While preparing for the TAT ride, I’ve been creating gpx files containing trackpoints for navigation. \u00a0 However, the Garmin Nuvi 760 doesn’t know what to do with a gpx file containing trackpoints, so it just ignores it. \u00a0 When uploading the file to the gps, it tells you that the upload was successful, but it wasn’t. \u00a0 The file isn’t there. \u00a0 That’s annoying. \u00a0 If the upload process is smart enough to determine that it can’t \u00a0 handle files containing trackpoints, then it’s also smart enough to tell me that it can’t handle them. \u00a0 Sloppy (or lazy) programming seems to be the culprit here.<\/p>\n
To use the handcrafted tracks on the 760, you have to convert them to routes. \u00a0 I wrote a small script to do that (a gpx file is just an xml file with some special element names) and now the 760 accepts them and navigates the route without complaint.<\/p>\n
But it isn’t a track, it’s a route, and gps devices like to recalculate routes to fit their own idea of how you should get from A to B. \u00a0 With enough trackpoints (now routepoints) you can prevent that, but I shouldn’t have to. \u00a0 I need a gps that understands, uses, and navigates TRACKS.<\/p>\n
I found one and it seems to fit the bill in almost every way. \u00a0 The unit is the DeLorme PN-40. \u00a0 Most everything that Garmin does to annoy it’s customers, DeLorme handles better or just avoids the problem in the first place. \u00a0 What do I mean? \u00a0 I mean having to buy (or find on the net) the program to create routes on your pc\/mac and then upload them to the gps. \u00a0 I mean having to use an unlock code to make the maps work. \u00a0 Hopefully you’ll never have a pc\/mac computer fail, or have to replace a hard drive, because you’ll have to pony up for a new unlock code to use the maps you already bought. \u00a0 You can install the maps on multiple laptops, but what if you have more than one gps? \u00a0 This unlock code, serial number checking crap is a real annoyance to customers. \u00a0 Do you hear me Garmin? \u00a0 What if you lose the gps itself? \u00a0 On the trail that is a distinct possibility. \u00a0 So, that’s not Garmin’s fault. \u00a0 But you can’t use the maps on your laptop because they’re unlocked only to one gps – the one you lost. \u00a0 And the cycle starts over – if you let it. \u00a0 OK, rant over.<\/p>\n
I’m not going to buy a DeLorme for the first part of the TAT trip, because it doesn’t make sense to switch navigation devices this close to departure. \u00a0 But for the western TAT next year, count on it. \u00a0 Garmin has seen the last $ from me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
While preparing for the TAT ride, I’ve been creating gpx files containing trackpoints for navigation. \u00a0 However, the Garmin Nuvi 760 doesn’t know what to do with a gpx file containing trackpoints, so it just ignores it. \u00a0 When uploading the file to the gps, it tells you that the upload was successful, but it … <\/p>\n