Is Basecamp the same as Garmin drive? That’s what we use when we want to send a route to our 890.

Basecamp is downloaded to my computer for planning. I started with Basecamp before switching to just using the GPS device only. I downloaded the Garmin Drive app to my phone for traffic and weather but haven’t tried using it for planning yet. Do you send each fuel and camping stop to the GPS device as you route your trip or does it transfer as a whole trip?

Another problem with Basecamp that I had is that I couldn’t get the transfer to work with a USB 3.0 to USB C adapter. According to Garmin CS, a hub might work if the adapter doesn’t.

BR549 -- I've used Basecamp for a long time for motorcycle trip planning and now (obviously) RV trips. 30 point limit? I'm surprised that's never come up (for me). Perhaps it's because I use shaping points in lieu of waypoints for anything other than actual stops?

Basecamp is frustrating different from other programs you've probably used, so don't be discouraged if it takes a bit to learn it's idiosyncrasies. If I can help with specific questions fire away in this thread.

Howard

Thanks, Howard. The big mystery about Basecamp is why it insists on routing through places like downtown Dallas instead of one of at least six alternatives that would be easier and even shorter. I would think that a RV specific GPS would try to avoid major intersections and interchanges when there are state and federal highways that are less congested. It does this using either fastest or shortest route.

Then there isn’t an intuitive way to change the route. When I try to grab the route and move it, up pops something like “Joe’s Garage” as part of the route.

In planning fuel stops, I need to stop about every 250 miles. I can’t find an easy way to find that point on a route.

There are probably simple solutions, it’s just taking a while to figure out Garmin’s logic.

I have recently started using the Garmin 890 GPS and have found it to be pretty easy to use. When traveling or even prior to setting up routes and stops is becoming easier as I use it. I have not used BaseCamp though.

Brian

I rarely use Basecamp's suggested route. I create a route using the starting and destination points, then "tweak" from there by using the Insert tool to add shaping points. Each of these new shaping points must be verified by zooming in as close as possible to ensure they are on the correct side of a divided highway and/or not out in the weeds. (It does it quite often unfortunately.) Shaping points are also vital to ensure that what is created in Basecamp transfers to the Garmin device, as each has it's own algorithm to choose the best route. Don't get fooled--without a lot of specific shaping points the Garmin GPS will often choose a "better" route. It's very frustrating until it's clear what's happening.

For fuel stops, I typically use the Open Roads app to find the best fuel rates along the way and stop where it will cost the least, not necessarily the "right" mileage. If there's no affiliated fuel stop on my route I'll use Google Maps to track down an appropriate stop. Best way I've found to transfer info from Google Maps is to right-click on a location and copy the GPS location. Then go into Basecamp and use FIND > LOCATE COORDINATES... Paste in the GPS location and make it a waypoint. Then rename the waypoint as desired.

I haven't watched all of the videos, but I know of "Cruiseman's Garage" since he's a Goldwing guy. I have no doubt watching his series will be well worth the time investment.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...kPQTXoR-rxokZQ

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We drove almost 500 miles today and it looks like Garmin will spend the rest of the trip in the glovebox. I shaped the route exactly as I wanted and chose the setting that Garmin should not automatically optimize the route.

But before we left the driveway, Garmin ignored my route and started recommending a local road with dangerous curves and intersections instead of the route that was input. Garmin couldn’t get back on track. It kept telling us to U-turn for miles until I finally shut it off.

Later, when we reached Amarillo, it again ignored my route and started giving me directions through an area that is more congested than what I had chosen.

When I look at the route on the Garmin, it’s exactly as I laid it out.

Maybe it is user error. But back to paper highway maps. They’re not perfect, but they are not annoying.

BR549

i can sympathize with your frustration with Garmin . . . particularly the parts about routing through the downtown center of cities when there is an alternate route and insisting over and over on returning to its selected route. I picked up on your first comment about this being a “refurbished” unit. I wonder if there is something programmed in from the previous use? I ran a Garmin 760 for several years and each required map update seemed to bring more problems into the route planning process. Not that this helps your current situation . . . but you are not alone in your Garmin frustration . . . there are better alternatives.

Rob

After 4500 miles using (or trying to use) the Garmin RV890, I believe that I gave it more than enough time to prove its worth. Even though the device doesn't fit my needs, it provided a valuable learning experience.

Maybe it was more of a user problem than a problem with the device. After all, I have an inborn resistance to following anything (or anyone) without question and without knowing why I'm being led in a particular direction. The final responsibility for the success or failure of any trip rests with the person planning the route.

Repeatedly, the Garmin would start me on a route that was not the route that I put into the device and did this right up to the last hour of the trip. Unlike the RV890, I know to stay off of our local county roads when hauling a trailer, no matter how much shorter the route.

So that was the root of my concern? If it is giving me questionable advice near home, what is it doing when I'm 2,000 miles away on mountainous and unfamiliar roads? I found no conditions or obstructions along the planned route that would have made an alternate route necessary.

Before abandoning the RV890, I spent time on the phone with Garmin's tech assistance working through possible setting changes that might ease my concerns. The folks at Garmin were very helpful, but in the end, I have to use what I feel is the most reliable. And that is paper maps with a little assistance from maps on a cell phone. They did say that Garmin is working to replace Basecamp with something else.

Something that I learned on this trip is to always contact the state highway departments to find out about road construction along the route. Construction didn't show up on the RV890 or iPhone until we were approaching the work. With a little advance knowledge, we would have chosen a different route (and even different camping stops) in Montana.

I also found that Coach Net has a compilation of low clearance bridge information for each state. I was able to check my route against the table to reduce the chances of surprises along the route.

Another feature of the RV890 is warnings of steep grades. We really didn't run into grades that were steep enough to cause concern. The most was a little more than 8% which the diesel engine with exhaust brake handled with no problem.

As long as I can still get up-to-date paper maps of each state, I guess we are good to make an even longer trip next year.

We typically look at our route with the Garmin GPS, Google Maps, Ford built-in GPS, and paper maps. Quite often, we'll get multiple routes to follow. If all of them agree, then that's a pretty safe bet. Sometimes I just feel like throwing all the electronics and using our atlas like I used in the 1970's - 1990's.