Monterra Battery Charging

Detailed Track Manager info for the Oregon 6xx can be found at the wiki.

They are only 'favorites' because I have not archived or otherwise processed them yet :)

Detailed Track Manager info for the Oregon 6xx can be found at the wiki

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW (Yep, screaming/crying here!)
NONE of the track management capabilities (in the first 5 rows on the Oregon wiki) exist for the Montana! The firmware is totally void of an options/menu on the track screen. :mad:
(NO search, NO sort, No view options.)

Also, I'm all too well aware of sending tracks to the GPSr from Basecamp. The problem is going the other way. (Receiving data, it's an "all or nothing" ordeal. I only want to receive the "fresh" (non-archived tracks.) ~ In this particular scenario, I don't even want Basecamp showing the archived tracks in the list. (Basecamp have the ability to to display the archive sub-directory separately.)

PS: Sorry to have "slid "off-topic!"

I think your main problem is that you're using Basecamp.
I think it's awful and don't use it.

Store your tracks on another program like Ascent (for Macs) or Sportstracks (for PC) and not on your Montana.
Create your tracks online and save them onto your computer, then transfer them to your GPS folder.

Regards,
Mick

I think your main problem is that you're using Basecamp.
I think it's awful and don't use it.

Store your tracks on another program like Ascent (for Macs) or Sportstracks (for PC) and not on your Montana.
Create your tracks online and save them onto your computer, then transfer them to your GPS folder.

Regards,
Mick

If the tracks could be originated "online", that would be fine. But they're not, they can't be. They're generated while in the woods, edited later and the returned to the PC. (places there are no roads, few landmarks, no trails, or even walking paths) "Tracking Back" is frequently done at night, under a green headlamp (with about 5 meters of usable visibility) using tracks that may have been recorded earlier that same day. ~ That's when I need the "track management" tools available, not at a desk.

Once being generated, this data does get transferred back to the PC for review. Layout of land and waypoints are analyzed and frequently edited (with the help of BirdsEye imagery, Google Earth & 24k Topo). All name editing is done with a real keyboard. Some "potential waypoints" are also generated within Basecamp. Regardless, at the end of the day, everything has to be sent back to the unit so that it's available back "In the Woods."...

FYI: Many of the tracks that have been previously recorded, I keep visible on the map. (even though they're not "actively being tracked/tracked-back") Keeping these tracks "visible" provide reference to existing trails (previously recorded both by the unit, and created in Basecamp.) ~ When I can't see 5 yards out past a green headlamp, these displayed tracks, along with the BirdsEye imagery really aid in "locational awareness."

But because of a lack of track related features (firmware) on this "top of the line" unit: Using trails in this fashion becomes a nightmare. A few tweaks/perks (like the Oregon 6xx series) would make all the difference.....
(This would also address Basecamp's one weakness in communicating with the GPSr: Basecamp always returns edited tracks to the unit as "favorites" where they must be "selectively archived one by one.")

Three miles out in the woods, if I could just:

• See the color of the tracks on the list (without having to look at each one on the map individually to figure out what kind of track it was)
  
• Filter the lists based on color or name
  
• Sort the list based on COLOR and/or distance (closest point, end point, start point) and and color)
  
• Archive all tracks (after optionally applying a filter)
  
• Show all "selected" tracks on map (after optionally applying a filter)
  
• Hide all "selected" tracks on map (after optionally applying a filter)
  
• Restore all "archived" tracks (after optionally applying a filter)
  
  Note: The above applies to both favorites, and archives (separately of course)
  

Even the addition of just a few of these features (that other "On the Trail" models presently have) would go a long way to help working with tracks "In the Woods."
(And of course fix the on-screen keypad so that you could toggle an overwrite/insert mode.)

If I'm in the woods all day, and create 8 or so tracks I've got a complete mess. The default timestamp names are ambiguous at best, and they are not sorted in any meaningful way. (definitely not by date/time generated)
I have no idea "which one is which." ~ And even attempting to change names (using the on-screen keypad is beyond frustrating while trying to edit without the insert/overwrite toggle.

