Garmin navigation planning

[Barnoe]

It really surprises me that Garmin have dropped the ball on planning.

They do all the devices but they abandoned Basecamp and Garmin Explore its replacement isn't fit for purpose IMO
I've tried planning with it on my phone and on my PC over the last few days and all is ok until you make a mistake or decide to change the route.

I can create my routes in OS maps or in MyRoute App and then send to Garmin Explore to sync with my device but i just feel it should all be done in a single app.

Come on Garmin, get your act together.

 

[grantmac]

Agree....Garmin seem to have no interest any more.... My understanding is that already since 2016 that no development was going into BaseCamp - updates, yes but no development. My unnderstanding is they want to focus more on the smart watch segment where they seem to be quite good.
If they were clever maybe with their finalcial resources and get into an app themsevles....

 

[Barnoe]

Agree....Garmin seem to have no interest any more.... My understanding is that already since 2016 that no development was going into BaseCamp - updates, yes but no development. My unnderstanding is they want to focus more on the smart watch segment where they seem to be quite good.
If they were clever maybe with their finalcial resources and get into an app themsevles....

Yea such a big company its madness.

 

[glenn2926]

It really surprises me that Garmin have dropped the ball on planning.

They do all the devices but they abandoned Basecamp and Garmin Explore its replacement isn't fit for purpose IMO
I've tried planning with it on my phone and on my PC over the last few days and all is ok until you make a mistake or decide to change the route.

I can create my routes in OS maps or in MyRoute App and then send to Garmin Explore to sync with my device but i just feel it should all be done in a single app.

Come on Garmin, get your act together.

Err, map and compass in the hills. Every device can and at some point will let you down. The only way is to do it properly with the map and compass. No electronic devices were allowed when I did my ML many years ago.

 

[casbar]

Err, map and compass in the hills. Every device can and at some point will let you down. The only way is to do it properly with the map and compass. No electronic devices were allowed when I did my ML many years ago.

It's a darn sight easier with electronic gps mapping. So electronic first, backed up by a map and compass. Map reading is a skill that needs practicing, having spent many miles following muppets who were leading a patrol, who couldn't read a map, gps was a revelation.

 

[glenn2926]

It's a darn sight easier with electronic gps mapping. So electronic first, backed up by a map and compass. Map reading is a skill that needs practicing, having spent many miles following muppets who were leading a patrol, who couldn't read a map, gps was a revelation.

It might be easier for you. I would not have the first clue how to use one. Map and compass however…

 

[Barnoe]

I can read a map and compass and on proper hikes take the OS paper map of the area plus my devices.

Just out for one day hikes i don't take the paper maps as i have a watch, phone and GPS surely all 3 cant fail lol
Specially as i carry a power bank too.

 

[John Armstrong]

Assuming that the planning is for where the UK Ordnance Survey covers, then this is a very useful resource:

Ordnance Survey Route Planner

Plan your gpx files for free with the GPS Training Free Ordnance Survey route planner, for all your GPS and Watch activities.

gpstraining.co.uk

 

[Morety]

Err, map and compass in the hills. Every device can and at some point will let you down. The only way is to do it properly with the map and compass. No electronic devices were allowed when I did my ML many years ago.

This^^^^

 

[er-minio]

It really surprises me that Garmin have dropped the ball on planning.

Dropped it years ago.
This is the same conversation that, routinely, happens around Basecamp in the GPS section.

I did use BC a lot for planning off-road routes and, sometimes, some longer hikes (just to have a main reference) and most of the web alternatives or products that are revered online are not fit for purpose, especially if you have to plan on non routable maps, or if you want to use your own specific map. Discussed many times.

There are a couple of alternatives, but after a very quick investigation (admittedly, couple of years ago) they seemed very clunky, even worse than the original BC.
QMapShack is one of those. Gaia GPS another one. But, in all honesty, I wouldn't bother.

 

[Wapping]

Given that Garmin’s 2025 global revenue was USD 7.25 billion, with a reported profit of USD 1.25 billion, they seem to be doing OK.

