XT steep learning curve

[glenn2926]

XT2 , with no regrets . Bigger , faster , awesome route planning on your mobile ( with the Tread app ) , awesome important and export of routes ( with the Tread app ) . A bonus is the ability to store routes in collections ( like filing cabinets ) .
Both XT and XT2 can be used in portrait mode , but XT cannot use the fabulous Tread app . Just saying.

Some don’t like the Tread app , just like they don’t like Basecamp . Some cannot understand it .

I don’t need it faster. I need it to work at the speed I’m riding. I did use a very early Tom Tom but it didn’t keep up with the speed I was driving and I was already past the roads it wanted me to take. This was driving on blue lights. I’ve no idea what tread is. I use Basecamp and have used it for many years. I use my laptop to plan routes on Basecamp then send to device. Basecamp is very easy for me to use.
I understand Basecamp so no need to learn how any other system works.
My question re the XT is because I think my old 660 is coming to the end of its life and am starting to look at replacements. I did consider using my phone but a dedicated sat nav is a much better option for me.
I have a quadlock mount for my phone if I need to use it.

 

[glenn2926]

you can get a lead that plugs into the BMW connector for the satnav. Nippy Norma sells it. You simply join this lead to the end of the XT's power cable. Unplug the 660 cradle, plug in the XT and away you go.

I am assuming you are using the BMW OE satnav cradle for the 660 as it uses the same connector as the BMW devices, just to clarify what @Berin says.

Yes that’s correct. The bike (R1250GSA) came with the mount for my 660. The wonder wheel doesn't work but I’ve not been used to one anyway. The XT does sound to be natural progression and as my Garmin sat nav’s, both 660 and 760 camper have been faultless for coming up 15 years now I will stay with the make.
Apparently the XT2 is faster!! Just what difference that makes I don’t know but I’ve never thought my current devices needed to go faster.
Sorry but another question, does the XT2 mount lock the device into it like the 660 mount does?

 

[wessie]

Yes that’s correct. The bike (R1250GSA) came with the mount for my 660. The wonder wheel doesn't work but I’ve not been used to one anyway. The XT does sound to be natural progression and as my Garmin sat nav’s, both 660 and 760 camper have been faultless for coming up 15 years now I will stay with the make.
Apparently the XT2 is faster!! Just what difference that makes I don’t know but I’ve never thought my current devices needed to go faster.
Sorry but another question, does the XT2 mount lock the device into it like the 660 mount does?

stick with the XT as you will still be able to use Basecamp

no, the locking mount was a BMW Nav feature. Standard Garmin devices come with a simpler mount. There are options on the accessory market. I use a Zumo 390 and I just take the device off the bike when refuelling etc.

There is still a version of the Zumo 3xx series on the market which is similar to the 660 in function, just using the newer operating system and map data.

 

[glenn2926]

stick with the XT as you will still be able to use Basecamp

no, the locking mount was a BMW Nav feature. Standard Garmin devices come with a simpler mount. There are options on the accessory market. I use a Zumo 390 and I just take the device off the bike when refuelling etc.

There is still a version of the Zumo 3xx series on the market which is similar to the 660 in function, just using the newer operating system and map data.

Thanks @wessie. The XT sounds like the one to buy for my use. Basecamp is very easy for me and easy for me to share routes with others. So I would like to keep this as my plotting system. None of my other bikes have had a locking mount so that isn’t really going to make much difference as I’m used to removing the device when I leave the bike.
Currently my old 660 is working fine and I hope that continues but it’s not going to last forever and having an idea of which device to replace it with is useful.

 

[John Armstrong]

The XT2 is not officially supported by Basecamp, you can still use it, as I do, to construct routes / waypoints and then send them to the XT2. But, not all functions and POI icons are the same so may cause confusion. And, Basecamp doesn't seem to suffer from the faster roads problem. Because of this I export the data from Basecamp via an email which I open in Tread as Tread and the XT2 seem to generate very similar routes from the same data. This method also seems to avoid the dreaded RUT problem as well
Other methods of data transfer are available and may suit others better.

 

[siddo]

My XT is plugged in to the old BMW satnav power lead, with a connector I sourced online.
I have the lockable Touratech nav mount in place of the BMW one.

 

[GrinningGSer]

Tread and XT2 are that good at route creation , that Basecamp is no longer needed ( so yes unsupported ).
However , Basecamp can facilitate timed stops / lunch breaks etc ; a feature that tour operators like for detailed planning . Not for me though , Tread does enough.
(Basecamp gpx often does not import to Tread , for reasons that I do not understand , but work 100% if sent via a free gpx creator, which corrects something ).
Hey , I loved Basecamp , but it is history now .

 

[adventuredon]

In this case, I believe that Glenn is a basecamp fan, and I also believe the XT2 dos not support connection to basecamp, relying on the Garmin ecosystem and Tread for route planning and transfer.

That would make the XT a better choice, in this case.

Not true. Basecamp does not support the NEW features, but does allow transfer of routes. In fact I think the XT 2 and the XT treat imported routes the same (as in they need to be saved first to remove likelihood of RUT). https://zumouserforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2960.
I didn't know about the tread app. Seems it is a similar iteration of MRA and MRA Next or thereabouts. ?

