GRouteLoader IQ
GRouteLoader IQ (app and widget) lets you download routes/waypoints directly to your Garmin GPS device wirelessly. This is installed on your Garmin GPS device (like apps on a smartphone).
There's a "widget" version (which you can use while recording an activity) as well as an "app" version.
Note that the Edges (maybe other models) have a limit of 100 courses. Any additional downloaded courses disappear without warning.
If you are a member of a bicycle club, read this about how your club can use GRouteLoaderIQ.
If you find the app useful, consider making a contribution at https://buymeacoffee.com/dpawlyk (no account needed) or https://www.paypal.me/DavidPawlyk (need a PayPal account).
Issues. These are issues with the firmware on devices (not with the GRouteLoader IQ app).
The "Back" (the left pointing arrow) button at the bottom is missing from menus in the Widget version. It's a Garmin problem. This issue is being looked at by Garmin. I added a "Back" item at the top of menus in the Widget version. Use that (not the X !!).
The IQ app settings in Garmin Connect Mobile (on iOS) won't let you add a "&" character. When saving the settings, & and any following characters are deleted. Using Garmin Express works fine.
This is a large app/widget. Some devices don't have enough memory to run it. (If the app/widget isn't listed for your device, the device might be one without enough memory.)
If you get an IQ! error or connections to web sites don't work, try deleting the app/widget and restarting your device. Then, reinstall the app/widget.
Features
GRouteLoader is available as an IQ app and an IQ widget (which you can use during an activity). It works on nearly any Garmin IQ device (Edges, watches, and hiking GPSs).
It's easy (with webpage-writing know-how) for bicycle clubs to use GRouteLoader to display a rides schedule and let members download routes directly to their Garmin device.
Quickly add your current position to locations (optionally, with custom prefixes for the name). This is a "surveying" feature.
Combines functions of 4 separate IQ apps: RideWithGPS, sendpoints, gimporter, Plus Codes.
Download:
Your pinned routes on Ride with GPS (RWGPS, ridewithgps). Your recent routes on Ride with GPS.
Public courses from Garmin Connect (using the course number in the URL).
Routes from the gexporter Android app (works like the gimporter IQ app).
Route files from the TinyServer iOS (iPhone/iPad) app.
Waypoints from the https://www.sendpoints.us website (works like the sendpoints IQ app). This lets you get a 4 digit number for a place you search for.
Waypoints from Plus Codes (OLC). GRouteLoader also displays the plus code for your current location.
(If you find the app useful, consider making a contribution https://www.paypal.me/DavidPawlyk )
GRouteLoader also can be used as a "nano browser" to custom websites. For example, bicycle clubs can create a page that shows a ride schedule which lets members download routes. You only have to deal with the web programming part (GRouteLoader uses JSON) since the Garmin IQ app is already written.
You can use https://btcnj.com/grldemo/grldemo.php in the application settings as a demonstration of using it to display information from a website.
Getting/Installing the App
New version as-of 10/2/2024.
You can get the app on the Garmin Connect IQ store via:
Garmin Express on your PC.
Garmin Connect Mobile (on the smartphone you paired your Garmin to).
the Garmin IQ “App Store”.
The installation of the programs onto your device gets done by “syncing” the device either through plugging it into the computer running Garmin Express or through Garmin Connect Mobile (which syncs wirelessly).
This is available as a Device App (can only be used when not recording a activity) or as a Widget (can be used while recording an activity). You can install both (but try the Device App first).
Garmin IQ Store Links
What other people say about it
https://randombitsbytes.com/review-garmin-edge-520-plus-bike-computer-gps/ (This is a review about the 520 but GRouteLoader is discussed at the bottom.)
https://triduffer.wordpress.com/2023/02/18/loading-routes-to-your-garmin-device/
Screen Shots
User Interface
Step-by-step procedure for using sendpoints with the app/widget.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yjw3C08iz41XOSYevNNpCPmsA4l_KdqEEYEYf7T2kH8/edit