How can BaseCamp win over MapSource users?

Former Member
Former Member
When MapSource users import their old gdb files into BaseCamp and find every Waypoint must have a unique name they don't like it. The first time I saw waypoints named Home, Home1, Home2,...,Home5, I was concerned. I tried repairing this by selecting the most best version of this waypoint and replacing the other 5 with the best version. Home4 isn't used in any lists, yet I cannot delete it in BaseCamp. [Bug Report: If you use the "X" in a waypoint properties Lists tab, that waypoint becomes undeletable.] That is frustrating to not have an explanation for no delete available for an unused POI. While I understand how to reduce this waypoint reassigning to a minimum, it is a lot of extra effort.

There are also mysteries in the Map database where sometimes making a waypoint out of a map POI results in the name being changed to include the trailing number and other times not. Whatever the reason for this discrepancy should be changed for consistency. Why do we make waypoints out of map POIs? Because the map POIs are many times innacurate as to location and don't include URL references and user entered descriptions.

When a MapSource user exports one of their lists to a gdb to look at it in MapSource or directly sends it to their GPS and finds that many of their waypoints have been renamed with a number at the end of the names, this does not lead to acceptance of a database approach like BaseCamp. I'm guessing when I read someone's comment that BC "messed up" all their routes that it is a combination of this and a somewhat different routing algorithm.

Once the user has all their information in BC and resolves most all the name issues, going forward it is easier, as all waypoints in lists link back to the same database entry. If the location is refined and the user updates it, all lists using that waypoint are updated.

Maybe a tool in BC to resolve this would be useful, letting the user determine the waypoint of a numbered group to use by displaying all the unique data. The user chooses the the default and replace all the numbered ones by this default, unnumbered one.

A separate feedback comment is that I find MapSource routing, is easier to use than BaseCamp. The sticky location caption bubbles don't change frequently enough when moving the mouse looking for an address and are not present in the rubberband via point Insert Tool. Consider a review of the MS and BC processes of route design to see where effectiveness improvements can be made.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    I don't think it can replace MapSource

    I use both BaseCamp and MapSource but I find the latter far easier to use. Having been a programmer I can recognize an interface that is logical without having to reprogram your brain -- that is MapSource. BaseCamp is not intuitive, so it's difficult to use. I also have a Master's in Geography so I clearly understand what I'm trying to accomplish.

    Just today I wanted to load up both roads and 24K topo data to my Oregon 550t. BaseCamp would only let me load one data set or the other on the GPS but not both (as far as I can determine). With MapSource I was able to create a roads map set then add the topo data to it and transfer all the data together to the GPS with no difficulty.

    I think that whoever created MapSource lacked an understanding of both programming and geography conventions, so s/he created something unusual. I will continue to use both along with ExpertGPS (which makes far better maps).
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Each of us have different ideas of what constitutes 'intuitive'. In many cases we are not talking about 'intuitive' so much as 'within my already learned experience' . It is a great struggle to 'unlearn' patterns that are already imprinted on our brains.

    GPS units are purchased for so many different kinds of users, it is a challenge to address them all, and to prioritize who gets their favorite features. For me, topo- meh, but I can see it being critical for the more athletically minded . Manipulation of waypoint properties and lists of waypoints, rubber band tool /insert waypoint, testing and retesting and comparing different road route scenarios, that's were I am focused. I am always tying to use the program to solve the classic traveling salesman problem.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travelling_salesman_problem
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Tharts it! Some weeks ago I switched over from MS to BC and had to learn another philosophy in using the software. But its worth to do that. BC has a lot more functions than MS and only if you are able to use it you can understand what I mean. So give BC a chance. I believe MS is dieing in the plans of Garmin.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Just today I wanted to load up both roads and 24K topo data to my Oregon 550t. BaseCamp would only let me load one data set or the other on the GPS but not both (as far as I can determine). With MapSource I was able to create a roads map set then add the topo data to it and transfer all the data together to the GPS with no difficulty.


    You are talking about MapInstall, not BaseCamp. And MapInstall also allows you to create map sets from several maps. Just switch the map in the drop-down and select tiles from any map you want.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    You are talking about MapInstall...

    Not necessarily. I use MapSource, rather than MapInstall, to create custom mapsets and send them to my devices.

    I find MapSource superior to MapInstall but each to his own. I save mapsets (list of maps/segments) to (GDB) files for later use/reference. I don't think MapInstall can do this.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    It would be nice if MapInstall looked a little more like MapSource, and listed tile names and tile file sizes instead of just that percent full histogram.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    I am always tying to use the program to solve the classic traveling salesman problem.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travelling_salesman_problem


    Apparently, some other software tries to do this
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    And the total number of map segments. I believe the Mac versios of MapInstall shows that.
  • Great idea for a thread, Dave!

    I will be following this for ideas or revalations from G. I won't vent more negativity here, but this is issue #1 in my eyes. Conversion and organization of data should always be a top consideration during development of a replacement application. If I get frustrated within the first 10 minutes every time I try to plan a trip, the "added features" really don't amount to much.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Not necessarily. I use MapSource, rather than MapInstall, to create custom mapsets and send them to my devices.

    I find MapSource superior to MapInstall but each to his own. I save mapsets (list of maps/segments) to (GDB) files for later use/reference. I don't think MapInstall can do this.


    I do know what you mean but I save map sets to a file all of the time that aren't on my GPS by using a USB SD card reader. As you know, you just have to rename the file once saved.

    I put in a request some months back to have a few features added to MapInstall like:

    • Ability to Name the saved map set.
    • Ability to set a preference to auto-clear previous map segment selections at startup.
    • Ability to choose a non-GPS "Save To" location other than the GPS - just like POILoader has done.


    If more people ask for these features in the appropriate Thread (MapInstall) we might actually see a few of them.

    Cheers,