These track specs posted on the web are spot on since they address tracks that are logged within the unit.
62
60csx
The garmin 62/78 will hold 10,000 trackpoints per track. That alone is worth the extra money in my opinion, 500 points doesn't give you enough resolution for longer trails.
Perhaps they need to publish a spec about the limitations of what can be uploaded on a particular model? Not a word about it in the manual.
As a side note, I looked around Garmin documentation for information about truncating at 500 for the 60 series.
In MapSource help I found the following remark:
"NOTE: Tracks with more than 500 track points may be truncated on some Garmin GPS devices. Check your device's owner's manual for more information."
I checked the manual for the 60csx as they suggested. No information there.
FAQs on the Garmin web site revealed this info which did not indicate an exception for the new models. Hope that it is just old generic info that hasn't been updated for the new units.
"Outdoor GPS devices can accept tracks that are saved and/or created from either MapSource or BaseCamp. The tracks will transfer exactly how they are created in the mapping program unless the track is over 500 points. Once the track is over 500 track points, the device will truncate the track. In other words, the device will condense the track below the 500 point limit. (I just did a test on a 60 Csx to confirm my previous experience with the 60 series. Just so no one gets confused and thinks that "condense" produces the same result as filtering to reduce points. It doesn't. Points beyond the 500 point limit are lopped off leaving gaps between track segments. And of course, the unit only uploads a total of 20 track segments.)
If you would like to send over a track that is over 500 points and do not want it truncated, then rename the track ACTIVE LOG in the mapping program. Right-click on the track name and choose Properties to rename. The Properties field will also show you the number of track points.
This will upload the track to the current track log instead of as a saved track. Ensure the current track is cleared out before sending the newly renamed track."
I went to the support pages and searched for info on the 62st, read the 80 related FAQs posted there, and even watched the training videos and found no specific info on the 200 segments or 10,000 points or upload limitations.
This question and answer did give some background on the newer units in general.
"What are the file limitations of my GPS Device?
GPSMAP 62 / 78
2000 gpx files (each gpx file can contain a mixture of waypoints, geocaches, routes, and tracks)
2000 waypoints (when the gpx file containing a waypoint is deleted, the waypoint is no longer available on the unit)
5000 geocaches (when the gpx file containing a geocache is deleted, the geocache is no longer available on the unit)"
(No info on tracks/segments in this answer.)
A question about mass storage revealed the following:
"MapSource can't receive tracks, waypoints, and routes from a number of mass storage devices as MapSource only reads and writes to the Current.gpx file. Mass storage devices pertaining to this article are the following GPS series or devices:
Oregon x50 • Dakota • GPSMAP 62 • GPSMAP 78 • Colorado • Rino 600 series • Astro 320 • eTrex 10 / 20 / 30 • Montana
Comparison in size and screen visibility with the Dakota 20, Oregon 550, 60CSx, and GPSMAP 62s. The 62 does not have a touchscreen, but the visibility
These devices use a different method to manage the tracks, waypoints, and routes with Garmin software. These devices create new GPX files for each saved tracks, waypoints and routes and are located in the (Drive Letter)\Garmin\GPX folder when the device is connected to the computer. The Current.gpx file on your mass storage device only records the current track data and is located in the (Drive Letter)\Garmin\GPX\Current folder.
Note: The GPX file with date suffix for example Waypoints_10-Aug-09.gpx indicates the date that the waypoint was created using the device. The GPX file with a number suffix for example Waypoints1.gpx indicates that the data was created in BaseCamp."
(Sheds some light on the changed structure.)
I am a little disappointed that more information about the (upload) track points, segments, and truncating was not readily available via their manuals and website. Certainly such significant increased capacity would be a strong selling point for their products?
I think I'll take my own advice and call Garmin to let them know that there seems to be a lack information in their manuals, on their web site, and in their specs concerning the upload specs for some of these units. There is enough track recording, editing, drawing, and sharing in the user communities that this information is pretty relevant and should be more visible.
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