GPX Versions 1.1 vs 1.2 for Garmin Visually Explained

[Mzokk]

When I use my Garmin devices for navigation for navigation I tend to use GPX1.1 (plus a track of the route) because for me it's more flexible, as I often lead groups and want the option to use route recalculation and to be able to manually skip optional route loops which may or may not contain via points (when time becomes tight). For example, routes round Lochs, Loughs, Lakes or up and down valleys. If using my XT, or my Zumo 390/340 on the other bike, skipping a via point will force a route recalculation and destroy the rest of the route. If you have shaping points then the route is only altered to the next shaping point and the rest of the route is maintained.

This means that quite a few shaping points are required to pin the route to the intended roads. For the XT this is more important as its "Faster Time" routing algorithm now equals "faster roads" whereas the older Zumo 390/340 will route on any road that it determines is producing a "Faster Time" between points. I think this change has been effected as Garmin just use car navigation device firmware and software in their motorcycle units these days. To ensure that routes are pinned for use on my (Now Backup) XT these days I often use the MRA expand function to increase the number of shaping points on a route before I export it to the Zumo XT.

For me the easiest way to avoid all the faff with Garmin units is to use MRA for navigation on my Africa Twin screen then the routes are WYSIWYG. Bottom line is there are no right or wrong answers just find a strategy that gets you where you want to be. This was true even when we used maps some folk marked a line on the map and kept it in a clear pocket on the tank. I made a "tulip road book" with road numbers left and right turns and rough distances in between.......the map only came out when I got lost

[Steve Jarrell]

@Mzokk Excellent points. In an ideal world everyone on a group ride would have the exact same GPS with the current maps and most current sw version. Since that's never going to be the case the lowest common denominator is the track file and that's what I see being distributed most often for these rides.

If you're leading a ride I can see where your 1.1 gpx file route combined with the track file would be a better option than a 1.2 file. I hadn't thought of that before.

Thanks!!

[Carl Lee]

Ok, I've been having another play.

I loaded my local GPX1.2 test route through Tread and with it syncing all the way. I then started a simulation and let it run a little. After a while, I edited the route by adding a couple of shaping points. I was issued with a warning that "editing will discard the route settings and calculate a standard route". Nevertheless, I did it to see what occurred.
This:
It both did and did not destroy the original route. Yes, it went by my new shaping point diversions and then headed for the next via point, discarding the rest of the planned convoluted route to get me there. But - both the original track (obviously) and the original route overlaying it are still there on the XT2 map screen. What I was unable to do on the simulation was to ignore the new route to the via point and rejoin my original just by riding to it. However, what I could do was to stop the route and restart with CEP. Success, the route was still there and it navigated me back to it and onto the rest of my original MRA planned route.

I did try adding another shaping point after my diversion ones, this time back onto the original route but it still wanted to route around and back after it to take me to the next via point. Just a thought but it still gets you onto the route where you can restart with CEP.

I had to know as even though a quick replan with MRA on my iPhone would do the trick easily, there may be that time with no phone signal so it won't open. All worst-case scenario stuff that I've not needed before and it does prove that a replan on the Garmin stops your planned route but it's still there. Schrodinger's route!

[Carl Lee]

@steve-jarrell I lead rides regularly. We're all on MRA so riders can load there route however they like on all the different Garmins that we have. So long as the track is available (which it is) and visible, everyone can see where we are going. None of this "my satnav says down there" anymore. The track don't lie.

If I'm leading, I'm keen to have the best and quickest option available. 1.2 routes load really quickly and don't make their own minds up.

Another con I had found when planning away from home is that plotting a shaping point exactly on the road on either a phone or tablet can be tricky and with GPX1.1 there must be many of them to pin your route. This can often lead to your track being sent over correctly but the route not calculating on the Zumo. The answer is to convert the track to a route but with all the pitfalls. 1.2 seems to calculate through Tread quite easily.

There's probably more to find out but so far, so reasonable.

[Steve Jarrell]

@carl-lee Whether it's 1.1 or 1.2 if you realize their limitations AND you supplement them with the track (that never changes...) you're in good shape.

With 1.2 it is FAR easier to initially create a route in MRA that goes exactly where you intend for it to go on the Garmin. There's absolutely no question about that.

[Steve Jarrell]

@Carl-Lee You are a real glutton for punishment! I assume that it recalculated the entire route as well beyond the next via point. That's the behavior that I've notice while doing my testing.

[Mzokk]

@Steve-Jarrell said:

@Mzokk Excellent points. In an ideal world everyone on a group ride would have the exact same GPS with the current maps and most current sw version. Since that's never going to be the case the lowest common denominator is the track file and that's what I see being distributed most often for these rides.

If you're leading a ride I can see where your 1.1 gpx file route combined with the track file would be a better option than a 1.2 file. I hadn't thought of that before.

Thanks!!

Keeping this lot to a time schedule can be a bit of a challenge, punctures, pees stops long lunches etc>

[Steve Jarrell]

@Mzokk As you get older you'll have to factor in long pee stops as well as long lunches!

[Carl Lee]

@Steve-Jarrell said:

@Carl-Lee You are a real glutton for punishment! I assume that it recalculated the entire route as well beyond the next via point. That's the behavior that I've notice while doing my testing.

I only had the one via point then all I was concerned with, after the extra shaping point diversion, was getting back on to my original route which as mentioned was still there and looking as if it was ready to be navigated (which it wasn't until I performed the CEP magic).

If I'm glutton enough, I might do some more testing but it seems like I've got it where I want it right now. Certainly enough to set off and replan if and where necessary.

[Jim Foster]

I use the app. I do not see an option to export routes created via the app in any particular gpx version. Am I missing something?? FYI I believe all Garmin Zumo units can run tracks unlike car units like the Drive units. That said I much prefer the Drive units especially those with free built in traffic updates. As well I would recommend using BaseCamp for these reasons (versus connecting directly via USB). First it is not more difficult. Either way you are connecting the GPS unit to a computer. Second if you make sure the base map in your computer is the same as the base map in your GPS you can then inspect the route. Want to tweak it now you can. Third you can change waypoints to poi’s as an edit. Forth you can see the track and the route and DELETE the route just sending the track to your motorcycle GPS. Or you can delete and then tell BaseCamp to create a route using the track. That is very handy if you choose to use google MyMaps to create a route and save it as a kml file. Open that in BaseCamp and convert it to a route and off you go. Back to question number 1. What am I missing using the app when it comes to exporting your recommended gpx file type??