Custom Waypoint Symbol Creation Our Garmin BaseCamp program comes with over fifty different waypoint symbols to choose from. If one of these symbols does not apply to the waypoint, a custom symbol can be made. Custom symbols in BaseCamp cannot replace existing symbols, but new ones may be created. Waypoints, Tracks, and Routes To change the symbol: 1. From the waypoint page, select the waypoint symbol. Select a new symbol from the list. To change the name: 1. From the waypoint page, select the name. The EDIT WAYPOINT NAME page appears. Press enter to access the character menu. Select a character from the list. Symbols MUST be saved to the GPSr (not the µSD) in the Garmin CustomSymbols directory. Waypoint symbols should be saved in a 24-bit Windows-style bitmap format (.bmp). POI symbols should be saved in an 8-bit (paint.net LowColor plug-in) Windows-style bitmap format (.bmp). Symbols should not exceed 32 pixels in width and height. (The Contact waypoint symbols (no. 8257 – 8276) (originally intended for the Garmin Rino models) were introduced in MapSource version 4.10.) (The Water Hydrant waypoint symbol (no. 8282) was introduced in MapSource version 5.0.) (81 new waypoint symbols (not shown) were introduced in MapSource version 6.1.).

Comments

Garmin Map Symbols

• See post #20 in this thread here
  https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?35618-GPSMAP-60CS-screen-cluttered-by-route-point-labels/page2
  Although it initially discusses the 60CS the method applies to all Garmin handhelds. More info on custom symbols here:
  https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={f597caf0-43df-11e2-e8a7-000000000000}
  I've created an 'invisible' symbol as outlined in post #20 and use it to replace the blue pin and blue flag on my Etrex 20.
• Thanks for that - I'll have to think carefully about what to do. Are we seriously saying that this is a problem throughout the Garmin handheld range and that Garmin has chosen to do nothing about it? I have a GPS Map60c and the problem does not occur with that and it is over 6 years old so they got it right then. Why on earth can they not get it right now? It is time we found a way of getting some pressure on to the people who can get things changed in the Garmin empire. I would now be very wary of recommending Garmin although my old unit has been quite satisfactory.
• Well I think you'll find that for many people they don't see it as an issue.
  Indeed I only changed mine as an experiment and had been quite happy with the blue flag or blue pin showing, and I had no trouble following routes etc. But if it troubles you it's a fairly simple issue to resolve.
• Thanks for the information. I have had a look at what seems to be necessary and it does seem to be a complex process simply to get rid of a problem which should not have been there in the first place. I certainly feel that Garmin have been quite poor on this one - a simple check on the map/route screen by Garmin in the development process would show that obscuring the WP number cannot have been what was intended or why bother providing the WP number on that screen at all? I find the number quite useful when walking a route so perhaps you could let me know what the 'image manipulation program' for creating the Custom Waypoint is (as referred to in the Support FAQ's as 'Can I create custom waypoint symbols for my mass storage device?') and I 'll see what I can do. If you have any further info about the detail of what to do I would be grateful.
• These are also old, but they may help:
  http://freegeographytools.com/2008/creating-custom-waypoint-icons-for-garmin-gps-units-i
  http://freegeographytools.com/2008/creating-custom-waypoint-icons-for-garmin-gps-units-ii
  http://freegeographytools.com/2008/creating-custom-waypoint-icons-for-garmin-gps-units-iii-custom-waypoint-icons-in-mapsource
• Sussamb - I have had a look at the information Boyd gave me which explains a lot but do you have the info about where to find the program you used to create the custom wp? It would be useful to have a look at what is available as Boyd tells me the ones he refers to are rather old.
• The info is in the post I suggested you read :wink:
  It's explained here https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={f597caf0-43df-11e2-e8a7-000000000000}
  and you can use the Windows Paint program to create the bitmap.
• Thanks for all the help. I'll get it all together and have a go.
• It worked and the screen is now uncluttered and with clear numbers near the relevant WP's
  Thanks for all the help.

Some hunters find use from adding custom, user-made waypoint symbols to their Garmin Alpha 100 or 200i. This can be done in both your handheld, and in BaseCamp by downloading custom waypoints from Garmin's user forums. In this article, we will be adding custom waypoints to a Garmin Alpha 200i unit.

NOTE: This is recommended for more advanced users. Deleting and moving internal files is usually inadvisable unless you have a firm grasp on transferring files from one device to another.

• Waypoint galleries are available on Garmin's forums here and here.
• Hog, Bear, Lynx, and other hunters are just a few of the useful custom waypoints available for download.

• To begin using custom waypoint symbols, you will first want to follow the above links to the posts on Garmin's forum.
• Or you may simply download the .zip file in this post: ( Icons for Alpha GPS and BaseCamp.zip ).

Once your download is finished, you should see it as a compressed (.zip) file in your 'Downloads' folder when opening up File Explorer.

• Connect your Garmin 200i to your PC with the included data cable and wait to enter File Transfer mode on your device.
• Once your 200i unit is connected to your PC, open up the 'Garmin' folder on your 200i, as well as the .zip file you just downloaded side-by-side.

Garmin Symbols List

• You will want to drag and drop the actual image files (NOT the containing file folder) from your downloaded files to the folder entitled 'CustomSymbols' in your 200i's data files.
• You may have to re-name files with the same name so that others are not overwritten when attempting to download multiple icons (for example, if you already have a file named 'Custom 56' in your 'CustomSymbols' folder, you may have to re-name a downloaded icon that is also titled 'Custom 56' before attempting to move it onto your unit).
• Icon files in Alpha units MUST be named 'Custom ##' (e.g. Custom 01, Custom 34, Custom 29, etc.)
• Once the file transfer is complete, you may Safely Remove your Alpha 200i from your PC.

• You can then begin marking waypoints to use in conjunction with the ones that come standard on your Alpha 200i.
• When selecting a new waypoint icon for marked coordinates, you can find your new symbols under the 'Custom' section.