Understanding the "Big Three": Waypoints, Tracks, and Routes

If you've ever opened a GPS file or used a GPS device, you've likely encountered three terms: Waypoints, Tracks, and Routes. They might seem interchangeable at first glance, but they serve very different purposes in navigation.

In RouteConverter, understanding these distinctions is the key to successfully planning your next trip or archiving your past adventures. Let's break down how RouteConverter implements and handles each one.

1. Waypoints: The Digital Pushpins

A Waypoint is a single, isolated coordinate on the map. Think of it as a "point of interest" (POI). It isn't necessarily part of a path; it's just a specific location you want to remember.

• In RouteConverter: Waypoints are displayed as individual entries in the position list.
• Characteristics: They often carry a name (e.g. "Grand Canyon Lookout"), a description, and sometimes an icon.
• Best for: Marking a campsite, a geocache, a mountain peak, or a favourite restaurant.

2. Tracks: The Digital Breadcrumb Trail

A Track is a recorded history of where you have actually been. It consists of a high density of "track points" — sometimes thousands of them — captured automatically by a GPS device at set intervals (e.g., every 5 seconds or every 10 meters).

• In RouteConverter: When you import a file from a GPS logger or a smartphone app, it usually appears as a Track. RouteConverter displays these as a continuous line following your exact movements, including every twist, turn, and accidental detour.
• Characteristics: Tracks contain "heavy" data, often including timestamps, elevation profiles, and even heart rate or cadence data.
• Best for: Documenting a completed hike, sharing a mountain-bike path with friends, or analysing your pace and elevation gain.

3. Routes: The Strategic Plan

A Route is a sequence of "route points" that represent where you intend to go. Unlike a track, a route is usually sparse, consisting only of key turning points or milestones.

• In RouteConverter: RouteConverter can take these sparse points and "calculate" the path between them using various routing services (like BRouter, GraphHopper, or Google Maps).
• Characteristics: Routes are dynamic. If you move one point in RouteConverter, the software recalculates the path to stay on the road or trail.
• Best for: Planning a motorcycle trip, a road trip, or a cycling tour where you need turn-by-turn directions.