Franklinton resident Trey Riley fits into his surroundings even better than the game that frequently finds itself in his sights.
Dear Capt. Paul:
I attended your GPS seminar in Slidell on March 31, and learned a lot of general info as well as many pointers on how to use my new Garmin 76CSX while fishing. It has been a long time since I enjoyed a presentation that much.
One of the things you mentioned is that it is better to convert a track to a route before downloading it in anticipation of the next trip to the same area. I can’t find any way in MapSource to do this easily. I did one point-by-point, but it takes a lot of time when twisting through bayous. Is there a better way?
Again, thank you, and I’m sure I’ll have more questions as I learn (and fish) more.
Tom Bubrig
Capt. Paul’s response:
I am pleased to hear that you liked my GPS presentation. Hopefully, it allowed you to have a better understanding of how your unit works, which will in turn allow you to use it to its fullest potential.
You are correct in wanting to save the track as a route, as the unit can then use all of its features to keep you on course.
In order to convert a track (Track Back) to a route, first save the current track as a TRACK. Assign it a name that is related to the area in which it was laid.
Then connect the GPS unit to your computer with the MapSource program on and running. Then by activating the TRANSFER button on the top of the MapSource tool bar, a drop-down window will appear. Select RECEIVE FROM GPS UNIT, which will cause another drop-down window to appear. Check the TRACKS box on the screen, and then select the track that you want to transfer to the MapSource program.
Once selected, the track should load into the program in a matter of seconds.
Then before doing anything else, save the track to a folder that you created. I suggest something like MY DOCUMENTS/ GPS INFO/ TRACKS.
While creating that folder make three others: MY DOCUMENTS/ GPS INFO/ EDGE files; MY DOCUMENTS/ GPS INFO/ ROUTES; and MY DOCUMENTS/ GPS INFO/ MY WAYPOINTS.
Save the track file to the TRACKS folders, giving it the same name you did when saving it in the GPS unit.
Then activate the ROUTE TOOL from the tool bar. It looks like three small squares connected by fine red lines.
Now note the track, and superimpose the route over the existing track that is showing on the MapSource map. When marking waypoints for the route, you may not have to place one exactly where the track points are located, but you will need one in the turns where — remember our classroom discussion on placing route waypoints — you cannot see the location where the last waypoint was placed. The exception being when it is a straight-line course and the distance is over a mile.
Once you have completed the route, save it to a file under the ROUTE folder, using the same name as you previously selected.
Then download the route into your GPS unit. And after checking that you did in fact save the TRACK to a file, Delete the track in the GPS unit.
By saving the track as a file, you can restore it should the need arise or use it as a backup.
