GPX or TCX on Edge 1000 - newbie questions

Please don't take this the wrong way but I honestly believe that the best way to find the correct answers to your questions is to figure it out by trial and error.  Part of the reason I say this is because it depends of the source of your files and what you want the device to do with it.  Secondly is because different websites include different things in the same format.

For example just last week I was dabbling with http://cycle.travel and tried a few different export options.  The one I settled on was a complete disaster (something like 'shaping only') with me only getting 'as the crown flies' between specific corners and not following the roads correctly at all.  During the ride I downloaded in a different format and that proved to be perfect.

When following a Course on my device I want to see elevation and get turn-by-turn directions.  If I get those I am happy.

Your Edge 1000 is completely capable of giving turn-by-turn without needing references to them in the files you import.  Indeed, if they are included in the files, you risk getting them doubled up.

TrippyZ, Thanks for your reply and I have no issue trying different formats to see which works best. With that said, though, I thought my requirements were very basic - 1) I wanted a format that would get me back on my route if I strayed off of it; and 2) I wanted turn by turn instructions.

Currently, the only resource that I an looking at for routes is RideWith GPS.com. 

I thought (hoped) that with those basic requirements, it would have been fairly easy for more experienced riders to recommend a format to export into my Edge 1000.

You should use .TCX if you want to have Course Points included. RWGPS (paid version only?) can include them. With Course Points you can get turn information without Course Guidance (TBT) being active and theoreticaly even without a loaded map.
In any case using both Course Points and TBT may be too much and distracting.
For a normal track or route that you load to the Edge 1000 both formats .gpx or .tcx will do allright. The Edge converts it to a Course and you may choose in the settings to have Turn Guidance (TBT) or not.

Be careful having the recalculation setting on. It will or should get you back on course if off but it will many times recalculate the remainder of the course into something that you did not intend. I always have recalculation turned off. It is not difficult to get back on course by just looking at the map.

If you are using Ridewithgps, they have some recommendations as to what format to use for each Garmin device. Ridewithgps is a very good route planning tool. I have never had a problem with their routes.

There are two separate types of "turn instructions" that the Edges (that use maps) can use.

You can use both or neither or one or the other.

1- "Turn Guidance" -> These are the big white arrows. This works, sort of, like navigation works in GPS units used in cars. The Edges create these instructions by "walking" the loaded track. The units can also calculate these for instructions to a location (no track needed).

For "Turn Guidance", you can use FIT, GPX, or TCX. They all work the same because they all have the same information. Whatever format you use, it needs to be a "track".

2- "Course Points" -> This is a more basic form of turn instructions. These pop-up when you get close to them. They aren't as clear as the big white arrows of "Turn Guidance". These were originally created for Edges that don't use maps (because these units can't calculate the turn guidance). These are turn instructions embedded in the file. You will only get them using FIT or TCX (but not all FIT or TCX files will have them). I find the course points useful but they can be confusing if you don't know what they are.

==============

As cheracogoff mentiond, you might try turning recalculate off (this effects "turn guidance".  If you are paying attention, you'll generally know quickly that you have strayed from the track.

Some of the older units abandoned the loaded route and recalculated a new route directly to the end-point. That's not usually what people want or expect. The recalculation works fairly well on the 1030. I have no idea how well it works on the 1000.

Good, helpful info....thanks!

A "track" is enough points to accurately describe the curves and turns of the path you want to take. If you see lots of straight lines with short cuts that doesn't follow roads, it's not a "track".

Note that the Edges have maps based on Openstreetmap (OSM). RWGPS lets you change the map used to plan the route (in the upper right corner of the map window).

Ideally, you want to use the same map for planning the route as what's installed on the device since different maps don't have roads in exactly the same places. The Edges handle differences in maps reasonably well but, if you don't know how things work, it can be confusing.

===============

Oh...

With "turn guidance", the device actually calculates a second route separate from the track.

The track shows up as a "darker purple" line (it's actually magenta with black borders).

The calculated route shows up as a lighter magenta line that is slightly wider than the track line.

Usually, it's hard to distinguish the two but, once in a while, you'll see them separate.

If you are using Ridewithgps, they have some recommendations as to what format to use for each Garmin device. Ridewithgps is a very good route planning tool. I have never had a problem with their routes.

I like RWGPS a lot but it really doesn't matter what route planner you use. Their recommendations are kind of misleading and don't really help people understand what is going on.

=======================

* FIT, GPX (track), and TCX all work the same for "turn guidance'.

* Only FIT or TCX will provide "course points".

I agree that it doesn't matter what route planner you use but I find that Ridewithgps is one of the easiest for route planning. The Ridewithgps IQ app also makes getting the route to the Garmin very easy.