new to 530; need help with navigation

Hi Rob,

I am a MTB rider using an Edge 530.  I don't often use navigation myself but I do rely on the device map and features a lot consistent with your last bullet list item - seeing where I am and what is around me.  If I'm going to be in an unfamiliar area, I will create a route or course using some type of web page software.  I've used Trailforks, Garmin Connect, Strava Route Builder, and Kamoot from what I can remember.  They all work and to be honest I would just pick whichever website you find best suits your needs.  The first 3 are hard-baked into the Edge software so no need to download and install anything to get stuff transferred to the Edge unit if you're accounts are linked.  Kamoot requires an Edge app, but once installed it can also easily get the course wirelessly transferred to the Edge.  Once you've built and saved your course on the webpage, you push it to the Edge however the webpage tells you to.

Once the course is on the Edge, my preference is to find that course in the Edge directory and change the map setting to "always on" rather than actually telling the Edge to navigate the course.  Like you, I don't necessarily plan on following the route exactly so I don't want to be prompted directions.  But by having the course map "always on" it will always show up on the map screen on the Edge.  Then I can tell if I'm on course or not just based on my position relative to the course shown on the map.  That's good enough for me.  

I hope this helps.

thanks for the reply.....i'm assuming you track your rides as well...can you give me a quick step by step on how you initiate the route.  i can get the route loaded ok but just would like to understand the steps you take when you're ready to ride. 

Sure!  First push the course/route to your Edge however the resource you built the course/route on tells you to.  If it isn't via a cloud-based linked service, then you can manually place the course/route file onto your Edge by connecting via USB and dropping the file into the "New Files" folder in the Edge directory. 

Once the file is on your Edge, access the menu and go to Navigation -> Courses where you will find the directory of courses on your device.  Use the up/down buttons to highlight the course you want shown on the map and select it.  Scroll down to "Settings" and enable the toggle switch for "Always Display".  I never mess with the other settings, but it looks like you can customize the course color and enable the display of course points.  

The course you did this with will now always show on your Edge map, no need to start any navigation or do anything else in particular.  Start/stop your ride timer according to your preference.  Anytime you want to see if you are on course, bring up the map screen on your Edge and it will show your current location and track along with the course you have told it to always show.  

perfect...thanks for this, will try it out.

Hi...just wanted to let you know it worked well...only question is, how do i remove the selected course w/o having to load up a new course.  thanks

got it...thanks again.  curious, do you ever use trailforks via the connect IQ menu? and if so, how do you use it or why don't you use it.

I don't use it. Probably just a function of having stayed pretty local lately and not done any exploring in new areas where I need guidance