Believe me when I state that: I have tried all the other software, all of it..... And for my particular usage, nothing and I mean nothing comes close the the usefulness of Basecamp. ~ I've been looking for several years. Most are "clunky" at best, and some are horrendous. (and none of them provided advanced integration with the unit's features) ~ The only one I didn't try is Fugawi. (Google Earth is FABULOUS, but it doesn't support the same waypoint symbols, and until recently wasn't good at communicating with the unit. It works better now, but data transfer still isn't "seamless.")

Bottom line (IMO for "In The Woods" usage), "Basecamp Has Grown Up!" (I have to blame this one on firmware deficiencies!) Besides, once you learn the intricacies (and quirks) of Basecamp, assuming you rely on some of the advanced feature integration (BirdsEye, overlays, 24k topo and how they work with the unit): The power, layout, convenience & strengths of Basecamp become aparent when using the tool in the wilderness (as I do.) Sure, there are a few limitations. But the limitations I am referring to are largely a result of the missing features/firmware on the unit. ~ And because of this, I would prefer the Oregon, but my eyes need the larger screen of the Montana..... (Which being the "top of the line on the trail" GPSr for so long, most certainly should have received all these features too!)

One final thought: Based on "intuition", I do believe that Basecamp is better suited for "In the Woods" navigation than for other uses. (and that it was originally conceived for this purpose) Back at version 2.x, it was rather limiting. I don't feel that way anymore with version 4x etc. In fact, the only reason I still use NEW Google Earth is for the better (super hires) imagery, and it's ability to selectively display satellite imagery taken during different times of the year (showing hardwood forest regions via foliage colors in the fall) ~ I must admit that navigation is a solid notch better "over there" too.... But not good enough to abandon/offset the benefits of Basecamp. (Plus, Basecamp facilitates "a touch of Google Earth" integration, which IMO leverages it's capabilities in a very positive way!)

I also would like to see Orange included, as it is on the Monterra.

I suppose it does look more Orange than Red on the Monterra but it is labeled as Red. It's a color pallet issue and not really a purposely chosen color shade. Most developers don't spend (any) a lot of time analyzing color pallets they just choose one and that's it. How the Display driver renders the pallet is different between Display technologies. The Oregon 6xx and the Monterra use the same Display driver technology - hence the colors should look very similar.

oops, my bad. A second look and certainly it is red. An orange-ish red, but red :)

TRAKBAK .............

I see what you mean entirely.
My comments re Basecamp are aimed at road use and not out in the wilds.

Excellent post, and well said.

Regards,
Mick.

I've used Basecamp for planning my overseas trips from UK for a couple of years now, and it works fine for me allowing me to plan routes, taking the scenic route when I want to, avoiding or choosing toll roads etc.

It's come a long way since it was launched for handheld devices, even sends shaping/do not alert points to my new nuvi that aren't supported on my old one. Now with full UK postcode search the only thing I wish for is an address input more akin to the Mapsource style, although I believe we may be seeing that in a future update.

The major problem I find with Basecamp, is the constant moving of the mouse pointer off the map to operate it.

You have to click on the road, then move the map, then click on the road further along. So much is obvious of course.

With BikeHikeUk (for instance), you have to do the same, but it's so much easier!
The map is moved by dragging it, the points are marked by clicking your mouse.
That's all!
Simple!

With Basecamp, you drag the map to where you want it, then go to the top of the page to click on a creation tool, but if you want to drag the map again, you have to go to the top of the page and select the hand and drag the map as you want ........... or go down the bottom of the page and operate the cursor control. The cursor can only move east/west OR north/south so is rather limiting.

Plus, you have to have your device connected to see anything but the base map. With BikeHikeUk, all the mapping is there immediately and it even has Ordnance Survey mapping. You can "doodle" away and plot and plan a route so very easily. Just save it to your computer and upload it whenever and to whatever you want.

Basecamp, as good as it is, is painfully slow and frustrating to create a route/track, and because of that, I hardly ever use it.

Regards,
Mick