Has anyone found a way of wirelessly transferring routes to the Garmin XT 2 - the same as the XT and Drive app does ?

wilbjr21

wilbjr21

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Has anyone found a way of wirelessly transferring routes to the Garmin XT 2 - the same as the XT and Drive app does ?

I have the Tread app on my phone and was silly enough to activate the Explore feature - I won't do that again :oops:

I have to use a card reader plugged into my iPhone and copy to the XT 2's SD card.

It's no bother doing it if truth be told.

======

I have started you a fresh thread.

Richard
 
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Import the route to the Tread app and then it gets sync’d to the XT2.
 
Wilbjr21 you clearly do not understand how XT2 functions. It is massively different from its predecessors.
You need to learn the Tread app on your mobile phone; Import routes , create routes , edit routes, send to XT2 . The same applies to waypoints , if routes are not your thing.
 
The Garmin support team agreed to exchange my faulty XT (music player was f***ed) . After 10 days with no exchange stock available they offered an XT2, which I thought was a generous offer to a long-term user. I was expecting a significant change in how it works, but at least it is a current model and still works fine with Basecamp despite the warning messages saying that the XT2 is not supported.
The Tread app is useless to me for route planning compared to a 24" PC screen.
 
Hey , I’m very proficient in use of Basecamp and have used it to great effect for donkeys years.
I now successfully use Tread for all route planning, finding it easier and faster to use than Basecamp.
That said , Tread lacks features , such as timed stops ( which I’ve never used and understand that pro tour guides like).
If you are unable to master Tread , then XT2 is not for you .
Some never mastered Basecamp
Some can’t swim
 
Wapping said:
You need to sell the XT2 and buy…. Um….. Er…… an XT1

:beerjug:
Click to expand...

I have an XT also ........ and as for the remarks I don't know how it works ... hmm - knobber is being polite.

The Explore app, which needs to be activated to mimic the Drive app on the XT, destroys the routes created.

That's why I don't activate that option.

I use MRA for my routes but need to xfer with the SD card and not wirelessly.

Hence the question.
 
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Are we in danger of some major confusion here ?
XT2 does not need Garmin Explore app so why are you dissing the Explore app ?

I am not familiar with the mysterious Explore app , but guess that it does have abilities to export gpx files to Tread , should you need to do so. Not sure they’d work though .

XT2 uses the Tread app , whilst at the SAME TIME saving its data online at explore.garmin.com and the latter is online only . Furthermore, it uses not possible to seperate itself from this function and if you try then it all falls down .

Basecamp is no longer supported. It is effectively finished , except for legacy devices.

Tread has fabulous abilities to import and export gpx files to other devices , but it frequently will not import files created by now unsupported Basecamp . ( There are ways of modifying Basecamp files but that’s a subject of another discussion if needs be )
 
wilbjr21 said:
I have an XT also ........ and as for the remarks I don't know how it works ... hmm - knobber is being polite.

The Explore app, which needs to be activated to mimic the Drive app on the XT, destroys the routes created.

That's why I don't activate that option.

I use MRA for my routes but need to xfer with the SD card and not wirelessly.

Hence the question.
Click to expand...
The XT doesn’t require use of the Explore app, and it’s very easy to transfer gpx files using the Drive app, as it it to just set a destination for the XT to navigate to by searching the interweb.

Selecting a destination on the drive app has advantages when searching for businesses and other stuff not in the XT database.
 
GrinningGSer said:
Tread has fabulous abilities to import and export gpx files to other devices , but it frequently will not import files created by now unsupported Basecamp . ( There are ways of modifying Basecamp files but that’s a subject of another discussion if needs be )
Click to expand...
I have never had any problem importing routes from Basecamp into my XT2 either by a cable from the PC or via the Tread app.

That the routes then may bear no resemblance to what Basecamp shows is down, IMO, to the faulty "faster roads" algorithm and how Tread treats shaping points. And that becomes another fun filled battle with the technology!
 
