Garmin GPS: How-To Use Routes, Tracks, and Waypoints

great video!

Recent new subscriber here.
Thank you for taking the time to put this together!
I just bought my first Garmin 67i so I'm new to all of this.
Would you recommend I focus my energy on learning to use Basecamp or the Explore App?

Very helpful!

Excellent overview and details of these navigation entities. I typically like to record a track when hiking by using the Hiking activity on my Fenix 6 as a sort of log of where I’ve been and when that gets stored in Connect. But if I’m not mistaken, I can’t simultaneously both follow an existing track like you’ve suggested AND record my current track in the hiking activity, right? Said another way, the Fenix activity is either Hiking (data logging purpose) OR Navigate (eg following an existing track).

How would you approach planning a route across unmarked territory?

Let's say we start off in a valley, there are few options and where there are, there are animal paths that lead the best ways and a path is made. When we get up to the mountains or a platou, the animals have spread and people have made their bearings and headed off in different directions. There are no longer any clear paths to follow and nothing on the maps.

So I want to follow the routable paths to the platou and then give myself some pointers as to where to go next, yet here the track is more of a guideline.

I also don't want all the marked points to be set in stone, I might plan to catch a peak if the weather is good but disregard and move inland if the weather gets worse.

Thank you for a very informative video. I have been desperately trying to understand the difference between a route and a track where Garmin is concerned. You explained it very simply and clearly.
Can you tell me, is it possible, to import a track to basecamp, from another site, as a GPX file, and then convert that track to a route before loading it onto the Garmin device? It would then be possible to use the enhanced navigation ability of the device to follow.

About night hiking: are there units with AMOLED screens with less backlight?

Thanks! I was getting some trouble trying to understand the terms Route, Track, Course and Activity. I recently acquired an inReach Mini 2 and those terms appeared on the Explore App and some in the inReach. From what I could get, Routes are not a thing in the inReach Mini 2, an Activity is an on-device recorded track, a Track could be an imported GPX, and a Course is some kind of pseudo-route I can create on Explore App. If I got something wrong, feel free to correct me

Best overview of how to use a Garmin paradigm ever! It has always been a mystery why Garmin’s tech is industry leading but is consistently rendered useless by poor marketing decisions. Not a recent behavior either, it was obvious when they lead the market with automated LORAN navigation for the marine and general aviation market well before civilian availability of GPS.

Great video mate it helped me out heaps. Do you know what subscription to get so I can view satellite maps on the 67i?

So I have basically the same gps…I have the 66sr. I noticed when you went into route planner around the 10 minute mark, that you have the option to select addresses as one of your icons onscreen, mine does not have that option. Did you download other maps besides what came on the unit and if so what map? I want to be able to search address but am unable to. Thanks

Is it possible to connect directly my Garmin device to Google Earth when Im running doing my routes, and save them?... it depends on the model (I have a nautic garmin 78s)...or do I have to use a notebook to connect with Google Earth to download or upload a map?

Can routes, waypoints, trails saved on one 66i be transferred to a second 66i? My sons and I are planning a hunting trip and one son will be scouting and securing the data mentioned above in his 66i. I’d like to have that same information transferred to my 66i, how can we do that?

I have a question, I've been struggling with for a while. Let's say I have a multiday backpack route. Let's say I went off track to buy food. Cancelled the route. Came back and want to start from that point, not from the beginning. I don't want to use tracks, and ideally don't want to split the route. How do i start a route not from the beginning? Same question for Garmin courses.

i like your videos im gonna watch them all and like them all man, im new to the subject just bought my first car, and you really helped me through with exploration man, thank you.

Thank you for a great video.

May I ask, I'm new to Garmin and am looking at the new 67i.

Is it possible to have different frequencies in tracking?

Wishing to record (breadcrumb) my location on a trail every 30 secs within the device, however, only transmit my location via Inreach subscription (Consumer Recreation Saftey) to my map every 10+ mins, ideally 30 mins?

Downloading from the device the GPX, will allow me to sync more precise GPS data with other apps, however, allowing family and friends and people that track me on my map at a less cost to me the approximate location that they can view when and where they wish.

If this is not, I guess one option could be to purchase without a subscription a second device, for example, the InReach Mini 2, and set this to a 30-second breadcrumb and download the GPX or as an alternative, increase my subscription to Consumer Recreation for unlimited Send/track Points and location pings.

I do understand that my battery consumption will be higher recording the GPS every 30 seconds.

Thank you in anticipation, M

big applause!👏👏👏. thanks a lot. I'm receiving mi 66i tomorrow and already learned a lot with your vid and explanation. good job!

Any chance you could do something on the difference between basecamp vs explore?

Thanks for this video! I'm from Brazil and I still have a question: what's the difference between a course and a route?
In Garmin Explore on smartphone, we have the option to convert a track into a course or a route, what is the difference between these conversions?
I haven't figured out the difference between these two options.
Thanks a lot!

it would be nice if the Garmin explore app had the option to not only sync to the device but the SD card also. Basecamp also doesn’t display courses from my device either when plugged in which is bummer. I enjoy watching your videos my man you do a great job. All the best mate.

Under your routing settings is hiking selected for activity? And is your calculation method minimize time or distance? I’m confused about the difference between minimize time or minimize distance setting. Which setting is safer and better out on a hike? Thank you.

