Zumo 595 BC expert

[patrickg450]

DO you use tracks? I cant see mine for nothing........is it easier to convert to a trip?

 

[Nikolajsen]

Yes, I use tracks.
Yes, it is easy to convert to a trip, just go to "programa" then "track", and there you can choise whatever track you want, and convert to trip. (Haven't tried on the 595, but seems to be the same as the 550)

 

[bnschroder]

I don't have a 595 but the much older 660. However, anything the older unit should do, the new one should still be able to do too.
I drop tracks from Basecamp into the SD card of my 660 via USB cable. When I turn on the GPS, it has an option called "Off Road Tracks". That's where you find your tracks. You can only show a certain number at a time with the 660 (10), and supposedly only a certain number of waypoints, but I haven't found the limit yet. You can set the track color for each track and they show up on your map. If the waypoints (or breadcrumbs as someone called them) are too far apart, the track looks edgy and can be hard to follow when the turns are tight, but the important thing is, it works.
If you prefer tracks (which don't get altered by the unit) to routes (that your GPS may calculate differently than BC), Basecamp can turn a route into a track. That's much easier than drawing a track.
Another great option and backup is to export your tracks from Basecamp into .kml files and use the maps.me app on your phone to follow those tracks. Neither provide turn by turn directions for tracks, but I don't think any track viewer does.

 

[Nikolajsen]

From what bnschroder writes, I think the 660 is different from both the 550 and the 595.
I could not change colour on tracke on my old 550, and I don't think I can on the 595.
But the "big picture" sounds like it is very similar..

 

[bnschroder]

And based on my experience with the 660, the user manual only covers a small portion of what the GPS is capable, and is thus pretty much garbage.

 

[patrickg450]

Yes, I use tracks.
Yes, it is easy to convert to a trip, just go to "programa" then "track", and there you can choise whatever track you want, and convert to trip. (Haven't tried on the 595, but seems to be the same as the 550)

So what is easiest? I have a bunch of tracks, so just load them to the unit and when I want to follow it convert it to a trip? Will it make it easier to see the "track" I am following?

 

[Nikolajsen]

Uh...never tried to follow a track, only trip.
But my guess is yes, a trip is easier to follow, than a track. I don't think you wil get information on screen/speaker, when follow a track.

The 595 have a specific amount of "space" for tracks, and if you have all your tracks on the 595, it might run out off space for tracks. I don't know what happens it this occur.
If it was me, I would load alle the tracks I wan't to save, to Base Camp, and save them as .GDB files, and have them on my computer, and only load them on 595 when needed.
Or load them all on 595, but when connecting 595 to computer, it will load all from 595, thats means that you get all the .GDB files and tracks on 595 to Base Camp every time...

 

[patrickg450]

Uh...never tried to follow a track, only trip.
But my guess is yes, a trip is easier to follow, than a track. I don't think you wil get information on screen/speaker, when follow a track.

The 595 have a specific amount of "space" for tracks, and if you have all your tracks on the 595, it might run out off space for tracks. I don't know what happens it this occur.
If it was me, I would load alle the tracks I wan't to save, to Base Camp, and save them as .GDB files, and have them on my computer, and only load them on 595 when needed.
Or load them all on 595, but when connecting 595 to computer, it will load all from 595, thats means that you get all the .GDB files and tracks on 595 to Base Camp every time...

We are on the same page......

I have an old 60CSX and MapSouce (I have BC as well but like MS) but just got this new 595. I am a track guy, I have always loaded tracks then simply followed them, or verred of course then got back on the track. I like it, never have I listened to my GPS tell me when or where to turn......

So now I have this new unit, 595. I cant hardly see the tracks but I am wondering how to use them. I have SOOOOO many tracks on BC and MS, I load them a few at a time and go out on an adventure.

 

[Nikolajsen]

Åh yes...all this new modern stuff, we have to learn ALL the time.
(mostly because of the new gadgets we HAVE to have )

 

[patrickg450]

Åh yes...all this new modern stuff, we have to learn ALL the time.
(mostly because of the new gadgets we HAVE to have )

Yea.....I am heading to the Garmin forums.....I have way too many questions.

 

[iClint]

I will leave this here for others who may stumble across it and it may perhaps help the OP and others who responded but did not quite get it right.