GrinningGSer said:
Are we in danger of some major confusion here ?
XT2 does not need Garmin Explore app so why are you dissing the Explore app ?

I am not familiar with the mysterious Explore app , but guess that it does have abilities to export gpx files to Tread , should you need to do so. Not sure they’d work though .

XT2 uses the Tread app , whilst at the SAME TIME saving its data online at explore.garmin.com and the latter is online only . Furthermore, it uses not possible to seperate itself from this function and if you try then it all falls down .

Basecamp is no longer supported. It is effectively finished , except for legacy devices.

Tread has fabulous abilities to import and export gpx files to other devices , but it frequently will not import files created by now unsupported Basecamp . ( There are ways of modifying Basecamp files but that’s a subject of another discussion if needs be )
Click to expand...
Basecamp may be no longer supported, but it’s still the best tool out there for many applications, especially when working with tracks.

Any route or track authored in Basecamp can be saved as a gpx file, which can then be imported to any gps device that can import files. The only thing that doesn’t work, maybe, with some new devices, is the “transfer” function.

That doesn’t matter though, since it’s easy to export a gpx file from basecamp and then import it to your device by whatever method you use.

The transfer certainly does work with the XT and the Montana 700/750 series, though. I don’t know about the XT2
 
GrinningGSer said:
Are we in danger of some major confusion here ?
XT2 does not need Garmin Explore app so why are you dissing the Explore app ?

I am not familiar with the mysterious Explore app , but guess that it does have abilities to export gpx files to Tread , should you need to do so. Not sure they’d work though .

XT2 uses the Tread app , whilst at the SAME TIME saving its data online at explore.garmin.com and the latter is online only . Furthermore, it uses not possible to seperate itself from this function and if you try then it all falls down .

Basecamp is no longer supported. It is effectively finished , except for legacy devices.

Tread has fabulous abilities to import and export gpx files to other devices , but it frequently will not import files created by now unsupported Basecamp . ( There are ways of modifying Basecamp files but that’s a subject of another discussion if needs be )
Click to expand...

We are pretty much on the same page with the XT2.

I also have an XT and it uses the Drive app to xfer routes to the XT. - flawlessly (y)

I don't have the Garmin Explore app on my phone.

I also have the Tread app on the XT2 and my phone and it works well if you don't enable the Explore library when setting up Tread on the phone.

If the Explore library is enabled then the routes in your Explore library and - and on the XT2 are synchronised, altered and spend most of their time being synchronised over the web.

Do you not have this problem. ?

With the XT only the Tracks from the Explore library are place on the XT - not routes.

I use the MRA web routeplanner to create my routes but have to xfer these to the XT2 by removing the SD card and copying them using cables and card readers; this what I'm trying to avoid.

The reason I have both the XT and the XT2 is that my XT failed to turn on so I replaced it wit the XT2

Garmin later offered to replace my XT for £110 so I though why not. (y)
 
I do not have MRA root planner , so what I’m about to say could be wrong .
1) export your routes/ tracks as a gpx file , to your smartphone
2) Your smartphone should then ask what to do with it
3) Send it to the Tread app , where is gets stored as a ‘Collection’
4) All will shortly , after synchronization, magically appear in your XT2 in that named Collection

No need for cards , USB leads etc , that’s all confined to museums

The use of Collections is a feature in the XT2 , which did not exist in the XT . It is a fabulous way of storing stuff and furthermore the entire can easily be sent to your mates ( using Tread app)
 
Re non supported Basecamp and XT2:

XT2 uses ‘Collections’ and therein lies your first problem , because Basecamp cannot use this feature and just dumps stuff ‘Uncategorized’

Basecamp can transfer to XT2 via legacy usb , but it does not like it and more often than not , fails to connect when the XT2 refuses to enter its Android file transfer mode . A pain in the arse , while you wait ages , will be experienced .

If you insist on using Basecamp , export as gpx and send the gpx to your mobile phone and point it to Tread app , which will ask you which category to put it in

Then be prepared , for failure of the gpx to import , especially if your gpx is a track!

