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Didn't know where to post MISSING FEATURE.....

Former Member
Former Member
There's a lot of info available when looking at tracks (waypoints & even photos) in BaseCamp. But there is one very useful & missing piece of data tied into each coordinate point recorded & displayed: SIGNAL STRENGTH (of recorded waypoint/track coordinate).

When looking at a tracks properties in BaseCamp, this "SIGNAL STRENGTH" aka: "Confidence Data" should be displayed in properties, next to the leg course field.

When using the GPS in the field, this "Confidence Data" should be recorded with each captured coordinate and made available for use with tracks (and possibly waypoints too). Note: I'm presently using a Montana 650.

When tracking (following tracks/track-backs etc.), this data should be an available field for display on both the computer, and the mini-computer (that can pop up over the map while navigating).

  • This field should include an interactive button (color coded button to visually display signal strength along with the numerical display) that would allow the user to ignore a waypoint that was recorded with a "low confidence", aka "low signal strength." (Button changes from green,yellow,orange,red,purple,black ~ visually reflecting signal strength.)
  • When user hits this button, the waypoint would be "ignored", and navigation would advance to the next point.
  • (Possibly set the field/button up so that there is also a "back/previous" option/button too.)



Seems to me that the original "unique selling points" of the Garmin units way back to the gps12xl was the "track-back" feature! ~ Why not build on this "trademark?" ;)

PS: I sincerely hope someone will forward this to the correct people/departments for consideration! (I had spoken with some Garmin "tech guys" a few years ago, and they said this was a great suggestion/idea!)
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    just a thought:
    When you say Signal strength do you mean accuracy of the calculated (way)point or do you mean the signal strength of all the different satellites.
    The first I've seen as a value in meters on the GPS, but not in the .gpx.
    Displaying and recording the second is a bigger challenge, most devices even can't show how many satellites are within range.
    Ofcourse the track would contain lots more data, but they are also recording all sorts of fitness stuff so that shouldn't be a problem on a modern GPS.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    The GPX specification does include tags for HDOP, VDOP, ie the horizontal/vertical 'dilution of precision'. So this is kind of equivalent to the estimated accuracy of the GPS.
    Some GPS devices do record this in the tracklog or waypoints, though I don't think any Garmins do.

    It would be useful if Garmins could record this in some way. Plus some way of showing it in BaseCamp or other softwawre.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    just a thought:
    When you say Signal strength do you mean accuracy of the calculated (way)point or do you mean the signal strength of all the different satellites.
    The first I've seen as a value in meters on the GPS, but not in the .gpx.
    Displaying and recording the second is a bigger challenge, most devices even can't show how many satellites are within range.
    Ofcourse the track would contain lots more data, but they are also recording all sorts of fitness stuff so that shouldn't be a problem on a modern GPS.


    I'm not so worried about a digital precision calculation, although..... (I was thinking along the lines of signal strength in general. My Garmin, a Montana 650 already shows signal strength in bars and displays precision in meters. And since this info is available at all times, I was thinking this data could be useful.)

    Frequently, I travel and record tracks with the unit in a pouch on my hip. I have no idea of how good the signal is during the recording, so being able to use this data during tracking/track-back would be highly beneficial. ~ At least that's what I'm thinking..... Especially when travelling under treetops etc., which impact signal......
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    The GPX specification does include tags for HDOP, VDOP, ie the horizontal/vertical 'dilution of precision'. So this is kind of equivalent to the estimated accuracy of the GPS.
    Some GPS devices do record this in the tracklog or waypoints, though I don't think any Garmins do.

    It would be useful if Garmins could record this in some way. Plus some way of showing it in BaseCamp or other softwawre.


    I agree. My Garmin GPS (Montana 650) collects this data and continuously display signal strength and GPS precision (in meters). So capturing this data and integrating it while tracking/tracking-back (on the GPS unit itself) would be very beneficial.

    I travel and record tracks with the unit in a pouch on my hip. I have no idea of how good the signal is during the recording, so being able to use this data during tracking/track-back would be highly beneficial. (Especially when travelling under treetops etc., which impact signal)......

    This data (when viewed in BaseCamp) could presumably also explain/verify all the unexpected "off-path points" that frequently are recorded on tracks.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    agree, kind of

    My eTrex always shows a circle radius in my location. The tighter the circle, the more accurate the position. Basically, it tells me I could be anywhere within that circle. A wide circle means the unit is less confident of my actual position. Yes, it would be nice if Basecamp (and other tools) could show this. I imagine a track not looking so much like a string of line segments, but a band of varying widths. When I'm among tall buildings, or in heavy forest, or down in narrow steep-sided valleys, the precision is less than when I'm on the open prairie. A section of wider-band tracks can provide hints about the surrounding terrain.
  • 0
    My GPSmap 62s has a screen called "Satellite" which displays signal strengths of the individual satellites, their location in the sky and, the accuracy of your position as calculated by the GPS. Perhaps this value could be included. The best I've seen is 8 feet.
    John
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    My eTrex always shows a circle radius in my location.


    There is actually a hidden menu command to enable this on recent Nuvi models. Press and hold the top right corner of the volume screen to get to the diagnositics page then choose Developer GPS Tools > Draw EPE. :)

    -Boyd
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    There is actually a hidden menu command to enable this on recent Nuvi models. Press and hold the top right corner of the volume screen to get to the diagnositics page then choose Developer GPS Tools > Draw EPE. :)

    -Boyd


    Awesome! I'll have to try that on my 2595!!
    Thanks for the hint.
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