[Forerunner 945] Inquiry on importing GPX map files

1. Personally, I tend to import into Garmin Courses (on the web version). This will convert it into a .FIT file (which is the native format for the watch), which you can select and send to the watch at the next sync.

2. For a 200 km ride, the GPX file can be 0.5-1MB, so not really a concern with the 945.

1) To import a GPX file without a computer is a pain.

If you have a computer, find one of the many websites that convert GPX to FIT (or download software to do it) and connect the watch to the computer via USB and put the file in GARMIN/Courses.

Another option is to import the file in garming connect (web) as an activity and then convert it into a course, and finaly use garmin connect on your phone to send it to your device. You can do all that from the web ui (Chrome/Safari) on your mobile too but it's not fun.

2) It depends on how many points the course has. If it's taken from a GPS devices, it's likely to be "big" (a few MB) but givent the capacity of the FR945, that should never be an issue. If the course was made on a computer, it will contail only the essential points and be a lot smaller.

3) I don't know about Windows & Mac, but on linux there are a variety of options like GPX Viewer and GPX See, that latter which actually allows you to open the garmin map on your device and use it as a map background for your course. But I believe many people will use web tools these days, they are pleny of them, a famous one with lots of features is https://www.plotaroute.com/.

1) As other posters say, use a computer OR you can get a connect IQ app for the watch for downloading the route, most recommended for this task is "gimporter".

2) GPX are tiny . The only way you can fill up your watch is with music and with custom maps, in my opinion ;).

3) I believe you are asking on the watch? On the watch use the 945 provided map widget, you don't need anything extra :)

I cannot speak to Android phones but I will add an easy method that works with IPhones.  A while back (year??) on iPhone, Garmin Connect Mobilewas added to the list of applications available to "open" a GPX file.  Thus, whether you have a gpx file on the phone, in an email or exporting it from an app (such as EasyRoute - which is great app to make your own courses on the phone), you can then open the file in Connect where it walks you through turning in into a route and then you sync it to the watch (it is automatically converted to a .fit file).  Down side?  Connect Mobile does not have a great editing capability and will automatically add TBT instructions based on the route.  This last issue impacts other work flows.  EasyRoute is really good for building routes (including instructions) but to get it directly onto the watch through GCM, you can only export it as GPX despite the fact the app can export as .fit.  As of yet, .fit files cannot be opened directly in GCM on the phone.

I have no idea how this translate over the Android.

Another vote for gimporter. I use it all the time. Open the gpx on the android companion app, select the widget on the watch and import - very very easy. You can then use the 945 to follow the course through the navigation functions. No additional app or tools needed for that.

Disclosure: I am the developer of dwMap.  Although dwMap is a great solution to the general question of getting routes easily and wirelessly to the Garmin watches, in the case of the 945 our routeCourse app is actually the one to be looking at.  routeCourse lets you rapidly and easily (and wirelessly from mobile web, no computer required) download a GPX or other route to the watch, and then use the route (course) with the built-in maps and navigation features of the 945.  dwMap really shines on watches like the Vivoactive 3 that do not have any built-in map/nav capability.

More info on routeCourse: https://dynamicwatch.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360007147752-Using-routeCourse-on-your-Fenix-5-6-Marq-or-Forerunner-245-645-935-945 

sorry for the late reply. As there is upcoming event here this coming Saturday I just had to revisit this tread and see my options :  so far what ive done /tried

OPTION A:

1) downloaded the gpx file on my personal computer from the event website (organizer)

2) open https://www.alltrails.com/converter/ (random google) > converted .gpx to .fit with Ant+ something like that.

3) copy the .fit to  GARMIN/Courses folder as seen from my PC

4) eject my forerunner from my PC (there is no such thing, i just take it out - hope this is normal, i cant do this with an external hdd or pendrive without damaging it)

Q : From my garmin > where do i see the map from Trail running? can't seem to view the route.

OPTION B : connect IQ

1) open connect IQ. . verify watch is connected

2) installed all screen - take a very long time to appear/keep on loading . 

Q : is this normal ? i just have 1 analog watch face, and spotify added. that all 

Also remember if you import routes via Garmin Connect it will mess your elevation data with Garmin's terrible elevation corrections and there is no way around if, if you use Garmin Connect.

You can avoid it, by copying it directly to watch.

Ref. https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-multisport/f/forerunner-945/171786/pacepro-and-garmin-connect-course-elevation-corrections

Nobody talks about Garmin Explore?

From looking at the product page on Garmin's website, it looks like Explore is a standalone app.  Does it communicate with the Forerunner 945?