!

[R3Tmac]

Another tip when planning routes on the H.D. ride planner.
If you are planning a ride of more than 1500 miles it is better to make it into 2 or 3 parts.
For example:
Do a map from Key West Florida to Cape Hatteras N.C.
Next map would be from Cape Hatteras N.C to New york city.

Put in plenty of waypoints too, otherwise your Garmin will calculate the most direct route from A to B.

Use this website as a planning tool to help you plan your routes.

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/

I have one for Canada if anyone needs one.

[RCLafnjack]

Might I suggest another program that I really like..

TYRE (Trace Your Route Anwhere)..

I has a really nice interface for route creation. One Click to load the route to either a Tom Tom or Garmin...

[drzcharlie]

Streets and trips will only send waypoints, not routes.

You need to install Garmin's MapSource and bite the bullet and learn it.
In spite of it's clunkiness it is the best software to interact with Garmin devices


I have a tutorial on ADV for MapSource if you want to learn it.

You will find it HERE (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13981993&postcount=1).

[RCLafnjack]

Another good Route/Waypoint creator is
TYRE (Trace Your Route Everywhere)

Extremly easy and a nice interface. You can upload created route to your TomTom or Garmin. Just some simple clicks and your done.
The program is free and works really well..

http://www.tyre.tk/

[Whosoever]

Put in plenty of waypoints too, otherwise your Garmin will calculate the most direct route from A to B.



Good point that is the "key", alot of waypoints. I spent untold hours laying out a route in Mapsource, and transfering it to my Garmin. Everytime I would transfer it it the unit would redo my desired route to the fastest or shortest. Had I put in all the waypoints I wanted to hit it wouldn't have done that.

Another point, perhaps already mentioned, is to layout the waypoints that you desire in Google Maps and then send them to your GPS. it makes it a lot easier to go where you want to go.

[quadancer]

Isn't there anything that DOESN'T use GOOGLE???

[kjelders]

Isn't there anything that DOESN'T use GOOGLE???

Yahoo .... :D

[RCLafnjack]

Isn't there anything that DOESN'T use GOOGLE???


GOOGLE is the 21st century version of "THE BORG" they assimalate ;)