Hey everyone I just bought a new Garmin 600t few days ago and have been playing around with it and getting familiarized with all the settings and maps. I initially got an older garmin that I really did not fancy so ended up selling that and getting this one. I usually navigate with a map and compass but this year I wanted to bring in a GPS to track my route and also navigate myself in the BWCA with this bad boy. This will be my third year going to the BWCA so I am pretty excited :).

After setting up basecamp I have must say I really like how it works, i have downloaded the bwca-camp file and the portage gpx and I have loaded them into the 600t.



I was wondering how do you guys usually follow a gps up there in the bwca. Do you use a waypoint and go there by a Point-to-point navigation? I guess I am trying to figure out how I should be using the gps when I go up there this year.

Here is a shot of the same area in my gps



Thanks

Looks good! I do not navigate by GPS. Do record tracks and check position on maps I use. If I'm in poor visibility I may set it to point to a campsite or portage landing. Mine goes into a RamMount on the foot brace or thwart and stays the thru the trip.
BaseCamp is good program and fun to use.

An overlay of Fisher map made in GoogleEarth saved as .kmz and displayed over PaddleNav.

butthead

Wow I really like the overlay of the fisher map. I downloaded something similar and loaded it up on google earth. I was not sure if you can load .kmz on basecamp. I was trying to convert the kmz into a gpx but that was not working.

So usually when you use the gps you just put it in map mode? When you set it to point, then you just follow the gps compass?

I have used only a GPS the last few years, maps and compass stay in the pack. If I'm going from lake to lake I make a route and move from point to point. If I'm staying on a lake I just have the map up and I can see where I am, mark fish on the map. Then if I'm catching a lot of fish I can see a pattern of where the fish are.

"So usually when you use the gps you just put it in map mode? When you set it to point, then you just follow the gps compass?"

Yes that's just how I use it.

butthead

quote butthead: "Looks good! I do not navigate by GPS. Do record tracks and check position on maps I use. If I'm in poor visibility I may set it to point to a campsite or portage landing. Mine goes into a RamMount on the foot brace or thwart and stays the thru the trip.
BaseCamp is good program and fun to use.


An overlay of Fisher map made in GoogleEarth saved as .kmz and displayed over PaddleNav.


butthead"

Were you able to open the .kmz in basecamp?

Also how do you like the RAM mount? I am thinking of getting one. Which combo are you using?

Thanks
Adibee

quote Savage Voyageur: "I have used only a GPS the last few years, maps and compass stay in the pack. If I'm going from lake to lake I make a route and move from point to point. If I'm staying on a lake I just have the map up and I can see where I am, mark fish on the map. Then if I'm catching a lot of fish I can see a pattern of where the fish are.
"

The route method sounds very interesting. I might create a route on basecamp and try to load it into my gps if it allows me to.

Yes, fun to play with BWCAW maps on a winter day. adibee, here is a thread where I describe in detail the RAM mount I use with my Garmin 62t.

If I have a definate path I will travel the "track draw" tool feature on Base camp is used on the computer before leaving home. Once loaded into the GPS the track can be set to "show on map." All of your tracks can be set to show on map. When you have routes only one route can be activated at a time, at least on all the units I have used.

If you are drawing a track in Base camp be sure to zoom in close so you are not cutting across narrow penisulas that may not show on the map at wider views. With your track showing on the map screen it is easy to navigate island studded lakes. This really useful on foggy mornings. I like it best because it allows me to enjoy the scenery.

"Were you able to open the .kmz in basecamp?
Also how do you like the RAM mount? I am thinking of getting one. Which combo are you using?"

Yes for the .kmz.
My RamMount is very secure, I like it. But I use a Delorme PN60 when paddling. cradle mount. My mount is discontinued bolt on otherwise similar.

butthead

Seems like alot of people are going with a RAM mount. I never heard about them before but after some research I see alot of good reviews.

I was looking at this mount initially: iSaddle® CH-152-160 Garmin Mount

Then there is the RAM one:
RAM Oregon 600 mount