Hi- I am new to Basecamp, could someone please tell me how to search for UK Postcodes? They are of course invaluable in UK and I cannot see how to do it. -And, sorry if this is already posted somewhere.
Yep, unfortunately BC can't do it ... although there was an earlier promise that it would be included at some time in the future. What I do is look up the postcode in Mapsource, which Garmin no longer support but which returns a postcode address almost instantaneously :)
What I do is a postcode search in mapsource, then create a waypoint to export and then import that waypoint into BC. Shouldn't need to jump through hoops like this though, BC still has some catching up to do.
I suspect FALAGAR will chime in soon and say that it is on their TO DO or that a case has already been made to include postal code searching. I would also guess that if it is on their list, it is somewhere below improving speed and efficiency of the search engine.
Before FALAGAR can make a compelling case to move it up the priority list, you need to answer the following question:
Would you rather have postal code searching now, regardless of how slow it is, or wait till they improve the search engine?
Keep in mind that in terms of time efficiency, searching in MapSource, making a waypoint, selecting, copying and pasting said waypoint will likely be faster than a postal code search in BaseCamp 4.0.2. (Pure guess on my part).
FALAGAR, I’m not a programmer, but to me, it seemed like MapSource had two search engines. One was a proximity search (which did not use postal codes). This is the search engine/strategy that is incorporated in BaseCamp. Has Garmin given any thought to incorporating the other search engine into BaseCamp? If they have, why did they choose not to?
I suspect FALAGAR will chime in soon and say that it is on their TO DO or that a case has already been made to include postal code searching. I would also guess that if it is on their list, it is somewhere below improving speed and efficiency of the search engine.
Before FALAGAR can make a compelling case to move it up the priority list, you need to answer the following question:
Would you rather have postal code searching now, regardless of how slow it is, or wait till they improve the search engine?
Keep in mind that in terms of time efficiency, searching in MapSource, making a waypoint, selecting, copying and pasting said waypoint will likely be faster than a postal code search in BaseCamp 4.0.2. (Pure guess on my part).
FALAGAR, I’m not a programmer, but to me, it seemed like MapSource had two search engines. One was a proximity search (which did not use postal codes). This is the search engine/strategy that is incorporated in BaseCamp. Has Garmin given any thought to incorporating the other search engine into BaseCamp? If they have, why did they choose not to?
You are correct, MapSource had 2 ways to search, one by name and one by proximity. BaseCamp right now pretty much only uses one (proximity). When appropriate we can (and already do, in some cases) also use the find by name functionality.
The idea was to simplify find and get away from all these different search forms in MapSource. Nowadays people expect to just type in a search phrase and have it just work, and not be forced to fill out an elaborate search form. Obviously we still have a long way to go. But there will be find improvements in BaseCamp 4.1.
We'll see what we can do about the postal code search.
I think simplification should be done at user interface not at search algorithm. I'm not able to guess why Garmin trashed good code from Mapsource and Mobile PC and left BaseCamp without indexed search.
The lack of the postcode search in Basecamp from a UK perspective makes Basecamp a pathetic tool to do route planning. The fact that the implemented search is also not very good compounds the error.
fer instance. Im trying to plan a route leaving the Biokers Retreat B&B IN Dollgellau. their address is BArmouth Road, Dolgellau
can't use the postcode, fair enough, so I type in the address (there is no building number) typing in Barmouth Road with the centre of search in Dolgellau returns "Barmouth Road" over 70 miles away, but not "Barmouth Road" in Dolgellau.
I don't know which country/countries the search IS supposed to work but Im not loving Garmin's work with Basecamp....
The fact that the map detail in Mapsource has degraded so that trying to plot a route is hit or miss as to whether you are on the road or just the graphics crude (mis)represetnation of the raod makes the route a lottery. Its sad really Mapsource was good, quick to use, simpel to correct cockups. Basecamp isn't. I can understand Garmin wanting to draw in all their products under one software umbrella, but couldn't you have chosen to do that with an application that works as opposed to creating some cockeyed prety but useless piece of software.
Tyre just doesn't cut it.
Google Maps can't plot a bike route (yes it can do A to B, but its not very good about A to B, via C,d,F,G,H......)
