Sharing routes, which gpx version?

[mw3230]

I use MRA, have a Zumo XT and have found that saving routes as a .gpx 1.2 file works well.

However if I want to share routes with users of other satnavs (mainly Nav V or VI) do I need to share the route with them as a version 1.1 or 1.0 gpx?

I shared a route yesterday as a 1.2 and my pals reported difficulties (I can't elaborate in detail but I think they were experiencing straight lines)

 

[Wapping]

If they struggled with 1.2, just try sending it another version and report back. It won’t explode.

 

[mw3230]

If they struggled with 1.2, just try sending it another version and report back. It won’t explode.

Bearing in mind your regular advice - "you can't break it" - I've done that. Stand by

 

[stever1]

A lot depends on what make of devices your friends use. IIRC , Tom Tom uses a different format compared to Garmin.

 

[casbar]

The different versions pass different data. 1.0 passes all waypoints. 1.1 and 1.2 just has waypoints at the start and finish and the rest are shaping points. Either version can be adjusted once loaded to the device. I always used 1.0 for Nav v

 

[stever1]

The different versions pass different data. 1.0 passes all waypoints. 1.1 and 1.2 just has waypoints at the start and finish and the rest are shaping points. Either version can be adjusted once loaded to the device. I always used 1.0 for Nav v

What’s the difference between a waypoint and a shaping point ?

 

[Andy63]

(I can't elaborate in detail but I think they were experiencing straight lines)

Straight lines could be just a simple case of different map versions.

Get them to recalculate each route on their device by changing the route preference i.e. faster time to shorter distance then change it back to faster time as you activate each route.

Go to Apps --> Trip planner --> select a route --> touch three horizontal bars top LHS --> scroll down to route preference --> change the route preference from faster time to shorter distance (or visa versa depending on your GPS set up) --> then change the route preference back from shorter distance to faster time.

A bit of a faff to do this for each route but does work in some circumstances.

 

[casbar]

What’s the difference between a waypoint and a shaping point ?

Waypoint announced and time and distance given to each waypoint. Shaping point shapes the route so all you have for data is arrival time. Also differences if you miss a waypoint, the device will try and get you back to the waypoint unless you skip, shaping point, will not force you to get back. You can also display a track, which is like a route on a map. A route is your device calculating the the track, so will change the route depending on device settings, traffic etc. If you want to stick to a particular plotted journey, then follow a track. Track is not announced, so it is only mk1 eyeball. If you have the track and route loaded, you can see when you leave your track.

 

[casbar]

A lot depends on what make of devices your friends use. IIRC , Tom Tom uses a different format compared to Garmin.

If you use MRA and have the paid version, you can export routes in Tom Tom and HERE (garmin) or open map source.

 

[casbar]

Straight lines is a well known issue with MRA gpx 1.2 on some devices, namely older Garmin BMW Navs. As I said, use gpx 1.0, then you will get all waypoints. Then once loaded into the device, you can change the waypoints to shaping points individually if you don't want them all announced. Newer Garmin devices, such as the XT can handle gpx 1.2

 

[Wapping]

What’s the difference between a waypoint and a shaping point ?

Garmin devices recognise not two but three different points:

https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showt...aypoints-Shaping-Pints-and-Points-of-Interest

 

[Wapping]

Bearing in mind your regular advice - "you can't break it" - I've done that. Stand by

Await your news.

 

[the woodster]

I share my HERE format routes in 1.1 to other Garmin/BMW Nav users. I also get them to run it as a track, as I do. Only very minor differences and no straight lines etc.

 

[Wapping]

Straight lines are most often due to any software’s inability to marry a detailed route between known points to known roads on a map. A recalculation will very often resolve the problem. How accurately the recalculated route matches the original might well depend on a number of factors, often linked to individuals’ preference settings.

 

[mw3230]

Good info everyone.

I will be doing some experimenting/research with the different .gpx versions in a day or so - my pal is waiting for his fourth Nav VI to arrive from Garmin (who, by the way, have promised to replace with their new model later in the year - he doesn't know if that will be a BMW branded device). I'll report back soonest

 

[Wapping]

Let us know how you get on, please.

