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Is Basecamp headed for extinction?
Boyd
2033 Points
A user at GPSFileDepot called this article to my attention. I know we have discussed Garmin discontinuing Basecamp before, but this is the first official document I've seen that confirms this. But it looks like they are going to start pushing people to their Explore website in the future, and gradually crossing off the items on the list of features that are only available in Basecamp. I guess the transition could take awhile, but if they are truly ceasing Basecamp development then it may not take long to be incompatible with new operating systems.
And the current version of Basecamp/MapInstall cannot install maps on your GPS. Whether this is a bug or a "feature" is unknown, but it's been broken for 7 months now. With default settings, Basecamp/MapInstall automatically installs this update. And even if you disable auto-update, it nags you forever. So I suspect most users already have the broken version of Basecamp/MapInstall. There are endless threads from confused users about this problem over at GPSFileDepot
Here's the article from Garmin's support site:
https://support.garmin.com/en-CA/?faq=cmo7YxRdRB1DDl1JAWuEV8
___________
Benefits of Using the Explore Website Compared to BaseCamp with the GPSMAP 66 Series
The Explore website and BaseCamp* both provide valuable information and tools for the user. We are now working toward developing and improving the Explore Website. This web portal allows users multiple feature advantages. We recommend using the Explore Website for management of waypoints, locations, activities, tracks, and routes.
Explore Website advantages and features:
Web access from any internet connection
Syncing with the Explore app
Free Topo and Aerial maps
Import courses from Garmin Connect
Advanced Search
There are features that both Explore and BaseCamp offer:
Import GPX, KML, KMZ
Export GPX, KML
Organize user data in a library with collections
There are also features currently only available in BaseCamp:
Viewing maps on the Garmin device
Auto road/trail routing
Viewing a profile graph for routes and tracks
Viewing detailed statistics about tracks
Viewing a 3-D map
* BaseCamp development has been discontinued.
And the current version of Basecamp/MapInstall cannot install maps on your GPS. Whether this is a bug or a "feature" is unknown, but it's been broken for 7 months now. With default settings, Basecamp/MapInstall automatically installs this update. And even if you disable auto-update, it nags you forever. So I suspect most users already have the broken version of Basecamp/MapInstall. There are endless threads from confused users about this problem over at GPSFileDepot
Here's the article from Garmin's support site:
https://support.garmin.com/en-CA/?faq=cmo7YxRdRB1DDl1JAWuEV8
___________
Benefits of Using the Explore Website Compared to BaseCamp with the GPSMAP 66 Series
The Explore website and BaseCamp* both provide valuable information and tools for the user. We are now working toward developing and improving the Explore Website. This web portal allows users multiple feature advantages. We recommend using the Explore Website for management of waypoints, locations, activities, tracks, and routes.
Explore Website advantages and features:
Web access from any internet connection
Syncing with the Explore app
Free Topo and Aerial maps
Import courses from Garmin Connect
Advanced Search
There are features that both Explore and BaseCamp offer:
Import GPX, KML, KMZ
Export GPX, KML
Organize user data in a library with collections
There are also features currently only available in BaseCamp:
Viewing maps on the Garmin device
Auto road/trail routing
Viewing a profile graph for routes and tracks
Viewing detailed statistics about tracks
Viewing a 3-D map
* BaseCamp development has been discontinued.
Comments
I see that what they are calling the "Explore" site is an updated version of their support page which I haven't visited in a long time. It appears they have organized it in a different way and added some additional functions. But it has a long way to go if they plan to offer all the things BaseCamp can do
Here's the thread at GPSFileDepot, note this post from "dwitton" about the convergenc of the InReach and Garmin handheld lines:
forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php?topic=4592.0
"A year or so ago I spoke with a Garmin rep who explained that the companies goal was to merge the two by providing more gps functionality in the Inreach units - that has happened in the newer units. Maps are preloaded, and additional maps can be loaded, but only by using the Explore website. I have noticed that Windows 10 does not recognize my Delorme Inreach as a volume - all mods to the device need to be made via the web portal."
https://explore.garmin.com/Account/GarminUser
But you ain't actually gettin' in unless you have an inReach or a GPSMap66! ;) Anyway this doesn't look like the "old support search page" to me.