 

[Wapping]

I did use a very early Tom Tom but it didn’t keep up with the speed I was driving and I was already past the roads it wanted me to take.

A modern GPS device will be able to keep up with today’s hooning. Whether the rider’s / driver’s brain will always be able to, is very subjective.

 

[adventuredon]

so after a few videos, I think the XT 2 is the way to go...until I hear otherwise of issues!

 

[Wapping]

so after a few videos, I think the XT 2 is the way to go...until I hear otherwise of issues!

Break a leg, as they say.

 

[Wapping]

Does the XT come with a cable including connector into the wiring loom on the R1250GSA? I was reading an online article about changing from the 660 to the XT it recommended cutting/splicing into the existing 660 cable. Your idea sounds much simpler.

That very much depends on how your 660 was powered on your R1250GSA and / or depending on how you wish to power the XT.

The XT is supplied with a suitably lengthy power lead, allowing connection straight to the battery or to an ignition switched source. Most owners seem to go direct to the battery, as that is ‘easiest’. Me? I prefer an ignition switched source, if only because I then know that the device and / or its cradle will not stay live when I leave the bike.

Many owners can’t be arsed to disconnect things properly, so they may well recommend cutting the existing wires. The obvious downside of that is, should they then wish to sell the mount and power lead, it’s worth less than a complete one. There is still a market for ‘old’ mounts and power leads, such as the 660.

 

[Berin]

Not true. Basecamp does not support the NEW features, but does allow transfer of routes. In fact I think the XT 2 and the XT treat imported routes the same (as in they need to be saved first to remove likelihood of RUT). https://zumouserforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2960.
I didn't know about the tread app. Seems it is a similar iteration of MRA and MRA Next or thereabouts. ?

By which I mean, I don’t believe that the xt2 is recognised by basecamp, thus allowing the “send to device” method of transferring routes. This is the method Glenn uses at the moment and likes, as it slips the various export/import steps. I stand to be corrected on that, though, as I don’t have an XT2.

Of course any gpx file will run in any gps, just the import method and resulting route may vary.

 

[casbar]

Why not simply remove, rather than cut, the existing cable / mount and replace it with what comes ‘free’ with the XT? It’s an easy job.

I fitted an XT to my RT 1250. Just removed the original bracket, replaced with the XT, bought an accessory cable from motor works, which allows you to plug the power lead straight into the same socket the original sat nav cable came from.

The XT is fine as long as you understand the issues, "fasted route" and the issue of when you load a route from something like MRA that you need to open it and then save it again so you don't get the return to waypoint issue. Everything else is fine

 

[Daffy]

You don’t actually need to do any rewiring, just get yourself a 3DAM adaptor bracket, it just works.

Simply use the existing BMW bracket and fit the XT to that.

The best bit of you have more than 1 bike use an old 660 mount on that and swap between bikes.

I’ve got one of those CarPlay devices that I use locally when doing blood and it works works well but I do like a proper sat nav for touring for the reasons already spelled out by Richard. I just swap them out depending what I’m doing.

 

[glenn2926]

You don’t actually need to do any rewiring, just get yourself a 3DAM adaptor bracket, it just works.

Simply use the existing BMW bracket and fit the XT to that.

The best bit of you have more than 1 bike use an old 660 mount on that and swap between bikes.

I’ve got one of those CarPlay devices that I use locally when doing blood and it works works well but I do like a proper sat nav for touring for the reasons already spelled out by Richard. I just swap them out depending what I’m doing.

Does this 3DAM adapter power the XT too? I guess it just clips onto the 660 cradle and then the XT clips into it?

 

[Daffy]

Does this 3DAM adapter power the XT too? I guess it just clips onto the 660 cradle and then the XT clips into it?

That’s correct, it powers the XT via the cradle so no additional power required.

Mine works really well, and is very low profile so the XT looks like it’s supposed to be there.

I’ll post a couple of photos later.

 

[Wapping]

Of course any gpx file will run in any gps, just the import method and resulting route may vary.

Providing the original route / track is correct and properly created, then yes, that’s generally true.

I see a number of GPX files that are so badly created that they won’t run, even if you begged the dumb device and promised not to shout at it. Similarly, Pocket Earth Pro will sometimes handle a third party’s GPX route better than say MyRoute’s Routeplanner.

Rubbish in, definitely equals rubbish out…. And that’s before you get to bods’ preference settings, filling in gaps between known shaping / waypoints and, not least, incompatible maps.

But hey, GPX is more good than bad; that’s for sure. What is beneficial is a bit of patience and the ability to look at the sometimes mass of spaghetti, to work out what’s gone wrong. It’s why I always advocate checking things BEFORE setting off. Five minutes spent, might save an hour of buggeration later.

 

[Daffy]

This is what I bought, I bought the XT horizontal non locking version, it worked out at just over £60, although I had it delivered to my lad in Italy as he was coming over so he brought it with him.

You might need to pay import duties or pay a bit more at via a UK retailer like NN.

Linky

 

[glenn2926]

This is what I bought, I bought the XT horizontal non locking version, it worked out at just over £60, although I had it delivered to my lad in Italy as he was coming over so he brought it with him.

You might need to pay import duties or pay a bit more at via a UK retailer like NN.

Linky

Great, my lad lives in Chamonix so getting it delivered there is an option. Thanks.