Working with GPS data in Garmin Basecamp

Garmin Basecamp is available to download here: https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/software/basecamp/

The Interface

The interface to Garmin Basecamp is similar to most Desktop GIS:

1. Menu Bar - provides access to Basecamp functions using standard hierarchical menus

2. Library - lists Collections and Folders containing data added to or created in Basecamp

3. Scale bar

4. Map panel - as standard Garmin includes a basic outline of the continent

Menu Bar

The Menu Bar includes many different ways to interact with the software.

1. File - allows users to create new datasets, folders and collections:

2. Device - allows users to send or receive data from a GPS:

3. Tools - allows users to interact with the map panel:

Creating Data

To create new Waypoints, Routes and Tracks, it is good practise to create a new List, then creating the dataset in the map view.

Creating Waypoints

1. Create a new list using: File -> New -> List:

2. Select your List in the Library Panel:

3. Choose to create a New Waypoint, New Route or New Track from the Toolbar:

Here, we are going to create new Waypoints.

4. Select the New Waypoint Symbol ()
5. Click on the Map panel to plot a point:

Here, we have randomly clicked on the map to create a waypoint, but we want to edit the details.

6. Right-click on the point label pop-up to open the information panel

You can also select the point using the Pan tool

In the information panel, we can add lots of information and also edit the pre-recorded info, like the Name, Symbol and the Position.

7. Edit the information to change one of the pre-recorded information, and add another point.

Once you are happy with the coordinates you have plotted, you can then create a route that goes between them.

Creating Routes

Creating routes follows a similar process to creating a Waypoint, so lets start by choosing the Route option in the Toolbar

Once selected, Basecamp lets you choose what kind of Activity Profile you want:

1. Choose the Direct Activity Profile:

Click the drop-down and choose Direct from the list of options:

This will let you click and drag waypoints to create a Route:

3. Drag your waypoints from the List of Waypoints to the Start and End points:

Now, we might want to add more waypoints into that route. Let's do that by creating a new Waypoint and editing the route information:

4. Create a new waypoint following the steps above

5. Right-click on the Route in the List Panel to open the information box:

6. Select the + button to add a Waypoint:

Adding Data to your GPS:

When you are happy with your dataset, you can send the waypoints and routes directly to your connected GPS.

1. Click Device in the Menu Panel

2. Click Send to Device