Zumo User Forums

My Zumo 550 is getting long in the tooth and I am considering replacing it with a Zumo 396 LMT-S. I detest Basecamp with a passion (steep learning curve for this old fella) and I am wondering , can I still use Mapsource with the new unit?

I'm guessing I will miss out on a lot of features of Basecamp, but until I learn that software, I would really like to keep using Mapsource.

Thanks for any and all advice;
Gord

Yes, all new devices can be used with MapSource provided you switch them from mtp to mass storage mode

I've recently made the same journey from 550 to 396LMTS and so far I'm delighted with it.

Like you, I hated Basecamp and before buying the 396 had been designing routes in Google Maps, converting with GPS Visualizer which created files that Basecamp could open as a Track, convert to a Route and load to the 550. Phew! But...

But... since spending a bit of time learning about Basecamp using the excellent guides from New England Riders and Garmin Guru (see the "learning & using Basecamp" thread in the Basecamp for PC section of this forum), I'm a changed man. Well worth giving it a go.

VA3TWT wrote: ↑Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:34 pm My Zumo 550 is getting long in the tooth and I am considering replacing it with a Zumo 396 LMT-S. I detest Basecamp with a passion (steep learning curve for this old fella) and I am wondering , can I still use Mapsource with the new unit?

I'm guessing I will miss out on a lot of features of Basecamp, but until I learn that software, I would really like to keep using Mapsource.

Thanks for any and all advice;
Gord

Thanks Fitz! I will have a look at that thread. Maybe I will get it through my thick skull yet. Are you liking the 396LMTS?

Gord

Hi,

If you can use MapSource, then the switch to BaseCamp is not that huge. It does take a change from a file point of view to a database point of view. It is worth struggling, and fighting with it.

I have had to switch, and enjoyed a love hate relationship with BaseCamp. That was until I understood how things worked. The old Zumoforums helped out, and a large number of the old crew have signed up here. So if you have questions, ask. I am sure there is someone who can help.

Stupid questions rarely not exist, stupid answers exist frequently. A question means you do not understand soemthing.

Best regards
Sleuth

I too struggled with Basecamp but with the help of you tube videos I have started to figure it out!

Its well worth learning to use it

But as [mention]Fitz[/mention] says have a look at this thread
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=12

Yeah, I'm in the "struggled with BC" camp too but the newenglandriders tutorial is what made it make sense to me. The file system is a little goofy & takes some getting used to but it makes sense, sort of.

I have printed the newenglandriders tutorial and will have a read. Thanks for all the tips and encouragement.

Gord

I would suggest that you don't just "have a read" of the tutorial. Set aside a couple of hours and start from the beginning of the tutorial with Basecamp open and follow the tutorial step by step doing them on your computer & GPS. The tutorial was developed from classes we've taught and it's meant to be a step by step guide - not as a reference material.

Thanks Breezly,will do.