I have learned , to import the gpx tracks into a free app called gpx.studio , on my MacBook ,then re export it as a new gpx and all will import flawlessly into Tread

Don’t ask me why , but Tread does not like some gpx from Basecamp , for reasons unknown .

Tread is an awesome routing app, and it’s Collections feature is so useful for those geeks that like collections , but don’t get
pi$$y about it if it doesn’t play ball with your legacy Bacecamp

Get used to it . Store your favourites as named Collections …. and also back them up somewhere else , in readiness for that day when it all goes wrong.
Tell JLR about that day …..
 
GrinningGSer said:
I do not have MRA root planner , so what I’m about to say could be wrong .
1) export your routes/ tracks as a gpx file , to your smartphone
2) Your smartphone should then ask what to do with it
3) Send it to the Tread app , where is gets stored as a ‘Collection’
4) All will shortly , after synchronization, magically appear in your XT2 in that named Collection

No need for cards , USB leads etc , that’s all confined to museums

The use of Collections is a feature in the XT2 , which did not exist in the XT . It is a fabulous way of storing stuff and furthermore the entire can easily be sent to your mates ( using Tread app)
Click to expand...
I don't use Basecamp - I've removed it from my computer (y)

I agree with all you have written - and did it that way too. (y)

I'll try enabling the Explore library in Tread again to see if there have been any changes to stop the constant synchronisation and and route alterations.

Thank you.

:beerjug:
 
It is my belief that, that the entire system ; Tread / explore library / XT2 will not synchronise without all three being active

XT2 can function as a standalone , with its own maps and data aboard ,but it really needs the other two .

I do not know the sequencing when the system synchronised i.e. Save a gpx ( route /track/ collection ) in Tread , and where does it go to next , explore library first , or XT2 first ? Anyone know ?
 
Using Tread for dummies ;
Create and name a new COLLECTION
WAYPOINTS TOOL
Create important waypoints , naming , selecting appropriate icons , and saving in that collection or in multiple collections

ROUTING TOOL
Select the start waypoint and the end waypoint .
Tread plots your route and names it ( change if required )
Tread offers several types of routes ; your choice

Now the FUN PART ; modifying the route to create a fantastic route
Top screen , you see the waypoints lists
Place your finger on the last waypoint list that is correct
On MAP , place a new SHAPING POINT ( which do not announce )
On MAP , place new WAYPOINTS ( will announce )

As long as all in correct order it’s done , if not select undo or re order

It’s real easy; easier than Basecamp

SAVE the route

Send the route to your mates , if you have any
Send the collection , if they also have an XT2

Job done ; Tread automatically synchronises with XT2 and the explorer library

(There are no advanced features , such as times for stopping points , meal breaks, start time etc )

Remember , when you send a gpx route , it is just a collection of two , or hopefully more points . Your Satnav , has its own ideas how to calculate where it takes you between these points .
Trust me , XT and XT2 , using the same file , will take you on different routes , to the same ending .

The best way to eliminate surprises , is to pin very many shaping points , but that has other consequences , especially if you miss one , so keep to a minimum .
 
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I think I've got to the bottom of it .........

I use the MRA website for planning using the large screen on my computer. MRA recommend a waypoint every 5 Km or 3 miles; I like to dictate my route as much as possible to reduce surprises.

I've read that the Tread app can only import a route to the XT 2 with no more than 32 waypoints.

This would necessitate an MRA route being no longer than 96 miles - unrealistic when planning a trip over a few days of exploring.

So it's back to copying routes to the XT 2 using the SD card as this is the only way to xfer a route with more than 32 waypoints - shaping points.

Tread re-installed without access to the Explore Cloud so that no synchronisation takes place and the XT 2 continues to perform as it should.

I'll have to live with this method until Garmin do someting about the Tread waypoint/shaping point limit. (y)
 
I find my route on the MRA app, and use “Download”, “gpx 1.1 (track, poi)” and then “Export” and select Tread.

Seems to work fine for me.
 
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