First some terminology

"Track" - This is a series of points dropped that when connected form a path. Only 2 points would form a straight line hundreds of points could create complex curves and twists in the path. This Track file can be loaded into any map software or onto any GPS device and would follow the same path every time.

"Route" - this can be as simple as a Start and End points. the path is then generated using an algorithm and the routable map. The big problem with a route is depending on the Device it is loaded on to, the maps installed and the routing settings the generated path could vary wildly between software and devices.

Now the OP's issue is that he has bought the wrong Garmin model for what he wants to do. The zumo595 is Routing device, you're at A and you tell the Zumo you want to go to B and it plots a route based on the settings it has this might be settings like avoid motorways and tolls, or to minimise time or distance and it then gives turn by turn directions with a bunch of other fluff. It's not a device designed for following GPX Tracks. Tracks can be vary easily converted to routes and routes to tracks but A track converted to a route is useless as it will lose much of the vital information between start and end points and the Route generated probably won't be the the same as the original track.

I like to ride off road and predominantly use "Tracks" and the best Garmin device arguably is the Montanna series of devices. Mine is a 660T. it is perfect for "tracks" and Okay at Routes too. it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the 595 but in my opinion is a far superior Navigation device for adventure riding.

Hope this helps clear up the difference between routes and tracks, they both have their uses.

 

[loftybob]

I will leave this here for others who may stumble across it and it may perhaps help the OP and others who responded but did not quite get it right.

First some terminology

"Track" - This is a series of points dropped that when connected form a path. Only 2 points would form a straight line hundreds of points could create complex curves and twists in the path. This Track file can be loaded into any map software or onto any GPS device and would follow the same path every time.

"Route" - this can be as simple as a Start and End points. the path is then generated using an algorithm and the routable map. The big problem with a route is depending on the Device it is loaded on to, the maps installed and the routing settings the generated path could vary wildly between software and devices.



Now the OP's issue is that he has bought the wrong Garmin model for what he wants to do. The zumo595 is Routing device, you're at A and you tell the Zumo you want to go to B and it plots a route based on the settings it has this might be settings like avoid motorways and tolls, or to minimise time or distance and it then gives turn by turn directions with a bunch of other fluff. It's not a device designed for following GPX Tracks. Tracks can be vary easily converted to routes and routes to tracks but A track converted to a route is useless as it will lose much of the vital information between start and end points and the Route generated probably won't be the the same as the original track.

I like to ride off road and predominantly use "Tracks" and the best Garmin device arguably is the Montanna series of devices. Mine is a 660T. it is perfect for "tracks" and Okay at Routes too. it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the 595 but in my opinion is a far superior Navigation device for adventure riding.

Hope this helps clear up the difference between routes and tracks, they both have their uses.

Exactly why I run both devices, the 595 gets me near the area I wish to discover, the 660T gets me out again.

Both are great

 

[patrickg450]

just got home, used the 595 the whole time. In fact, I left my old unit at home.....

I was able to get the track and change the colors. With the tracks on the screen I navigated the roads. It worked for me, took some time to get used to.

 

[Nikolajsen]

::008::

 

[ballisticexchris]

I'm saving up for this unit to replace my outdated 76CSX.

One tip I can share with any of these GPS's is to turn off all your maps when following a downloaded track. It makes navigating the track so much easier. When doing any kind of off road event I zoom mine in to 800'.

 

[patrickg450]

turn off maps? why? less cluter? never tried (or heard) of that.

 

[richarddacat]

I recently bought a used 595 and I think I pretty much got the basics but I haven't tried to load routes into it...yet.

A question I have is about map detail when zooming out. I had at one time a 276C and when you zoomed out the detail didn't fade away like it does on Zumo's. (I've also had a 550 and 390)

Is there an upload or another model that will maintain the detail of all roads as you zoom out??

 

[ballisticexchris]

turn off maps? why? less cluter? never tried (or heard) of that.

Yes less clutter. And also only turn on one section of tracks at a time. It's easy to get messed up and end up another track. The dual sport events normally download a hard way, easy way, AM, and PM. A lot of times these tracks cross each other and you end up on a track you don't want.

 

[patrickg450]

I usually change colors, blue is my primary one, red is a hard section, green is a bypass.

 

[ballisticexchris]

I usually change colors, blue is my primary one, red is a hard section, green is a bypass.

That’s another option some guys do. I keep it very simple. One track to follow.