How To...

Tracks

  1. What is a track?
  2. Creating a track
  3. Deleting a track
  4. Navigating a track
  5. Transferring a track to/from a Garmin GPSr
  6. Convert one or more tracks into a single IMG map
  7. Common track settings
  8. Track vs Trip Computer

 

 


1. What is a track?

  1. Track Overview

    • An ordered sequence of coordinates that can include additional information such as time, elevation, temperature, heart rate, speed, cadence, etc.

  2. Garmin Definition

    • A track is a set of coordinates connected together (breadcrumb trail) and their associated data (elevation, time, distance, etc.).
    • Tracks are saved in a .GPX file format which can be used for reviewing track data in platforms that read .GPX files.

  3. Application

    • Tracks are used for recording and saving a path that you have taken during an activity such as backpacking, hiking, running, etc.
    • Saved tracks are fixed lines of points connected together that can be used for reviewing where you went, reviewing track data, and for future navigation.
    • Tracks can be used for navigating a fixed path. (When leaving the path, most handhelds will alert you that you are off course, but the path will not be altered to re-route you.)
    • Tracks can be useful for helping you find your way back to your starting location.

  4. Garmin GPSr Track Types

    1. Current Track

      • Track points are accumulated only when the GPSr is powered on and a track recording is active
      • Contains all recorded track segments since last time the track was cleared
      • Contains track points for your current activity
      • Can be cleared at the start of a new activity
      • Will auto-archive older track points when the current track memory is full
      • Most GPSr allow the user to select [Save Track] or [Save Portion] for the current track
      • Can be saved as a Favorite Track or as an Archived Track (see below)

    2. Favorite Track

      • Saved track that has not been archived
      • Can be configured to [Show On Map]
      • Many GPSr allow the user to select [Copy Reversed] for any Favorite track
      • Favorite tracks may be transferred between the GPSr and BaseCamp
      • Favorite tracks can also be shared wirelessly between compatible Garmin GPSr
      • The maximum number of track points for a saved track will vary for each GPSr model
      • Saved only in [GPSr]\Garmin\GPX\ directory
      • Can also be stored in [microSD]\Garmin\GPX\ directory

    3. Archived Track

      • A saved track that has been removed from the Favorite Tracks menu
      • Can not be configured to [Show On Map]
      • Can not be displayed on the map page or navigated
      • Archived tracks may be imported into BaseCamp
      • Archived tracks can not be shared wirelessly between compatible Garmin GPSr
      • Always saved to the [GPSr]\Garmin\GPX\Archive\ directory

  5. Garmin GPSr Track Limits

    • The GPSr can index tracks up to a specified number of track points in length that is unique to each model.
    • Tracks that exceed the maximum number of track points may be truncated and displayed incomplete.
    • While recording a Track, most GPSr will archive the current track and begin a new recording when approaching the maximum track point limit.

  6. Garmin GPSr Track Management

    • Activities completed while the stopwatch is running are automatically archived.
    • Tracks added to the archive folder exist in addition to any saved tracks on the device.
    • When archiving a track stored in the [microSD]\Garmin\GPX\ directory, that track is moved to the [GPSr]\Garmin\GPX\Archive\ directory.
    • Returning a track to favorite status moves the track to the [GPSr]\Garmin\GPX\ directory, not the microSD card.

 

 


2. Creating a track

  1. To enable track recording on a Garmin GPSr without a 'Current Track', 'Current Activity', or 'Recording Controls' page:

  2. To enable track recording on a Garmin GPSr with a 'Current Track', 'Current Activity', or 'Recording Controls' page:

  3. To record a track using GPS elevation values on a Garmin GPSr equipped with a Barometric Pressure Sensor:

    • Open [Setup > Altimeter] and configure:
      • Auto Calibration = Off (prevents altimeter from being recalibrated during track log recording)
      • Barometer Mode = Fixed Elevation (disables barometric pressure derived elevation value recording)
      • Calibrate Altimeter = GPS Altitude (establishes current GPS elevation value baseline)
    • Tip: Clear the current track before starting a new recording!

