Author Topic: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)  (Read 45647 times)

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Offline mdxix

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #30 on: April 10, 2014, 09:38:04 am »
Yeah I noticed that too, here is the file... https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/82601114/demoJ0CE90.GPX.zip
This is great work. I think you have the route correctly.

The file still has the waypoints. I see many <wpt> tags inside the file when I open it with a text editor. You should remove them. Otherwise, they will take up unnecessary memory from your device:
  • In BaseCamp, import the file
  • In the bottom left window, you will see a long list of waypoints (with a dot symbol and any other symbols that are not a bicycle) and one route (with a bicycle symbol).
  • Delete all those waypoints. They should not impact the route at all.
  • Save the file.
  • Open it with a text editor. There should not be any <wpt> tags. There should only be <rte> tags.
By now, you are ready to repeat the same exercise for the remaining portions of your route.

You also need to be aware that City Navigator does not route through trails. It only works on roads. For example, in the sample file you sent me, between waypoints J0C9H01 & J0C9F01, the actual Adventure Cycling route is on a trail. However, that is not possible to create as a route in City Navigator. You had to devise an alternate plan, such ask mark a trailhead waypoint or split the route.

Confirm back when ready. We can work on the campgrounds.

Offline ibikeyoubike

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #31 on: April 10, 2014, 09:44:48 am »
Awesome! running to shop and an errand then back here around noon to do my entire route. Will confirm when complete. Thanks so much for your help and expertise. Really appreciate this. The video representation has been really helpful in understanding Basecamp thus far.

Offline ibikeyoubike

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #32 on: April 13, 2014, 07:27:06 pm »
Hey all, so been really busy with the route and testing gear for the trip. Spent many hours modifying the route I completed and really gained an understanding of the Basecamp software. Here is a snapshot of the entire route modified from Basecamp with Waypoints deleted. Also attached is a close look at a route from the Western Express which is also following the road. By following the video the GPS boots up really fast eliminating the lag. However, I now need to add the Waypoints. Do I do this using the same method for the route? If you can guide me through, I'd really appreciate it...

Route GPX Files... https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/82601114/East%20to%20West%20Route_Edited.zip




Offline mdxix

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #33 on: April 13, 2014, 08:29:37 pm »
However, I now need to add the Waypoints. Do I do this using the same method for the route? If you can guide me through, I'd really appreciate it...
Of course. We shall work on the waypoints next.

The long hours in front of BaseCamp seem to have paid off. The route looks good. I have a few clarifying questions about the route:
  • Why three starting points? From the east, the route comes from three branches:
    • Near Allentown, PA: route A02230
    • Near New York City, NY: A22N20_01B, which also travels east instead of west
    • Richmond, VA (A03370_13)
  • Why keep route alternates? There are many areas with multiple options to travel through. For example:
    • Baltimore, MD: A03310_08A versus A43010_08B
    • South of Louisville, KT: J0AC30_31 versus JAAMC1_31A & JAAC31_31B
    • West of Reno, NV: K02120_63A versus K12141_63B
Aside from that, I noticed a few spikes on the route. These indicate to me that some route points are not connected correctly. For example, route J07740_48 near Pueblo, CO:
  • It approaches Pueblo to the west. It makes a U-turn back east briefly before heading south.
  • It continues west, turns north toward the airport, only to make another U-turn back south.
  • In Pueblo, it turns east before looping back west.
Something is not right about these spikes. You may need to experiment with more ways to move or add route points to keep the route continuous.

Offline ibikeyoubike

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #34 on: April 13, 2014, 11:14:43 pm »
The reason for the different routes is because I'm unsure if I will be getting a ride to my route in PA leaving from Hazelton or riding from New York City. I plan to spend time in PA in the coming weeks so I set it up in case something falls through. Once I have conformation of my ride I'll go ahead and delete it. In terms of the waypoints, is the Route and Services GPS Waypoints the appropriate download on the AC site?