Explore Website Features
Plan a trip by creating waypoints and routes on the map
Sync trip data to your devices and mobile app
Set up your MapShare – a live map for friends and family to watch your trip in progress
Manage inReach service plans and billing information
Set up contacts, Preset messages, and Quick Text messages for your inReach device and mobile app
Review past trips – see your track and many stats including elevation, speed, and distance
This could be resolved by Garmin by hiring a programmer for a few weeks to set up the Basecamp program so that it can be compiled for use in a 64bit environment.
How many Mac users will migrate away from Garmin if they cannot have their SatNav supported. one asks.
When I was looking to buy a SatNav, the ability to run the support programs on a Mac was the key criteria regardless of how good the performance of the device
I have 2 Garmin FR60 heart rate monitors one for my wife one for me. The main reason I bought them instead of a lot cheaper one from a different company is that they had an ANT+ device that plugged into a USB port. They also had software so they would wirelessly sync when in range. You could then look at your heart rate, how long in each zone, max rate etc. It had a nice graph where you could display BPM and or %. The software quit working when windows was upgraded and Garmin never upgraded their software. Emails I sent to Garmin support went unanswered. They have no USB port so no way I know of to download the information. I far as I know they are now just an overpriced watch that will show heart rate if you have a chest strap on. We now use Fitbits.
This is one of the reasons I have a complete lack of trust in Garmin and is one reason I have not bought a new car GPS. I use my phone and can display it on the screen with Android auto. The next time I need a new GPS for my bike or hiking I will look at other brands and also look at if I can I get a phone I’d be happy with. The biggest reason I don’t like using a phone now is reading the screen in sunlight.
So what would you choose? I think your only choices are probably Garmin or a phone now.
For the bike Wahoo and Lezyne both have bike GPS units that seem to get better with each update. I know people that are happy with both of them as they are today. By the time I need a new one I think they deserve a good look. On the bike the sunlight readable screen is more important as you need to see it as you ride so to use a phone it would need a better screen then I’m aware of today.
I’m not saying I won’t buy a Garmin. But I will take a good look at the options first. In the past when I needed or wanted a new GPS the only question was which Garmin that is no longer true.
Will be out on the 1961 BSA Super Rocket later this morning and the Montana will be on the bars.
Re the Mac 32 bit and 64 bit problems mentioned earlier. I am still using an extensive software system I wrote over 20 years ago on the PC by using a DOS emulator, no problems. I would hope the same would be available on the Mac but not sure about the Bluetooth side of talking to external devices. - here's hoping!
Are you using the Montana because you like it better than the phone or just in the process of testing which you like better?
Any new Macs that are introduced after the switch to 64 bit next Fall will no longer be able to boot into older operating systems. So this is potentially a big problem for Garmin. Perhaps they will offer a 64 bit update anyway, since that is more like "maintenance" than "development"?
All the best for the New Year! :)
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=Pem8APOlI03qXEb3czosX6
https://support.garmin.com/en-IN/?faq=0uDt3PZ8fM66OtVCxqytB7
Here's a full res screenshot from the link above.
I was not aware of the explore.garmin.com page until you posted it … makes more sense now.
https://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php?topic=4611.0
"I called tech suppt - their suggestion was to uninstall/reinstall the maps, but I didn't want to create a bigger problem, so I stood pat.
I also raised the issue of terminated BaseCamp development - the tech denied that, and said they were currently working on bug fixes, including the ability to load 3rd party maps - which he said also affected some Garmin map products."
Software Version 4.8.2 has been backdated to 4.7.0 due to it having issues with some versions of OS.
https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=4449
* BaseCamp development has been discontinued.
Now go back to that same link: https://support.garmin.com/en-CA/?faq=cmo7YxRdRB1DDl1JAWuEV8
They have removed that line! Maybe they got a lot of heat over that statement? But with no update to the Windows version for about 15 months, I suspect that nothing has really changed. ;)