  4. Example: Creating Tracks with Garmin BaseCamp

  5. Example: Convert a Track into a Route with Garmin BaseCamp

 

 


3. Deleting a track

  1. Open the 'Track Manager' or 'Saved Tracks' page on the GPSr.
  2. Select the desired Track.
  3. Open the Option Menu.
  4. Select 'Delete'.

 

 


4. Navigating a track

  1. See Navigation - Navigating a track

 

 


5. Transferring a track to/from a Garmin GPSr

  1. Transfer tracks manually

    1. To see a list of common track file names, see Data Management - Common Files
    2. Connect your GPSr via USB and copy the desired *.gpx files to/from the device.
      1. The Current track is located in the [GPSr]\Garmin\GPX\Current\ directory.
      2. Favorite (saved) tracks are located in the [GPSr]\Garmin\GPX\ directory.
      3. Archived tracks are located in the [GPSr]\Garmin\GPX\Archive\ directory.

  2. Transfer tracks using BaseCamp

    1. Connect your GPSr via USB and open BasCamp application.
      1. Import track from GPSr using BaseCamp
      2. Export track to GPSr using BaseCamp

  3. Transfer tracks using the 'Share Wirelessly' feature

    1. See Wireless - Share Wirelessly

 

 


6. Convert one or more tracks into a single IMG map

  1. See Create a single IMG map from one or more GPX files

 

 


7. Common track settings

  1. Available settings will vary for each device:

    1. Record Method

      • Distance (may be preferred for slower moving activities to prevent a cluttered track recording)
      • Time (may be preferred for faster moving activities to prevent a loss of track detail)
      • Auto (allows the GPSr to determine when to save track points based on velocity and changes in direction)

    2. Interval

      • Will require trail and error testing to determine which interval works best for the selected Record Method and activity.

    3. Auto Pause

      • Pauses tracking automatically when you stop moving.
      • Tip: When available, choose an activation speed threshold carefully:
        • Selecting a speed that is too low may result in a recording that is never paused.
        • Selecting a speed that is too high may result in a recording that never restarts.

    4. Auto Start

      • Starts recording a track automatically once the device has acquired satellite signals.
      • Tip: Enabling this option when Activity Mode is enabled will prevent the Status Menu from persistently appearing on screen.

    5. Activity Type

      • Has no affect on track recording - Used by Garmin Connect to assign activity category to recorded track.

    6. Output Format

      • Activities (FIT) - records activity with fitness information tailored for Garmin Connect.
      • Tracks (FIT + GPX) - records both an activity and a traditional tracklog file.
      • Tip: GPSr with options for both FIT and GPX files default to FIT only - Be sure to select both if GPX recording is desired!

    7. Auto Archive

      • When Full (device saves current track recording and starts a new recording when maximum track point limit is approached)
      • Daily (device saves current track recording when powered on and a new calendar day is detected)
      • Weekly (device saves current track recording when powered on and a new calendar week is detected)

    8. Auto Save

      • When Full (device saves current track recording and starts a new recording when maximum track point limit is approached)
      • Daily (device saves current track recording when powered on and a new calendar day is detected)
      • Weekly (device saves current track recording when powered on and a new calendar week is detected)
      • Auto (auto saves current recording based on factors such as length of recording and number of track points, etc.)
      • Never (filters current recording when near maximum track point limit, saving redundant data to temporary FIT/GPX file)

    9. Trip Recording

      • 'During Activity or 'When Tracking' (Trip Computer accumulates new data only when track recording is active)
      • Always (Trip Computer always accumulates new data regardless of track recording status)
      • Tip: Do not select 'Always' if you want your Trip Computer Odometer and Track distances to agree with each other!

    10. Recorded Data Reset

      11.
      • Track and Trip (device automatically clears both track and trip data after saving the current track recording)
      • Prompted (device prompts user to select which (if any) data is cleared after saving the current track recording)

 

 


8. Track vs Trip Computer

  1. Why do the Track Distance and Trip Computer Odometer not agree?