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CTC Cambridge

Garmin tip: making the route easier to see

Friday 6 September 2024 

Do you have a Garmin Edge 1040, or perhaps a previous version like an Edge 1030? If you do then this page tells you how to

  • Change the colour of your route from dark purple to bright red, so that it is easier to see on the map.

  • Remove the "virtual partner" from the map, so that you now longer get distracted or confused by it.

What's the problem?
So how do I change the route colour?
That's too complicated, show me the quick way

What's the problem?

Nigel writes: I have a Garmin 1040 Edge cycle computer, and frequently use it to guide me along a pre-planned route (using Garmin's excellent "Turn Guidance" feature).

The route I am following is displayed on the map in a dark purple colour, which I have sometimes found hard to see, especially when riding in rain or poor light.

Here's an example of what I see. The route ahead is shown as a dark purple line, with small white chevrons to show the direction:

Classic theme

This screenshot makes the colours look brighter than they actually appear on my device. Here's a photo of the same screen:

The map shown above might be tolerable. However if turn on the "Popularity map" option, which displays roads popular with cyclists in a darker colour, the popular roads appear in a dark purple coulour which looks very similar to the route I am following:

Classic theme with "popularity map" enabled

See how the route (east to west) is displayed in a very similar purple colour to Grange Road and Sidgwick Avenue.

(If you'd like to try "popularity map" select Menu symbol > Activity Profiles, select a profile, select Navigation > Map > Appearance, and enable "Popularity Map". Or open the menu that (sometimes) appears at the bottom of the map.)

You get the idea. Whether this is a problem for your depends on your own eyesight, the weather and time of day, and probably the brightness of your Garmin display. But, anyway, it was enough for me to want to change the colour of the route ahead from purple to red.

Here's what it looks like for me now:

Custom theme
Custom theme with "popularity map" enabled

So how do I change the route colour?

On a Garmin Edge 1040, the colour of a route is defined in the map theme. Each map theme defines the various colours that are used when displaying the map.

To see what map themes are available, select Menu symbol > Activity Profiles, select a profile, and select Navigation > Map > Appearance > Map Theme.

This displays the map themes that are available:

The three built-in map profiles

The Garmin manual describes these as follows:

  • Classic
    Uses the classic Edge® map color scheme, with no additional theme applied.
  • High Contrast
    Sets the map to display data with higher contrast, for better visibility in challenging environments.
  • Mountain Biking
    Sets the map to optimize trail data in mountain biking mode.

By default everyone uses the "Classic" profile, so the instructions below describe how to modify the "Classic" profile to display the route in a different colour. If you use the oother two profiles you can do the same thing with them.

So, how do you configure a map profile?

It turns out that you can't configure a map profile using the settings on the device. Instead you have to copy, and then edit, a file.

  • Connect your device to your computer with a USB cable.

    On your computer, using your computer's file manager, you will see the "Garmin Edge 1040" filesystem and the files below it. Navigate to the GARMIN folder and then to the MAPTHEMES folder.

    The MAPTHEMES folder on a Garmin 1040 (your drive letter might be different)

  • Using your computer, make a copy of Classic.kmtf.

    When I did this I gave my copy the name ClassicRedCourseNoVP.kmtf. You can call your copy anything you like: this is the name that you will see when you view the available map themes on the device. (Don't try editing Classic.kmtf directly, since any changes will be lost the next time your device restarts.).

ClassicRedCourseNoVP.kmtf (or whatever you call it) is a text file in XML format which you can edit using your favourite text editor (e.g. Windows Notepad).

