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Benefits of Using the Garmin Explore Website Compared to BaseCamp With Compatible Handhelds

The Garmin Explore™ website and BaseCamp™ software are compatible with the following products and provide valuable information and tools for the user.

  • Alpha® 200 and 200i dog tracking handhelds

  • Alpha 300 and 300i dog tracking handhelds

  • eTrex® SE outdoor handheld

  • eTrex Solar outdoor handheld

  • eTrex Touch outdoor handheld

  • Foretrex® 801 outdoor device

  • Foretrex 901 Ballistic Edition outdoor device

  • GPSMAP® 64s, 64sc, 64st, 64sx, and 64csx outdoor handhelds

  • GPSMAP 65 and 65s outdoor handhelds

  • GPSMAP 66i, 66s, 66sr, 66st outdoor handhelds

  • GPSMAP 67 and 67i outdoor handhelds

  • GPSMAP H1 and H1i Plus outdoor handhelds

  • Montana® 700, 700i, and 750i outdoor handhelds

  • Montana 710, 710i, and 760i outdoor handhelds

The Garmin Explore web portal allows users multiple feature advantages. In most cases we recommend using the Garmin Explore website for management of user data including waypoints, locations, activities, tracks, and routes.

For a full list of Garmin devices that are compatible with the Garmin Explore website, see Devices That Are Compatible With the Garmin Explore Website. Devices that are currently supported by BaseCamp will continue to be supported in that application.


Garmin Explore Website Advantages and Features

  • Web access from any internet connection

  • Syncing with the Garmin Explore app

  • Free Topo and Aerial maps

  • Advanced Search


Features that Both Garmin Explore Website and BaseCamp Software Offer

  • Import GPX, KML, KMZ

  • Export GPX, KML

  • Organize user data in a library with collections


Features Currently Only Available in BaseCamp Software

  • Viewing maps on the Garmin device

  • Auto road/trail routing

  • Advanced track editing (removing portions of track lines, joining tracks together, etc.)

  • Viewing a profile graph for routes and tracks

  • Viewing detailed statistics about tracks

  • Viewing a 3-D map


When to Use BaseCamp Software Instead of Garmin Explore Website

There are some scenarios in which using BaseCamp software will be more beneficial. One example is if it is simply preferred to have data backed up to a computer instead of a website. However, it can also be advantageous to use BaseCamp software if there is a large amount of data that needs to be stored.

How Much Data is Too Much Data?

There is no specific limit that can be applied in all scenarios, but the following issues may be observed if there is more data being stored than can be processed and displayed effectively on the Garmin Explore website:

  • Tracks do not always appear on the map despite being set to visible in the Library.

  • General decline in website performance (e.g. map is slow to load information).

  • Errors such as Too Much Data or a TrackBlocks error.

If these or similar issues are observed, it may be best to delete old or unnecessary data. If there is data that still needs to be kept long-term, it can be exported from the Garmin Explore website, then imported into BaseCamp before deleting it from the Garmin Explore website.


Exporting Data From the Garmin Explore Website

General steps for exporting data are provided below. For more detailed instructions, see - Exporting Data From the Garmin Explore Website.
  1. Log in to the Garmin Explore website.

  2. Select Map.

  3. Choose the data to export. Visibility is key for what is and is not exported:

    • The Collection or section of the Library (Waypoints, Routes, Tracks) that contains the data being backed up, needs to be set as visible.

      It is visible if this icon is displayed: Eyeball Slash

    • Data from any Collection or section of the Library that you do not want exported, needs to be set as not visible.

      It is not visible if this icon is displayed: Eyeball Slash

  4. Select Clear Filters to export all visible data, or use the Date & Time Range drop-down to select a preset date range or Custom Date Range.  



    Clear Filters Example

    Clear Filters Button Under Map Filters



    Date & Time Range Example

    Explore Map Filters Off

  5. Click Export from the top right corner of the map.

  6. Select GPX.

The chosen data will be exported. The file is typically saved to the Downloads folder of your computer.

NOTE: The export file may not download when using the Safari browser on a Mac computer. If the file does not download, try switching to a different browser.


Importing Data Into BaseCamp Software

  1. Open BaseCamp program.

  2. Select the File drop-down menu from the top toolbar.

  3. Select Import...

  4. Browse to the GPX file location from the Import File window.

  5. Select Open for Windows, or Import for Mac.

Once the GPX file has been loaded, you can organize your data into different lists or folders if desired. For more details, see - Create, Edit, and Delete Lists and List Folders in BaseCamp.


Deleting Data From the Garmin Explore Website

  1. Log in to the Garmin Explore website.

  2. Select Map.

  3. Select Flag WaypointsFootprints TracksPins Routes, or Course line Courses.

  4. Select the item to delete.

    TIP: Use CTRL+Click (Windows), Command+Click (Mac), or Shift+Click (Windows/Mac) to select multiple items.

  5. Select Trash Can.

  6. Select Delete to confirm.

  7. Repeat steps 3 thru 6 to delete additional items as necessary.


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