MRA - Zumo XT - Mac OS workaround
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I have been using MRA seamlessly with a TomTom ever since MRA was released. Create a route on the Mac, connect the TomTom via USB, transfer the route to the GPS. Job done time to go for a ride.
As many others have found I was disappointed and frustrated to find that my new Zumo XT does not play nice with the Mac OS. After some searching I found Android file transfer but that requires Mac OS 10.5.x and my Mac is still running Catalina (10.15.x) so that proved a dead end. Finally it dawned on me that MRA is a web based product. Duh! (Forehead slapping moment)
The answer is simple. Create the route on the Mac (I prefer to do this on a big screen where I can see more detail particularly with complex routes) then simply open the MRA App on either my iPhone or iPad, open the route previously created and export it as GPX 1.1. The Garmin Drive app on the phone or iPad picks up the export and transfers it to the Zumo XT. Simple and quick. Really not any more difficult than connecting the GPS via a USB cable. I can and have uploaded previously created routes to the Zumo whilst sitting (stopped I might ad) on the bike.
I'm sure others have figured this transfer method out but I can't see it documented here hence this post.I do have one request for the wonderful MRA people. When you create blog posts please specify which system OS the post relates to. The recent blog post about transferring routes to a Zumo XT makes no mention that the method outlined cannot be used with the Mac OS. The world is not 100% Microsoft centric and by failing to mention issues relating to other OS you cause a lot of unnecessary frustration amongst users.
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@k1w1 It is correct, due to the Android operating system the MRA connector doesn’t work with the ZumoXT in conjunction with Mac OS. This should pointed out in the blogpost.
I use the same workaround for the route transfer to my Garmin ZumoXT. -
Another “annoyance” with the Zumo XT is that you cannot directly create a “Collection” on the Zumo XT.
A Collection is particularly useful for grouping off-road routes (In the UK these are often called “Green Lanes” or using the official terminology “BOAT’s” Byways Open to All Traffic which Motorcycles can use)
Very often however there will be also be Bridleways and Footpaths in the same vicinity that Motorcycles are not allowed to ride on.To create a collection on the the Zumo XT you have to create it in the Garmin Explore Website (You cannot use the Garmin Explore App for this!) and you must also have the Garmin Drive App open whilst creating the Collection in the Garmin Explore Website.
Hopefully Garmin will will add the ability to directly create a Collection the Garmin Zumo XT at some point.
Below is an example of 70+ BOAT’s only, around Salisbury Plains put into a single collection.
These BOAT’s were created in the the UK Ordnance Survey App not in MRA.
You get no directions for these as they are not officially “Roads” but you simply follow the tracks safe in the knowledge that you will not endure the wrath of the walkers or horse riders as no Bridleways or Footpaths are plotted in that collection.
You don’t stop riding when you get old, you get old when you stop riding.
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@steve-lynch I don't see how that issue you are talking about relates to transferring routes created on a Mac to a Zumo XT. What you are talking about appears to be a completely different issue and should be in its own thread.
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@steve-lynch you can create collections in the Garmin Explore Apps.
@K1W1 I agree that there needs to be more info about the issues relating to the Zumo XT hard connection to Mac OS. When I connect to my Mac for file transfer, I use Macdroid App (licence needed - https://www.macdroid.app/android-file-transfer/) although I know a lot of people use Android File Transfer (free - https://www.android.com/filetransfer/). I have tried both and they allow me to place information on the units file structure and Micro SD Card. Unlike Windows however, you can only have one app connected at a time to your XT and cannot run POI Loader or Garmin Express at the same time - hope that makes sense. Not ideal but it is another option if you want to add additional files to your XT from a Mac. There are several other 'apps' for Mac out there, but I have had no experience of them. Also have a look at the Zumo User Forums website as you will find a lot of useful information concerning Mac connection and the XT.
