GARMIN INSTINCT SOLAR COURSE IMPORT // Import routes from GAIAGPS, Caltopo, or other GPX files

[@OutsideChronicles]

It is easy to load courses and routes to the Garmin Instinct Solar. The Garmin Connect maps are really good in town, but their backcountry maps are not as good as GaiaGPS or Caltopo. Do you have an Android? I need your help to see if you can do the "share" between GaiaGPS and Connect.

[@bucky716]

Thanks for the videos on the Instinct!! Now that I'm out more I've realized I'd like to look at my phone less even to just verify the path I'm on. So many videos on the Instinct ignore this feature completely. I was thinking the Fenix was what I needed but this will get the job done. The Fenix does look amazing if one can afford it but that's a big jump in price.

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure, I use the watch to keep me on my path and my phone with Avenza or Gaia to see my progress.

[@jeffreymaskrod8758]

Thanks for sharing this. I just got the Garmin Instinct 2 and we are taking our first trip to the Grand Canyon next week. I have planned out a few day hikes there and a few “practice” hikes locally so that I am sure I can properly use my watch

[@OutsideChronicles]

Have a great trip, it will be epic.

[@ArianaZayn]

Thank you my friend u deserve so much more views, very underated very useful.

[@OutsideChronicles]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@dirtbagoutside]

Awesome. Just saved this and I am gonna watch it after I dig myself out of foot and a half of snow.. And counting more..... Thanks for doing these about the watch. I love mine so far but still learning it and these help.

[@OutsideChronicles]

I’m from Buffalo, we are kind of used to a couple of feet. But we have not had anything from this Nor’easter. Glad the videos are helpful. Stay warm!

[@rosswilson424]

This is Golden, I rarely comment on videos, thanks, gonna see if komoot does the same

[@OutsideChronicles]

Cool, thanks for the comment, hope the info helps setup your routes!

[@DavidParsons3]

This was very helpful! Thank you! Well put together!

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure, thanks for the kind words, see you outside!

[@cyeejen]

Hi. Thank you for this video. I managed to load course map to my watch. But I have a question. Will this take up space/ data storage in my watch?

[@OutsideChronicles]

Great question, GPX files and routes are very small. I had to look it up: “On new Instinct there is ~13 MB (of 16MB) free memory fo activities. So there is enough place for 350+ hours of recorded activities (smart GPS!). One hour of GPS smart recording with HR takes ~50 kB of memory. So there is enough place for 260+ hours of recorded activities (smart GPS + HR!).”

[@brentthorp2383]

Again Thank you, from a baby boomer I'm almost there. cheers

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure, glad it helped!

[@Denvercoder]

Thanks, this was a life saver.

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure

[@drumer789]

Can us use All Trails as well? If so what map format is most optimized for Garmin? Thanks

[@OutsideChronicles]

Yes, AllTrails has a function to export your track as a GPX. GPX files are usually pretty universal and compatible.

[@titomartinn]

Very useful thanks 🙏🏼

[@OutsideChronicles]

Glad it was helpful! See you outside!

[@anthonybeckman9665]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@OutsideChronicles]

My pleasure, see you outside!

[@lokpok4077]

This is very useful, thanks a lot. And thanks for the tip on Gaia app, it looks promising (never heard of those guys before). One question that I have though. I tried creating and starting a rather simple course (around 7miles) on my Garmin Instinct Solar I immediately got a warning about 50 course points limit that has been exceeded. It also told me that 103 points won't be shown as a result. I take it, my course had 153 points/ Is this a problem? Was the course map compromised due to the optimization?

[@OutsideChronicles]

It should not be a major issue. Did you create the course with Garmin Connect or did you import it from another tool? I have experienced this and it did not change the route or overall distance.

[@newfoundland582]

This is all great information! But do you know of a way to create a custom course without relying on it snapping to the predetermined trail? I have some areas I'd like to chart a course for but there are no trails as such in the area. Thanks!!

[@OutsideChronicles]

Yes, depending on the tool. If you are using Garmin Connect (Training & Planning->Courses). When you create a Course, by default it is set to "Follow Popular Routes". You can change it to Freehand on the left side. Similar in Caltopo, when you add a line, there is a dropdown menu that pops up in top let to change the "Snap To". Default is probably OSM, change it to None. Gaia will allow you to do freehand or snapping without a setting, their snapping is based on where you place the circles when building a route. Hope this helps!

[@newfoundland582]

@@OutsideChronicles thank you so much! I've been trying to find an answer to this question for a while now. Liked and subscribed 👍

[@jeffweber3295]

Nice video. I have a question, I am wanting to get an Instinct for training and as a back up gps. I bikepack 60 to 100 kms a day as I understand the watch could only save 50 points, so not very far. Do you know if thats true or experianced not being able to download a longer course.Thanks

[@OutsideChronicles]

I have not run into any distance limits or point limits with courses made on Connect, or imported in from GaiaGPS or Caltopo.

[@ballsolove]

Fantastic! This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@RDJim]

Do you suppose this would work to export to a handheld Garmin GPS?

[@OutsideChronicles]

It might. I do not have a handheld GPS, but I know that most of those devices use tracks which are a series of points, not lines like routes. If you import s GPX file into Garmin Explore, you can actually convert it to a course and then a track. The GaiaGPS GPX file imports as a route into Garmin Explore. Here is Garmin's explanation: support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=v0rJAHy2hq3prHjRlxdRw5 Hope this helps!

[@bcloetta]

Does the map track you while hiking?

[@mradomski]

Yes, it will track you. If you have a route loaded it will show your location on the route and alert you when you are off route. If you just track your hike, it will give you a bread crumb trail back to the trailhead.

[@motoholyness8795]

My alltrails and garmin app connect but it doesn't seem to upload the maps I saved to the watch

[@OutsideChronicles]

You have to “send to device” under Courses either in the mobile app or website.

[@mrshcherbakoff]

Hi! I try to create the route, but the route`s line doesn`t snap to existing roads and I can`t find any button like "snap". Could you please give me any advice?

[@OutsideChronicles]

Are you using the web or app? Mine snaps automatically with both. On the app, the first pin look like a start symbol in green, then the next pins snap.

[@mrshcherbakoff]

​@@OutsideChronicles I figured out a little bit more. Tried the web and the app. It really snaps by itself, finally I`ve seen it ) But somewhere it doesn`t. Perhaps this is a bug/feature of the region where I am now. Anyway, thx for reply.

[@puddlebarf]

Garmin connect isn't showing up in my export menu and I cannot figure out how to fix it. App has full permissions

[@OutsideChronicles]

I have an iPhone. When I export, I need to scroll to the right and select More. Then I find Connect. Hope this helps, see you outside.

[@Misterrangergaming]

I have the same problem. Even in the More menu, Garmin Connect is not showing up. Found any fix?

[@mradomski]

@@Misterrangergaming There must be something weird with the latest update. Mine still shows up in the menu. Have you restarted your phone? I would also try deleting and reinstalling Connect.

[@puddlebarf]

@@Misterrangergaming thats what was happening to me. I ended up just saving the .gpx file to my phone from gaia instead of exporting it and then going to my downloads and opening it. When you open a .gpx you can choose which app to open it with and Garmin Connect showed up on that list for me.

[@richardpochman6406]

Thanks for this hint buddy

[@equaliser2265]

i moved from gshock to garmin instict solar

[@OutsideChronicles]

Cool, did you have their smartwatch version?

[@aqua.scape69]

Say snaps to the trail again. 😂😂