They did though lose the plot with simple motorcycle GPS devices years ago, pandering to bikermates’ “I want it to be an infotainment system, without which riding a motorcycle is just too dull. I need to be connected…. “.

 

[Barnoe]

Dropped it years ago.
This is the same conversation that, routinely, happens around Basecamp in the GPS section.

I did use BC a lot for planning off-road routes and, sometimes, some longer hikes (just to have a main reference) and most of the web alternatives or products that are revered online are not fit for purpose, especially if you have to plan on non routable maps, or if you want to use your own specific map. Discussed many times.

There are a couple of alternatives, but after a very quick investigation (admittedly, couple of years ago) they seemed very clunky, even worse than the original BC.
QMapShack is one of those. Gaia GPS another one. But, in all honesty, I wouldn't bother.

Yes ive been part of them same conversations.
Basecamp was and still is a decent planning software if you persevere and learn to use it, many dont.
The frustration comes because Garmin stopped supporting a good bit of software, made worse by the fact what came after Explore was 10x worse.

I still use BC occasionally, on my phone i just use OS maps to plan as its easy to use and then use the built in GPX transfer to Garmin connect app which syncs with my GPSMAP 67i device wirelessly.
Which is great as i can do this sat on some rocks in the middle of nowhere, if no network then i just plan directly on the device which takes a bit longer.
Sometimes do this just to change routes i planned only to come across an impassable bog and want to go round etc.

Given that Garmin’s 2025 global revenue was USD 7.25 billion, with a reported profit of USD 1.25 billion, they seem to be doing OK.

They did though lose the plot with simple motorcycle GPS devices years ago, pandering to bikermates’ “I want it to be an infotainment system, without which riding a motorcycle is just too dull. I need to be connected…. “.

I was surprised a Garmin GPS didnt come out with carplay and Andoid on it.... but then thinking about it there is a very obvious reason they didnt.
Evenyone would use google maps.
On the whole their devices are very good at one thing, but the next few years will be interesting as all these chinese units and Apps must be impacting sales.

 

[Treb]

Perhaps you'll be glad to hear that the aircraft taking you on hols/work etc are fitted with Garmin avionics and not some other 'root'ing apps...

 

[er-minio]

Basecamp was and still is a decent planning software if you persevere and learn to use it, many dont.

Yep. Agreed.
I am still using it, and I have an older Mac (that I use for other stuff as well) that will be the "dedicated" computer to run BC, as it will stop working on the next major MacOS release.

I was surprised a Garmin GPS didnt come out with carplay and Andoid on it.... but then thinking about it there is a very obvious reason they didnt.
Evenyone would use google maps.

Again, agree.

Similar issue on OEM car multimedia/navi units.

For the vast majority of people, sat navigation == A to B navigation, or A to B to C.
People creating custom, more complex, routes are the minority and probably expensive to cater for.

Garmin is making a lot of money in their wearables/sports devices, my guess is that the funds have been moved to that division.

The only thing that baffles me is that they keep selling mapping devices (handhelds, automotive navigation) advertising a lot of functionalities that are essentially unusable because of complete lack of (proper) planning software, but hey, their choice.


As per @Barnoe original question: for most devices you should be able to create a gpx track with software of your choice, and then drop in via Bluetooth, sometimes directly, sometimes via Drive or others. Two softwares at most. Not ideal, but doable, IMHO.

 

[Wapping]

Garmin is making a lot of money in their wearables/sports devices

It’s a lot of money, for sure. The full annual figures for income 2025:

• Fitness: $2,357,000,000 (33% increase year-over-year)
• Outdoor: $2,054,061,000 (5% increase year-over-year)
• Marine: $1,182,615,000 (10% increase year-over-year)
• Aviation: $987,161,000 (13% increase year-over-year)
• Auto OEM: $664,682,000 (9% increase year-over-year

 

[Treb]

Confused...
Whilst I do use BC, any planning can be done on my units- of course I prefer a larger screen and wish BC (and Nroute) had been kept up to date. Which functionalities you mention are not available?

