Transferring routes onto Garmins

poppit

Hi

I've just got a Dakota 20 and I'm struggling to work out how to transfer routes onto it from bikely.com. Has anyone got any tips?

Cheers

XCMark

if you are using mapsource, download the .gpx file then open mapsource. Use file, open then browse to where you saved the file and open it. You can now transfer it to you GPS from mapsource.

poppit

Thanks Mark. Not using anything yet, presume you have to pay to download mapsource?

XCMark

you can get mapsource here http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209 and you can get half decent free mapping here http://openmtbmap.org/download/

ExeterSimon

Poppit...if it's the same as the Oregon (which it should be) just plug the unit in (stop sniggering!) and then just drag the .gpx file from whereever it is on your laptop/PC into the Garmin GPX folder.

Here's a great place for any Dakota question you may have:

http://garmindakota.wikispaces.com/

poppit

Thanks Simon

Yes, I did that but it then didn't display on the map and I couldn't work out what I needed to do in the time I had.

abductee

Plot your route in Bikely
connect your garmin to the usb
In Bikely click "share" then select "download .gpx" from the menu
when the dialogue appears click "save file"
save your .gpx file to the folder Garmin Dakota\Garmin\GPX
============
to get your track log off the garmin and into bikely
connect your garmin to the usb
in bikely click "create route" then select "import route"
click "browse"
select the file Garmin Dakota\Garmin\GPX\Current\Current.gpx
click "open"
=============

poppit

Ok, but when its in the folder on my garmin how do i get it to display on the map on the unit.

ExeterSimon

Just go to Tracks and select the one you want. You should have options to display on map etc.

I don't have my Garmin with me today but if you're still having issues drop me a PM and I'll talk you through it.

poppit

Cheers, I'll have a go when I get back home today. Tried it on Sunday, it lasted 90mins on full backlight using new rechargeables, hopefully it will last longer once the batteries have been through a few cycles.

poppit

From the main screen I can select 'Setup', then 'Tracks', this then gives me 3 options:

Track Log Record (set to do not show)

Record Method (set to auto)

Interval (set to normal)

None of these to allow me to show a track on a map.

From the main screen I can also select 'Track Manager', this again doesn't give me any options to show a saved track.

Not simple is it, perhaps I'm a bit thick!

abductee

you need to set the Track log to - record, show on map

from the track manager select:
current track
view map

poppit

Nope, doesn't work. When I connect the garmin to my PC and open up the garmin folder and then GPX I can cut and paste the new GPX file into it along with another GPX file called current but then it won't show up when I go into track manager and won't map.

ExeterSimon

Poppit...I think there's something up with the .gpx files you are trying to import. Remove them from you folders and try again.

If it's worked correctly all you need to do is go to Track Manager and select the track you want.

Although without some additional software loaded they'll all be called 'Track Log' so you'll need to check each one (if you have loaded more than one that is) to see which one you want.

Once selected it should show you various options like View map, Elevation Plot, Show on Map etc.

If you view map your route will appear on map...select Go.

If the 'Track Log' files aren't showing in the Track Manager they are either in the wrong folder, they have been corrupted or they are not .gpx files.

ExeterSimon

..and re. battery life.

It's recommended that you use 2600mAh NiMH rechargables. I'm using 2000mAh and am getting around 10 hours battery life including around an hour of backlight.

If possible use the backlight only when necessary

Basically use the highest rating NiMH batteries that you can afford!