I'm a long time custom router on a garmin zumo 660. I wont get into to much detail concerning the method i use to create my custom routes since everyone seems to have there favorite way. Heres the setup.
i've got 2 different maps (we'll call them old and new) on my zumo. old is loaded onto the computer, new is not.
I've got about 3 different map version that i can use in basecamp (but none of the 3 are the same as the "new" on the device Unless i plug the device in)
I've also got mapsource (which has always been my "goto" program for sending routes to my device
I import .gpx files into mapsource, line up points along the route to intersections (so there not announced), save that file as a .gdb, then upload into my device.
Heres the question. When i import my gpx file, whether in mapsource or basecamp, i always need to make minor changes in those programs to get my points (re) lined up within the intersections. I tend to attribute this to a difference in map version/program differences coming from the tool i tend to use to create the .gpx.
Once i create the gdb file and save it, if i import it into basecamp, my shaping and via points are "spot on" perfect No matter what map version i have selected. so even if mapsource is at version 1, and i've got basecamp to map version 5, the route is perfect. So theirs obviously some serious differences between these gdb and gpx files.
I was considering using basecamp, because i have the most up to date map loaded on my device, but not in my computer. basecamp gives me access to that map when the gps is plugged in. I thought i was minimizing my chances of the gps screwing with my routes if i used the map version that was on the device. i was pretty sure i was going to have a versioning issue and have my route changed when i load the file. That does not seem to be the case after the .gdb file is created.
So the question is, Is there any reason for me to use basecamp?. I was originally using it to be able to work with the map version thats on my device, but it doesn't seem to make a difference when i'm dealing with gdb files.
please advise,
thanks
Greygoose19