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><garmin_map_theme><metadata><title>Classic</title><description>Garmin Classic Theme</description><category>0</category></metadata><stylelist><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_BLACK_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff000000" night="#ff000000"/><secondary day="#ff000000" night="#ff000000"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_RED_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff880000" night="#fff80000"/><secondary day="#ff880000" night="#fff80000"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_GREEN_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff008000" night="#ff00b800"/><secondary day="#ff008000" night="#ff00b800"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_YELLOW_CLR"><color><primary day="#ffb07800" night="#fff8b000"/><secondary day="#ffb07800" night="#fff8b000"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_BLUE_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff000080" night="#ff0058f8"/><secondary day="#ff000080" night="#ff0058f8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_MAGENTA_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff800080" night="#ffb000f8"/><secondary day="#ff800080" night="#ffb000f8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_CYAN_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff008080" night="#ff00fcf8"/><secondary day="#ff008080" night="#ff00fcf8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_LT_GRAY_CLR"><color><primary day="#ffc0c0c0" night="#ffc0c0c0"/><secondary day="#ffc0c0c0" night="#ffc0c0c0"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_GRAY_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff808080" night="#ffc0c0c0"/><secondary day="#ff808080" night="#ffc0c0c0"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_RED_CLR"><color><primary day="#ffb00000" night="#fff06028"/><secondary day="#ffb00000" night="#fff06028"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_GREEN_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff00b800" night="#ff00fc00"/><secondary day="#ff00b800" night="#ff00fc00"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_YELLOW_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff989800" night="#fff8fc00"/><secondary day="#ff989800" night="#fff8fc00"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_BLUE_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff0000f8" night="#ff0088f8"/><secondary day="#ff0000f8" night="#ff0088f8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_MAGENTA_CLR"><color><primary day="#fff800f8" night="#fff800f8"/><secondary day="#fff800f8" night="#fff800f8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_CYAN_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff00fcf8" night="#ff00fcf8"/><secondary day="#ff00fcf8" night="#ff00fcf8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_WHITE_CLR"><color><primary day="#fff8f8f8" night="#fff8f8f8"/><secondary day="#fff8f8f8" night="#fff8f8f8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_LT_BLUE"><color><primary day="#ff20a8e0" night="#ff000000"/><secondary day="#ff20a8e0" night="#ff000000"/></color></style><style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_TRANSPRNT_CLR"><color><primary day="#00f8fcf8" night="#00f8fcf8"/><secondary day="#00f8fcf8" night="#00f8fcf8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_POPULARITY_1_CLR"><color><primary day="#ffa8a8f8" night="#ffa8a8f8"/><secondary day="#ffa8a8f8" night="#ffa8a8f8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_POPULARITY_2_CLR"><color><primary day="#ffa854f8" night="#ffa854f8"/><secondary day="#ffa854f8" night="#ffa854f8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_POPULARITY_3_CLR"><color><primary day="#ffa854f8" night="#ffa854f8"/><secondary day="#ffa854f8" night="#ffa854f8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_POPULARITY_4_CLR"><color><primary day="#ffa800f8" night="#ffa800f8"/><secondary day="#ffa800f8" night="#ffa800f8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_POPULARITY_5_CLR"><color><primary day="#ffa800f8" night="#ffa800f8"/><secondary day="#ffa800f8" night="#ffa800f8"/></color></style><style field="MPM_POPULARITY_6_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff500050" night="#ff500050"/><secondary day="#ff500050" night="#ff500050"/></color></style><style field="MPM_POPULARITY_7_CLR"><color><primary day="#ff500050" night="#ff500050"/><secondary day="#ff500050" night="#ff500050"/></color></style></stylelist></garmin_map_theme>

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<garmin_map_theme>
    <metadata>
        <title>Classic</title>
        <description>Garmin Classic Theme</description>
    </metadata>
    <stylelist>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_BLACK_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff000000" night="#ff000000"/>
                <secondary day="#ff000000" night="#ff000000"/>
            </color>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_RED_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff880000" night="#fff80000"/>
                <secondary day="#ff880000" night="#fff80000"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_GREEN_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff008000" night="#ff00b800"/>
                <secondary day="#ff008000" night="#ff00b800"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_YELLOW_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ffb07800" night="#fff8b000"/>
                <secondary day="#ffb07800" night="#fff8b000"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_BLUE_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff000080" night="#ff0058f8"/>
                <secondary day="#ff000080" night="#ff0058f8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_MAGENTA_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff800080" night="#ffb000f8"/>
                <secondary day="#ff800080" night="#ffb000f8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_CYAN_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff008080" night="#ff00fcf8"/>
                <secondary day="#ff008080" night="#ff00fcf8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_LT_GRAY_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ffc0c0c0" night="#ffc0c0c0"/>
                <secondary day="#ffc0c0c0" night="#ffc0c0c0"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_DK_GRAY_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff808080" night="#ffc0c0c0"/>
                <secondary day="#ff808080" night="#ffc0c0c0"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_RED_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ffb00000" night="#fff06028"/>
                <secondary day="#ffb00000" night="#fff06028"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_GREEN_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff00b800" night="#ff00fc00"/>
                <secondary day="#ff00b800" night="#ff00fc00"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_YELLOW_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff989800" night="#fff8fc00"/>
                <secondary day="#ff989800" night="#fff8fc00"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_BLUE_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff0000f8" night="#ff0088f8"/>
                <secondary day="#ff0000f8" night="#ff0088f8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_MAGENTA_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#fff800f8" night="#fff800f8"/>
                <secondary day="#fff800f8" night="#fff800f8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_CYAN_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff00fcf8" night="#ff00fcf8"/>
                <secondary day="#ff00fcf8" night="#ff00fcf8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_WHITE_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#fff8f8f8" night="#fff8f8f8"/>
                <secondary day="#fff8f8f8" night="#fff8f8f8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_LT_BLUE">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff20a8e0" night="#ff000000"/>
                <secondary day="#ff20a8e0" night="#ff000000"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_MDB_TRK_TRANSPRNT_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#00f8fcf8" night="#00f8fcf8"/>
                <secondary day="#00f8fcf8" night="#00f8fcf8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_POPULARITY_1_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ffa8a8f8" night="#ffa8a8f8"/>
                <secondary day="#ffa8a8f8" night="#ffa8a8f8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_POPULARITY_2_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ffa854f8" night="#ffa854f8"/>
                <secondary day="#ffa854f8" night="#ffa854f8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_POPULARITY_3_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ffa854f8" night="#ffa854f8"/>
                <secondary day="#ffa854f8" night="#ffa854f8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_POPULARITY_4_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ffa800f8" night="#ffa800f8"/>
                <secondary day="#ffa800f8" night="#ffa800f8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_POPULARITY_5_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ffa800f8" night="#ffa800f8"/>
                <secondary day="#ffa800f8" night="#ffa800f8"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_POPULARITY_6_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff500050" night="#ff500050"/>
                <secondary day="#ff500050" night="#ff500050"/>
            </color>
        </style>
        <style field="MPM_POPULARITY_7_CLR">
            <color>
                <primary day="#ff500050" night="#ff500050"/>
                <secondary day="#ff500050" night="#ff500050"/>
            </color>
        </style>
    </stylelist>
</garmin_map_theme>

