Using Courses on the Garmin GPSMAP 66 Series

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The 9.60 firmware update brings course functionality to the Garmin GPSMAP 66 series. Courses are a bit of a hybrid between tracks and routes. In this video, I'll show you how to create a course and then navigate it using your GPSMAP 66 series device.
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[@smeeglesapprentice1468]

Not sure if the functionality has changed since you made this video, but to me the route seems a lot more useful than a course. A course offers no turn by turn directions and a belated off track alarm. If I just want to stay on a line the track seems more functional. I'm having a hard time seeing why Garmin is pushing courses other than a course may self-adjust in calculation to a change / update in the map - not sure if a route would do this.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea going to do an update to this video shortly. I wish they were more together and consistent across products.

[@smeeglesapprentice1468]

@@Hikingguy I just created a 1.2 mile course in Garmin Connect (web) and synched it directly from Connect on the iPhone to the 67i. I went out to navigate the course to get a feel for the unit and navigation stopped right away because the course had more than 50 points. Clearly Garmin's own software called it a course, but treated it like a route. This could have left someone SOL. I then plotted the course on the 67i directly. It was fine until I went off course. There were no off course notifications and instead of putting me back on course, the 67i started over from the beginning of the course when I was half way through it. I don't love the idea of relying on my iPhone as primary, but Gaia GPS is looking better and better (and better).

[@smeeglesapprentice1468]

Just to follow up. I realized my new 67i was truly nerfed when it only navigated to a course that I deleted from the unit no matter which course I chose. I did a hard reset and finally hooked it up to Garmin Express. The apps were telling me everything was up to date, but Garmin Express downloaded new maps and possibly other things. After that everything has worked flawlessly. I would still use the Explorer app over the glitchy Explorer web based app, but the unit is working as expected and the iphone app seems to work pretty well.

[@skydiver350]

Similar experience with my 66sr : The off course alarm seems to go off about 100 feet of course while the on course notification is much preciser. The Audio Turn Warnings don't go off on my device during (hiking) course, track and route. Many thanks for this and all your other helpful videos!

[@mcmaeder]

Another good video. Very well explained!

[@nathanjsimpson]

No question but do love that image behind you, very educational. And the video was too. Thanks

[@bddellow]

Heading to Yosemite for a five day backpacking trip. We have always used old fashion maps (scout trips). However, I have decided to go digital so if I have a question I can see if I’ve gotten off trail and have a history of what we actually hiked. I was actually thinking of just going with the inReach Mini2 and use it with my phone. What are your thoughts on that versus a more full featured device like this?

[@Hikingguy]

That will work but you don't have any maps on the device - you need to use the connected Explore app for maps and context. If it's a backup for paper, that will probably be fine. You might want to get a Gaia GPS premium membership, which will give you many more map layers, fire layer, smoke, etc.

[@trippy1v349]

So it seems like it doesn’t do turn by turn navigation like a route and instead it just tells you when you approach a point? Great work by the way! I really like how much detail you put into each video.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, exactly, no turn-by-turns on the 66, but you def get them when using courses on other devices like the Fenix/Epix/Edge. And thank you! 🙏

[@mcmaeder]

Danke!

[@Hikingguy]

Big big BIG thank you!

[@WeeSmidgen]

Another great video, thanks

[@johnbarbarite6120]

Found navigating a course very annoying. I created a track in CalTopo and exported it to Basecamp and then to my GPSmap66. On the GPSmap66 I converted the track to a course. I then loaded the course and started navigating. Every point made when creating the track popped up on the GPSmap as "approaching point Enter to Dismiss" After 5 or six alerts I stopped navigating the course and loaded the track to avoid all the alerts. On this track there were over 30 points and having to stop at each alert to dismiss it was a PITA. Garmin needs to allow alerts to be disabled.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea it doesn't seem like they've property addressed all the cases when porting it over to the GPSMAP. It seems to work best when planning on Explore or Connect, but otherwise not so great.

[@stephaniehenson7710]

Thanks for this great video. I’ve been navigating with my Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar, but it’s time to replace my Delorme InReach SE, and I’ve been thinking about getting the GPSMAP 66i. I know it came out in 2019. You mentioned the next model a couple of times; do you know if Garmin is likely to release a new updated model in 2022?

