GARMIN........HELP !!!!!

[Backroader]

Sorry but be warned this is a bit of an epic length message so try and stay awake.
I recently brought an 08 1200GS with a secondhand Zumo 550. I've read a lot of the threads on the GPS section on UKGSer's and it's all a bit mind boggling to a non-expert. I almost wish there was a course at college I could enrol in because I'm concerned I'll never get the hang of it. Any of you experts in the South consider lending some of your expertise for a fee.

Can I give you a few things I'm struggling with...........................
MAPSOURCE - I do not like it much. I travel Europe and never ever touch motorways and seldom main roads. I've set it up to go shortest route avoiding main roads and prefering small roads etc but it does not do what I want. The only way is to tick a straight line route, view it and write down villages on the way and then plot in a via point every so often and then revert back to shortest route again. A bit long winded ! Plus you have to go right down to highest level to see any detail.

I much prefer AUTOROUTE for it's style and ease of use but the problem with that is it does not have all small roads built into it so it cannot plot the true, as the crow flies, across country routes I prefer. I will go out of my way to avoid motorways etc. And anyway how the hell do you download an autoroute route to the Zumo ?

Am I asking too much of the software. Are my requirements unique ?

Last issue - I tried to do a simple 100 mile route directly on the Zumo and it says there is no memory, but there are no routes or anything stored on it at the moment, so I do not know why that is. Yet I was able to successfully download a 300 mile mapsource route much longer and more complicated no problem at all ?

 

[Bumpkin]

For converting routes from Autoroute for use on your Zumo I suggest that you have a look at ITN Converter, it's free and can be used for route plotting on it's own. Ideally it needs a broadband Internet connection for this as it uses Google maps.

You can just use it to import routes in one format and export in another, there's even a 'Garmin Nuvi/Mapsource GPX' export option, I believe that the Zumo can accept these directly for routing purposes. You can even import/export your routes with riding buddies with TomToms (ITN is the file extension for TT route files).

To get the Zumo to follow shortest route rather than quickest you'll need to set this up the device as well as in Mapsource otherwise as soon as it recalculates the route between two points it's change dramatically. Use plenty of routing waypoints when plotting your route to ensure it stays on track, don't go totally overboard but dropping one on the exit road from towns you pass though is a good tip.

Mapsource is worth persevering with as, in the long run, you'll get used to it and things will fall into place. I was tearing my hair out for the first couple of days until I got to grips with it's foibles. I strongly suggest that you make a cuppa and sit down and work though Whatton's 'Mapsource for Dummies' which starts here. The rest are stickies at the top of this section.

 

[Bear]

Following another thread I downloaded ITN Converter a couple of nights ago and it converts waypoints on a route generated by Autoroute into Garmin points of interest which POILoader (download from Garmin's website) can then paste onto a Nuvi. Both utilities are a little fussy about where their input and output data are located but other than that they are well worth a try.

 

[Tomcat]

Its worth learning how to use Mapsource - there are loads of tutorials dotted around the web - just use Google or look on this site. You definitely don't need loads of waypoints - let Mapsource plot the route from start point to end point, then drag n drop what it has calculated onto the roads you want ride. A few well-chosen points will usually suffice

I think you're better using 'fastest' route, and set the Mapsource route preferences towards 'minor roads'. Shortest route will take you down cart tracks and alley ways (literally) which is probably not what you want.

Make sure your Zumo has version 3.80 or later software loaded. Turn off the route recalculation function if you are using routes that you have pre-planned.