I am trying to connect my Garmin 260W to my laptop to see if I can track my route on a map but to no avail so far.

Has anyone succeeded in doing it so far?

This will only be possible if you have Garmin Mapsource installed on your computer.

Besides needing Map Source, keep in mind that some Garmin units are not capable of keeping tracks. If your unit has the capability, you only need to click transfer in Map Source and check "Tracks" and transfer from unit. The tracks will be immediately transfered.

I think the low end nuvis dont do this.. Its easily viewable in the feature matrix..

I think the low end nuvis dont do this.. Its easily viewable in the feature matrix..

Most Nuvis are capable of using track log its just that some of the 200 series have this locked. It is easy enough to unlock and activate the tracking. Just search on google for nuvi 200 track log and you will find all you need to unlock this feature. It basically involes a firmware upgrade or downgrade depending on which current firmware you have.

You don't need mapsource to get track data. I have a Nuvi 205. Just connect the Nuvi to the computer with USB cable. Open "Windows Explorer" you will see a "garmin" folder on your computer. Under this folder will be a folder "GPX". in this folder there will be a file "current.gpx". This file contains all of your stored waypoints/favorites and track data. Open the "current.gpx" file in "google earth". "google earth" will plot all the waypoints and track data from the "current.gpx" file.