Courses not displayed on map in Garmin Explore web after sync from Explore iOS mobile app

I don't think Explore web actually displays the courses on the map, only Activities, Waypoints, Tracks, Routes and inReach data. Which doesn't really make sense... The fact that import only supports Tracks and Routes makes me think that Courses are not really a thing for Explore web.

As for the three dots, that's what Explore web displays for my courses as well, so I think that's the way it works.

Personally I find Explore Web by far the worst Garmin tool, the usability is so bad, as is performance. It's a shame that Explore web gets no love from Garmin.

If I am completely candid, none of the Garmin apps are worthy of praise.  I use GaiaGPS and CalTopo.  Both are outstanding in every way.  Basecamp is a dead dog by comparison.  Explore is equally weak but for my use-case one of the two are necessary.  My only other option is to export the gpx locally and drag it into the epix using Android File Transfer.  This works, but it creates duplicates of random stuff and, there is no way I nor Garmin support know how to get Saved Locations created on the epix, back into the computer.  

It's all a convoluted mess.  I'm trying to launch a satellite.. I'm trying to do what the devices were made to do.  By contrast, I can make the route/course in Gaia or CalTopo and sync it to WorkOutdoors on the Apple Watch in seconds.. it just works.  I now remember why I left Garmin for Apple a few years ago.

As far as Explore & the Courses..  Helpful to know that the course icon is correct.  I can say with certainty courses are displayed in Explore.  I created a course in the Explore mobile app and allowed it to sync back to the Explore web app and the course displays properly.  Something is going sideways when the track is copied as a course in the app and subsequently syncing back.  

I tried the steps you mentioned (create GPX Route with GaiaGPS, import in Explore web as Track, sync to Explore app, convert Track to Course, delete original Track and sync again). The Course converted from the Track shows up in my library on Explore web.

But none of the Courses I have in my library are shown on the map. This is easy to verify by hiding all items in the library (eye icon at library level in Explore web) and then showing only the courses (eye icon at Courses level in Explore web), or by selecting individual Courses. No lines for my courses appear on the map. Not sure if that is by design or whether it's an Explore web bug. At least I would expect that the Courses would be shown on the map.

Maybe someone from Garmin here on the forums can clarify?

I can confirm what you've confirmed!  However...   I created a test course on the Explore mobile app.  Once that sync's to Explore web, the course line is indeed visible and the link in Library>Courses on Explore web does work.  And it is fully functional in the epix.  Unfortunately it isn't reasonable or feasible for me do all course creation on the mobile app.  

As far as Garmin support...  I have no less than four hours on the phone with them.  They have been helpful and gotten me this far.  For this I appreciate their help.  That said, the level of frustration with what should be simple tasks is remarkable.  Leaves me scratching my head.  Can I be the only person in the Garmin community who needs off-course waypoints?  

MikekiM12 said:

Can I be the only person in the Garmin community who needs off-course waypoints?

Not sure I understand what exactly you are looking for, but I just tried it, and I can add a waypoint anywhere I tap on the map - I just select the option "+ Create Waypoint" under the map then. It does not have to be on the course at all. Though, I just tested it on the app, not on the web, so perhaps it is missing there. I do not use it much.

Edit: tested on GE Web now too, and adding a waypoint to an existing course, using the +Waypoint icon at the top works there too - I could place a waypoint anywhere on the map.

Hmm indeed, when I create a Course in Explore app and sync it will show up on the map in Explore web. But apparently not when you have created the Course on a device and then synced. 

Out of curiosity what's your use case for off-course waypoints? Aren't those just regular waypoints that you create and sync? These are different from Course points, which, as the name implies, are just points on the path of the Course. Just trying to understand what you want to achieve.

JungleJim said:

Hmm indeed, when I create a Course in Explore app and sync it will show up on the map in Explore web. But apparently not when you have created the Course on a device and then synced. 

For clarity..  the extra step is that it is a track created on the web, sync'd to the app and the from the mobile device the course is created using the Copy to Course command.  I suspect this is where things are going sideways.

JungleJim said:

Out of curiosity what's your use case for off-course waypoints? Aren't those just regular waypoints that you create and sync?

You are correct.  Course points, as the name implies are points that exist on, or are used to create the course.  In Connect web you can create course points with specific icons and labels but they still only exist as points in the course.  The waypoints are separate points of importance that, in my case, are scattered around, but are not on the course.

So imagine you're hiking and you're following the trail you've created using course points.  Often, important locations need to be noted on the map that are off the course.  Potential campsites for instance.  You may or may not actually navigate to one of these points depending on the variables of the hike, but you still need to know where it is, the distance to it and then, if you choose to leave the course, you can use Navigate to Saved Location.  Even better example is water sources.  Sometimes the course crosses the water source and using a course point would be sufficient, but more often you have to leave the trail/course to get to the water, and then return to the course once you've tanked up.  

One more nuance..  In some locations that I return to repeatedly, those water sources, potential camping spots and viewpoints are likely to be there all the time, regardless of what path or trail I am using on a particular trip.  Seasonal water being one possible exception.  I have all these points visible in the collection for the current trip, but also have them exist in a separate collection that is always sync'd to the epix and InReach regardless of the course I am using.  This way the points are there without having to be recreated with each trip and will always overlay on the map on the epix, and in Explore mobile (as a backup navigation device).

Thank you for trying to assist with this.  Greatly appreciate your involvement. 

JungleJim said:

I had some courses that I created in the app, and after syncing I changed the name of these courses on my GPSMAP. After a sync the modified names show up correctly in Explore web, but the path of the Course is not displayed on the map anymore.

I've had that happen as well.  Successfully rename in the mobile app and still able to see the course, with the new name displayed properly in the web app but no course line displayed in the web app.

JungleJim said:

As for the Course/Waypoint distinction, I know the difference and thanks for explaining how you use them. But I'm not entirely clear on what your issue is using then?

Actually..  no issues with the waypoints.  As long as I sync the waypoints and course to the epix using the mobile app, everything there is good.  But to get the course to display properly in the epix it has to originate as a track which is then converted to a course in the mobile app and then sync'd to the watch.  And that works fine.  

The issue is that what left Explore web as a track, gets copied to a course in the mobile app and then returns to Explore web as a course and that isn't visible.  And, I need an archive of the course in Explore web.  That is where things break down.  It's the last of many steps that is not working.