This discussion has been locked.

You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Best way to create and import course/trail route to Fenix5?

Former Member over 8 years ago

G'day all,
I'm moving from a Forerunner 620 to a Fenix 5 (Black/Black Sapphire Fenix 5 to be exact) which is currently sitting in my friends apartment in Hong Kong (pretty stoked as they aren't due here in Australia for a while, maybe weeks to a month, allegedly).
So I'm off to pick it up next week then on to Japan the next day to do a 3 day hike on the Kumano Kodo (Kohechi route).
As I won't have much time in the day or two between getting the watch and starting the hike I want to create some routes in the next week or so before I leave to put on the watch when i get it.
Usually I'd be happy to tinker and experiment myself to work it out but the limited time frame means I'm asking you guys for advice on the BEST way and best programs to do this with, and how then to get them onto the watch (bearing in mind I haven't done this before as my 620 didn't do courses).
In looking on the net and these forums there seems to be a few different ways to achieve this goal.

What is the best way to create and upload courses?

Happy to be directed elsewhere if this is not the appropriate forum for this question.

Thanks in advance...

0 gasteropod over 8 years ago

I am using Windows. Check the watch Garmin/NewFiles directory after you copy the file to the watch in Basecamp to make sure it is there before you disconnect the watch.

Have you tried adding a gpx file into the NewFiles directory manually? This should also work.

0 mappicus over 8 years ago

Mappicus, I have a question re your app: besides the fact that is very easy to bring a route to F5, what is the advantage to use your app versus, let's say, bringing a route through Garmin Basecamp. Also, are there any differencies in how your app vs Basecamp routes will look like on F5? Thanks

The ease of transfer is the main advantage, and the route should look the same after the transfer as one transferred using the traditional manual method. The other main advantage of the app though is when you are sourcing routes from outside of Basecamp, as our platform lets you easily bring in routes from Ride with GPS, MapMyHike, Strava, Hiking Project etc.
Full current list of supported route sources: https://dynamic.watch/help#sites

0 KEVINDBA over 8 years ago

I am using Windows. Check the watch Garmin/NewFiles directory after you copy the file to the watch in Basecamp to make sure it is there before you disconnect the watch.

Have you tried adding a gpx file into the NewFiles directory manually? This should also work.

Thanks for the tip, Putting it in NewFiles works perfectly. So we can confidently add Garmin Basecamp to the list of good ways to get a track into the watch (even if you are using a Mac and 'Send to Device' doesn't work yet).

0 newtonfb over 8 years ago

Has anyone figured out how to get a course and waypoints onto the watch? I can get both on the watch but I cannot use both at the same time. I want to be able to use a route and get the correct distance to the desired waypoint and also the next one. I can't believe Garmin connect doesn't let you add waypoints. Also there is no way to do this in basecamp.

0 Backslashhh over 8 years ago

To import courses from your Android device, I wrote an app.

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/de11adc4-fdbb-40b5-86ac-7f93b47ea5bb

It also needs the companion app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.surfsite.gexporter

0 Former Member over 8 years ago

Dynamic watch

I have found dynamic watch to be the best solution. The only caveat is that navigation is a paid service.
1. Create a dynamic.watch profile and link strava/ridewithgps/underarmour accounts..
2. Download the app from connect iq and register the device on the dw website.
3. On dw website, set a route as default. Next time you launch the app on the watch it will automatically launch the course.

0 Backslashhh over 8 years ago

I have found dynamic watch to be the best solution. The only caveat is that navigation is a paid service.
1. Create a dynamic.watch profile and link strava/ridewithgps/underarmour accounts..
2. Download the app from connect iq and register the device on the dw website.
3. On dw website, set a route as default. Next time you launch the app on the watch it will automatically launch the course.

I needed an offline solution.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

To import courses from your Android device, I wrote an app.

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/de11adc4-fdbb-40b5-86ac-7f93b47ea5bb

It also needs the companion app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.surfsite.gexporter

i just try your app and it work pretty well. thank

0 lvanjaarsveld over 6 years ago

Garmin Connect app opens gpx files on your phone. It allows you to import them quickly to garmin connect and from there send it to your device. You do need a bit of bandwidth.

0 SteveCRunner over 6 years ago

Garmin Connect app opens gpx files on your phone. It allows you to import them quickly to garmin connect and from there send it to your device. You do need a bit of bandwidth.

Yes, and you can also set course points there. For example, if you want to stay the correct side of a river, set what Garmin calls a "generic course point" and call it "cross bridge" and you will get a warning as you approach. NB you will need to set up navigation data fields to show this information, otherwise you will just get a plain warning that a flag is approaching, just like regular navigation turn warnings.