GPS rec?

[johnkol]

Talked to Garmin at length last time, it doesn't have enough room for the data points it needs. They must've cut down the number on the 3790. Sounds like older or other ones had more.

It appears that Garmin may not have understood what you are trying to do -- or maybe I don't understand what you are trying to achieve.

Your 3790 already has the standard North America map, right? So what you are looking to do is have a topo map on the unit, then create routes on your desktop computer, and download these routes to your unit so you can navigate in real time, right?

The way you do this is insert a microSD card into the microSD slot of the unit, connect the unit to your desktop, then download a CA topo map (free from GPSFileDepot) to the card.

Then create the route you want on your desktop using Garmin Basecamp, and once you're done, download the route to the microSD card.

You then disconnect the unit from your desktop, power it up, and import the route you created. The unit will recognise it and display it on the standard NA map, or you have the option to combine the NA map with the Topo map.

I can't imagine why the 3790 would not be able to do the above. My 1450 can do it and it only has 2GB of internal memory (and I have added a 4GB SD card). Your 3790 has 8GB of internal memory, so it has enough space to accomodate hundreds of custom routes.

What specific step did Garmin tell you that the 3790 cannot accomplish?

 

[boostracer]

I told him I'd loaded Day 1 & Day 2 of the DS ride the organizer had sent me but it only showed some of the points. He said it had only 50 to 200 data points storage. Sounds like they need you to teach Garmin how to run their units. I'll go grab mine & check out the card deal, I have the routes still in my Basecamp.
I didn't even know it took a card, shows how much I know, (or don't know)! Gotta go find a card, what do you recommend?

 

[vkb]

Ok guys, I need some more help. I'd like to get a Montana 600, so what specifically do I order? Keeping in mind main use dual sporting. What mount, that part's kinda confusing. Also does it come with mapping that will show the roads/trails, etc.? This next question is kinda stupid I guess, but since I have a 3790lmt, any chance I can use it's lifetime mapping to update the 600? So what do I need to put that thing on my motorcycle & be able to load supplied routes & have it show the trails, etc.?
Thanks

Garmin Montana 600
Garmin Montana 6XX AMPS Rugged Mount
RAM Mount Rectangular AMPS Plate B-Ball (RAM-B-347U)
RAM Mount Short Arm B-Socket (RAM-B-201U-A)

Then you need a RAM ball on the bike with one of these options...

RAM Mount Motorcycle Mount Base Kit (RAM-B-309-7U)
RAM Mount Steel U-Bolt Motorcycle Mount Base (RAM-B-231U)
RAM Mount Motorcycle Handlebar Clamp (RAM-B-367U)

I use the last one. It replaces one of your handlebar clamp bolts. Pretty slick and tidy. The pic below shows this, although the Montana is actually mounted above the dash on my 990ADV.

And in this pic the spot device is small enough that you can see how the mount works with the RAM arm...

That covers the hardware. Next you need to figure out what you want for mapping. You existing lifetime maps are tied to your 3790, so you are out of luck there. I have my Montana loaded with Garmin City Navigator North America NT DVD and some freely available topo/trail maps. If you want to be trail focused then spend $$$ on topo maps and use free street maps like those from the Open Street Map project.

 

[boostracer]

Thanks, good info. Looks like you're set up nicely!

 

[augustiron]

Also Garmin 24k topo west (or all US) on DVD

 

[johnkol]

I told him I'd loaded Day 1 & Day 2 of the DS ride the organizer had sent me but it only showed some of the points. He said it had only 50 to 200 data points storage.

Originally, the 37x0 series had a bug where you could not download routes from Basecamp to the unit; you were able to create a route on the device itself, but that is an exercise in frustration.

Garmin fixed this in mid-2011, so if you have done any firmware updates on your unit since then, you should be able to download routes to your 3790.

The number of data points that Garmin support mentioned: yes, this is a limitation on all Garmin devices -- a route cannot have more than a certain number of via points, usually 200. If we assume a max distance covered per day of 600 miles, this means that when you create a map for one day, the average distance between the points will be 3 miles. In practical terms this is overkill: if your route includes interstates, the distance between two via points can be hundreds of miles. I have never needed more than 60 points for a single-day route.

This limitation might be encountered if you create one route spanning several days and thousands of miles. The solution is to create one route for each day of your trip.

As far as microSD cards are concerned, any reputable brand will do; the prices have dropped so much that you can buy a 16GB microSD for less than 10 bucks. And if you end up discarding your Garmin, you can use the card in virtually any other electronic device.

 

[boostracer]

It appears that Garmin may not have understood what you are trying to do -- or maybe I don't understand what you are trying to achieve.

Your 3790 already has the standard North America map, right? So what you are looking to do is have a topo map on the unit, then create routes on your desktop computer, and download these routes to your unit so you can navigate in real time, right?

