Problems with Basecamp and NUVI 3590 Symbols

Former Member over 13 years ago

I've recently bought a 3590 and am very disappointed at how one can't load waypoints from Basecamp or MapSource along with their associated symbols into the 3590. Loading waypoints via the POI loader doesn't solve the problem either. The waypoints load ok but the various symbols I've used are all replaced by a square with a heart in the centre.

I've had a couple of calls with the Garmin support centre and so far all I have is acknowledgement that there is a problem.

I've seen complaints of this shortcoming on another forum and so far no one seems to have found a way around it.

Whats the use of having great trip planning programs like Basecamp and MapSource if Garmin's GPS devices don't support their capability (unlike previous models). It almost seems as if the design team doesn't understand how many people uses their software and devices.

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

At first I resented the default Heart icon categorization on my year and a half old Nuvi 56. Now I hardly notice it, but do change a few icons for a few user created categories just for practice. Also I did study a Nuvi 56 "current.gpx" file in Wordpad the other day, and it seemed that the file format was rather generic, but would likely support different icons if the device designers decided to expand the icon database in the Nuvi. Frankly I purchased this device for road routing, not display of certain icons, but do appreciate that other users might want more options in the Nuvi price range.

0 Former Member over 10 years ago

Well, my nuvi 3590 is not working out, does anyone here have any suggestions as to another model that would work better for marking waypoints and more capabillities?

LarryM2, I think ALL the relatively new NUVIs and the ZUMOs do the same thing, i.e., substitute or ignore and substitute symbols from their onboard symbol set for the carefully crafted ones we use in BaseCamp. Blame it on Garmin's Automotive group or, better yet, blame it on the folks who buy those units and are very easily confused by Bells and Whistles.

You might try the off-road (on the trail?) units; they seem to allow the use of BaseCamp symbols or custom symbols in some cases. Garmin used to make some ChartPlotters that would do everything, i.e., land, sea and air which would display most of the MapSource icons. They should bring such devices back.

You can on ZUMOs at least use custom icons for custom POIs you load. That in combination with Proximity Alerts can cause them to be displayed on your unit if they are relatively close to one's position.

On the Zumos at least there is a set of built in sort of monochrome icons one can use to customize the waypoints on the device. Nothing real fancy but they will give you some differentiation if that is helpful. They won't transfer back into BaseCamp.