Thinking of moving from Basecamp to MRA...But!

[Pale Rider]

So I've been happily using Basecamp now for a couple of years and think I'm getting quite adept in using it but for me it's just too time consuming in preparing a series of routes for a trip.

So I've been looking at MRA as an option and have been offered discounts from them, as I would imagine everyone else has! So my plan was to use MRA to create my routes on my PC and then export said routes as gpx files to my Garmin zumo 595, is this possible? or will I need a more modern gps unit/carplay unit?

Then only this morning discovered something called MRA Next, do I still need this to use the routes on my sat nav or is it just needed when using a phone?

Thanks and sorry for not being very techy!

 

[leedude03]

sending routes from MRA to your 595 would be fine. very similar to using basecamp , only real difference is the method of doing it, in otherwords learning how to use the transfer function of MRA, i feel someone will be along with a how to guide if not just have a go its not difficult and you wont break anything, its the best way to learn.

 

[Posh Pete]

This any use?

 

[Rasher]

MRA is excellent, if doing more that 1 or 2 routes I just save them all as GPX and copy them to the device, worked fine with my 340 / 345.

The navigation part is for the phone app navigation which works very well, and you can get route planner free version to start with, lacks advanced features which are worht every penny if you do a lot of trip planning, but for basic stuff the free version is OK.

You can also pay monthly, so if you don't like it you can cancel, or just pay for the summer?

 

[Mzokk]

Because the 595 goes into mass storage mode, you can transfer routes directly from your phone to the Zumo using a usb c to A connector connected to your phone and a Garmin lead connected to your Zumo. Handy on tour.

 

[Pale Rider]

Thanks everyone for your input on this and as I do a few trips each year plus weekends away with the Mrs etc I'm going to get the gold lifetime package, just hope it doesn't take as long to learn as Basecamp did!

 

[casbar]

Thanks everyone for your input on this and as I do a few trips each year plus weekends away with the Mrs etc I'm going to get the gold lifetime package, just hope it doesn't take as long to learn as Basecamp did!

Bought gold for the planner years ago and gold for the nav app about 2 years ago. MRA works well and there is plenty of help around. It does take a little effort to learn though. Also understanding what and how your garmin uses the uploaded files. Just got back from 3 days away, had a few nav issues with my XT, but that wasn't My Routes fault, that was me understanding the XT foibles. Everyday is a school day

 

[Arsey]

Bought gold for the planner years ago and gold for the nav app about 2 years ago. MRA works well and there is plenty of help around. It does take a little effort to learn though. Also understanding what and how your garmin uses the uploaded files. Just got back from 3 days away, had a few nav issues with my XT, but that wasn't My Routes fault, that was me understanding the XT foibles. Everyday is a school day

Before I junked my XT I did a whole trip running MRA routes on XT and on my phone .
The routes should have been identical but the XT did some weird shit .
Tended to use the phone as more reliable . Then the XT battery died , which was the final nail in the coffin for overpriced and underperforming Garmin shite.

 

[Lord Snooty]

I still use Mapsource, I save the gpx file to my laptop, plug the satnav in and then copy and paste the file into the Garmin/gpx folder in the satnav and then when the file is detected it prompts me to Import it. Dead easy. Unlike Arsey I don't have any problems with my 660 or BMW Nav 5.

 

[casbar]

Before I junked my XT I did a whole trip running MRA routes on XT and on my phone .
The routes should have been identical but the XT did some weird shit .
Tended to use the phone as more reliable . Then the XT battery died , which was the final nail in the coffin for overpriced and underperforming Garmin shite.

Going to carry on with the XT until it bricks itself, then I'll try a car play unit. Pretty much understand the XT now and how to get MRA routes loaded and follow them.

 

[casbar]

I still use Mapsource, I save the gpx file to my laptop, plug the satnav in and then copy and paste the file into the Garmin/gpx folder in the satnav and then when the file is detected it prompts me to Import it. Dead easy. Unlike Arsey I don't have any problems with my 660 or BMW Nav 5.

Not as simple if your part of the Apple eco system. The mac book doesn't connect to the XT (android op system). So you can still use garmin drive from your phone, or use a file sharing prog on the mac like command one, which I have. But currently MRA app to garmin drive into the XT is pretty painless. Unless you did what I did on my last route and didn't put enough shaping points in between a loop that just had a couple of waypoints. Then loaded using gpx 1.1 and didn't check the map in the trip planner. Route was screwed as the XT decided it would be quicker to go with its defaults rather than follow the track.