The way you do this is insert a microSD card into the microSD slot of the unit, connect the unit to your desktop, then download a CA topo map (free from GPSFileDepot) to the card.

Then create the route you want on your desktop using Garmin Basecamp, and once you're done, download the route to the microSD card.

You then disconnect the unit from your desktop, power it up, and import the route you created. The unit will recognise it and display it on the standard NA map, or you have the option to combine the NA map with the Topo map.

I can't imagine why the 3790 would not be able to do the above. My 1450 can do it and it only has 2GB of internal memory (and I have added a 4GB SD card). Your 3790 has 8GB of internal memory, so it has enough space to accomodate hundreds of custom routes.

What specific step did Garmin tell you that the 3790 cannot accomplish?

I got a 16GB Sandisk, downloaded the topo file, then used Basecamp to put the 2 routes I had on the card. How do I import or view them on my Garmin now? Can't figure that out. I can see them just fine on Basecamp but not on the device.

 

[vkb]

I got a 16GB Sandisk, downloaded the topo file, then used Basecamp to put the 2 routes I had on the card. How do I import or view them on my Garmin now? Can't figure that out. I can see them just fine on Basecamp but not on the device.

You probably need to enable the map on the GPS. This is done through setup menu, though the exact steps vary from device to device.

 

[boostracer]

You probably need to enable the map on the GPS. This is done through setup menu, though the exact steps vary from device to device.

Thanks, I cannot find a setup menu on mine, looked thru tools, settings, etc., no luck. When I go connect it to Basecamp it shows the routes on the card.

 

[johnkol]

How do I import or view them on my Garmin now? Can't figure that out.

I don't have my Garmin with me now, but there is a function called "Import Routes" under the "Settings" menu.

I'll find out the exact steps once I get home and I'll let you know.

 

[boostracer]

I don't have my Garmin with me now, but there is a function called "Import Routes" under the "Settings" menu.

I'll find out the exact steps once I get home and I'll let you know.

Ok, thanks. Mine doesn't have that, I've looked under settings, tools, favorites, recently, etc.

I checked with Garmin, got a note back that says mine only recognizes 4 to 8gb size cards. I'll get an 8 & see what happens. Supposedly I go to Tools, then Trip Planner & it's supposed to load the routes.

Thanks for the help.

 

[johnkol]

Ok, thanks. Mine doesn't have that, I've looked under settings, tools, favorites, recently, etc.

I checked with Garmin, got a note back that says mine only recognizes 4 to 8gb size cards.

Did you try the 16GB that you got and it doesn't even recognise it? Maybe it recognises only 8GB out of it? Did you format it first? When you connect your Garmin to your computer through Basecamp, you should see two memory locations on the device: the internal memory of the Garmin, and the card that you installed (and your computer will map each one with its own drive letter). Instruct Basecamp to save the routes to the card, leaving the internal memory of the device for map updates and imported routes.

For importing routes, from the central screen go to Tools->My Data->Import Route(s) and it should show you a list of all the routes on the card. Choose and import one at a time.

A word of caution here: when you download the route to your Garmin, what actually gets downloaded is not the route itself, but rather the via points that form the route. From there on, the device will re-calculate the route based on these via points, so it is entirely possible that your device will create a route that is different from the one that you created in Basecamp. Check the overall length of the route as displayed on the device, versus the length of the route in Basecamp, and if there is a difference, try recalculating the route in the device using different criteria (Less Time, or Less Fuel) and save the one that is closest in length to the one that you created in Basecamp.

 

[boostracer]

Did you try the 16GB that you got and it doesn't even recognise it? Maybe it recognises only 8GB out of it? Did you format it first? When you connect your Garmin to your computer through Basecamp, you should see two memory locations on the device: the internal memory of the Garmin, and the card that you installed (and your computer will map each one with its own drive letter). Instruct Basecamp to save the routes to the card, leaving the internal memory of the device for map updates and imported routes.

For importing routes, from the central screen go to Tools->My Data->Import Route(s) and it should show you a list of all the routes on the card. Choose and import one at a time.

A word of caution here: when you download the route to your Garmin, what actually gets downloaded is not the route itself, but rather the via points that form the route. From there on, the device will re-calculate the route based on these via points, so it is entirely possible that your device will create a route that is different from the one that you created in Basecamp. Check the overall length of the route as displayed on the device, versus the length of the route in Basecamp, and if there is a difference, try recalculating the route in the device using different criteria (Less Time, or Less Fuel) and save the one that is closest in length to the one that you created in Basecamp.

Yes, I tried it. Saved the routes to the card in Basecamp, it shows they are there. My 3790 just won't recognize it. Thanks for the help, I'll keep trying, gonna get an 8GB & try again. Mine doesn't have a My Data.

