Garmin Zümo XT/XT2: Basics

Garmin XT/XT2 basics: How to safely load a route onto your device

Depending on the route planner (and its associated algorithm for route calculation), settings, and the maps used, routes may deviate from the original plan. Routes from Basecamp usually work well, but when using a different system such as MyRouteApp or downloading a route from someone else, things can sometimes go wrong (which you find out while driving).

To make sure, that doesn't happen to me anymore, I choose to work only with tracks and convert them to routes on the XT/XT2. This way, the chances of the route being different from the track and/or being interpreted differently by the XT/XT2 are minimized. Additionally, you have the option to display both the track and the route during (or before) the ride, making any deviations immediately visible.

The only downside of using a track instead of a route is the fact that you will lose the option to create mandatory stops in your route (via-point), which can also be used to find out how far away the next stop is. However, this functionality is not offered by all route planners and requires a cable to get the route on the XT/XT2.

Overview of the Garmin ecosystem

Creating routes

You can use any tool as long as you can export tracks and POIs as GPX. I personally use the format GXP 1.1 preferably without routes (only track and POIs), to avoid confusion. Possible routeplanners: MyRouteApp.com, Kurviger.de, RouteYou.com and Calimoto.com.

Import Option 1: Via Browser (XT/XT2)

Import Option 2: Via the Tread App on your phone (XT2)

Convert Tracks to Routes on the XT/XT2

Ensure that the Tread app is open on your phone, to be able to sync the tracks and POIs to your device (only XT2).

Zümo Xt/XT2

• Start Explorer (and wait until it finishes syncing)
• Choose your added collection and select the track

• Click the configuration button (top left), select 'Track Width', choose 'Widest' and Save (this will make the Track visible behind the Route)
• Also change the color to back via 'Set Colour'

• Scroll down and choose 'Convert to Route'
• Select 'Start to finish'

• Choose a different name so that it appears alphabetically on top of the list in your collection
• If you receive a message 'route does not comply with travel restrictions,' choose 'No'
• If succesfull, click 'OK', 'Done' and go back to your collection

Moving your Route from 'Unorganized' to your collection

The XT2 is a bit awkward and creates the route in the 'Unorganized' collection instead of the collecion where the Track is located. This can be resolved:

Note: It is important that both the track and the route are in a "visible" collection, so you can see both at the same time (this is why it is useful to place them in the same collection).

• Go to the Explore start screen and click on the 'Unorganized' collection'
• Click on the three dots in the top right and choose 'Select and Edit'
• Select the route and choose the icon with the 'book and plus'
• Select the correct collection and click 'Done'
• Your 'Unorganized' is now empty again and you can return to your collection overview

Check the result

• Go to the Explore start screen and make sure the collection is visible ('eye' symbol)
• Select the route and see if there's a purple line with a wider black line behind it (you will also see the POIs, if you have added them to the GPX)
• Check for any deviations between the purple and black line
• No deviations? Ready to ride!

NEXT STEP: Enhance the POIs on your routes with nice icons using my POI2PIC tool!

Riding with the XT/XT2

It's good to know that if you take a wrong turn and let your Garmin 'recalculate', it will search for the next via-point (intermediate point). This can cause unpredictable behavior if your via-points are not well-placed. However, it could also result from Garmin's interpretation of your route (this also explains route differences between various navigation systems). When converting a track to a route, you don't experience this unpredictability, but it does come with certain limitations if you need to resume the route halfway. This is because this route only has two via-points (start and end), which often causes you to be directed toward the end quickly (via the shortest route). This can be easily resolved:

• Recalculate (Setting -> Navigation): Set this to 'off' or 'prompt'. In the latter case, you'll at least see when you deviate from the route (and thus make a wrong turn). The downside is that you'll also get this notification if you, for instance, drive a bit off the road to a gas station, but you can easily dismiss it with 'no'.
• Restart route (halfway): Ensure you're on the route and select 'drive to endpoint'. Garmin will not recalculate and will simply follow your route.

Finally, a few tips:

• If you take a wrong turn or there's a road closure, check the map yourself to see how to best get back to the route. Once on the route, Garmin will pick it up again.
• Add some POIs or waypoints (viewpoints, rest stops, gas stations) and select these as a destination if you get lost. From there, you can restart the route.

NEXT STEP: Enhance the POIs on your routes with nice icons using my POI2PIC tool!