Syncing GPS Unit & Basecamp Software

[DavidR]

Does anyone know how (if possible) to sync a gps unit with Garmin Basecamp software? I use a Garmin Colorado 400t. The issue I've had for years is that I create waypoints on the fly in the field and my tracks are messy of course. When I get home, I import my new data, edit it then export it back to my unit. The problem is that the unit stores the old data and combines the old and new creating mutiples of the same waypoints, etc.. Any idea? How do you handle your data?

[DavidR]

I wrote Garmin Support:

Message: On my handheald I can see many waypoits and tracks, but cannot
locate them in Basecamp. I'd like to be able to sync the two so that
both Basecamp and the handheld have the same data. If that isn't
possible, I'd like to at least be able to clear the handheld memory and
import what I want on it from Basecamp. Essentialy I want to save info
from each new hike to a master file in Basecamp, then clear the handheld
to be ready for the next hike. How do I do this?

Answer:

You can transfer waypoints, routes, and tracks to and from your GPS
device.
Connect your GPS device to your computer using a USB cable. Your device
name appears in the Library. Click your device name to view items on
your device.
To transfer data from BaseCamp to your GPS device:
1.Please click an item in the Library. To select multiple items, hold
Ctrl on your keyboard, and click the items.
2.Click Edit > Send To, and click the device to which you want to
transfer the item.
To transfer data from your GPS device to BaseCamp:
1.Click your device name in the Library.
2.Click an item on your device. To select multiple items, hold Ctrl on
your keyboard, and click the items.
3.Click Edit > Send To, and click the folder to which you want to
transfer the item.

Needless to say that didn't really adress my issue. I wrote back and tried to clarify what I'm asking. I hope to figure this out. Searching the internet I see many people have this problem with Garmin.

[wildkat]

This is what I do.. I have the Garmin 60csx

I use mapsource and transfer the waypoints and tracks or whatever to a file in folder named "TripXXXXX"

I then clear the memory on the unit itself.

You could also use easygps or something similar.

So in your case... get home with new data..transfer to basecamp or whatever...edit the file on your computer..before transferring back to your GPS clear the GPS units memory.

[DavidR]

Thanks wildcat. I have tried that by doing a reset on the handheld. It even prompts me saying this will delete all user data. I go through with tit and after it starts back up like it did out of the box (choosing language, etc...) it still has the old waypoints and tracks on it. As for how I'm handling data right now, your process is pretty much what I do. It just seems like such technology should have a sync feature. For example, my Blackberry syncs with my Microsoft Outlook whenever I plug my phone in. It will even alert me if both files don't match and update both to do so.

[wildkat]

You could try this..

If when you plug your GPS in and it mounts as a removable device..you could delete the folders.
Just an idea...no clue if its even feasible/doable

[DavidR]

I fixed the discrepancy between the Colorado & Basecamp by doing just that. I deleted the Temp.gpx file and Current.gpx. This wiped the Colorado out. Now I’ll just import what data I want from Basecamp. All is well on the mapping front. Now to solve the geocaching issues. Basecamp doesn’t seem to recognize geocaches as being different than normal waypoints. I understand that you must load one at a time. I know of other software that other geocahers recommend, but I want to stick with Bascamp for everything. I think I know what I’ll do. I’ll try it Friday.