Track Logs on Nuvi 500

[KobusDJ]

I can not find the specification regarding track logs for the Nuvi 500. I checked the manual as well.

(The Oregon 450 specifies 10,000 points, 200 saved tracks)

Can the Nuvi 500 save track logs? If yes, how many and can I download them to MapSource?

[KobusDJ]

I did some searching and found this on the Garmin FAQ page:


Question: What is a trip log and how does it work on a nuvi or zumo device?

Answer:
Trip logs are points automatically stored when the GPS device is locked onto a satellite signal and moving. It is the electronic equivalent of laying down a "breadcrumb trail" to mark the path that has been traveled.

Your nuvi or zumo can store 10,000 points before it begins the process of archiving additional logs.* Beyond 10,000 points the device moves the oldest trip data into an internal archive file. Up to 20 archive files can be stored internally on the unit. This means, depending on space available, that the device can store over 200,000 points of trip data.

Note: Archived trip log information is not visible on the device itself, but can be used and seen with Garmin's MapSource product. You can open individual archives to view in MapSource by following the steps below:
1.Open the Garmin device drive located in My Computer. [Note: If using a Mac, the Garmin drive will be located on the Desktop.]
2.Open the Garmin folder.
3.Open the GPX folder.
4.Open the Archive folder.

Each archived GPX file can be opened in the MapSource program.
Note: While some Garmin devices such as the zumo come with the necessary mapping software to install MapSource, it will be necessary to purchase a Garmin mapping product in order to view an archived log from your device on your computer.

*The Archive file feature can be found on the following devices:

• nuvi 500 series
• nuvi 705 series
• nuvi 800 series
• nuvi 805 series
• nuvi 12/13/14/1600 series
• nuvi 3700 series
• zumo 200/400/500/600 series

Anyone (using their GPS extensively) who can confirm that they see 1.gpx, 2.gpx, 3.gpx ..... (up to 20.gpx, depending on how many archived files) in the archive folder.
EDIT: I believe the latest firmware save the auto-archive as [timestamp].gpx

[WynandV]

Just adding to this...... can the nuvi 500 plot a route while driving so that you can save that route?

[A.J.]

Just adding to this...... can the nuvi 500 plot a route while driving so that you can save that route?

As far as I know yes!

[WynandV]

Okay...... how do you do it? do you use the back track function and then save the route.... or is there another way?

[KobusDJ]

Yes, that will be the track log.

EDIT: You don't have to save.... it auto saves.

[WynandV]

I know about the track log, but that's not what I'm talking about.....

What I mean is, can the Nuvi500 plot a route that you can save for a specific trail.

For example: you drive a route from your house to the caprivi and back (with a lot of offroading iow driving on terrain not plotted on your GPS maps). Can you save that route to drive that EXACT same route in the future again......?

[AdriaanO]

With Mapsource you can download from the Garmin and to the Garmin. Your problem is that when you reach your limitation of space it starts overwriting your first points.

I can track about a thousand KM but then it starts forgetting where i started from. The alternative is to download the tracks (i use my photo laptop) and connect the daily tracks on Mapstudio. That way i have my whole 7300km track on record including 4x4 trails on the waay

[KobusDJ]

See my second post. When the current log file is full (10 000 points) it moves the data to an internal archive file (and will do up to 20 archives). You have to retrieve these files manually and open them up in Mapsource. You can download the current trip logs with Mapsource.

The Nuvi cannot save tracks (like the Oregon)

You cannot load tracks back onto the Nuvi (like the Oregon)

You can convert the tracks to routes with GpsBabel, but because routes are limited to 250 points (I think), you end up with a messy data.

@WhyNot. You will not be able to do what you asked. (on the Nuvi)

[WynandV]

See my second post. When the current log file is full (10 000 points) it moves the data to an internal archive file (and will do up to 20 archives). You have to retrieve these files manually and open them up in Mapsource. You can download the current trip logs with Mapsource.

The Nuvi cannot save tracks (like the Oregon)

You cannot load tracks back onto the Nuvi (like the Oregon)

You can convert the tracks to routes with GpsBabel, but because routes are limited to 250 points (I think), you end up with a messy data.

@WhyNot. You will not be able to do what you asked. (on the Nuvi)

Thanks Kobus, much appreciated

[RoelfleRoux]

The Nuvi cannot save tracks (like the Oregon)

Kobus,
My Nuvi 500 can save tracks.

[A.J.]

Kobus,
My Nuvi 500 can save tracks.

How do you do it

[KobusDJ]

Kobus,
My Nuvi 500 can save tracks.

I may be wrong, but as far as I know you can only save the tracklogs by downloading it from the Nuvi to MapSource..... and you cannot upload it back to the Nuvi.

How do you permanently save tracks on the Nuvi? Can you recall them at any time in the future? If it is possible, I will buy one in stead of the Oregon.

[RoelfleRoux]

Kobus,
The GPS is at home in my study at the moment. When I get there this afternoon, I'll follow the menu and post it here.

In broad terms, after traveling a route you go to "backtrack" and save that route under a name. At any later date, you can recall that route and the GPS then gives you an option to go to start or end of that route.

I've only had the GPS for a short time now and still learning the tricks. Have managed to download a track to Basecamp and from there to Google Earth. On a recent recce in our mountains, I identified waypoints on Google Earth that would help me to find the old tracks I want to follow. I couldn't get those points back to Basecamp or the GPS (I blame my poor ability to cope with modern technology), but in the end had to type the co-ords into the GPS. The end result was a great success and I could find the old tracks I was looking for and that track is now saved in my GPS and is downloaded onto my Google Earth at home.

Cheers
Roelf

[KobusDJ]

Thanks Roelf.

I have once read about the "track back" -> "save to favorites" method, but was not sure how/if it works.

Do you know if you can save more than one track to the favorites?

[RoelfleRoux]

Kobus,
I have saved two tracks so far (there are posts where the memory capability has been discussed, but I think it is quite a bit).
One is along the highway to the in-laws in Honeydew (just a very early test on the GPS) and the other was last week as described above.

The other nice feature is the fact that you leave a trail on the GPS as you move, and can at any time visibly follow that trail back. This means you can wander around in the bush and take any old track while exploring and then see your whole route and can zoom in and start following it back to camp. This feature has a limitation of about 1000km (also based on info passed around on this forum)

Hope this helps.
Roelf

[A.J.]

How can I see the tracks I create in mapsource and then transfer it to my gps?? Does the nuvi 500 have this function?

I only find the waypoints under favourites but no track as I plotted it in mapsource.

Ps. Its not a route its the tracks that im stuggling with?

[Spook]

I can be wrong, but I don't think tracks is downloadable. Only routes. You can upload tracks from your Nuvi. Me thinks!!

[Derick]

Hi,

None of the Nuvi units allow tracks to be loaded to it. So you can not load a track from Mapsource to any currently available Nuvi.

You can however download it from the unit into Mapsource.

Derick

[A.J.]

Thanks Derick

What is the cheapest GPS I can get thats got this function to load tracks from mapsource. I don't need anything fancy I just want to use it in conjuction with my nuvi 500?