1390T routing vs BaseCamp routing

Former Member
Former Member
I have the latest BaseCamp software installed on my MacBook Pro and the latest system software installed on my nuvi 1390. The same map is installed on my computer and the 1390.

When I calculate a route using BaseCamp it usually looks like I would expect. However, when I calculate the route using the nuvi 1390 I find that while it gets to the desired destination it frequently takes a strange(!) path which differs from BaseCamp.

Why do the routes differ? :confused:
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 11 years ago
    Good advice!

    The issue of units not following the same route as PC/Mac software has been around for about 12 years to my knowledge. It is a constant complaint.

    Now I've heard that Garmin's 2013 nuvi models do a better job of this. Whether this is true or not I can't say. Now those models implement "trips" not "routes". Garmin appears to have abandoned "routes" in nuvi's although I think outdoor models still implement them.

    There has been a great deal of discussion about this subject here. It might pay to search this forum or use Google search.


    Despite using computers for more than 50 years I sometimes still overlook the obvious. A search for "nuvi routes" yielded a lot of links. Picture trying to take a sip of water from a fire hydrant :)
  • I am starting at a considerable disadvantage on this forum.

    I currently using BaseCamp version 4.2.1.0 on a MacBook Pro (retina screen). I want to purchase another automotive GPS unit which supports the the same 'routes' as BaseCamp, The glass touch screens appear to support 'trips' which don't sound a bit like 'routes'. I will keep poking around.

    However, some guidance would be greatly appreciated. Any takers?


    I ride a motorcycle, so I bought a zumo 660 for that purpose. If you can afford it or have a use for its weatherproof features, it also works very well in a car and uses real routes, not the godawful Trip Planner.

    -dan
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 11 years ago
    I ride a motorcycle, so I bought a zumo 660 for that purpose. If you can afford it or have a use for its weatherproof features, it also works very well in a car and uses real routes, not the godawful Trip Planner.

    -dan


    I can't justify the cost of the zumo 660 for the amount of use my GPS gets.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 11 years ago
    The 1490LMT, which is just like your 1390T, but with a few more bells'n'whistles and a 5" screen is still available. Look on Amazon.

    It supports 10 routes.
  • My Nuvi 1490LMT does a pretty good job of matching the BaseCamp route for fastest and shortest. I probable should say I can match routing preference on the 1490 and BC which yields a matching route. Even though I can upload 10 routes to the 1490, it a awkward process of uploading to MyData on the Garmin and then converting to a route before you can select the route on the 1490. Most of the trips, I just upload waypoints to the 1490 and created routes a needed. If I need to shape the route I upload additional waypoints for the route in question and insert the waypoints as vias on the 1490.

    This is just my guess, I think most users of car GPSs, use the unit as a standalone and Garmin seems to be trying to add more and more standalone features. I think the reason most car people don't use BC with their GPS is because BC sucks when it comes to route matching on nuvi's. If Garmin would make a reasonable priced Nuvi for BaseCamp, I would buy one tomorrow. The BC Nuvi would follow any route created on BC. I really believe Garmin could use BC to sell GPS to auto users and keep the as customers for life. The iPad/iPhone apps that have maps stored on the device are just as good as Garmin, I think Garmin owns Navigon, but I want to keep all my geo-data in BaseCamp. I only want to store one trip on the nuvi. I know several Nuvi owners that have given up on BC because the spend a lot of time tweaking the route and can't get the nuvi to follow the route. I have looked at the Montana several times and I just can't see paying 4 times the prices, for a smaller screen that does not have junction view and buying life time maps a third time.
  • I think the current 2013 models accept Basecamp routes 'as is' :)
  • Thanks SUSSAMB, I have read everything I can find on garmin's page about nüvi® 3597LMTHD. It says it takes 100 routes. It is irritating that Garmin does not mention BaseCamp and clicking the software button of the 3597 tells me they can't find the model. I am ready to buy except for the I think part of your reply. It there a way to be sure the 3597LMTHD will follow basecamp routes?
  • Falagar was going to try and get hold of some 2013 models to check ... see post 17 of this thread https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?36044-What-s-new-in-BaseCamp-4-2/page2
  • SUSSAMB, thanks good info:

    FALAGAR post is copied from Windows BaseCamp forum (your link above):

    Can anyone verify the Nuvi 2013 line does not recalculate routes from base camp?

    Thanks

    FALAGAR
    Desktop App Developer

    It's not really the same thing, BaseCamp creates normal routes with Trip Planner. The idea is that eventually these trip planner (BaseCamp trip planner) trips will be able to be sent to the Nuvi as trips (with vias intact, no recalculation of the route).

    For the time being, routes you create with trip planner will be sent to the Nuvi the same way you'd send a route now.

    I haven't verified it, but supposedly the new generation of Nuvis already do not recalculate routes from BaseCamp. I'll try to get a hold of one of the 2013 models to test it out.
  • Thank you for the response. I suspected your description was the case. However, I don't understand why the algorithms must be different. Oh, well.


    I don't think the algorithms are different (Aadrmn said the used the same algorithms a few years back), I think if you can match maps and preferences/avoidances you get the same route on most all devices. The problem is backward computability and all the difference options in the GPSs. For example some of garmin devices have an option that looks at previous trips to determine a route for you driving habits. BaseCamp can't match that option.