Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar - GPX Files

I have done this several times and it worked pretty well for me. I exported a track (gpx file) from Basecamp, then imported the track into GC which converted it into a course (fit file), and from GC I sent it to the watch. I did not notice that the original gpx file has more details (track points) than the course imported to the watch. I just double checked it and compared a track in Basecamp with the course uploaded to the watch, and they look exactly the same. Actually, when I did this the first time I used my gpsmap 66 (using the gpx track) and my fenix 7 (course using converted fit file from gpx track) in parallel when hiking and I did not notice any difference. 

Hi

Thank you for the response.

Unfortunately this does not work for me. I have been using this exact technique to transfer files to my watch as none of my Macs actually recognise the watch when I have Basecamp open. This was a disappointing discovery so I have been trying to export the files from both Basecamp and other apps that can produce GPX files. None have worked.

Thanks again

Hi, I'm not sure I fully understand the problem. Let me add some more details. When I upload the gpx file to GC I upload it to the web version https://connect.garmin.com/. Then I open the GC app on my Smartphone, connect the watch to my smartphone via Bluetooth and send the course from the app to the watch. Another option is to send the gpx to your phone, upload it to the GC app and then send it to the watch.See also support.garmin.com/.../

Hi

Thank you again for your response.

Yes, I understood your approach and have followed that same approach myself. I have also sent a gpx produced in Basecamp via email, opened that (email) on my iPhone and selected GC to open the gpx file, then send to the watch. When I do this I get the same result as for the first method.

The outcome each time is a track that is a much simplified track of the original with lots of straight sections that do not follow pathways. I use the watch exclusively for hiking and not road travel.

One thing that I have wondered is whether not having a detailed topo map on my iPhone GC has some bearing on it and it is simplifying it before sending to the watch?

Are you saving/exporting the files as Routes or Tracks? Is Routes, try saving/creating as a Track. There's people much more knowledgeable than me who can explain the difference but simply put a Route uses less points than a Track and can result in straight lines between data points. Are you creating your files using a routable map in Basecamp?

It's been one of my bug bears with Basecamp on the Mac that it doesn't see the F7/Epix but Basecamp Windows does. I did let Garmin know but I don't expect anything to change as the focus appears to be on Explore now; web based rather than PC base based. I find Explore a bit of a pain to use at the maps do not have all the tracks that I need. At least in Basecamp I can overlay New Zealand topo maps to see the missing trails. The whole environment needs consolidation so that us endusers can have a seamless experience to easily create usable tracks that we can use.

Yes, I agree with your sentiment.

For me wearables backed up with a paper map and compass, are the way to go. They are expensive and one expects that the integration with the software would be seamless at those price points.

The opposition is not quite there with the map detail yet but it will not be far off, particularly the Coros Vertix 2, and I think that the Garmin products may well suffer if they don't address these issues.

That apart, I am enjoying the functionality of the F7 and am pleased with the accuracy of the GPS when walking.

Hi, if you export a route instead of a track into your gpx file it might make sense to change the routing settings of your hiking activity on your fenix 7 from "direct" to "use map".

Your watch does not know tracks or routes but only courses. With your routing settings you can determine how your watch will navigate you on your course: "direct" behaves very similar to track navigation, and "use map" behaves similar to route navigation. As a prerequisite you need a routable map on your watch and your gpx file should not consist of several hundreds or even thousand of track points.

As an MTB biker I highly prefer tracks over routes because otherwise you might miss e.g. small great single trails as your device might choose to navigate you along a normal pathway that is running close to the single trail.

Hi
Sorry for the late response but I did not see this earlier.
Thank you for the suggestion, I will look at those settings on my watch as I work through the different menus.
I have now done three hikes using tracks sent to the device and have not had any issues with them in terms of accuracy, so at least for now, things are good.

Thanks again