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eTrax20 v BaseCamp Conundrum

Former Member
Former Member
Hi all,

1st time poster but long-time lurker. I have searched for an explanation for my issue with no success so far - hopefully someone on this forum can help.

I have an eTrex20 and have loaded the NE USA Topo Map Part 3 which covers (among other states) Virginia, where we hike. I also have the exact same map loaded into BaseCamp (V 4.6.2).

We have a hike scheduled for Thursday using a trail is not available in a gpx format (south access to Elliot's Knob).

If I look at the map of the area that we will be hiking on my eTrex 20, it clearly shows a red trail line that we need to follow - North Mountain Trail. Since we have never hiked this trail before, the trail must have been included in the NE USA Topo Map Part 3 that I downloaded from GPS FileDepot.

But...when I look at the same area on BaseCamp on my Windows 10 desktop, using the same NE USA Topo Map Part 3, there is no trail. I have the detail level turned on in BaseCamp and am at the highest setting.

I do not understand why I don't see the trail in BaseCamp.

If you are bored, the trail is visible on my eTrex20 @ N 38° 07.795', W 79° 22.621'. You should be able to see North Mountain Trail running SW to NE.

I have attached print-screens from both the eTrex20 and BaseCamp. There is a route visible in the right hand corner of both - that is the east approach to Elliot's Knob - not using that trail. We want to come in from the SW - that trail is visible on the eTrex20 capture but nada on BaseCamp.

Any suggestions?
  • 0
    That red 'route' you mention looks more like a track log from a previous hike, or a previously loaded track, could it be?
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    That red 'route' you mention looks more like a track log from a previous hike, could it be?


    My GPS has never been there so if it's a track, it isn't mine.

    Based on your response, I deleted the Elliot Knob "Route" from my eTrex20 thinking that maybe the track transferred in from the gpx file that I downloaded. The "red line" is sill there and my Track manager contains no tracks (I download Routes from HikingUpward.com).

    On my eTrex now, there are miles and miles of "red lines" along Little North Mountain...in all directions. .

    I am pleased that the "red line" is on the eTrex20 to Elliot's Knob - gives us something to follow if the trail is rough.

    But it is puzzling why nothing is on BaseCamp.
  • 0
    On my eTrex now, there are miles and miles of "red lines" along Little North Mountain...in all directions.


    Can you post a screenshot of that? If they are straight lines then I suspect you have a route loaded somewhere that won't work with the map/settings selected on your Etrex
  • 0
    GPSFileDepot

    Since you mention getting the Topo map from GPSFileDepot, did you maybe also download the "MyTrails" map from GPSFileDepot? That might account for seeing a red trail on the device that you don't see in BaseCamp. The MyTrails map is transparent and only shows the trails overlaid on the Topo map on your Etrex. It does not display overlaid over the Topo map in BaseCamp, only on the handheld.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Can you post a screenshot of that? If they are straight lines then I suspect you have a route loaded somewhere that won't work with the map/settings selected on your Etrex


    "did you maybe also download the "MyTrails" map from GPSFileDepot" YES - if I look at the Basecamp map choices, "MyTrails" is one of them. It's not active (or at least I don't think it is) as it shows NE Topo Map 3 in the top left window.

    I have attached three screenshots moving from NE to SW in sequence...together, they depict over 25 linear miles of trails. They are all red lines - look like tracks but I have never been on any of these trails...or anywhere close. BTW, the default track color on my eTrex is light blue, not red.

    The nearest route I have on my eTrex is probably 30 miles away (to the NE).

    Don't get me wrong - I am thrilled that they appear on the eTrex. If these tracks were somehow attached to a gpx route I downloaded, then fine. But the gpx file is also loaded into BaseCamp (the two systems are in sync) so I should see them there as well.

    I guess that I could do a factory reset on the eTrex and load the topo map and see what shows up. But that involves transfers all of the maps and routes from BaseCamp...and would be a pain.

    This whole thing isn't that big of a deal other than the fact that I don't understand it :)
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Since you mention getting the Topo map from GPSFileDepot, did you maybe also download the "MyTrails" map from GPSFileDepot? That might account for seeing a red trail on the device that you don't see in BaseCamp. The MyTrails map is transparent and only shows the trails overlaid on the Topo map on your Etrex. It does not display overlaid over the Topo map in BaseCamp, only on the handheld.


    AHAH!!

    Johncna, I think you hit the nail on the head.

    If I switch my BaseCamp map to "MyTrails", I see all of the North Mountain Trail "red lines" that appear on my eTrex! There is no Topo, mind you. "MyTrails" is also on my eTrex20.

    I assume that there is no work around to have MyTrails overlay the topo map in BaseCamp?
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    I assume that there is no work around to have MyTrails overlay the topo map in BaseCamp?

    Basecamp has never had the ability to display a transparent overlay map over a regular map. It is an enhancement that many of us have been requesting for years with no response from Garmin.

    It's amazing that all of their GPS devices, even the cheapest and least powerful, have that ability but not the primary planning tool that runs on much more powerful hardware.

    ...ken...
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Thanks everyone for your help - glad to finally understand this.
  • 0
    Glad you learnt something, this forum is a mine of information :)
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