GPS planning

[greyhoundgriff]

Hello all.
Wondered if some of the more 'tech savvy' amongst you would be able to help or advise on this one.
I've got a Garmin Zumo 550 which I'm just uploading new maps to ready for a trip with some mates to Europe this year.
I've heard it may be possible to draw a route on google maps and import to the sat nav?? If this is possible it would help a lot as last year we kept getting lost or sent on roads we didn't want to be on :woohoo:
Had a look on gpsvisualizer.com but does that just go from sat nav to google and not the other way???
Any advise gratefully received

[JJay51]

Try these two for a start and see if you can get on with either of them -

http://www.tyretotravel.com/

https://www.motogoloco.com/map/

[hondapaneuro]

Garmin Basecamp is the proper tool - takes a bit of learning though - there are plenty of tutorial videos on YouTube.
Once you have your waypoints and routes planned it's easy to transfer to the Zumo.

[Peirre]

What kind of routes are you looking to plan ......road or trail?
As previously stated the default software for garmin devices is either basecamp or Mapsource. But be careful as the devil is in the detail, as it's easy to place a pin on a route but if that route is dual carrage way or a motorway, and you've dropped the pin on the opposite carriageway you could find yourself taking a unusual route for that section.

[Mike54]

how to use google maps to plan routes on a garmin

[misterlaffer]

I found the following resource really good for learning BaseCamp:

http://www.newenglandriders.org/BaseCamp_Class.htm

If you are coming from other software e.g. Tyre to Basecamp prepare for a learning curve. The operations you do with the mouse and keyboard are way different and not so intuitive than Tyre but has many benefits. (thumbs)

The PDF tuturial will get you up and running. I found simply plotting a route to work and back and running it over a few days in the car by changing bits of it useful assuming you have a Car mount etc for you Garmin. The benefit of this is you learn how to use the GPS in a less stressful way than on the bike with a bunch of mates on a trip away - the usual recipe for disaster. :unsure:

[greyhoundgriff]

Thanks all!
Really appreciate the advice. Will try at weekend with beer at hand (thumbs)

[Selous]

I have used www.tyretotravel.com for tomtomrider 2 & my Mrs Garmin. Howerver the makers of tyre now have a on line one called www.myrouteapp.com & can use eiter tomtom garmin or google maps & download to pc or direct to device look it up may be a easier option O and free for the basic