NEWB with GPS Help on Etrex30 (TransAm, Western Express)

[ibikeyoubike]

Hey everyone,

Just want to start by saying that I have no GPS experience but I bought one for safety as this will be my first tour across the US. I've read other post but do not seem to get the installation of the ACA maps to correspond with my GPS system. So I'll be biking the TransAm route to the Western express starting on the East Coast and will be using the ACA maps with my new GPS I picked up (Garmin Etrex30). I downloaded Basecamp desktop for Mac (version 4.2.4), along with the latest City navigator. In terms of installing the TransAm and Western Express maps how do I go about doing this? My device only can store up to 2000 waypoints and the TransAm has over 3000 I believe. Here are two main things I'm looking for...

1. Turn by turn instructions
2. Campgrounds, etc to be displayed

Again I'm sorry if I posses lack of knowledge on this topic but this is my first GPS system and I'm trying to get the hang of it. I got a great deal on it with my REI dividend and did some research on several and decided on this one. I've been taking it outside on walks and rides to work trying to get the hang of it's functions but can't seem to figure out how to load maps and get this to work properly. If anyone can chime in and help out I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm still reading a ton of post from this forum and other to get a better understanding.

Many Thanks,

Ibikeyoubike

[ibikeyoubike]

After trail and error I've become successful in building my route downloading the ACA maps, BaseCamp and City Navigator. This is with the help of finding this post... http://forums.adventurecycling.org/index.php?topic=11570.0

Take a look look at the image sequencing in the image attached. I installed the latest CityNavigator North America NT and using it in BaseCamp (Version 4.2.4) with the standard map. After building the route I exported it to the GPS placing the file  in the Garmin/GPX folder. I loaded everything and it looks like it spots it fine and loads relatively quick. My question is image #4 (Waypoints. Will the Waypoints display camp grounds or do I need to go in there and find them myself. It's a bit difficult with this Basecamp map to find detailed locations so I've been using my paper maps to help and still working on it.

I understand some of the routes do not have Campgrounds  and other attractions, etc. But will it display in the GPS and chime in when spotted in the area approaching? My other question is does this look like everything is working out so far? I'm still reading post and have been in Basecamp for several hours trying to get this squared away. All help appreciated.

[mdxix]

Test a route in your neighborhood in advance of your tour to make sure you have the GPS device set up the way you want it.

Here are two main things I'm looking for...

1. Turn by turn instructions
2. Campgrounds, etc to be displayed

You found the right post to help you with these two goals.

In the images 1 & 2 that you have, I do not see detailed roads. Are you using City Navigator with BaseCamp? In image 2, I see the route as a group of straight lines, which is not following the road. To get turn prompts, you need to have the route follow the road, as discussed in detail with sample videos.

For campgrounds, yes, the GPS can chime as you are approaching the camp site, and display it on the screen. You need to set a proximity alarm for it though. Follow these steps (using BaseCamp 4.2.4 on Mac OSX 10.9.2):

• Make sure you have all the campgrounds created as Waypoints in BaseCamp
• Select some or all the Waypoints for these campgrounds
• From the menu, select Edit > Get Info
• In the properties window, Select Advanced
• Enter the alarm distance in the Proximity field
• Copy or export the waypoints to your device

[ibikeyoubike]

Hi, thanks for the help... I am using Basecamp. Their aren't detailed roads because I have it without detail on the slider bar to show more of the route. When I add detail it looks like this...
I read about the proximity alarms. I'm having trouble finding the waypoints for campgrounds on the map with relationship on the GPS route. How do I identify them?

[mdxix]

Their aren't detailed roads because I have it without detail on the slider bar to show more of the route.

The screen capture still only shows the base map of BaseCamp. It does not look like you are using the CityNavigator map. From the menu bar, under Maps, what map options do you have? I think it is "Global Map".

Regardless, with your current setup as it shows on the screen, where the route is a collection of straight lines, the GPS device will not prompt you at turns. You will need to use CityNavigator maps (or alternate routable maps) with BaseCamp as you follow the steps I outlined earlier.

I'm having trouble finding the waypoints for campgrounds on the map with relationship on the GPS route. How do I identify them?

In the bottom left of screen capture you sent, you see the list of routes with a bicycle symbol next to each. The campgrounds should be on that list with a tent symbol next to them. Do you not see that? They should be there in the original GPX file you downloaded from Adventure Cycling web site.

