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Sorry, but I HATE Basecamp!

PELindy
I've been a Mapsource user for many years. Unfortunately, my computer crashed (RIP) and I had to download (ugh) Basecamp instead.

I've watched the tutorials. I've played around with the features. IMHO, this is a step backwards from Mapsource.

I've planned many long routes in Mapsource, allowing me to upload them to my device, mount it on my motorcycle, and take the back roads to my destination, usually with several 'detours' included to see that odd roadside attraction. Punch in my waypoints, use the Routing tool to click from one to the next. I could switch to the Hand tool and drag the map along to my next waypoint while keeping the detail level high. Click back on the Route tool and continue.

In Basecamp, it seems no matter what I try, once the Route tool is chosen, you have one option - complete your route in one step, which means zooming out to see every waypoint from start to finish. If I click the Hand tool to move the map or zoom in, it saves that tiny section as a route.

I have to be doing something wrong, because if that's the way it's supposed to work, it's the least user-friendly program I've ever seen. Can anyone point me in the right direction (no pun intended), or direct me to some *good* instructional videos? (The Garmin videos show toolbars that aren't even on my version, which is the latest one.)
  • 0
    Well MapSource is still available ...

    In BaseCamp though to extend a route just hover the route tool over the end point until you see a black circle, click and away you go ...

    You can scroll the map while the route tool is selected though by using the arrow keys in your keyboard and zoom in/out using the scroll wheel on your mouse.

    Also if you're used to punching in waypoints you can then simply select them all, right click and select Create route ... No need to click from one to the next.
  • 0
    Well MapSource is still available ...


    Can you give me a link for downloading it? Please? PLEASE?

    In BaseCamp though to extend a route just hover the route tool over the end point until you see a black circle, click and away you go ...

    You can scroll the map while the route tool is selected though by using the arrow keys in your keyboard and zoom in/out using the scroll wheel on your mouse.

    Also if you're used to punching in waypoints you can then simply select them all, right click and select Create route ... No need to click from one to the next.


    Thanks, I'll give that a try - if I can't get Mapsource.
  • 0
    Manually switching tools was a huge frustration for me early on. They expanded the <Right Click Menu> to address this and, for me anyway, it works great!

    A few methods I've learned that make Basecamp usable for me:

    Creating rouses using a list
    I always start with this method, even if it's just selecting the start and end points. Even if they're not the ultimate end points, I use this.
    1. using <control+left clicks>; select the waypoints from your list in the order you want the route to follow
    2. <Right Click> and select "Create route from Waypoints".


    Adding points along an existing route
    1. Once I have a route, I use the <right click menu> to "insert into route". This switches your tool from hand/grab to rubberband/routing.
    2. Grab the route section that you want to add a waypoint to.
    3. stretch that to your waypoint or map point (I use intersections a lot) and hover until the description box pulls up.
    4. release and repeat from 1 as necessary.

    There is also a ctrl+click shortcut for this, but the menu version seems to be fine for me. I'm sure someone will chime in and share that tidbit.
  • 0
    It's Alt + click, rather than Ctrl + click. I tend to use that to 'rubber band' a route.
  • 0
    One issue with mapsource is the inability to see/recognize the new map format. Does garmin have their own tool for dealing with this now?

    p.s. I too hate basecamp. Mapsource seems far more efficient in route creation.
  • 0
    May 'seem to' but it's not once you learn how to use BC. Once you do you'll find it as easy as in MS.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    I spent much of my working time, particularly in the 1980s & 90s, replacing old computer systems with new ones and the phrase I came to hate most was "under the old system ..." as it invariably came from a diehard supporter of the old system and meant that I was about to spend hours, days, weeks patiently explaining the relationships between the old and new while fending off repeated rants about how much better everything was in the good old days.

    Rant over.

    In my experience, far and away the best approach to moving to a new system (and ultimately that's what we all do have to do, whether we like it or not, and however good we thought the old system) is to draw a clear line between the old and new. Forget the old way completely. Approach the new system with a blank sheet of paper and open mind and learn the ways of the new system without all the baggage of "under the old system". In the case of BaseCamp, forget all the cleverness & efficiency you've undoubtedly built up over several years - BaseCamp is not MapSource - and start with a very simple route then gradually explore ways of extending or enhancing that route. Do not do this with the route you urgently need fixed for your seven day tour of the Pyrenees starting this weekend, just start with a throwaway route just for learning. Do not expect to master it all immediately, baby steps then determined walking and maybe running later.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Or use Google maps to plan a route. Save it in My Maps. Export the map from Google maps and then import it into Basecamp.
  • 0
    Danger with that is use of different maps. You will get from A to B but maybe not the way you intended.
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