Mac to Garmin Zumo XT* GPX Transfer

[Steve Jarrell]

@Nick-Carthew Thanks Nick. I'll post any "Garmin only" content there in the future!

[Van Hammée Luc]

Hello Steve, Thank you for this very interesting information and your explanations. I'm also considering buying a Garmin XT2 or XT3 . Currently I use the NAVIGATOR V and a Carpuride W502 BS. But I'm going to change motorcycles (Honda Transalp - no CarPlay like on the Africa Twin). Thanks for the information. I will follow your future updates with interest. Thank you.

[Steve Jarrell]

@Van-Hammée-Luc You're very welcome. I'm glad that I could help!

[Van Hammée Luc]

Very thanks for you reply.

Luc Van Hammée
Belgium

[John S Parry]

@steve-jarrell Thank you for this topic. Coincidently, I just bought an XT3 that should arrive today. I'm coming off of the original XT, where I perform manual GPX 1.1 transfers much the same as you describe. I was dreading having to deal with anything Tread/Explore, but your explanations will make the whole setup manageable.

BTW, on Mac, I've been using MacDroid for GPX file transfer to my XT. OpenMTP looks appealing, and I will download it for comparison. Thanks!

[Steve Jarrell]

You're very welcome. I agree about Tread/Explore 100%!! I tried MacDroid and while it does work, I found OpenMTP to be much more straightforward and simple to use for my application, and it's 100% free (although I did send the developer a contribution as it's WELL worth it!).

Please report back and let us know your experience both with the XT3, 1.2 .gpx and OpenMTP!

[Lenny O]

I use Garmin Drive App to wirelessly transfer the routes from MRA to my XT. Never failed yet.

[Mzokk]

There are many differences between the XT,XT2 and XT3. For the XT the Garmin Drive app works flawlessly for transferring routes wirelessly from your phone to the XT. It also works as a hub to connect your phone to weather information, traffic information and "Smart Notifications". But for the love of all that is holy do not connect it or the XT unit to Garmin Explore and sync your routes and tracks as you are in for a world of pain. I've done it a few times to see if its improved.....it hasn't. The XT is also capable of transferring routes via bluetooth to another XT device, a BMW NAV5 and 6 all of the 3XX Zumo's and the Zumo 590 and 595. This was/is handy if transferring routes others basically using any Garmin Zumo that has bluetooth sharing capability. I believe this is more complicated now and files cannot be shared directly from the XT2 or 3 to older Zumo's.

That said if you use MRA for route planning you can share files with old zumo devices using this arrangement (at least in Android I don't know about IOs)

Older Zumo's and any sd card contained therein are seen as a mass storage devices by Android phones you can cable connect the phone to the Zumo (make sure you use a Garmin lead!) and GPX files you download from MRA can be installed directly into the device or SD card.

[Steve Jarrell]

Very good information. I don't have my XT anymore to test with as I gave it to my brother when I got the XT3. I also don't have an Android based phone so those are two major variables.

You have to give it to Garmin though.... they have a way of convoluting things that should be rock solid simple into a frustrating experience in many cases. They also should be applauded for creating one of the world's worst user interfaces with Basecamp IMO :).

[John S Parry]

@Steve-Jarrell Step one compete. I followed your Tread setup instructions, completely avoiding Explore (no bueno on external Storage). I did enable the BT connection from the app to the XT3 for Weather and Traffic. So far, so good.

From my Windows PC, I copied a GPX to the GPX folder on my XT3 SD Card. The XT3 recognized it, and I saved it. I'll do a test run later today.

This XT3 is a different animal from the XT. It's going to take some getting used to, but my feeling is that it's going to be a nice upgrade.