 

[mw3230]

I've done some limited experimenting with a Nav V1

Problem - different pals with Nav V or VI satnavs complained that when I was sharing routes with via email or WhatsApp they were not seeing proper (ie the usual magenta line) routes. Sometimes they ended up with straight lines and sometimes black tracks, sometimes both in view

Solution 1 (a) - If everyone subscribed to MRA they could all download shared routes (ideally saved to an event) via the MRA Connect facility to their satnavs. Straightforward and seems to be relatively foolproof leading to trips (routes) saved to the satnav as per the route planning software used to create the route. The downside is that there is a cost associated with MRA membership

Solution 1 (b) - downloading .gpx routes shared via email, WhatsApp or whatever and then add them to the satnav in varying ways sometimes results in straight lines. It seems that this can be remedied by recalculating the magenta line in the software used to open the gpx (eg Basecamp), or by converting the track into a route

Which version of .gpx? I've tried downloading a route/trip from MRA using four of the .gpx options My limited research so far seems to suggest that for the Nav VI (and I'm guessing for the Nav V also) either v1.0, v1.1 (two options) or v1.2 will work with the proviso that the route may not be 100% the same as what was planned but that converting a track to a route seems to lead to a route which is correct

I'm not altogether sure that this reply will add to the body of knowledge but I seem to have come up with solutions to the question I originally posed. I think that some of the problems experienced by my riding pals can be attributed to their varying levels of expertise and unfamiliarity with route planning software and satnavs, and the relationship between them. I'm not saying that they are computer illiterate just that not all satnav users are at the same level of skill

ps - don't for a minute think that I'm trying to usurp any of the recognised satnav/route planning experts who frequent this forum. Far from it, I think I've done little more than jot down a few possible demonstrations of my owned flawed understanding of the issues but heyho, all I want to do is to somehow enjoy bike rides largely in the company of, and on the same roads as, some pals!

 

[Wapping]

Thank you for the update.

Rather like PC’s (with the emphasis on the P of personal) if you find something that works for you, then do it that way.

You may well be correct that your friends have no idea how their Garmin devices work. They may well have all sorts of preferences set and, for all we know, only have the undetailed base map active.

For now at least, just send them tracks and ask them to install those onto their devices. Then get them to ask their devices to convert the tracks into routes. That, assuming they have the detailed maps turned on, should be near enough good enough. Take no notice of them when they moan that their device keeps recalculating or they roar up beside you, gesticulating and shouting that THEIR device said, turn left. It’s what YOUR device says that matters.

Enjoy your holiday.

 

[the woodster]

I've done some limited experimenting with a Nav V1

Problem - different pals with Nav V or VI satnavs complained that when I was sharing routes with via email or WhatsApp they were not seeing proper (ie the usual magenta line) routes. Sometimes they ended up with straight lines and sometimes black tracks, sometimes both in view

Solution 1 (a) - If everyone subscribed to MRA they could all download shared routes (ideally saved to an event) via the MRA Connect facility to their satnavs. Straightforward and seems to be relatively foolproof leading to trips (routes) saved to the satnav as per the route planning software used to create the route. The downside is that there is a cost associated with MRA membership

Solution 1 (b) - downloading .gpx routes shared via email, WhatsApp or whatever and then add them to the satnav in varying ways sometimes results in straight lines. It seems that this can be remedied by recalculating the magenta line in the software used to open the gpx (eg Basecamp), or by converting the track into a route

Which version of .gpx? I've tried downloading a route/trip from MRA using four of the .gpx options My limited research so far seems to suggest that for the Nav VI (and I'm guessing for the Nav V also) either v1.0, v1.1 (two options) or v1.2 will work with the proviso that the route may not be 100% the same as what was planned but that converting a track to a route seems to lead to a route which is correct

I'm not altogether sure that this reply will add to the body of knowledge but I seem to have come up with solutions to the question I originally posed. I think that some of the problems experienced by my riding pals can be attributed to their varying levels of expertise and unfamiliarity with route planning software and satnavs, and the relationship between them. I'm not saying that they are computer illiterate just that not all satnav users are at the same level of skill

ps - don't for a minute think that I'm trying to usurp any of the recognised satnav/route planning experts who frequent this forum. Far from it, I think I've done little more than jot down a few possible demonstrations of my owned flawed understanding of the issues but heyho, all I want to do is to somehow enjoy bike rides largely in the company of, and on the same roads as, some pals!

Hi,

Your 1 (a) - That's exactly what I'm doing next month. The routes have been written and then copied into the three formats (OSM, Tom Tom and HERE) and then loaded into a folder in the 'Events' section of MRA. Only two of us have the paid version. The others have the free version which allows them to do what you outline. Those with BMW/Garmin devices are instructed to ensure that all our settings are exactly the same on the navs. Along with everything else you have discovered, IMHO this gives the best chance of differing routes as you go along. We also have a rule for trips: All of us follow whoever is leading, right or wrong and go with it - mainly for safety purposes. Out of interest, are you running the MRA navigation app at the same time as your nav? I did this last year and found very few differences. Have a great trip, bud.

 

[mw3230]

Hi,

Out of interest, are you running the MRA navigation app at the same time as your nav? I did this last year and found very few differences. Have a great trip, bud.

I have tried the Navigation App, and it’s good, but as I also have a Zumo XT I’m using that. Not the least because of the ability to use the glove friendly screen which my IPhone doesn’t have