Using Basecamp & Birdseye

The biggest difference between MapSource and BaseCamp is that BaseCamp follows a database model. What that means is there isn't gdb files that you need to open and save as you used to do with MapSource. When you launch the application BaseCamp will automatically load with all the data you've already imported or created.

The latest version of BaseCamp (3.0.5) includes an updated version of Help that contains details on BirdsEye imagery. Users on these forums have also offered a number of helpful tips for working with the feature.

Thanks for the tip. I did review the help, but still can't get BirdsEye to work. I don't really understand what you mean by BaseCamp loading whatever data that has been imported. When I launch BaseCamp, where does BaseCamp find this data? Do I open a file/map in Mapsource first? Does this map have to be on my GPS unit? I would appreciate any additional suggestions.

Sorry if my description of how BaseCamp operates is confusing. BaseCamp operates like iTunes, Windows Media Player or Picasa. There is no opening or saving of documents as opposed to MapSource or an application like Word. When it starts up all of the data that you've previously created on your PC loaded for you. When you shut down everything you've worked on is automatically saved.

Once you launch the app you can start creating data right away, downloading BirdsEye, making waypoints, creating routes, etc. If you have data on a Garmin device simply plug it in and you can either work with the data directly if you have one of our newer outdoor devices, or copy it off to My Collection and have it saved on your PC. If you have GPX or KML files from the web those can be imported and will show up in your Library.

BaseCamp works with map products in the same manner as MapSource. Any installed products will be automatically detected and can be switched using either a menu item or a drop down on the toolbar. The only difference is that BaseCamp now lets you use the maps that are pre-loaded on your Garmin devices.

Hope that helps!

Thanks, your last post cleared some stuff up for me. I was able to use BaseCamp and download BirdsEye. The only question I have at this point is about zooming in BirdsEye. I know there is a choice of standard, high, or highest detail, however, I can't find a way to zoom. I have seen screen shots on various blogs where the area being shown varies based on some setting.

Thanks again for your help.