Using GPX and Garmin Mapsource 6_16_3

[carrjon]

I am trying to do some winter planning with Garmin Mapsource 6.16.3.
When I use Adventure Cycling .GPX files, Mapsource does not display motels/hotels correctly.
It displays them as just another waypoint. It seems to display gas stations and campgrounds OK.
If I use .mps files everything works perfectly. I am a little concerned as I have read that Adventure Cycling is moving towards .GPX files as their standard format.
Am I doing something wrong when I load the files?

[FredHiltz]

You are doing nothing wrong. I just checked a couple of the ACA .GPX files with my version 6.16.1, and found them OK. Tell me one that is wrong in 6.16.3, please, by PM or a reply here, so I can download it and try it.

The assignment of internal codes to waypoint icons has always been weak. Before they agreed on GPX as a standard, every manufacturer used their own code numbers. Some software tried to translate, with varying degrees of success. Now, the manufacturers keep adding new icons, making up their own numbers as they go. This is one reason why we stick with a few long-in-use icons at ACA.

Garmin may well have done just this in the newer releases of MapSource. If I can pin it down, I will send a bug report to their tech support group, which has been very responsive in the past.

Fred

[carrjon]

One particular file is UR06v001.gpx from the Underground Railroad tour.
However I have found this flaw to be evident with all of the ACA .GPX files that I have tried.
Please let me know what you find and thanks for taking the time to look at this issue.

Jon

[FredHiltz]

I tried that one in 6.16.1 and got the same error on hotel--and some other--waypoints. Fortunately, there is an easy work-around. Open the .GDB format file, then File > Save As, setting Save As Type = GPS eXchange Format (*.gpx)

This correctly writes the icons from 6.16.1. Does it work in 6.16.3 as well?

Apparently Garmin changed the icon codes written to GPX between 2007, when the ACA file was written, and now.

If you confirm that this works in 6.16.3, I will contact ACA about applying the re-write to all the files offered on the web site.

Fred

[carrjon]

If by ".GDB" file format, you mean files that end with ".MPS", the work around seems to work with Mapsource 6.16.3.
Doing a litlle checking, I found that only very recent ACA .GPX files work properly with Mapsource 6.16.3.
Thanks for your help with this issue. Now I can get back to serious planning with the hope that Spring will return some day.

Jon

[FredHiltz]

You are right: .MPS. I use .GDB locally and got it confused with the formats on the web site.

Now I will go write to ACA about updating the older .GPX files.

Fred