You now need to make changes to this file. Follow the instructions below, or, if you prefer, go to That's too complicated, show me the quick way and download the file I use.

  • To change the route colour to red, insert the following near the end, immediately before </stylelist>:

            <style field="MPM_ACTV_CRS_CLR">
                <color>
                    <primary day="#ffff0900" night="#ffff0900"/>
                    <secondary day="#ff701208" night="#fff5c0bc"/>
                </color>
            </style>

  • Whilst you're here you can also hide the "virtual partner" icon from the map by changing its colour to "transparent". You can do this by adding the following near the end, immediately before </stylelist>:

            <style field="MPM_VP_VHCL_CLR">
                <color>
                    <primary day="#00ffffff" night="#00ffffff"/>
                    <secondary day="#00ffffff" night="#00ffffff"/>
                </color>
            </style>
            <style field="MPM_VP_VHCL_BRDR_CLR">
                <color>
                    <primary day="#00ffffff" night="#00ffffff"/>
                    <secondary day="#00ffffff" night="#00ffffff"/>
                </color>
            </style>
            <style field="MPM_VP_VHCL_LEFT_CLR">
                <color>
                    <primary day="#00ffffff" night="#00ffffff"/>
                    <secondary day="#00ffffff" night="#00ffffff"/>
                </color>
            </style>
            <style field="MPM_VP_VHCL_RGHT_CLR">
                <color>
                    <primary day="#00ffffff" night="#00ffffff"/>
                    <secondary day="#00ffffff" night="#00ffffff"/>
                </color>
            </style>
            <style field="MPM_VP_VHCL_BACK_CLR">
                <color>
                    <primary day="#00ffffff" night="#00ffffff"/>
                    <secondary day="#00ffffff" night="#00ffffff"/>
                </color>
            </style>

  • After you have finished editing this file, click "save", disconnect the USB cable, and restart your device.

  • On your device, see what map themes are now available. Select Menu symbol > Activity Profiles, select a profile, select Navigation > Map > Appearance > Map Theme.

    You'll see your new map theme in the list. Choose this.

  • Restart your device. (I'm not sure this is required). You should then see your new settings when you follow a course.

That's too complicated, show me the quick way

If you don't want to create your own map theme then you can use the one that Nigel created by following the instructions above. The new map theme displays the route (course) you are following in red, and also makes the virtual partner icon invisible.

  1. Download this file to your computer: ClassicRedCourseNoVP.kmtf.

  2. Then connect your device to your computer with a USB cable. If you do this you will see the "Garmin Edge 1040" filesystem and the files below it.

  3. Navigate to the GARMIN folder and then to the MAPTHEMES folder.

  4. Copy the file you just downloaded to this folder.

  5. Now disconnect the USB cable and restart your device.

  6. On your device, navigate through the settings to select your new custom map theme.

    To do this, select Menu symbol > Activity Profiles, select a profile, select Navigation > Map > Appearance > Map Theme.

    You'll see the three built-in map themes, plus a new one called ClassicRedCourseNoVP. Choose this.

  7. Restart your device. (I'm not sure this is required). You should then see your new settings when you follow a course.