How do you create a route? Garmin 6x. Trying to find best way how to do that ...

2043232 over 5 years ago

I have garmin 6x, which comes with preinstalled maps of my country (CZ). If I open garmin connect and try to plan route there, only some substandard map is available, where all trail marks are missing. I can use online services like mapy.cz and export gpx, but that approach for said service does not allow me create off-road parts or futher modify created gpx. Then we're back to paid preinstalled maps in watch — these are fine, BUT works only in watch themselves or hypothetically in Garmin BaseCamp, which should work, however I never saw it working since loading maps takes hours, and every click takes minutes.

So I'd like to ask for your experiences. How do you prepare your routes?

Top Replies

C.sco over 5 years ago +1

"The best way" is subjective. Just try the various options and see what works well for your needs.

Typically, I use the Connect website on my computer to make a course, mainly because it's so…
vaggos13 over 5 years ago +1

Has anyone tried https://dynamic.watch ? It needs subscription to make TBT instructions but it can send the route to the watch easily.

All Replies

0 Ɛpsilon over 5 years ago

I use PlotAroute. If you don't mind some pfaffing about, prepare the route on the website, download the fit file from it and copy it to/Garmin/Newfiles - you get the Turn by turn directions.

For road running , that's pretty much all you need.

For trail you can use PlotAroute to add extra directions, markers etc ... there's a thread here - https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/fenix-6-series/231184/best-program-for-route-planning where I've posted screenshots and videos

0 C.sco over 5 years ago

"The best way" is subjective. Just try the various options and see what works well for your needs.

Typically, I use the Connect website on my computer to make a course, mainly because it's so easy to sync it to my watch when I'm done. But if it's having difficulties recognizing the trails or routing me the way I want it to - then, I use Plotaroute instead, and use the Gimporter widget to sync it to my watch. Basecamp is also a popular option, but I haven't spent much time with it.

I would use Plotaroute exclusively, if not for the fact that it requires a lot more steps to sync it to my watch. No big deal if you don't make new courses often, but I tend to make a couple courses every week, as I'm always trying out new hiking trails in the area. And it's kind of a pain to make the course on the computer, download it on my phone, open the GPX/FIT Exporter app on my phone, open the GImporter widget on my watch, and finally sync. Not an insurmountable pain, but kind of a pain nonetheless. It does a much nicer job of making courses than Connect, though.

0 vaggos13 over 5 years ago

Has anyone tried https://dynamic.watch ? It needs subscription to make TBT instructions but it can send the route to the watch easily.

0 Ɛpsilon over 5 years ago in reply to vaggos13

Yep - I used it a lot when I had a Vivoactive 3. It's pretty good..