Downloading GPS Routes

[ndbigfish]

The Mrs. finally got her GPS for Christmas; I guess she got tired of my ol' school navigation methods. Now I'm trying to figure out how to download planned routes from Google or HD Ride Planner. The GPS is a Garmin Nuvi 1490T. Any pointers would be appreciated.

[cactusjack]

I have a Nuvi 550, so I can't guarantee this procedure will be the same for the model your wife has. I had to download a browser plugin from Garmin called "Garmin Communicator Plugin". It allows your browser to recognize and talk to the Garmin unit. Once you have that installed, you can go to the HD Ride Planner and if you click on GPS Synchronization, it should detect your GPS unit (connected to your PC with the USB cable) and allow you to download routes to it.

[ndbigfish]

Somewhere there is a problem with the Garmin Communicator Plugin. Is it loaded on the PC or GPS? HD Ride Planner GPS Synchronization, will not detect the GPS unit.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by ndbigfish

Somewhere there is a problem with the Garmin Communicator Plugin. Is it loaded on the PC or GPS? HD Ride Planner GPS Synchronization, will not detect the GPS unit.

It's a plugin (add-on) program that is installed in your browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc). I can't remember if I had to do anything to the GPS, I don't think I did.

[kpmhspirit]

Originally Posted by ndbigfish

Somewhere there is a problem with the Garmin Communicator Plugin. Is it loaded on the PC or GPS? HD Ride Planner GPS Synchronization, will not detect the GPS unit.

You can also save the route as a gpx file to you computer. Then connect your gps and copy the file to the gpx directory or wherever the maps are stored on your gps. At least that's how it works on the Nuvi 550. From the specs, yours should be the same. You should also have mapsource installed on your pc if you updated to the latest maps. I use that almost exclusively now. It has some quirks but is not a bad program once you get used to it. I've found the routes don't come across exactly from HD planner once in a while.

If you update to the latest maps (you're allowed one update for free) it should install the communicator software in one of the steps as you have to connect your unit while you are doing the update.

Also, I recommend copying everything on the gps to your pc or another backup just in case.

Pete

[towering]

I have a garmin 765 and i use the harley site to make up some routes. The harley site will sync with a garmin. I also found out you can do your own routing on the garmin by first plugging in the start and stop points first then you can add different stops. When you add in the extra stops it will ask if its a new stop or a via point. Click yes on the via point and it will reroute you.

[ndbigfish]

Garmin site says the Communicator Plugin is loaded and correct, however the HD Ride Planner sight will not recognize my GPS unit.

[wantakaw59]

Lurking & Learning.. Garmin 255 WT for X mas

[kpmhspirit]

Originally Posted by ndbigfish

Garmin site says the Communicator Plugin is loaded and correct, however the HD Ride Planner sight will not recognize my GPS unit.

I just hooked mine up to HDRP and it recognized it ok. I assume your pc and garmin web site recognize the unit ok? Must be something in HDRP then. Any antivirus, anti-spam stuff? I use zonealarm, avg antivirus and no-script and the latter often prevents sites loading and I have to over ride some settings. Just guessing (hoping!) it may be something like that...

Pete

[ndbigfish]

I disabled the firewall on the security software, but HDRP will not detect the GPS. HDRP says it will recognize "some" Garmin GPS units maybe the Nuvi 1490 isn't one of them. I guess I'll try Mapsource. Thanks for the help Pete and Scott.

[kpmhspirit]

Originally Posted by ndbigfish

I disabled the firewall on the security software, but HDRP will not detect the GPS. HDRP says it will recognize "some" Garmin GPS units maybe the Nuvi 1490 isn't one of them. I guess I'll try Mapsource. Thanks for the help Pete and Scott.

Maybe the 1490 is too new a unit? The other program I play around with once in a while but it's slow on my computer is tyre:

http://www.janboersma.nl/gett/index.php

It started for the Tom Tom, I think, but works ok with the Garmin. Again, you really only need to make a map and save as a gpx file and then copy to your nuvi. I never connect the nuvi to the mapping software. It's faster just to copy after the maps are complete IMO and I'm in control of what goes into the nuvi. The tyre program does use google map or google earth but like I said, I find it slow unless you have a really fast computer. Mine's not the fastest but not slowest either. I guess judge for yourself. Just another option for ya'

A goody I found on the net is a great set of maps for Route 66. It has all the different alignments and side trips. Someone did a great job putting this together. I learned a lot about map source and how routes work and way points, etc. just playing around with these maps.

http://www.historic66.com/gps/garmin/

Pete

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by ndbigfish

I disabled the firewall on the security software, but HDRP will not detect the GPS. HDRP says it will recognize "some" Garmin GPS units maybe the Nuvi 1490 isn't one of them. I guess I'll try Mapsource. Thanks for the help Pete and Scott.

Mapsource will download to my Zumo 550 almost instantly.
The only thing is it takes me forever to plan a route 'cause the Mapsource program is a pain in the ass to use. It should be more like Microsoft Streets and Trips. Unfortunatly S&T will not recognize Garmin.

[dhomoney]

Originally Posted by Pete

Maybe the 1490 is too new a unit? The other program I play around with once in a while but it's slow on my computer is tyre:

http://www.janboersma.nl/gett/index.php

It started for the Tom Tom, I think, but works ok with the Garmin. Again, you really only need to make a map and save as a gpx file and then copy to your nuvi. I never connect the nuvi to the mapping software. It's faster just to copy after the maps are complete IMO and I'm in control of what goes into the nuvi. The tyre program does use google map or google earth but like I said, I find it slow unless you have a really fast computer. Mine's not the fastest but not slowest either. I guess judge for yourself. Just another option for ya'

A goody I found on the net is a great set of maps for Route 66. It has all the different alignments and side trips. Someone did a great job putting this together. I learned a lot about map source and how routes work and way points, etc. just playing around with these maps.

http://www.historic66.com/gps/garmin/

Pete

Tyre is a great program. I used it to map my route out to Ohio back in August and uploaded it to my TomTom Rider2. It works great.

[petenomad]

Originally Posted by wantakaw59

Lurking & Learning.. Garmin 255 WT for X mas

This unit doesn't support downloaded routes. You can download points and then select each in turn and press Go!. If you want to do this, then I suggest you number the points A01, A02, A03, etc. for Route A. Then B01, B02, etc. for Route B.

[petenomad]

Originally Posted by ndbigfish

I disabled the firewall on the security software, but HDRP will not detect the GPS. HDRP says it will recognize "some" Garmin GPS units maybe the Nuvi 1490 isn't one of them. I guess I'll try Mapsource. Thanks for the help Pete and Scott.

Here are some links that may help with MapSource, but you may have to be a forum member to see the first two.
http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?topic=3303.0

http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?topic=265

http://www.bestbikingroads.com/usefu..._Tutorial1.pdf