 

[er-minio]

Which functionalities you mention are not available?

just a few coming to mind:

- being able to use custom cartography when planning is a big one for me
- setting radius and alerts around waypoints
- joining, cutting, editing tracks, etc.
- multiple routes/tracks on the same view (this is a limit I find when using MRA)
- the data management varies wildly across different apps
- not having a web/electron app is sometimes a good thing for some users
- manual send/receive from multiple devices instead of that abomination that is Garmin's cloud sync.

There is a thread in the GPS section where this has been discussed at length, I think it was a conversation around migrating to MRA.


For me the first point is a big gap in Garmin's software offering.
They sell "adventure" devices, that can load custom maps and also come pre-loaded with topo cartography. But you are still "forced" to use their pathetic web based planner that relies on OSM maps only.

My very basic example is that I purchase and use some (OSM-based) maps with Rights of Way data on them, so use them for planning off-road forays in the UK. They are very detailed, I can see where I can legally ride the bike offroad or not.
I use them in Basecamp (still today) and I also enable them on the Zumo XT when offroading (greater detail + rights of way).
No other planning software lets me use them, and nothing from Garmin lets you. So much for "adventure GPS"

GPS planning software is very complex.
The audience is relatively small.
Apart from MRA, I do not keep my hopes up for new players entering the market.

 

[Treb]

Tks for that.
You can choose to buy bespoke maps as you say you and I have done. And you can install these maps in BC or simply connect the satnav/ or memory card to PC.

You can use the 'share' option on the unit/s and
Set alarms designed to go off at whatever distance you set from waypoint. Per point or for a group set of points.

I have never used the Garmin web Explore app (v poor) nor any web based platforms .
My Garmin units are not described as moto or car or campervan satnavs.
I keep all my gpx and csv files on my phonecand ssd for copying to units if need be using usb C keeping it simple.
BC is still(IMHO) the best around.
Such a shame it will 'disappear'.

Garmin are moving everything to their on line platform. More is the pity.
But on the good news front some of the new models have finally got faster processors, greater internal RAM and can now use both the old Fat32 format for sd cards up to 32gb or now ExFat for cards up to 1Tb!! thereby allowing map file sizes to go ballistic!
Bye bye 4gb restrictions!

 

[Mzokk]

Err, map and compass in the hills. Every device can and at some point will let you down. The only way is to do it properly with the map and compass. No electronic devices were allowed when I did my ML many years ago.

I get that. But pre planning a route on a phone or device gives you information about the slopes you will encounter (usually you can look at this graphically) and an accurate measure of the distance you will cover, and the time it's likely to take at "dander" pace about 3mph. You can of course do this with a map but its handier with a phone app. To be honest once I look at a walk on the phone I rarely look at it for navigation purposes. I have an ancient Silva compass and several OS maps but rarely use them these days as I tend to stick to walking routes in forest parks or sections of the "Ulster Way" that are well marked rather than being out in the boondocks. Things that are important to me these days are Distance, Slope, (potential short cuts) the availability of refreshments/loos.........and the availability or otherwise of a defibrillator.

 

[Mzokk]

It’s a lot of money, for sure. The full annual figures for income 2025:

• Fitness: $2,357,000,000 (33% increase year-over-year)
• Outdoor: $2,054,061,000 (5% increase year-over-year)
• Marine: $1,182,615,000 (10% increase year-over-year)
• Aviation: $987,161,000 (13% increase year-over-year)
• Auto OEM: $664,682,000 (9% increase year-over-year

I doubt whether motorcycle devices even register on their spreadsheets these days. Their Auto OEM corporate clients include BMW, Merc, Toyota, Honda, Ford, Nisan and Geeley. And for bikes The big four Japanese manufacturers +. The rider information assembly on my Africa Twin is marked Garmin made in Taiwan.

https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/aoem/

Basecamp is IMO a good piece of software and I can't understand why Garmin have been unable to replicate its functionality in its online offerings. Garmin Explore app which is free is actually OK for planning walking routes but for some reason has gaps in the marked tracks and paths on Open Street Maps. I use OSMand+ for motorcycling a bit and for walking and cycling. The free version is fine but the £10 a year version does everything I need.