Quote
Quote
Aside from that, I noticed a few spikes on the route. These indicate to me that some route points are not connected correctly. For example, route J07740_48 near Pueblo, CO:
It approaches Pueblo to the west. It makes a U-turn back east briefly before heading south.
It continues west, turns north toward the airport, only to make another U-turn back south.
In Pueblo, it turns east before looping back west.
Something is not right about these spikes. You may need to experiment with more ways to move or add route points to keep the route continuous.

Interesting. I took out a large chunk of the TA in Pueblo,CO. as I wasn't heading further North on it. I should have took a closer look at the roads there in Google Earth. Hmm,  route J07740_48 do you happen to know what should be added.

Lastly with the Routes and Services GPX files do I just do the opposite, take all of the routes out?
« Last Edit: April 13, 2014, 11:26:47 pm by ibikeyoubike »

Offline mdxix

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #35 on: April 14, 2014, 11:40:42 am »
In terms of the waypoints, is the Route and Services GPS Waypoints the appropriate download on the AC site?
Yes:
  • Download the file from Adventure Cycling web site.
  • Import it into BaseCamp as is.
  • Create a new folder (New List) in BaseCamp under My Collection to store the waypoints you want to use.
  • You may create multiple folders for food, lodging, and services. Organize this information as you see fit.
  • Drag & drop the waypoints from the bottom left list onto the new folder. Select only the waypoints you want to use on the road.
Remember:
  • The waypoints with a small solid circle next to them are not for services. These are route markers that you do not need.
  • The eTrex can only process 2,000 waypoints at a time. To store more than that keep them all on separate micro SD cards. Use each card with the appropriate coverage area.
  • Save the waypoints on the SD card instead of the device. This allows you to release the memory when you replace the card.
You can set proximity alarms for multiple waypoints at once:
  • Select one of the folder you created.
  • Select all the waypoints within that folder.
  • From the menu bar, select Edit > Get Info.
  • From the new small window, select Advanced.
  • Enter the distance from the waypoint that you want to receive the alert at in the Proximity field.
  • You should now see small red circles around the waypoints in the map of BaseCamp
Export the waypoints:
  • Select one of the folder you created.
  • From the menu bar, select File > Export <folder name>.
  • Save the file to the SD card.

Offline ibikeyoubike

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #36 on: April 14, 2014, 04:10:43 pm »
Ok great! So if I'm not mistaken. I should save the Waypoint GPS files to my SD card and not place them on my GPS device. Will the GPS be able to read the files from the SD on the route automatically or do I need to load them for each route I start? Also will this give me turn by turn directions? Yesterday I rode 30miles to test out a local route and it prompted me to turn correctly on my route.

Offline mdxix

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #37 on: April 14, 2014, 04:20:58 pm »
Will the GPS be able to read the files from the SD on the route automatically or do I need to load them for each route I start?
The GPS device will look for routes & waypoints in its internal memory & on the SD card.

I usually save all data on the SD card leaving the internal memory free. I then have another SD card identical to the first as a backup.

Also will this give me turn by turn directions? Yesterday I rode 30miles to test out a local route and it prompted me to turn correctly on my route.
The routes that you charted should give you navigation prompts. This is an excellent idea that you are practicing some rides in your neighborhood ahead of the trip.

Do not make the routes too long. Keep them in small chunks as you had sent them to me earlier. The eTrex 30 will take routes with a very small number of route points (I believe only up to 50).

Offline ibikeyoubike

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #38 on: April 14, 2014, 11:54:58 pm »
Great! So this is where I am so far... I managed to take out the routes, customize them into their own categories and now I'm going to go in and delete more as I get closer in on the entire route. So far I have 1529 waypoints.


Offline ibikeyoubike

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #39 on: April 17, 2014, 08:16:50 pm »
Quote
Aside from that, I noticed a few spikes on the route. These indicate to me that some route points are not connected correctly. For example, route J07740_48 near Pueblo, CO:
It approaches Pueblo to the west. It makes a U-turn back east briefly before heading south.
It continues west, turns north toward the airport, only to make another U-turn back south.
In Pueblo, it turns east before looping back west.
Something is not right about these spikes. You may need to experiment with more ways to move or add route points to keep the route continuous.