 

[johnkol]

Yes, I tried it. Saved the routes to the card in Basecamp, it shows they are there. My 3790 just won't recognize it. Thanks for the help, I'll keep trying, gonna get an 8GB & try again. Mine doesn't have a My Data.

I didn't know about that card size limitation on the 3790. My 1450 does not accept cards bigger than 4GB, but that is the 32-bit limit; a device that goes beyond 4GB should be able to read all size cards. Anyway, try an 8GB card and see if the device recognises it -- or rather, keep reading, because you may not need the card after all.

I looked into the 3790 in more detail: routes are no longer supported in this device, Garmin replaced them with a different concept called "Trips". When you download a route to the 3790, the device will automatically convert it to a Trip and save it in Trip Planner.

Try this then: using Basecamp, download your route to the internal memory of the Garmin, disconnect the device from your computer, reboot it, and then take a look into Trip Planner; your route should be there.

 

[boostracer]

I didn't know about that card size limitation on the 3790. My 1450 does not accept cards bigger than 4GB, but that is the 32-bit limit; a device that goes beyond 4GB should be able to read all size cards. Anyway, try an 8GB card and see if the device recognises it -- or rather, keep reading, because you may not need the card after all.

I looked into the 3790 in more detail: routes are no longer supported in this device, Garmin replaced them with a different concept called "Trips". When you download a route to the 3790, the device will automatically convert it to a Trip and save it in Trip Planner.

Try this then: using Basecamp, download your route to the internal memory of the Garmin, disconnect the device from your computer, reboot it, and then take a look into Trip Planner; your route should be there.

Did that, darn things still don't appear. It only puts some of it in the Favorites, the routes don't show up. Gonna check with Garmin again.

 

[HeatXfer]

I'm currently using the Dual Sport Maps app on my Note II. Simple & easy to down load .gpx files and overlay maps. I don't have a pic but I use a eyebrow shade to help visibility in bright daylight.

Nice little write-up here on advrider.com

Here's a video showing some features
[youtube]mKBS2dcx_0I[/youtube]

 

[boostracer]

Just got off the phone with Garmin at length. Turns out mine won't take the routes, (GPX), but if I make a route on Basecamp it will take those.

 

[johnkol]

Just got off the phone with Garmin at length. Turns out mine won't take the routes, (GPX), but if I make a route on Basecamp it will take those.

You mean the routes you had, had not being created in Basecamp? I hadn't realised that, I thought the routes had been created in Basecamp.

The GPX format is not generally supported in Garmin GPSs, especially routes that have been created using Google maps. You need to go through a few extra steps to make GPX routes work:

1. Create route in Google maps
2. Import route into the Tyre-to-Travel application and save it as a .gpx file
3. Connect your device to your computer and let it sync with Basecamp
4. Import the GPX file into Basecamp and calculate the route making sure to keep the number of via points below 200
5. Download the route to your device
6. Disconnect the device, boot it up, and the route should be in your Trip Planner

Yes, it's a bit complicated, but the limitation is mostly the format that Google uses, not Garmin failing to support a certain standard.

 

[boostracer]

You mean the routes you had, had not being created in Basecamp? I hadn't realised that, I thought the routes had been created in Basecamp.

The GPX format is not generally supported in Garmin GPSs, especially routes that have been created using Google maps. You need to go through a few extra steps to make GPX routes work:

1. Create route in Google maps
2. Import route into the Tyre-to-Travel application and save it as a .gpx file
3. Connect your device to your computer and let it sync with Basecamp
4. Import the GPX file into Basecamp and calculate the route making sure to keep the number of via points below 200
5. Download the route to your device
6. Disconnect the device, boot it up, and the route should be in your Trip Planner

Yes, it's a bit complicated, but the limitation is mostly the format that Google uses, not Garmin failing to support a certain standard.

Thanks, I tried to use the tyretotravel but it says I have to download the latest IE & it doesn't work for crap on my computer, locks up ALL the time, so I don't use it. Tried another converter I found by searching but no luck there. Sure seems like if Basecamp reads it & it's for Garmin, it would convert the darn things, obviously it doesn't.

 

[johnkol]

Sure seems like if Basecamp reads it & it's for Garmin, it would convert the darn things, obviously it doesn't.

I don't use TyreToTravel for the same reason: it requires the latest IE version.

If Basecamp can work with the GPX file that you have (meaning, it can recalculate the route, add/delete via points, etc), then Trip Planner should be able to read it too.

How long did you wait for the route to appear in Trip Planner? Trip Planner does not simply read a GPX route, it converts it to its proprietary format, so it may take a long time for the route to appear. After you disconnect the device from your computer, boot it up and let it stand there for some time; there is no visual indication that Trip Planner is doing anything, but if you give it time your route should appear as an "Unplanned Trip".