The GPS Buzz

Last week, Garmin released a beta version of their BaseCamp 3.2. The company introduced the software in their Garmin Forums to encourage users to provide feedback. Since BaseCamp 3.2 is a beta version, Garmin warns users that it is an incomplete product and still undergoing extensive testing. Therefore, users are cautioned to test the software at their own risk.

If interested in testing BaseCamp 3.2, download the beta version here.

Notes and Changes for BaseCamp 3.2 beta version:

Notes

1. Please backup your existing data from BC 3.1 before running the beta.
2. The beta build requires you to allow Garmin to collect statistics on how you use BaseCamp to help us improve the application. This will be optional for the release of BaseCamp 3.2, but it is a required condition for using the beta.
3. We know that routing (especially long routes) have issues. We are working on the issue.
4. Activity profiles are still a work in progress, in particular migrating existing routing options.
5. We have had intermittent success testing BirdsEye Select because of some oddities with the servers. Please let us know your experience.

Changes

1. Moved the various property tabs to a separate dialog
2. Added swapping the map and data list UI regions
3. Added activity profiles to allow easier changes between common routing configurations
4. Added geocache search integration with OpenCaching.com
5. Added photo sharing site upload (currently for Picasa)
6. Added track statistics that correspond to the selection in the track points list
7. Added additional statistics to the elevation profile
8. Added display of elevation profile when batch editing routes or tracks
9. Added heart rate and cadence to the track points list and elevation profile
10. Added route to track conversion
11. Added display mode for geocaches
12. Added the "Duplicate" menu item for most user data types
13. Added continuation of route/track drawing when switching between tools
14. Added route avoidance checkboxes to the route options (such as "Avoid U-turns")
15. Added a basic dialog for creating routes
16. Added draw order control for new BirdsEye Imagery that is downloaded
17. Added user selection of application language (the beta is English only, so this doesn't have much of an impact yet)
18. Added option to restore the application to default settings
19. Added tips dialog when entering full screen mode
20. Added a keyboard shortcut to snap the map back to North up
21. Added file import/export support for the TCX file format.
22. Added file export support for tab-delimited and comma-delimited text
23. Added properties and create waypoint commands to the list of POIs that is displayed when hovering on the map
24. Added optional collection of analytics to help us improve the application
25. Added display of the detailed coverage region of card/device based maps
26. Added notification to user when updates are available for devices
27. Added receiving FIT course points and activity data from many fitness devices. These are converted into waypoints and tracks.
28. Changed geotagging photos from a track to add links to those photos in the track
29. Changed to not allow changing the location of geocaches when they are part of a route
30. Changed the divide tool to create a new waypoint or trackpoint at the division point
31. Fixed issue where we didn't always remove all waypoints created as part of a route