[@Hikingguy]

I don't know if a new model is coming out soon, I wish I had some inside info. Just speculating based on the fact that these are a few years old now. If your Delorme is still going strong, I might wait until the next model comes out.

[@adamwifi7516]

What would you recommend for a couple of older couple that need glasses :-), we do 2-5 hours hiking, no need for fancy stuff, just to make sure we are on the right course and trail? Hand held is fine, as long as there are not too many bells and whistles we do not need, up to $400.00~ and no subscription will do, buttons or touch screen both OK. I saw your Apple v7 review and since we are in the Apple Echo system as you call it, was wondering if it would be a good choice Thank you

[@Hikingguy]

If you have Apple products and you aren't out in extreme weather conditions, you can just use your iPhone with a pro Gaia GPS subscription. You can download your maps for offline and use your phone to see if you are in the right place. It's probably the best solution for most folks.

[@45thnewsbrigade-tacticalop60]

As you walk along the path dos the arrow move with you in real time like a GPS map in a car does

[@brocwavra8813]

My new 67i lays a trail like it is creating a trail of breadcrumbs. I did not do this intentionally but did lay waypoints on my trip. Can I just find that trail and follow it?

[@grahamriley8124]

I have a GPSMAP66st and this isn’t working for me. I am sending to device, it opens on device with a long calculation time and I can see the map accurately. Once I press go like you do then the course converts to something I did not plan! Like miles away! Just did it again and it is not working. Doing the course on the unit works well and I get turn by turn although I am set up for cycling. Not great that I cannot plan at the moment.

[@paganphil100]

Is there any difference between a route and a course (apart from the file-type)?

[@jplimages]

??? So I did a test on my Montana 700i and I’m a bit confused. I created a small course on the Explore app that had 7 points. Easy enough. When I sync my Montana however the created course only appears with my first and last point (2 out of 7 points show up) I get that routes give you an audible alarm at the points created but in this video you make it sound like you can follow all the points in your course. Doesn’t seem to be the case with the Montana 700i. Wondering if I’m forgetting to toggle something in the settings ??? Hopefully it’s that simple.

[@Hikingguy]

make sure your routing settings are set to follow course and not straight line

[@CrunchyTire]

Course Planner had to be enabled in settings to show up in the main menu for some reason unknown to every human in existence.

[@Hikingguy]

ha yea welcome to Garmin....

[@panzer948]

Thanks for the quick tutorial. Will this also work on a Montana 750i. I am thinking of picking this up for offroading and hiking instead of using GAIA on my Android, which I found to be buggy and overly complicated to figure out which of the 20 map layers to choose from.

[@Hikingguy]

yup - support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=LNVsfiND986HeRHrzO61M8

[@MysterygravelJEff]

Hi HikingGuy, I found your video when trying to upload a bikepacking course I created. I uploaded the file through express and connect and the file is on my garmin gpsmap66i. The file doesn't show up on the course planner on the device. I talked to garmin support and they said they are changing this to just on the explore app.... I bought the unit for the inreach and course planning combo as I am planning a remote ride through Algonquin Park in Ontario Canada. Please let me know if I am just missing something?

[@Hikingguy]

I haven't tried syncing courses from Connect > 66 in a while so don't have any recent experience, but you could try exporting the FIT file from Connect and then importing to the Explore app. It's a mess and not okay on Garmin's part.

[@byemrahozd]

do i have to buy an inreach plan to view explore map on my browser? And does 66i contains all maps that we need or will i buy maps after i receive my device?

[@Hikingguy]

66i comes with maps and you can do maps / navigation without inReach plan - check out my full review for more info

[@michaelschafer5493]

How do I know if my firmware is up to date?

[@Hikingguy]

Use Garmin Express on a computer and hook up your unit w/USB cable

[@craigarons8492]

does this work for the 65 series

[@Hikingguy]

unfortunately not > support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=ZY8vOwxq106cRyPSpiVbQ7

[@1stelectrncgdgt420]

I have the 64 series so I guess I'll need to update my hand held some day....but I prefer replaceable batteries. I can always use those portable solar panels?

[@Hikingguy]

@@1stelectrncgdgt420 I just use a USB charger for my 66, phone, camera, and headlamp, works out nicely to have one charger for all of that stuff

[@wicklowhiker5387]

I recently got a GPSMAP 65s, Courses created in Explore appear as Tracks on the unit, I haven't had a chance to try navigating yet though.