[ibikeyoubike]

Under maps I in Basecamp I habe Global Maps checked. I am using city navigator installed on my GPS. Also my GPS isn't connected in these screen shots but I'm sure if that makes a difference. As for the routes on the left, I don't see any campgrounds with a tent icon next to it nor do I see a bicycle. Did I install this incorrectly. I downloaded the gpx files and dragged them to basecamp, modified the route and them put that in a new wrote folder which I called East to West. How do I get City Navigator to run in Basecamp? Do I connect my GPS for that to work?

[mdxix]

Under maps I in Basecamp I habe Global Maps checked. I am using city navigator installed on my GPS.

Without City Navigator in your BaseCamp then you cannot create routes to get turn prompts.

You may be able to get your unit to calculate the route for you while you ride. However, that is a high risk to follow a route before you check it first. I would not recommend that.

As for the routes on the left, I don't see any campgrounds with a tent icon next to it nor do I see a bicycle.

I see a small bicycle symbol next to each route name in the screen capture your provided earlier, in the bottom left. Do you not see that?

Try to load the original file that you downloaded from Adventure Cycling. That should have the waypoints for campground with a tent symbol.

How do I get City Navigator to run in Basecamp? Do I connect my GPS for that to work?

I do not know of any way to get the maps from your device to BaseCamp.

Your best bet at this point, depending on when you bought the City Navigator SD card, is to return it and buy the same product only on a DVD or download it. That way, it will be installed on your computer. From there, you can transfer the files onto your device.

[ibikeyoubike]

Ok so I took the city navigator out the gps and and installed it to a 16gb card. I put that in my card reader and I have detailed map with streets on Basecamp. I also re-installed Mapinstall and Mapmanager. I still don't see the ACA campgrouds and other locations on the left at the waypoints. I do however see a campground called Diamond Ridge Camps not  to far from my start. I see bikes and dots next to some of the waypoints on the left in different routes. I'm going to reinstall the ACA maps now.

[mdxix]

Ok so I took the city navigator out the gps and and installed it to a 16gb card. I put that in my card reader and I have detailed map with streets on Basecamp.

This is perfect. Now you can follow the earlier steps to calculate the route. The GPS will give you turn prompts as you ride.

I still don't see the ACA campgrouds and other locations on the left at the waypoints.

Are you using the original file you downloaded from the Adventure Cycling web site? Which file is it? I can try to download it and take a look.

Please download it again, import it as is into BaseCamp. That should show a variety of Waypoints in addition to the routes.

[ibikeyoubike]

I tried again and it's not importing the waypoints. Here is the link I downloaded them from... http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/gps-information/route-gps-waypoints/. I did file import and I selected the WE routes and nothing. Also, when I import the routes their seems to be a piece of paper over the list it creates on the folder. Is this common?

[mdxix]

I tried again and it's not importing the waypoints. Here is the link I downloaded them from... http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/gps-information/route-gps-waypoints/.

This page you reference is for Route GPS Waypoints only. It does not include services along the route.

The files that contain services are available on the page for Route and Services GPS Waypoints. Note this page is for members only.

[ibikeyoubike]

Thanks, not sure how I missed that... I'm a member so I downloaded the files and uploaded them to basecamp. Currently I see all the information such as campgrounds, etc. My question is if I click on a campground can I just set up a proximity alarm for it to notify my as I'm approaching. If so how would I enter that information. Also I noticed that the route goes West to East. In inverting the route to go East to West I noticed that it would change course. is this normal, should I leave it or drag the routes waypoints the way I want them?

[mdxix]

My question is if I click on a campground can I just set up a proximity alarm for it to notify my as I'm approaching. If so how would I enter that information.

See our earlier exchange about setting up proximity alarms in this topic.

Also I noticed that the route goes West to East. In inverting the route to go East to West I noticed that it would change course. is this normal, should I leave it or drag the routes waypoints the way I want them?

BaseCamp in this case is recalculating the route. You will then have to go through the exercise discussed earlier and shown on the videos.

Alternatively, you can set the map from the menu bar to "Global Map". This map does not have routing information. When you reverse the route, it will keep as is, only reversing direction. Note again that these straight lines will not give you turn prompts at intersections.

[ibikeyoubike]

I noticed this when inverting the routes to go east to west. However, when I open the routes dialog box from view detailed data list. When I run my down keyboard arrow key it goes down the AC the in reverse  from TA and then reverse from WE after.

[ibikeyoubike]

Great! So I recalculated most of all the routes on my East/West map build build. The route is much more curved and following roads. This is a section of the TA... Waypoints show along with bed and breakfast, gas stations, campgrounds, etc. As mentioned earlier I reversed the two routes TA and WE before the recalculation. The route order is placed from West to East still. Will it be placed like this once exported to my GPS? I want to be able to scroll down from route to route in consecutively. In other words, how do I set the route up in my direction of travel?