My-Route app?

jjscsix said:

Once you start using inRoute you’ll scratch your head wondering why Basecamp is so difficult. Admittedly, my problem with Basecamp is that I typically only use it once a year. But I’ve been using it for many years. But that does not excuse its difficulty. And I’m far from alone. I see an awful lot of people on forums who feel the same way.

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Basecamp is complex and simple at the same time. The program has immense advanced capabilities if you want to dig into them. But for everyday routing, is pretty straight forward. You first create an empty route file (BC List). Organization for your BC route library closely follows the structure of File Explorer within Windows or Finder within Mac. Then within a BC List, you create a bunch of waypoints, order them in your desired sequence, and then press a button to calculate a route. Simple, and I don't understand why it creates a brain-block for many. Most of the time is spent in research and refinement -- adding/deleting waypoints, determining if a waypoint should be a via point or a no-alert shaping point, looking at different route paths, etc. The kind of stuff you would do in any routing program.

I'm also a big fan/user of Google Maps --it's the gold standard for route information. l usually sketch out a route first using Google or Google My Maps, because it's so easy create a first cut outline. Then I'll research POIs, gas stations, hotels, restaurants, etc. that will become waypoints in an actual BC route. For me, one of the weaknesses of Basecamp is the search function. It's OK, but not near as functional as what Google provides.

I usually do all my Google Maps work on one computer while I have BC up on another, going back-and-forth between the two. Along with the appropriate Butler Motorcycle Maps down on the floor, I'm there. Google is the primary research tool w/Butler, while BC is the implementation. When I'm done. a few quick clicks transfers the finished route to the Nav/XT device. And it's guaranteed to function on the device the way I created it in BC. I can't do this in the powder room, but my philosophy is to do everything needed ahead of time before a major trip. I have my plan A, B and C routes created and ready to go. On my recent trip cross country to the TTD, I had 3 routes coming home: One for an IBA BB1500G, a second for an IBA SS2000, and a third for a straight cannonball run. If routing has to be done on the fly during the trip (it did on this trip), I'll do it on the Nav/XT Trip Planner app, or just create an A to B route using Google Maps on my phone. This approach hasn't failed me yet.

My motivation for using a program like inRoute would be to have more flexibility doing complex routing while on the road. I like the idea of using an easy to carry iPad for route creation while away from home. Again, it's rare for me to have this need, but I like to cover the bases. It's my nature to go overboard.

I started with Mapsource and moved to Basecamp when it was first launched. I used it extensively until the time came to move on, IMHO Basecamp is "One dimensional" in that it plots a route and that is that, for some that will be all they ever need. MRA is much more advanced and some of the additional features are listed below:

1. Routes can be plotted using Tom Tom, Here and Open Street maps. So that covers Tom Tom and Garmin users.
2. You can drop a layer over the map such as Google, I use Tom Tom maps with Here overlay because the Here maps are nicer. I can drop a Michelin layer on my route if I want to check out scenic roads.
3. You can add traffic info to your map.
4. You can compare how Garmin and Tom Tom will plot the route, for example I can see how Garmin will plot my route and add waypoints to ensure any Garmin mates I share the route with will stay on the same road as me,
5. You can drill down to street level to see what the road looks like and again fine tune the route if there are roads you do not like.
6, It supports Shaping and Waypoints.
7. Using Open Street maps you can vary the type of route you want between waypoints e.g. I want a fast road out of town, then between two waypoints I want a twisty section, then I want a fast section etc.
8. It supports GPX 1.2 format for more advanced features for Garmin devices e.g. Waypoint colour and pausing at waypoint e.g. lunch or fuel stop.
9. There is a large library of routes in the library added by subscribers who want to share their routes,
10. You can expand or split your route e.g. someone sends me a route with 60 waypoints, the CA supports 50 waypoints so I can split the route into say a section with 40 waypoints and a section with 20.
11. Its easy to use on your phone and transfer routes to the BMW CA. and there are good video's on YouTube.
etc.

@DavidMcK David, Most everything useful you reference is part of my Google Maps (GM) route planning in conjunction with BC that I previously described. GM presents maps in different layer views that are sometimes useful. The layer I use most is satellite, that tells me everything I want to know about any road/highway and the surrounding terrain.

I do all my own routing, and pick my own roads/routes between waypoints. I'll usually pick roads that navigation SW may not even consider. And I guarantee my choices are better. If I'm concerned about traffic, it's when I'm leaving/approaching the vast metropolis called Los Angeles. I not only need to know traffic, but what my best alternative is for snaking through the giant rat maze. That's when my static XT routing is turned off, and the Google Maps dynamic routing on my phone turns on -- there isn't a superior alternative for presenting real-time information.

You call Basecamp "One Dimensional", and in many ways it is. But if you've thoroughly done all your pre-trip planning before leaving, that's exactly what you want. Once you start the trip, you want directions displayed and voice prompts for reinforcement. If you need more while you're riding, you didn't do your job upfront.

There is enough good press on MRA to support that it's a great candidate for the CA/TFT environment. It accommodates the needs of both Garmin and Tom Tom users, which can be useful if you need that duel flexibility. But if you're still working with the Nav/XT as your presentation layer, Basecamp is king.