BaseCamp & Garmin Explore

BaseCamp & Garmin Explore

Garmin BaseCamp was the replacement for Garmin MapSource (both are desktop applications for Windows or Mac).

BaseCamp allows you to plan (and upload/download) routes, tracks, waypoints (and other data) between you Garmin devices and your computer. It is also widely used for accessing maps that are installed on your Garmin devices, or dedicated BaseCamp versions of the maps. This is what it looks like (Windows) for the Scafell Pike area using our TT HD Topo Pro map of the British Isles:

Garmin have been stating since 2018 that they are stopping support/development of BaseCamp and that customers should move to Garmin Explore instead.
In reality this isn’t viable for Garmin customers as Garmin Explore is very limited and doesn’t support ANY other maps than the one it uses by default (this includes ALL Garmin and third-party maps, such as mine); Garmin Explore is effectively useless as a direct replacement for BaseCamp.
Garmin are still releasing new versions of BaseCamp for both Mac and Windows; this means that it is still being both developed and supported (correct at the time of posting)…
If they suddenly remove BaseCamp without a viable alternative, they will have a riot on their hands and they will lose many thousands of loyal customers in a very short time.
If you go to the Garmin Explore site, you will see that this is what Garmin state it is to be used for:
  • Use Garmin Explore to plan a trip
  • Suspend or reactivate inReach service
  • Update inReach billing information
  • Have a Garmin account and want to get started
  • Added a device to Garmin Connect and want to use Garmin Explore as well

As to the maps it support, these are limited to:

  • Topo (effectively TopoActive Lite)
  • OpenStreetMap (low detail)
  • Ariel (effectively BirdsEye satellite imagery)
  • Road (very low detail)

Here are few screen shots from Garmin Explore, showing how limited the maps are (very low detail). There is NO way to add other maps (including ones you’ve purchased!)

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