I'm currently looking into this part. I did take a Chunk out of the TransAm heading further north as I won't we heading that was. I might have accidentally messed it up by doing this. I;m going to place it back to see if it fixes the route and will report back.

Offline ibikeyoubike

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #40 on: April 17, 2014, 09:29:57 pm »
So I updated the route in the link below... I added GPX files J06700.ADDED.01.GPX throuh 04.GPX highlighted purple on Mac. But can you help me with assuring this is the correct routes' following and connecting to the next. Not sure if I needed all of them but do these files help? Many thanks. Also in terms of the Waypoints two questions...

  • When I'm done editing what I need from them should I export and take the <rte> <rte/> out in the files?
  • Should I contain them in one folder or as named (Campgrounds, Restaurants, Bike Shops, etc)?


https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/82601114/East%20to%20West%20Route_Edited.zip

Offline mdxix

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #41 on: April 17, 2014, 09:56:37 pm »
But can you help me with assuring this is the correct routes' following and connecting to the next.
The only assurance I can give you is to make sure you have the paper maps with you. Regularly, validate your location on the GPS versus the paper maps.

That said, your routes look good. Consider renaming them in the order of travel. My earlier notes still stand. For example, in this latest file, I find:
  • Route J08870_46, towards the western end, it continues west on route 156, only to make a U-turn and then travel north.
  • What is J06700.ADDED.01? Is that a spur for a site visit that you are planning?
  • Route J06730 1.ADDED.02 is identical to route J06730_49. Why have both?
You may have your reasons for doing them that way. They are not as obvious to me.

However, even with these comments, I think you will be fine for the majority of the route. Keep the paper maps as a close reference.

  • When I'm done editing what I need from them should I export and take the <rte> <rte/> out in the files?
When you export the waypoints, there should not be any <rte> tags in the file. If you are seeing them, then something is going wrong in the export process.

In BaseCamp, select the folder you want to export, for example Campgrounds. From the menu bar, select Export "Campgrounds". The result file should contain only the waypoints you have in the Campgrounds folder. Are you seeing different results?

  • Should I contain them in one folder or as named (Campgrounds, Restaurants, Bike Shops, etc)?
That is up to you. This is only for organization purpose in BaseCamp. This way you can decide to use all or part of them.

However, once they are on the GPS device, it will not make a difference what folder they were in, or what GPX file they are stored in.

Offline ibikeyoubike

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #42 on: April 17, 2014, 10:45:50 pm »
Thanks for the help on the waypoints, my mistake they look fine. I'm just moving to fast through files. In terms of the issue with J07740_48 is this the U-Turn that you were describing? It's West towards Ead's Municipal Airport. My map doesn't show the airport but I believe I identified it as Map 78 on TA section 7.




Offline mdxix

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #43 on: April 18, 2014, 01:09:22 pm »
In terms of the issue with J07740_48 is this the U-Turn that you were describing? It's West towards Ead's Municipal Airport. My map doesn't show the airport but I believe I identified it as Map 78 on TA section 7.
My reference to the U-turn example was at the end of Route J08870_46.

However, just the same, in the example you post below with Route J07740_48, you notice the route on the paper map continues from 287 directly to 96. However, in BaseCamp, it shows that it travels on 287, W Lowell Avenue, then loops on CR40, before it continues on 96.

These will not got you lost. They may just be minor nuances along the way. Verify your route against the paper maps.

Offline ibikeyoubike

Re: NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)
« Reply #44 on: April 22, 2014, 09:58:27 pm »
So it's been a while but I've been busy continuing the planning for the trip. I added my proximity alarms for my waypoints East to West. I have a question for the connection to the TA from the AC. My Question is... JLC7LO, will I be able to pick up the TA from there or do I need to continue traveling south on the AC. If I can I will delete the rest of the AC route traveling south to conserve data on my GPS. All help appreciated.