Zumo XT2 and Garmin Tread app

[Carl Lee]

Brand new XT2, spent the afternoon dewiring and rewiring the bike, splicing a fuse in etc etc. Only the fact I did all that meant that the unit didn't get sent back. I'm fairly nav savvy but how frustrating!

Anyway, here is my (hopeful) solution to getting a MRA route into the XT2:

Build the route using HERE, motorcycle mode, expand the number of shaping points to approx 25/100miles. Hit the MRA down arrow but only to download in GPX 1.1. I’ve tried the others with no luck, the unit or Explore doesn’t seem to like 1.2. Then open Tread and import your gpx. Then edit the route, let it calculate and rename it (just add a 1 or whatever). Click the close X and save.
This seems to work for me.

Now, anyone tell me how I also make the track visible without all the palaver of stopping Explore?

[Lynchy67]

@austin-1 said in Zumo XT2 and Garmin Tread app:

Garmin insists only output from the Garmin Tread application is compatible with the XT2

This is absolute nonsense.
You can use 1.1 and 1.2 using Garmin Express without ever having to use the awfull Tread App.

[truckpilot]

@Lynchy67 i think you mean Garmin explore instead of garmin express

[Hans van de Ven MR.MRA]

@truckpilot

With a windows PC you can use the connector
With a Mac, save the route as (gpx 1.1 or gpx 1.2) and with Android File Transfer, transfer the route tot youte XT2 to the gpx folder.
When using the MRA App and the Tread App use the gpx 1.1 file, because Garmin Explore makes a mess of the gpx 1.2 file.

[Lynchy67]

@truckpilot
No, I really do mean Garmin Express.
It allows you to easily upload your gpx files diretly into the GPX Folder on the XT2

[Carl Lee]

Been playing a little more with this thing. I'm now happy that my system works fine to wirelessly import MRA routes and tracks in GPX 1.1 (auto recalculate in auto). Important for when on bike tours away from a computer.

Using the MRA wired connector also means you can import GPX 1.2 files in the normal way which is great as these follow your track exactly (auto recalculate off).

I've also found how to make a track visible under the route. On the main map, click on Layers - Collections - Unorganised. Make sure first to make the intended track your colour of choice (black seems to work best), make it widest and 'show on top'. Your other tracks may be there but they will probably be yellow. Obviously, reorganise or delete after use to avoid confusion.

I hope I'm not teaching anyone to suck eggs and this is useful. At least it's a starting point to develop further discussion.

Maybe a new GPX will get created to work with Garmin Explore.

[Carl Lee]

@Hans-van-de-Ven-MR-MRA thanks, good info and I'm getting to grips with it now.

[truckpilot]

@Lynchy67
Ok. Can you explain please how to do this?
At this moment i can’t find any button or something else to import .gpx file to the unit.

[Lynchy67]

@truckpilot

In Google type Garmin Express Download.
Start Garmin Express.
Then Plug the XT/XT2 into your Laptop.
It will take a few minutes for the XT/XT2 to Sync.

You will hear a beep when the XT/XT2 is synced.

Go to the GPX Folder.

Paste your GPX Files into the GPX Folder.

Disconnect the XT/XT2 and power it up. It will ask you to select the files you wish to import.
Job Done.

If you are on a Mac I can't help with that.

[Bouke Ent]

@Lynchy67 strange because i do not need garmin express to connect my xt to windows pc. i only have to use it to update mijn garmin's.

i just connect xt wired to pc and i can copy gpx.

[TomOnTour]

@Bouke-Ent
This is different for the XT2, as they changed the file system format or the communication protocols. I am nit sure which is the one that have changed (at least for the Mac) users. I could connect my XT to my Mac and go to the GPX folder, but with the XT2 you need a special peace of software (Android file transfer) to get it "connected" with the Macs. Not sure if there is something similar in the windows world.

[truckpilot]

@TomOnTour
On windows pc normally no other program needed.
When i connect my XT2,it shows up in the file manager/explorer ( verkenner in dutch).

[truckpilot]

@Lynchy67 like @Bouke-Ent mentioned, you don’t need garmin express to vieuw your XT2 in your Windows file manager/ explorer. Garmin express only for updating device's firmware,maps etc via usb connection.

[Lynchy67]

@truckpilot @Bouke-Ent
I actually prefer to use Garmin Express for my XT2

@truckpilot said in Zumo XT2 and Garmin Tread app:

Garmin Express only for updating device's firmware,maps etc via usb connection.

That is simply not true!
If you look at my screen shots you can see I have direct access to the GPX folder and I can upload multiple GPX Files.

I'll stick with my method.

[truckpilot]

@Lynchy67 you don’t have to open garmin express to see the XT2 in the file manager.
It’s your windows system that normally ( depending settings) detect a ( new) device and opens it in your file manager/ Windows explorer. Try it once without opening garmin explorer.
I’m been doing this also to import things directly in the gps(xt2) , internal memory and sd card.

[Bouke Ent]

@TomOnTour thanks for explaning. do you know if otg then still works. my xt i can connect with otg cable to my samsung active 2.

[TomOnTour]

@Bouke-Ent
I might be stupid, but I don't know what "OTG" means. Sorry, for asking

[Bouke Ent]

@TomOnTour you are not stupid... with otg cable you van connect a tablet or phone to a usb device like a usb stick or a navigation device. there are lightning and usb variants. with this you can connect your garmin to a phone or tablet without any pc. i use it when i do not have good internet (wifi or 4g) and i want to transfer a gpx file to my garmins or tomtom. only important thing is that your garmin is in USB storage mode. in the past i had to correct this on my 345. my xt was setup correctly.

[Con Hennekens]

@TomOnTour, In essence, an OTG cable connects to your phone's charge port and enables regular USB devices to be connected to your phone.

[TomOnTour]

@Bouke-Ent Ok, got it. To be honest I never tried it, but it sounds similar to what I currently do, as I connect a MicroSD reader to my tablet and transfer the GPX-file onto a MicroSD and then I plug the MicroSD into my XT2. I should give it a try to connect my XT2 directly to my tablet.

Greetings
Thomas