GPS Questions

[todd551k]

What are the best resources to learn how to use a newly purchased Garmin Etrex 30.  Seems like quite the maze to figure out uploading the maps and from where?  Should i just pay for the garmin maps?  Is there someplace to upload free maps?  are they as detailed as the garmin maps?  Then how do you overlay a route over those maps?  doing a tour of the colorado trail this fall and trying to get it figured out before the trip?  Any suggestions on resources to learn from would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

[Mista Bone]

Would like to know as well. Looking to get a GPS to map local MTB trails after a reroute on one and incomplete data pm the abandoned trail I'm clearing for use again.

From this.....



to this

[unitdrop_forge]

I use Ibycus for my road maps: http://www.ibycus.com/ibycususa/

GPSFileDepot will rock your world for topos IF someone did the work to make a free one:
http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/state/all

and I use Basecamp to upload my maps.  GPSFileDepot has good details on how to get the maps up and running in basecamp http://gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-maps-on-my-garmin-gps-unit/

For routes in basecamp:
1.  on the left "my library" right click and make a new list. 
2.  click on the three green box icon to start a new route
3.  make route, change name, play with erase points, insert points, cut, etc.
4.  highlight and "send to device"

to export to the internets (such as the trail noted below):
1.  select your track or route within the list
2.  click on file -> export -> export selection
3.  drop the .gpx or route on your desktop and upload to show the world all the badass things you've done!

I get all the .gpx files and map sets I can get my grubby paws on and place them on an external harddrive.  Great to have tracks of trails and rides people have done to start honing in on the areas where one wants to spend ones hard earned pennies and free time.

It takes some learning for sure, but it's worth it!  My old eTrex HcX just died after 7 years of hard service, and my new etrex 20x should be here today!

[rocbeer]

So, I had a Garmin Etrex 20 and found it similarly hard to use, not to mention the extra costs of garmin maps.  While researching how to find free uploadable maps, I found this article:

http://blog.hyperlitemountaingear.com/the-best-gps-device-you-already-own-it/?utm_source=Hyperlite+Mountain+Gear+Newsletter&utm_campaign=98061f1dd7-2015_Thru_Hike_2_6_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_34926e808c-98061f1dd7-300805045&ct=t(Stripped_Down_44_11_2015)&mc_cid=98061f1dd7&mc_eid=7b820e030c#more-3304

This was quite the kick in the pants after spending so much $$$ on a Garmin, when I already have a phone that can do the same.

So, while the Garmin was still newish, I sold it and got the Gaia GPS app for the iphone 5 and am really happy with it.  Much easier to use and free topo maps off Google Earth.

As for the durability, water proofing and extended battery life, I got one of these:
http://www.snowlizardproducts.com/collections/cases/products/slxtreme_5?variant=749212631

As of yet Snow Lizard doesn't have a handlebar mount, so I got the belt clip and sewed a small webbing tab on my Revelate Gas Tank to clip the phone on and a little bit of cordage to keep it tight on there to the phone case's lower clip in hole.  That coupled with a Schmidt dynamo hub and I'm feeling pretty golden.

Interesting explanation in that article about why GPS devices still exist.

I realize this isn't an answer to the questions you asked, but I thought it might be worth sharing.

[todd551k]

A friend recently said the same thing to me.  I dont have a dynamo hub or a usb port on my bike.  Without those how do you keep the phone charged in a multiday event? 

[rocbeer]

Google things like solar cell phone charger, or cell phone auxiliary battery.  I have the goal zero stuff, which I like, but I know that there have been tons more things like this put out on the market in the last few years.  If you have an iphone, one of the snow lizard waterproof cases has a built in auxiliary battery and solar charger.  On Josh Kato's article on bikepacking.com regarding the gear he carried on his recent Tour Divide win, he had a Nexcon 5000mAh solar panel portable power supply.  So, if it worked for him...

Hope that helps.

[Sandstorm]

I also need some helps with uploading GPX files onto my Etrex. I'm not very computer savy so it might as well just be written in 1's and 0's...
What program's are you using??

[dh024]

It's actually really easy -- you just transfer the GPX file from your computer to the Garmin\GPS folder on your eTrex unit. Here is a good video that shows the steps:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9XMSYHF0WE