Course points based on the RWGPS' cue sheet are added to a TCX file. The 520 shows a text message along with a beep when a course point is reached. The data field "Crs Pt Dist" shows the distance to the next course point along with an icon showing the turn direction.
GPX files would be for using Turn Guidance where the 520 calculates the turn prompts based on the shape of the track. But Turn Guidance doesn't work so turn it off. Settings -> Training -> Courses -> Course options. If there is a prompt "Navigate to beginning of course?" when starting a course select Cancel because that doesn't work either.
Course points based on the RWGPS' cue sheet are added to a TCX file. The 520 shows a text message along with a beep when a course point is reached. The data field "Crs Pt Dist" shows the distance to the next course point along with an icon showing the turn direction.
GPX files would be for using Turn Guidance where the 520 calculates the turn prompts based on the shape of the track. But Turn Guidance doesn't work so turn it off. Settings -> Training -> Courses -> Course options. If there is a prompt "Navigate to beginning of course?" when starting a course select Cancel because that doesn't work either.
Thanks will give them both a test see which works best for me.
The Garmins want a "track", a list of coordinates that accurately describes the turns and curves of the path you want to follow.
They will show the track on the screen and indicate if you've wandered too far from it ("off course" warnings). The track route shows up as a thin purple (magenta) line with black borders.
The track can be provided as a tcx or gpx file (it doesn't matter).
As tigermountrider said, tcx files can also contain "course points", which have small icons (usually, an arrow) and a short label. " course points" can be turn instructions.
The 520 also has a "turn guidance" feature that doesn't appear to work at all.
What this is supposed to do is calculate a second route that follows the track route to provide a different type of "turn instruction). This second calculated route shows up as a thick all-magenta line.
(You can get files that have coordinates for just the turns. These don't work on the Garmins! Ridewithgos calls these "route" files. You want to miss what ridewithgps call "track" files.)
Note that you can use any route planner you lie but not all of them support "course points".
A "course point" gets displayed when you get close to its coordinates. Since they are located at the turn, they get displayed later than people like. Some course planners will relocate them earlier in the track so you get the information before you get to the turn. Bikeroutetoaster provides this. So does ridewithgps (as part of a subscription).
