How to download and install Garmin BaseCamp on a Windows PC
This video takes you through how to download and install Garmin BaseCamp onto a Windows PC.
Garmin BaseCamp is a free desktop software application designed by Garmin to help users manage, plan, and review GPS data. It is particularly useful for outdoor enthusiasts, such as hikers, cyclists, and campers, who use Garmin GPS devices for navigation and route planning. BaseCamp is available for both Windows and macOS.
00:00 - How to download Garmin BaseCamp on a PC
02:20 - Find Garmin BaseCamp on the internet and how to download it for free
05:20 - How to install Garmin BaseCamp onto a PC
06:30 - How to find Garmin BaseCamp once you have installed it on your PC
09:30 - Create a shortcut to Garmin BaseCamp on your desktop
10:35 - Opening up Garmin BaseCamp on your PC
12:10 - The best way to open up Garmin BaseCamp when you want to connect a Garmin GPS device to view the maps
14:50 - Waiting for the maps to load from your GPS unit within Garmin BaseCamp - switching off the power setting so your laptop does not go to sleep when loading the maps
19:00 - Where you can access the detailed training videos to teach you how to use Garmin BaseCamp
Key Features of Garmin BaseCamp:
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Route Planning: Allows users to create and customise routes, tracks, and waypoints, which can then be uploaded to a compatible Garmin GPS device.
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Map Management: Users can view and manage detailed maps, including topographic maps and custom maps.
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Data Organisation: The software lets users organise their GPS data (e.g., tracks, routes, and waypoints) into collections for easier management.
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Activity Analysis: BaseCamp enables users to review recorded activities from their GPS device, providing insights like elevation profiles, speed, and distance.
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Sharing Capabilities: Users can share their GPS data with others by exporting or importing files, such as GPX files.
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3D View: For some maps, BaseCamp offers a 3D view option to help users visualise terrain features more effectively.
While BaseCamp is a powerful tool, some users find its interface a bit dated and not very intuitive. However, it remains a valuable resource for serious GPS users, especially those planning outdoor adventures in areas with limited or no internet connectivity.
BaseCamp is an essential tool for pre-planning and post-analysis.
Further reading
1. Download Garmin BaseCamp
Kevin Hall
Basecamp is a great tool for managing and planning my hiking routes and activities, it is still my go-to. Even if I use another source to download the routes or tracks I still import to Basecamp to refine and perfect them before adding them to my GPSMAP 67. However as mentioned here it is now looking quite dated, it hasn’t been updated by Garmin for a long time and there are many rumours on the internet of Garmin lo longer supporting it and maybe even removing it. Do you know any other information from Garmin if that is the case and if they are actually planning on removing it? From what I can see there is no other software that comes close to being as good as this. The Garmin explore app is certainly not good enough to replace it. So I worry that as software updates continue, both Windows and Mac OS is being constantly updated and refreshed there may come a time where Basecamp in its current form will no longer run on these platforms.