murphydavid

Free garmin software here (basecamp) that is ideal for modifying and re-saveing .gpx files http://www.garmin.com/us/products/onthetrail/basecamp

In UK I prefer Uniross Ultra Rechargeable - with Hybrio Technology so they don't discharge when not in use - and use an intelligent re charger that turns itself off when the battery is fully charged so you don't forget to take them off and overheat them.

Just spent ages working round a BaseCamp (Garmin) (bug I presume). Thought I would share it with you and maybe it will help or maybe you have a better way. The bug: I plotted a route on BaseCamp and downloaded it to my Dakota 10. There was lots of spare memory after the download and the file was clearly visable while it was attached to my PC. But when I detached the Dakota the new route was not available and when I re-attached it BaseCamp declared the downloaded file to be corrupt. The Solution: After much experimentation I found that any route in BaseCamp with 250 or less waypoints will download fine. Between 250 to 500 waypoints and the end of the route is missing. Over about 500 waypoints and the file is corupted during downloading. This is not a memory problem because I can divide a route of 750 waypoints into 3 routes with 250 waypoints each, and download and display all 3 routes (750 waypoints) similtaniously with no problems. If I use BaseCamp to rejoin these routes the bug re-appears. So if you want to plan a long windy route on BaseCamp (As you don't know till its too late if you will exceed 250 waypoints) I would advise you to put the route in as a new track (not a new route). This will allow you to (first in case it goes wrong export a copy of the new track) then manipulate it by "click on the track title to select it" then go FILE-NEW-"DIRECT ROUTE FROM SELECTED TRACK". Switch off the "choose the number of points automatically" box and enter the number of points as 250 (or less)(this is maximum number that will transfer in one go). If the resulting Route is too gappy and needs more points then go undo, split the track into two with the divide tool and transfer it as two or more routes. As an aside (If you just happen to be a Garmin employee) I have been waiting ages for an update to BaseCamp. You need to sort this! Well I started this morning thinking to quickly add a route to my GPS and one thing led to another - boy I wasted so much time. Just had to tell someone. Thanks

I have a Dakota 10 if it is the same then. Could be you have the position format – map datum set wrong. If you go to a place where you know what the coordinates are and mark a waypoint, then go to waypoint manager – and select change location for that waypoint. If the original coordinates displayed before you change them don't agree with were you know you are this could indicate your map datum is not set to the map that you are reading the coordinates from. To change the map datum goto setup-position format-map datum. Be aware that for some position formats you cannot change the map datum so you may need to re-set this first.

Not the easiest of proceedures but if you have time and you want free have a look here. http://www.openstreetmap.org/

Not quite the only way - this is a bit more interactive. I also have a NEW Dakota 10. I suggest you download and install the free software from Garmin (http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/us/onthetrail/basecamp). Then run basecamp and connect your Dakota to the computer using the usb cable. To the left of the basecamp map you will see your Dakota listed under devices. Left click and highlight the Dakota "all" folder. You will now see listed in the box under the basecamp map all the routes tracks waypoints and caches on your Dakota. Left click and highlight the one you want to delete and check it is the correct one - it will appear on the basecamp map. Now right click on it in the box under the map and a menu will pop up and allow you to delete it. I have got as far as seeing the pop up menu but not yet hit delete because I have not wanted to delete anything yet but I am sure it will. The map provided by Garmin with basecamp is very limited but you can buy others from Garmin or (depending on where you are) you might get one for free from http://www.openstreetmap.org/ or somewhere similar.

If you are surfing for a good price then another low discharge NiMh not mentioned so far is uniross hybrio. I think that sometimes they are packaged as Uniross Ultra. In my Dakota 10 a set of 2 last about 6hrs continuous use from fully charged. Pluss as mentioned before this type can be left in the unit without fear of leakage and if not used will remain charged for a long time.

Thank you very much MntHermit I thought I had read all the manual but I had not seen that one. Excellent reply. and thanks Ecanderson yes the trip computer does stop when the unit itself is turned off - so I could have made a note of the stoped time as soon as I turned it on again. I actually spent ages going through the menues looking for a way to pause it by which time it was too late. I'll do better next time.

If you are in the UK? then this worked well for me. If not in UK then the instuctions may help if nothing else. http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

Just getting to know my new Dakota 10 Can anyone tell me if it is possible to stop and or save the information in the Trip computer. ie I start a trip by reseting the trip computer. At the end of the trip I end up in the bar. Next day I want to see the trip info but I find that when I switch back on that the trip computer is still running, so the total time and stopped time etc are not what they were at the end of the trip. I used to have an old etrex so I am finding this new one really very good. Thanks