How to Send Updates and Tracks

Feel free to send any helpful information or comments our way. Many of the improvements and updates in our mapbooks have come from reader's comments and updates. We hope to continue this successful program of getting better through our users. It is our ultimate goal to make the Backroad GPS Maps the most detailed and up to date GPS map product available in Canada.

If you have a track or route you want to send us, please send it via our Submittion Form . IF you have more than one track or way point please send the information via e-mail to updates@backroadmapbooks.com. All tracks and waypoints received will earn credits for free updates to your account.

Depending on your knowledge of how to record and save tracks you can send them individually as .GPX files (the files your gps records) or in batches as .GDB (if you edit them in MapSource or Basecamp). Other file formats such as shape files (.SHP) or Google Earth (KML or XML) are also acceptable.

1) How to Save and Sent Tracks or Waypoints

You must first save your track. You can do this under Track Manager, Waypoint Manager or similar feature (consult your Garmin user manual for more details on this). Please try to save the track of the feature you want us to see. You can do this by modifying the area of coverage (usually by time and date). Also try to record trailheads and notable Points of Interest (viewpoints, toilets, etc.) along the way.

After saving your track and waypoints, you can then connect your GPS to the computer. Once connected, the Garmin directory should pop up. In that directory will be a Garmin folder. Open the GPX folder and you will see your saved tracks and waypoints. Simply save these to your computer or you can e-mail it directly to updates@backroadmapbooks.com. Be sure to include a note on what you are sending us and why.

For tips on how to record better tracks, read below:

Recording Better Tracks

Perhaps one of the most important features of the GPS is the ability to record tracks. Whether it is recording a new trail or simply following where you have been so you can get home again, there is no shortage of uses for GPS tracks.

1. Before starting your trip, go into the Setup menu for your GPS. If it has options for adjusting the recording frequency or quality set it to the best available. Usually this is shown as "most often". This will give you a better track log.
   
   
2. Turn on the GPS and allow it a clear view of the sky for a good 10 minutes before starting the trip. Holding the unit at arm's length away from your body also helps the unit to connect with as many satellites as possible to help increase the accuracy and maintain satellite lock.
   
   
3. At the start of the road or trail you want to track, be sure to clear the active track log (or save it if you prefer) and mark a waypoint as well. If you want to know how long the trail is etc., be sure to clear the trip computer.
   
   
4. Place the GPS in a good location to receive the satellite signals. Usually on top of your pack works well. Be aware of where the antenna is located and the best orientation of the GPS for signal strength. For instance, Etrex and Oregon style units work best when oriented horizontally, while the 60 series tend to work best when pointed straight up.
   
   
5. At the end of the road or trail you want to stop recording the track and save it.
   
   
6. Be sure to name the waypoints and trail correctly (use the actual name of the trail or road and not "Sunday Drive" or default name of the unit) to help identify it easier.
   
7. You can then clear the track or choose to continue recording if you prefer.
   
   
8. If you do plan to stop for a while, be sure to turn off your trip log and pause recording of tracks. The unit continually records all of your movements, which will affect the accuracy of the main trail or road.
   
   
9. Marking waypoints at viewpoints or Points of Interest is optional but they do show up when you load the track to your computer and are helpful to other viewers.
   Note that it is preferred to upload the "active" track instead of a "saved" track, if possible, as it will contain more detail.

Note that it is preferred to upload the "active" track instead of a "saved" track, if possible, as it will contain more detail.

2)  What do I send to Backroad GPS Maps?

1. The track log. We can work with whatever file format, but would prefer the GPX version if possible. If you are proficient and saving and editing these on the computer that would also be helpful to reduce backtracking, side trails that lead nowhere and portions of the track not needed.
   

2. The name of the trail or road.
   

3. Any waypoints on the route, such as parking area, toilets, viewpoints, important route finding locations or anything else that might seem useful on a map.

3)  What tracks, trails or waypoints are Backroads looking for?

Feel free to send any trail, road or route data that you have, even if you think we might have it. If we already have a trail, we will compare your data and look for discrepancies that could help to improve the dataset. Remember that waypoints of trailheads, canoe access points or boat launches are just as valuable as actual tracks. Be sure to send these along too.

Feel free to add comments when sending us your tracks or waypoints. Things like road missing or this is a rough route rather than trail will help us classify the road or trail.

4)  How do I report errors or things I think could be improved?

You can send any updates, errors or helpful information our way by recording a waypoint and making a note on that waypoint. You can e-mail them individually or as a group directly from the GPS or transfer them to the computer to view and edit them before sending.

Editing in Basecamp or MapSource is fairly easy once you figure out the program. This allows for changes to the name or symbol and even adding comments. You can even add more waypoints of things you see in the area in Basecamp or MapSource. Simply save the file to the computer and send it to us.