Do I need a Garmin device to use Basecamp?

I don’t believe so. You can install BaseCamp, download free OpenStreetMaps e.g. from Frezeitkarte for Garmin BC and install them on your hard drive, then start plotting routes and tracks. These can be readily exported as GPX files for use in other applications or devices. You can also import GPX or KML files into BC and view/edit them etc. and you don’t need Garmin device to do this.

It works fine for this. You don’t need a Garmin device.

BaseCamp doesn’t come with maps.

You can get free maps based on Openstreetmap data.

BaseCamp will find maps (*.img files) in \Garmin on drives indicated as being removable.

I install the img map files on an emulated USB drive.

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