Garmin Nuvi 500 questions

[Tom Rankin]

I got this unit for Christmas and I'm pretty happy with it. You can do 'turn by turn' or go off trail and use the topo maps. Hopefully a good hybrid model.

A couple of questions:

If someone sends me a tracklog, can I just copy it to the device and then look at/use it? Or do I need MapSource?

Speaking of MapSource, what does it buy me for my $$$ ?

Also, I was playing around with copying images to the device. I can view them, but unless I send a huge image format (e.g. 3000 x 2000) to the device, they are not rendered full screen. The images Garmin has preloaded are only 320 x XXX, but they fill up the screen just fine.

Any other hints and tips are appreciated.

 

[OldMan]

I often put tracks on my Garmin 60CSx. The process I use is to open the track.gpx file in map source and then use mapsource to push it to the GPS. I assume the car models are similar. I find the tracks very useful when hiking an unfamilar trail to ensure I stay on the trail.

Mapsource is useful for looking at tracks on the map, looking at track elevation profiles, setting/viewing waypoints, and of course loading maps/tracks/waypoints to the GPS.

 

[DougPaul]

I often put tracks on my Garmin 60CSx. The process I use is to open the track.gpx file in map source and then use mapsource to push it to the GPS. I assume the car models are similar.

Not necessarily. I believe some of the Nuvi line do not even have a
computer interface. (I've also seen a number of complaints about
how dumbed-down some of the Nuvi line have become...)


It depends on the interface capabilities of the specific Nuvi model.
Check the Garmin website or your manual for its capabilities.

Doug

 

[Tom Rankin]

I already read the manual but I did not learn much. I did read online from one early reviewer, that you can not put tracks into the gps from external sources. Hopefully this is wrong!

I have discovered I can extract a track log file ( .GPX ) and convert it to Google Earth. But the tool I used introduces random errors into the path (it's a try and buy thing) so it proves the concept, but does not provide useful data.

Does anyone know of a free tool that will display a tracklog?

 

[DougPaul]

I already read the manual but I did not learn much. I did read online from one early reviewer, that you can not put tracks into the gps from external sources. Hopefully this is wrong!

I have discovered I can extract a track log file ( .GPX ) and convert it to Google Earth. But the tool I used introduces random errors into the path (it's a try and buy thing) so it proves the concept, but does not provide useful data.

Does anyone know of a free tool that will display a tracklog?

A couple of minutes at https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=13424#featureTab https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=13424#specsTab and https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=13424#accessoryTab shows the Nuvi 500 to have removable datacards and a USB interface.

There is a description of how to install mapsource (without any maps) at http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/garmin-mobile-pc/914-how-install-mapsource-add-maps-mobile-pc.html.

GPSBabel can convert tracks into Google compatible formats. http://www.gpsbabel.org.

Also check the Garmin website for an updated version of the manual.

Doug

 

[RickB.]

I use SportTracks, but one of many such applications.

Question for OldMan: when you load tracks into your unit, are they from previous trips or do you create them? I have done the latter from BikeRouteToaster for rides but have never for hiking.

 

[Tom Rankin]

A couple of minutes at https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=13424#featureTab https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=13424#specsTab and https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=13424#accessoryTab shows the Nuvi 500 to have removable datacards and a USB interface.

There is a description of how to install mapsource (without any maps) at http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/garmin-mobile-pc/914-how-install-mapsource-add-maps-mobile-pc.html.

GPSBabel can convert tracks into Google compatible formats. http://www.gpsbabel.org.

Also check the Garmin website for an updated version of the manual.

Doug

I have the USB cable, I can transfer files, but it does not sound like I can actually tell the unit 'use this new track'.

GPSBabel looks promising, thanks!

I was reading the manual online...

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll keep poking around...

 

[wardsgirl]

My BF's $.02

Providing your Garmin Nuvi unit works like other outdoor Garmins, (see DougPaul's response):

I can't imagine working a Garmin unit without Mapsource software. It will compliment and increase your Garmin GPS's uses.

To use someone else's tracklog, it should be converted to either a Garmin format or GPX format in order to view and use it on your Garmin Nuvi.

A tracklog is not as useful as a route. Download Babel conversion software, (free online per DougPaul), to convert your track to a route.

Good Luck!

Jay

 

[Tom Rankin]

I can't imagine working a Garmin unit without Mapsource software. It will compliment and increase your Garmin GPS's uses.

To use someone else's tracklog, it should be converted to either a Garmin format or GPX format in order to view and use it on your Garmin Nuvi.

A tracklog is not as useful as a route. Download Babel conversion software, (free online per DougPaul), to convert your track to a route.

Thanks for the input!