Optimap FAQ

Q: How can I enter destinations by GPS coordinates?

A: Use the bulk add field and enter each coordinate in the following format:

latitude, longitude

E.g:

(45.415985, -75.696144)
(45.414238, -75.691509)
(45.407851, -75.694427)
(45.407489, -75.706186)
(45.413153, -75.706015)
(45.413575, -75.701036)

Q: How can I add a note to each destination?

A: The easiest way to do this is to use the bulk address field and enter each destination and note on a line like so:

Note : Address or latitude, longitude

E.g:

My house: 276 Eiwo Court, Waterloo, ON
Customer 1: 340 Hagey Boulevard, Waterloo, ON
Customer 2: 45.415985, -75.696144

Q: The calculation stops, what is wrong?

A: Probably has to do with the addresses you have added. They may be too many and too far apart, they could be too far from a road, or some other problem. If you can’t find the problem, email geir.engdahl@gmail.com and be sure to include the list of locations, or even better, hit the “Save” button and send me the link too. Then I can debug the issue. It also helps to know what browser you are using.

Q: How do I export my route to an Android phone?

A: After you have calculated the route, use the Save button and copy the link to an email. Send the email to yourself. Open the email on your Android phone and click the link. This opens your route on your phone. Then go to “Export” and “View in Google Maps”. This will open the Google Maps app on your phone and give you turn-by-turn driving directions, but only works for up to 20 stops.

Video tutorial:

Q: How do I export my route to an iPhone?

A: After you have calculated the route, use the Save button and copy the link to an email. Send the email to yourself. Open the email on your iPhone and click the link. This opens your route on your phone. Then go to “Export” and “View in Google Maps”. This will open the Google Maps app on your phone and give you turn-by-turn driving directions, but only works for up to 20 stops.

Q: How do I export my route to a Garmin GPS?

A: Compute the route, choose “Export”, then “Send to Garmin”, and download the Route GPX file. Connect your Garmin device to your computer using a USB cable. Copy the file to the GPX folder of your Garmin. Disconnect from the computer, and move to your car. You’ll find the route in the “Trip Planner” section of your Garmin. Video tutorial below:

Please note that not all Garmin units support route files. If you are looking for one that does, the Garmin DriveSmart 50 LMT is the one I use and I can confirm it works (if you purchase this or anything else from Amazon using the above link, I receive a small commission, but you don’t pay anything extra. This helps me obtain and test more GPS units).

Q: How do I export my route to a TomTom GPS?

A: First, make sure you have a compatible TomTom device. These ones should work: GO 40GO 50, GO 51, GO 60, GO 61, GO 400, GO 500GO 600, GO 510, GO 610, Rider 410, Rider 400, Rider 40, GO 5000, GO 6000, GO 5100, GO 6100, Trucker 5000, Trucker 6000, START 40, START 50, START 60, Start 42, Start 52, Start 62, VIA 52, VIA 62, GO 520 Wi-Fi, GO 620 Wi-Fi, GO 5200 Wi-Fi, GO 6200 Wi-Fi.
I have tested and verified that it works on TomTom GO 5100, which also supports wireless route download, but is unfortunately not available in the US.

Then follow these steps:

  1. Make sure you have TomTom MyDrive Connect installed on your computer
  2. Make sure you have the latest version of the TomTom software installed on your GPS. Check this by connect your GPS unit to your computer via a USB cable and open MyDrive Connect. If it asks you to update anything, let it do so (although you may want to skip the map update, which could take a long time).
  3. Create an account with your email and a password at TomTom MyDrive
  4. Enable MyDrive on your GPS: Go to Menu -> TomTom Services -> MyDrive -> Enable. Sign into your MyDrive account with your email and password
  5. Create a route with Optimap like you normally would.
  6. After you have calculated the route, choose Export -> Send to TomTom. Download the .GPX file.
  7. Go to mydrive.tomtom.com and make sure you are logged into your account
  8. Select My Routes -> Import a GPX file and choose the GPX file you just downloaded
  9. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to sync with the GPS device (this may be as simple as doing nothing, if you have a GPS with a SIM card and data connection, or it may involve connecting the GPS device to your computer with a USB cable again)

Video tutorial: