[davidr]

Tracks and Tracking can be just another confusing aspect of Garmin GPS but it needn't be, here's a quick introduction to the basics of how tracks are stored on various GPS units and the Pros and Cons of each (for the units that I know)

Tracks are what's recorded by your GPS when you're travelling (provided the unit is switched on and track is enabled, done automatically on some devices). Tracking basically adds a historical point (at intervals set by you) at pre-defined distances for trips and journeys you've made. For example, I could switch on the track on my 276c, then set the interval at 250m and ride off, then when I come back later to look at the track, a line is drawn between the points every 250m. Each track point also shows a time, date and elevation.

A not so apparent difference between GPS devices is their ability to do tracking, so have only an active track log, some can save tracks and others simply archive active tracks (such as Zumo). Here are a few points about each system:

Active Track:
Most Garmin Motorcycle and Marine devices have some tracking ability with what's called an 'active track log', this records time, date, elevation, speed at pre-defined distances (set on your GPS unit) and is held in the unit until it reaches its active track memory limit.

Units with Active Track Feature:
GPS V, 60c, Quest, Quest II, StreetPilot, Zumo, 276c, 278

Saved Tracks:
Some units can then save the active track as a saved track, normally when you do this, some of the attributes of the track points are lost (e.g, speed, date) to save space on the unit memory. The tracks themselves can then normally be 'tracked back' from the unit (a real advantage if you're lost in the middle of nowhere)

Units with Saved Track function:
GPS V, 276c, 278

Archived Active Tracks:
Because of saved tracks losing some data, another method used more recently by Garmin (on units such as the Zumo) is to simply archive the existing track. This is not the same as saving a track as above, because although it does save more information about tracks, the track back functionality from the unit (without first re-interpreting the data via a computer and MapSource) is not quite as versatile.

Units with Ability to Archive the Active track when full:
Zumo