GPS POI > GPS Forum > Garmin > Alternate route possibility

jimw_wood3 · Posted: 01/25/2010 11:05am Post subject: Alternate route possibility

On a recent trip back from Jacksonville, Florida my Nuvi 285W GPS directed us thru Asheville, NC on I-40. We discovered there that a rock slide had closed I-40 west of Asheville blocking us from N I-75 to Michigan. We tried following the DOT detour signs but after a long day it just didn't work. After fumbling around while getting darker and more lost we decided to pack it in, stay the night and figure it out the next morning.

Question...is there some way to let the GPS find us an alternate route in such a situation?? Software? We were able to follow the DOT signs the next morning after some local help but lost a lot of time and milleage.! Did eventually hook up with I-75 somewhere farther north. THNX for any suggestions...

johmazz2006 · Posted: 01/27/2010 10:55pm Post subject: Re: Alternate route possibility

There is a program called MapSource, which allows you to set /plot the route you wish to use, and then load into the GPS.

Great program and VERY helpful.
john

jimw_wood3 · Posted: 01/29/2010 09:56am Post subject: Mapsource

Thanks for the source. I downloaded Mapsource and got a very blank page with cross hatching. Tried their "Help" but not much help. What can I do with it?? How to start?

acflint · Posted: 02/03/2010 05:10am Post subject: mapsource

Jim ,
Mapsource is not too difficult to learn, but you do need to spend a lot of time working through it.
In order to start, I suggest the help files, but forgetting that, in order to see something on the "white, blank page" you need to load the map from you GPS and this requires an unlocking code which you can get off the CD that came with the unit.
If it came pre-loaded you will need to set up an account at Garmin (free) and then certify your gps and then they will provide you with the code and as much assistance as you need.
Trust this may assist.
Unfortunately, when lost unless you have a wireless laptop to help Mapsource will be a waste of time.
cheers

Guest · Posted: 02/03/2010 09:29am Post subject: Re: Alternate route possibility

johmazz2006 · Posted: 02/04/2010 09:09pm Post subject: Re: Alternate route possibility

Do you have any maps loaded into the Mapsource program ?
There is nothing to work with unless they are loaded. You need to load the same maps you have in your GPS unit to Mapsource from the CD or map file.
john

wpociengel · Posted: 05/09/2010 09:19pm Post subject: Re: Alternate route possibility

Red · Guest

When my Nuvi (or software on my laptop) insists on going where I don't want to go, I create a waypoint that is off that route--and tell it to make a new one using the new waypoint.

So if there's a road closed, look at the map, zoom out, look for some alternate road that heads in the same direction. Set one or more waypoints on that alternate road and create a new route, which will use the new waypoints. And since they are not on the blocked road--the Nuvi will usually provide a whole new route using the alternate road.

As far as I can tell, there's no way to tell a Nuvi "Don't go here" when you're in the car using just the unit. It isn't as smart as full-blown routing software running on a PC.

LMOF · Guest

Hello, well I just want to say that in my GPS I have one option to find one alternate route, is very nice and easy.

My GPS is the garmin 1340 Nuvi when I am driving to my route, I just have to click in the gps and select the option "alternate route" ( This in my language Portuguese), in English I do not know, but I think that it will be the same, and the GPS calculate a new route from the next roads ahead.