Does Basecamp overwrite Mapsource? Urgent help needed

[Lord Snooty]

For the first time in ages I have connected my Zumo 660 to the laptop and I was asked to download Garmin Express which I did. I am then notified that there is a map update to download, I set things in motion and I am now asked do I want to download Basecamp to both the unit and the laptop.

What is Basecamp? Is it a replacement for Mapsource? If I download it will Mapsource be deleted? What happens if I only download Basecamp to the unit and not the laptop, will I still be able to create routes on Mapsource and download to unit?

I am not going to hit the Install Now button until I am sure I know what is going to happen.

 

[cookie]

Basecamp cannot be downloaded to the unit. It is the replacement for mapsource on your PC and I doubt it will overwrite it. You could save a copy of mapsource somewhere to be sure though.

IMO you might as well go to basecamp as mapsource is not being updated anymore.

Pound to a pinch of shit, you'll hate it though

 

[Lord Snooty]

Thanks Cookie, sounds as if I have to go the Basecmp route regardless.

 

[cookie]

I think you will eventually, but many here are still clinging to mapsource. Basecamp is very different even though it does the same job.

It is a lot better now than when it first appeared, but the search function can still reduce a grown man to tears.

 

[ebbo]

Basecamp makes iTunes look like the best program ever designed

 

[Mr K]

Basecamp makes iTunes look like the best program ever designed

I found it incredibly frustrating at first, nothing was intuitive and many things are different from Mapsource.... now it's only mildly frustrating.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Basecamp now installed and as soon as I opened it an update was downloaded and is now going through that process. Mapsource still on the laptop also, seems ludicrous that BC is not as user friendly and inuitive as MS. As soon as the download is complete I'll have a go at BC and see how we go.

 

[paul08]

Have a search of the threads as there are some vaery useful tutorials on how to use Basecamp that are, in my opinion, better than the ones that can be found on the Garmin website

 

[GSTourer]

Basecamp makes Space Invaders look like the best program ever designed

More like it.

 

[The Grey One]

Mapsource is still available to download although not from Garmin for those who find Basecamp frustrating. Maybe someone could explain just what Basecamp does that Mapsource doesn't. So far I can't see anything to justify putting up with having to re invent the wheel in order to plan a route. And as has been mentioned the search "facility" is a complete joke. It's not wonderful in Mapsource but for a replacement to be so much worse in unforgivable.

John

 

[Wapping]

I have a PC running both Basecamp and Mapsource.

I seem to recall that when I last updated the maps, one download did both pieces of software together. But maybe I dreamt it.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Rich, you didn't dream it, I have checked Mapsource and it has been updated also.

 

[JoeBiff]

Maybe someone could explain just what Basecamp does that Mapsource doesn't.

John

BC interfaces with Google Earth, whereas MS couldn't.
GE is useful if you wish to create tracks/routes off-road using GE aerial photo overlay. The KML/KMZ file transfer to your device can then be done through BC.
Alternatively, you can "play-back" your saved tracks or routes in Google Earth, using BC software.

Garmin are slowly getting to grips with the search facility which is improving slowly.

JB

 

[Wapping]

Rich, you didn't dream it, I have checked Mapsource and it has been updated also.

Phew.

Stick with Basecamp if you can, though it really does work better on a Mac than a PC, I think. There are some quite good features on it, once you get your head around the differences. Also, have a look at some of the many tutorials on uBoob, many of which are quite well done. When I was learning my way around I ran the film clips on a laptop whilst I played around in Basecamp on my Mac, which made life easier.

The last tip I would give is.... Use it! By which I mean plot some real routes to use, it's the best way of learning.

 

[The Grey One]

BC interfaces with Google Earth, whereas MS couldn't.
GE is useful if you wish to create tracks/routes off-road using GE aerial photo overlay. The KML/KMZ file transfer to your device can then be done through BC.
Alternatively, you can "play-back" your saved tracks or routes in Google Earth, using BC software.

Garmin are slowly getting to grips with the search facility which is improving slowly.

JB

I use Google Earth a lot with Mapsource, never had a problem. Here in Austria the routes I create are based on actual experience of the roads and scenery. I would not want to rely on a possibly outdated Google Earth view. And just why should I wait for Garmin to provide a search facility that is fit for purpose? If and when they sort it out I will start using Basecamp until then I prefer something that actually does what is needed.

John

 

[The Grey One]

Rich, you didn't dream it, I have checked Mapsource and it has been updated also.

Mapsource is no longer supported by Garmin and there have been no updates for some time now. I think what you mean is that you can access and use the updated maps in Mapsource. So you can, I have several version of the Garmin maps and the openstreetmap ones all available in either Basecamp and Mapsource. I keep Basecamp updated in the hope that one day Garmin might turn it into something useful! I understand the argument of Mac users that Basecamp at least works on a Mac and maybe works better but I don't use a Mac.

John

 

[The Grey One]

Rich, you didn't dream it, I have checked Mapsource and it has been updated also.

Mapsource is no longer supported by Garmin and there have been no updates for some time now. I think what you mean is that you can access and use the updated maps in Mapsource. So you can, I have several version of the Garmin maps and the openstreetmap ones all available in either Basecamp and Mapsource. I keep Basecamp updated in the hope that one day Garmin might turn it into something useful! I understand the argument of Mac users that Basecamp at least works on a Mac and maybe works better but I don't use a Mac.

John

 

[Wapping]

I use Google Earth a lot with Mapsource, never had a problem. Here in Austria the routes I create are based on actual experience of the roads and scenery. I would not want to rely on a possibly outdated Google Earth view.

John

The advantage you have in Austria, John, is that you can look out of your front door and see where the roads go. This luxury is not available to bods whose only view is a gasometer in Gateshead or the Forest of Dene. These poor souls are obliged to plot their routes using imagination alone, which Google Maps / Google Earth helps them with..... Or they ask somebody to do it for them. As you have observed yourself in the past, the roads around you don't really change that much, so Google / Google Earth is never going to be too far out.

Indeed, Google Earth will display Mspsource derived routes and tracks quite happily.

 

[iand46]

Rich, you didn't dream it, I have checked Mapsource and it has been updated also.

Last update

MapSource software version 6.16.3
as of October 25, 2010

 

[Lord Snooty]

Last update

MapSource software version 6.16.3
as of October 25, 2010

As The Grey One stated what I meant was that the mapping on Mapsource now shows an updated version which is the same as the one on BC. I am now going to try and download BC and the mapping update to my notebook.