Uploading routes from a computer?

[gentleman geoff]

Is this possible on an in-car sat nav system? (I have no knowledge of any of these systems whatsoever!)

Ideally, what I would like to do is plan a specific route on my computer (iMac running Mac OS X Tiger) and then have a sat nav gadget guide me on the road. My Dad has recently bought a Garmin Streetpilot, and a couple of my mates have got TomToms, but it isn't clear whether or not either of them will do this. They seem fantastic for finding the best way from A to B, but what if you want to go via C,D,E,F and G using a specific route?

I know they have USB ports, but this seems to be for uploading new maps (of Europe, speed cameras etc.) rather than customised routes. Do sat-nav systems like the TomTom come with any software to allow you to plan custom routes?

Sorry if this is a stupid question... I have searched this forum and looked at various other websites but it still isn't clear.

[viper paul]

All systems I have seen have a go Via function or stopover at points of interest.

[gentleman geoff]

Thanks for your reply VP

Sorry to keep asking obvious questions, but how flexible are these 'go via' options? How many places can you go via? And is it possible to prescribe the exact route (along fave hooning roads for example...) or do they always find the 'fastest' or 'most direct' route?

[steve_d]

gentleman geoff said:

Thanks for your reply VP

Sorry to keep asking obvious questions, but how flexible are these 'go via' options? How many places can you go via? And is it possible to prescribe the exact route (along fave hooning roads for example...) or do they always find the 'fastest' or 'most direct' route?

I have a TT.
I don't know of a system that lets you plan the route on your PC then copy it to the nav that would be really nice.
In TT you can do 'Itinerary planning'. Each point you put in can be a destination or a way-point. Each can be either a favorite, Point Of Interest, recent destination, address, post code, Crossing/intersection, a point selected from the map or finally a latitude/longitude.
I have no idea if there is a limit to the number of points but I suspect not.
When completed it can be saved and recalled at any time. It will also be backed up when you do a backup to your PC.
Be careful when picking from the map that you zoom right in on the road you wish to pick because if the road is a dual carriageway and you pick the wrong side it will have you go to the next junction and turn around to get at the way-point.
When planning a route start with just the end points and one or two WP if you know it is not going to choose the route you want. Run the calc and see what you get. If it's not right check the route it has used and find another WP that will force it back on track. When you add the point it will go at the bottom of the list as a destination which you then change to a WP and move it up the list into the right place.

Steve

[gentleman geoff]

Thanks very much Steve - this is exactly what I was looking for. From what you say, it sounds like you can plan a route with as much precision as you like, or at least for as many separate way-points as you can be bothered to enter!!

Thanks again for the helpful tips. Can I ask which particular TT you have? Or do even the entry-level ones do this?

Cheers!

[steve_d]

gentleman geoff said:

Thanks very much Steve - this is exactly what I was looking for. From what you say, it sounds like you can plan a route with as much precision as you like, or at least for as many separate way-points as you can be bothered to enter!!

Thanks again for the helpful tips. Can I ask which particular TT you have? Or do even the entry-level ones do this?

Cheers!

I have the 710. Don't see why the same functions will not be in the other models but cannot say for sure.

Steve

[pcameron]

For a program to generate a route on your PC for download to a SatNav see this thread, though it appears to be Windows only.

[steve_d]

pcameron said:

For a program to generate a route on your PC for download to a SatNav see this thread, though it appears to be Windows only.

Tried running this but without success. It does not like the output from AutoRoute 2007 or maybe I have to set things in AR to make the output compatible. Some of the lat/longs come out as a string of zeros. Can anyone help?
If I type lat/longs into the converter it transfers them to TT710 without problems.

Steve