Accessing gps tracks on garmin 60csx install#
Accessing gps tracks on garmin 60csx manual#
Accessing gps tracks on garmin 60csx software#
Accessing gps tracks on garmin 60csx download#

Some of the GPS settings for backcountry skiing map work, be sure to play around with the 'Detail' options to make your maps more legible in the field. Otherwise, as you walk the map will be constantly bouncing around on the LCD, making it difficult to visually reference what you need for direction of travel on the actual land. For no-vis navigation, set your map so north is always up on the LCD. But yeah, this is where you set things so your maps display elevations as metric or ‘Merican feet.Ĥ. Speed).” Confusing because you think it only sets your vertical speed readout to feet or meters? Confused me, anyway. You’ll see an option for “Elevation (Vert.

For the Garmin 60 use the same menu sequence as above to reach the “Units” screen. If you travel much in metric countries the arcane and confusing option of setting feet or meters labels for your maps is important to know. While you’re in the menus, set your “Position Format” to something simple you can communicate over the phone or by texting, probably hddd.ddddd or UTM. Again, usually WGS84 but could be something different if you’re working with data that exists under a different Datum spec.Ģ. on Garmin 60 press the Menu key twice to make sure you get to the main menu, then Setup/Enter/Units/Enter, scroll down to “Map Datum” and click Enter to pick your Datum. GPS settings (Use with Garmin GPSmap 60CSx but applicable to nearly any GPS handheld, menu directions for the Garmin included below.)ġ. What you’re using to work in Mapsource needs to match what your GPS is set to, which leads us to: Hundreds of “datums” exist, which are simply mathematical models of the earth’s sphere.

Accessing gps tracks on garmin 60csx software#

Still at home, be sure your computer software is set to Datum WGS84. A “track” is virtually the same thing, only the points are numerous and the line segments tiny, thus making a breadcrumb trail that serves as an actual on-the-land way you can go. To be clear about GPS navigation, learn the diffence between a “route” and ‘track.” A route is usually an approximation of a trip, connecting points on the map (waypoints) with fairly long line segments that might work well on an ice cap or ocean, but are somewhat useless for mountain navigation. And remember, this blog post is about using GPS when you do NOT have a pre-installed route or track. Caution, lots of routes and tracks on the web are made for summer navigation, or simply are done poorly.

Accessing gps tracks on garmin 60csx download#

Optional : Create a route or track if you know the exact way and know your software well enough to do so, or download a trusted route or track. Likewise, I still use my USGS type topographic map software when I want the information that you can sometimes only get from those amazingly detailed maps.) (I do plot and grab waypoints from Google Earth now and then, using the aerial photography to locate something better than could be done on a topo map. (You can do this in other software environments if you want to geek out, but I’ve found sticking with Mapsource is much simpler (remember, this is a guide to using your GPS intuitively, if you’re interested in doctorate level GPS navigaiton tips, look elsewhere).

Next, at home, at the least create a few accurate trip waypoints in your Mapsource Software, then download to the GPS.

Accessing gps tracks on garmin 60csx install#

If necessary, find free or purchase the best topo maps you can get for your area of interest, install in Garmin Mapsource software on your computer, then download relevant map sections to your handheld. If your unit comes with preloaded topo maps, test at home to be sure they’re fine grained enough for real world navigation. First, you’re not going to be safely navigating mountain terrain in a whiteout or at night without a topographic base map installed in your unit (as in “wow, we’re walking 40 feet from a 1,000 foot cliff in pitch dark, follow me or die!”).

Accessing gps tracks on garmin 60csx manual#

For the hundreds of other things you can do with your GPS see your manual and web sources).Īssuming you’re on a Garmin GPSmap 60 type handheld (other units have similar settings), rig it this way : (Following is specific to low visibility navigation - a poorly addressed subject in most GPS how-tos. But fly with that instrument rating hood (otherwise known as a whiteout) over your face and no route indicator on the land under your feet, and you may discover that staying close enough to your optimal route may be a bit confusing.įorewith, a few things that’ll help you use your GPS intuitively, as if you had a paper topo map in front of you that was always perfectly aligned with the land under your feet, and showed your exact location. Maybe so when you’re on a defined trail tread and can see the sun or mountains above. “Lou,” you say, “you’re acting like an idiot, those things are super easy to use!” In the egg, intuitive use of the GPS is a nav method that could save your behind.