Planning routes on Edge 705

Slow Downcp

My wife bought me a Garmin 705 last week for my birthday, including Garmin Eu maps on SD card. I believe that the card just means that I get more detail on the unit, rather than base roads, and that to create and save routes I need to plan them in something else. I also have Memory Map for UK - can I use this, or is there a internet based alternative that is better for planning and uploading?

amaferanga

Do you plan to use routes or tracks?

If tracks, then I use tracks for navigation on my Garmin Legend HCx. I use bikehike to plot the tracks (using the follow road option makes it very quick) and to reduce the number of track points and then save them as .gpx files which I open in memory map. I then use memory map to split longer tracks (I find the 500 point limit for a track is generally only enough for 100km) and then use memory map to upload the track to my GPS. It's possible to upload tracks from bikehike directly, but the only programme I have found that actually detects the GPS is memory map.

If routes then I can't advise as I don't bother - too much hassle and much potential for anomalies from what I can tell.

bobalob

Here's how I do it (after quite a bit of trying out different sites): Use http://www.bikehike.co.uk to plot a route, then add coursepoints to junctions with turn directions. Download the route as a .tcx file, making sure you add warnings to coursepoints so your garmin will beep before the junction and warn you a turn's coming up (700 ft distance for the warnings works well). The route will be downloaded to your computer then all you have to do it transfer it to your garmin and save it in the Training - Courses directory. Oh and select 'Do course' to start following the route. Hope that helps.
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Slow Downcp

Cheers both. Stupid question I know, but what's the difference between a track and a route? Basically what I want to be able to do is plan a ride (mainly country lanes with the odd B or short section of A road) and uploda it so I can do a ride in unfamiliar locations without having to resort to stopping to look at maps.

bobalob

No idea, all I know is that .tcx files are what you want. Perfect for planning a route on the road and following it until you get to the end or have to phone mummy cos your legs are tired. I tried using .gpx files and the garmin kept recalculating the route which wasn't very helpful. With .tcx files you just get a purple line to follow and warnings if you put them in, and it'll start beeping if you veer off your planned route.

Nick Harvey

I have always used Course (crs) files. No idea what the difference is, and they give purple line to follow too. I used mapmyride, save routes as crs and then upload via Training Centre. Done a route of 150miles with God-knows how many waypoints and never seen a limit to them.

keef66

what a lovely wife you have!

Slow Downcp

keef66 wrote:

what a lovely wife you have!

It's a compensation payment for putting up with her the other 364 days a year