Got home and put more shaping points in, route was then fine - lesson learned. More shaping points and check the map view in the device after loading - who would have thought!

 

[leedude03]

you cannot transfer a gpx file via direct cable link because iOS does not support USB mass-storage file transfers to older Garmin automotive units,

i maybe wrong about this try it and see., i think you can make it work on android i would need to try it.

 

[Berin]

Not as simple if your part of the Apple eco system. The mac book doesn't connect to the XT (android op system). So you can still use garmin drive from your phone, or use a file sharing prog on the mac like command one, which I have. But currently MRA app to garmin drive into the XT is pretty painless. Unless you did what I did on my last route and didn't put enough shaping points in between a loop that just had a couple of waypoints. Then loaded using gpx 1.1 and didn't check the map in the trip planner. Route was screwed as the XT decided it would be quicker to go with its defaults rather than follow the track.

Got home and put more shaping points in, route was then fine - lesson learned. More shaping points and check the map view in the device after loading - who would have thought!

I’m able to connect the XT to my Mac, and that’s on the latest OS and Apple silicon.

Being Android, it can only connect to 1 app at a time. So if you’ve been updating it using GE, you must quit GE entirely including the little triangle on the menu bar before connecting to BC. It can take 2-3 minutes to connect to Basecamp but then transfer to device works fine.

You can also see the XT as a mass storage device if you use Commander 1, which is helpful when a map update fails because it hasn’t removed a previous version of the map.

 

[Berin]

you cannot transfer a gpx file via direct cable link because iOS does not support USB mass-storage file transfers to older Garmin automotive units,

i maybe wrong about this try it and see., i think you can make it work on android i would need to try it.

That’s the case. It’s not possible to do a fine transfer via USB from an IOS device, unlike the Montana where it works well.

Transfer from a Mac using BC to XT also is fine.

 

[casbar]

I’m able to connect the XT to my Mac, and that’s on the latest OS and Apple silicon.

Being Android, it can only connect to 1 app at a time. So if you’ve been updating it using GE, you must quit GE entirely including the little triangle on the menu bar before connecting to BC. It can take 2-3 minutes to connect to Basecamp but then transfer to device works fine.

You can also see the XT as a mass storage device if you use Commander 1, which is helpful when a map update fails because it hasn’t removed a previous version of the map.

I can connect my xt on the Mac, but can’t see the file structure unless I use commander one. So I need that prog if I want to delete files from the xt. On a pc, you can read the xt files without using another prog

 

[Berin]

I can connect my xt on the Mac, but can’t see the file structure unless I use commander one. So I need that prog if I want to delete files from the xt. On a pc, you can read the xt files without using another prog

Yes to both, but you said you can't connect the XT to a Mac without Commnder 1 which you can using Basecamp, which is easier if you are transferring multiple routes/tracks

 

[casbar]

Yes to both, but you said you can't connect the XT to a Mac without Commnder 1 which you can using Basecamp, which is easier if you are transferring multiple routes/tracks

Have never used Basecamp, so have no idea. Basecamp doesn't allow you to edit files on the XT, such as I have done in the past, such as modifying themes etc. For that you need a text editor and Commander one or similar to access the files.

I transfer my routes via Garmin Drive direct to the XT.

 

[Berin]

Have never used Basecamp, so have no idea. Basecamp doesn't allow you to edit files on the XT, such as I have done in the past, such as modifying themes etc. For that you need a text editor and Commander one or similar to access the files.

I transfer my routes via Garmin Drive direct to the XT.

Yes. All the basecamp does is route creation and modification, then send to the device. And read maps off the device.

But an XT is perfectly usable in a Mac environment

 

[casbar]

Yes. All the basecamp does is route creation and modification, then send to the device. And read maps off the device.

But an XT is perfectly usable in a Mac environment

So how is an xt perfectly useable in a Mac environment, what can u actually do with the xt? I don’t use and have never used Basecamp. You can’t see the xt files without using something like commander one.

So assuming you have a gpx, how would you get it from the mac to the device.

As stated I use MRA and transfer via Garmin drive, but that isn’t the mac.

 

[leedude03]

Have you tried using this app on your MAC its just a thought have a look to see if it suits.
There is an app called OpenMTP that can be downloaded here