Hi, wouldn’t it be easier to create your course on the Garmin explore app instead of computer for easier transfer to gps? Also can the Garmin explore app replace computer mapping software? Thank you for all your work.

At 8.32 on video you show the first screen on a saved track - why is there a random large number for time ??? Also what does the area reading underneath signify ??

I've never owned a Garmin before and recently bought a GPSMAP 67I on an impulse buy. Needless to say, after all these years being spoiled by a smart phone, the learning curve has been steep. Your video helped a lot of it to "click". Subscribed and notification bell hit 😊

This was pretty informative and well done. It was just a little to specific to your device. I have a Garmin InReach Mini and a Garmin Fenix 6X Sapphire, so my screens are very limited... But you did a good job explaining how and when to use each type mapping waypoints. This information can be used on any of the garmin devices now I just have to figure out where they are all buried in my tiny little menu systems...LOL

Thanks for this.

I am new to having a Garmin and have the etrex e22x and am planning a bike ride. I have created my route, and get confused with the why a Track is more useful to download from my Ride With GPS app. Once I get it into Basecamp I can turn it into a route. What is the best way to do this? Do I need both a Track and a Route on the 22x? Which one will contain the POI's from the Ride With GPS? Am I wasting time creating the Route from the Track in Basecamp?

Thanks so much, and I really hope that rambling question is clear enough.

Hi, I’m wondering if I can send several tracks to my 66s at the same time. I want them to be on my gps all the time. Can I add to this when I do a new track?

I'm confused on something with my 66i: I'm in the field and click on recording controls and start recording. When done with the hike, click on save. Go into Recorded Activities and see it there. I'm assuming that what I see there are activities, not tracks? Get home and open Basecamp and do an import. I don't see the hike. Go back to 66i > Recorded Activities and open the hike. Click on menu and save as a track. Go back to Basecamp and import again. This time is see the hike. Am I doing this right?

Just the info I was looking for. Thanks.

Hi Cris, hand down the best explanation for routes, tracks etc.! Can you tell me how to set the sound alarms in the device? I set the turn and proximity alarm on but it doesn‘t make a sound when I‘m following a route. Strange… Thanks!

I have a garmin etrex 22x.
A basic lesson is set a waypoint from where you start.
As you hike off into the bush or down a trail, whenever you walk 100 feet, mark a waypoint. Or when you come to a fork in the trail, or a landmark. The more the better.
Dont worry, waypoints are free!
As long as you have marked waypoints you will be able to find your way back.

Thank you for explaining it all.
just by watching you I realized that it's not 66SR unit that I want but rather Montana 700.
that way I don't have to push all the buttons so many times.

hi - looking for how to get compass direction at top, not North?

hi, your video is very useful. Happy that you are also in LA. I am looking for a long time a fonction to put all trails I did together on one map. can Garmin do this? (either handheld or Garmin 55/245 which has built-in GPS) The purpose of this is to have a record on all the mountains i went to and record the track of my trail/footprints. Thanks

I have alot of questions can we talk message on how we can please

Really great information. You have cleared up a lot of things that I did not know how to do as well as expounded upon things that I thought I knew! Great job Thank you for taking the time for this.

Great video. Do you know if base camp works with the in reach mini 2?

GPSMAP 66SR How do I change from feet to metres?

Your videos have been very helpful in understanding different uses of a GPS. Thank you. Do you know if there is a way to add a stop between 2 waypoints on the device. If I am out in the field, and I have 2 waypoints, can I add a stop between these two points? What I have is a property line that is very long. There is no line of site from one corner to another. I have two corners marked as waypoints. However, I need to set additional points between the two points. Can this be done from the device (Garmin 64sx) or would it need to be done in Basecamp as a route?

Thanks I am a gps newby and this is the most helpful video i have found. I have the garmin 66i

Thanks! Great video. I am a beginner and am currently using an eTrex 30. I do have the top map installed on the unit using a micro-SD card. When I open up Basecamp, shouldn't I be able to see the top map and the trails?

Great article on this unit and very helpful for a first-timer to GPSs. One question. My brand new 66i shuts off after 60 seconds. Would this be a firm ware issue?

Hey, for my way of using Garmin, I need to change thickness of track line, is it possible to do that? Currently using gpsmap 66sr

Looking to upgrade my GPS. touch screen or Button? What do you like?

Hi, can you do a video on planning a route or course with the Garmin Explore app only? I feel that it’s a great fast alternative to computer planning. Transferring to Garmin gps couldn’t be easier. Thank you for all your work.

Absolutely brilliant 👏 . Thankyou

Nice explanation of some features that Garmin doesn't explain nearly as well. One thing I'm looking for is finding the best route to a point when there are no trails. For example, I want to find my way to the summit of the mountain I'm on. I'm happy to go cross country, but it would be great if the device was smart enough to consider the contour lines and route me around cliffs instead of straight up them. Any suggestions?

Great review I still need to figure out how to use a site or an app to find a trail I want to do (Sag a waterfall hike or something along those lines) then transfer that hike to my GARMIN 66i. I tend to like the selection on all trails (For example) and transfer from there perhaps?

During my first crack at Basecamp I managed to create a route following the Icehouse Cyn trail to Cucamonga Pk on my PC. When I transferred it to my new 32x, the route was "as the crow flies" instead of following the trail. That's how the routing was appearing with Basecamp during my first attempts at route creation. I suppose I'll figure out what the problem is eventually but I don't enjoy these kind of mysteries. The etrex manual is useless.