I am officially stupid - can't get past the basics

I didn't realize how truly stupid I am until I got a 66i and tried to use it. Thank you Garmin for opening my eyes! Slight smile

What I am trying to do is to plan a hike by uploading a GPX file to the device. What I expect to be able to do is to view the map for the hike with the route overlaid but I am unable to figure this out. I have the GPX file transferred to the device and I can see the waypoints in the waypoints list, but how do I view the map of the route? Looking at the docs it mentions using "FIND" but ironically I can't find FIND. Where is it? UPDATE: it's the Find BUTTON!! Duh! Why don't they say "FIND button"? Frustrating! Disappointed

Also, the waypoints are just a flat list and don't appear to be organized by route. Is that the case? How is this supposed to be manageable?

Also, I tried to use Garmin Connect to upload the GPX file to the 66i but it says  I don't have any compatible devices even though the 66i is listed as a device. Is the 66i really not compatible?

  • I believe you need to use the Explore mobile app for transferring data to/from the GPSMAP 66 series.

  • Ah, thanks. The Garmin motto seems to be "There is no problem so impenetrable that it can't be solved by adding another app". Reading elsewhere it appears that the 66i is not compatible with Garmin Connect. It would be really useful if Garmin Connect told you that where it displays your list of registered devices rather than just playing dumb when you try to do something. Seems par for the course though.

  • This is at least partially because GCM is used to pair the device with the phone. If you try to pair directly via Explore, it's going to use GCM to do it. No idea why. 

    That, however, is about the extent of it. No syncing with the Explore universe via GCM.

  • Waypoints are different from routes. The waypoint list IS just a list of waypoints. In order to "organize" them into a route, you have to create an actual route. You can do that via the route planner on the device (once the waypoints are present) OR you can create a route directly on the map at explore.garmin.com, then sync that route with the device via the Explore app.

    Once the route is on the device, it will show up under Find (button) > Routes. Selecting a route from the resulting list shows it on the map and gives you the option (Go at the bottom of the map display) to navigate the route.

  • Thank you all. So far I have had to use:

    • Garmin Connect (mobile)
    • Garmin Explore (mobile)
    • Garmin Express (Windows)
    • Garmin Basecamp (Windows)
    • Garmin MapInstall (Windows)

    All I have wanted to do so far is to import OpenStreetMaps and a GPX file onto the 66i and I'm at 5 different apps and counting. Are there any others I'm missing or are any of these redundant? 

  • All I have wanted to do so far is to import OpenStreetMaps and a GPX file onto the 66i

    Simple.

    Copy the OSM map *.img file to the [GPSr or microSD]\Garmin\ directory, and any GPX files to the [GPSr or microSD]\Garmin\GPX\ directory,

    Done.

    No programs required.

    Thank you all. So far I have had to use:

    • Garmin Connect (mobile)
    • Garmin Explore (mobile)
    • Garmin Express (Windows)
    • Garmin Basecamp (Windows)
    • Garmin MapInstall (Windows)

    Connect (mobile) provides syncing capability for Garmin Connect website, and is required to pair your phone for other internet based features.

    Explore (mobile) is required for inReach features and allows you to transfer files from Explore Website and/or app to/from the device.

    Express (Windows) allows to keep maps and language files and software etc. all up to date on your device.

    BaseCamp (Windows) allows for advanced data management and planning for your GPSMAP 66i.

    MapInstall (Windows) allows you to send complete or partial maps (that are installed for BaseCamp) to the device.

  • Thank you very much. This is exactly what I needed to know. Where could I have gotten this information with bugging guys? One thing for sure, it's not in the 66i user manual.

  • There are websites that go far beyond the OE manual - You just have to use google to find them... I personally am prohibited from sharing a popular option, but I suspect you can find it rather quickly...

  • Thank you again.  Much appreciated. My blood pressure thanks you also.