BaseCamp/Garmin Cloud Storage vs. Dropbox

Are Garmin cloud storage and Dropbox syncing incompatible?

Specifically:
Prior to BaseCamp 4.2 (?) and the introduction of the Garmin Cloud, I used Dropbox to keep my BaseCamp folder in sync between a few computers (with the usual precautions: not running BC at the same time on both). Then with the Garmin cloud, I switched both machines to local BaseCamp storage and enabled the cloud. Now my BaseCamp instances are starting to diverge which is becoming annoying.

Now I (rather belatedly, but I don't have much spare time to play with BC) I realize that "cloud storage" seems to be more like a global device, like a GPS (and is intended for use with BaseCamp Mobile). This is fine. But it also implies that Dropbox syncing should still work and not conflict with the cloud storage (at least mostly). Especially since the cloud storage doesn't seem to have the list management that local storage offers (?).

From a quick look at the directory structure, it kind of looks like the old trick of just linking the BaseCamp folder to dropbox won't work, or at least will not play well with having the cloud enabled on both machines.

Is anyone out there doing Dropbox syncing of their local storage along with the Garmin cloud? Any gotchas? Or is this just a futile hope?

Thanks!
--Steve

0 PSEABOLT over 11 years ago

I still prefer and use Dropbox. As I understand it, Garmin Cloud is for backup and not a syncing solution. I know of no conflict between DropBox and Garmin Cloud but DropBox keeps a backup for 90 days and I see not need for Garmin Cloud.

0 schinder over 11 years ago

So you tried moving the files/directories in ~/Library/Application Support/Garmin/BaseCamp except tmp into your Dropbox somewhere and then symbolically linking (alias) them back to ~/Library/Application Support/Garmin/BaseCamp on each machine? That's what I'd try, and it has worked for Training Center and non-Garmin software. Back up before trying, of course.

0 PSEABOLT over 11 years ago

Yes I did that several years ago but I think now all you have to do is copy the BaseCamp folder to drop box and go to Preferences-Advance in BaseCamp and Choose Library to point to the BaseCamp folder in DropBox. I am still using the symbolically linking, it has never cause a single problem for sever years.

0 azdrmn over 11 years ago

This theoretically should work, but I haven't tested the exact case. I suppose there is a chance for the two syncs to conflict which could cause a delay/problem.

As PSEABOLT said, you don't need to do symbolic links any more. In fact, you really don't need to manually copy your library. When you change the location of the library in preferences, it will ask if you want to copy the data there.