ZUMO XT2 CONCLUSIONS

[biglew55]

...
Tread app completely removed from my phone too and I reloaded the maps from Basecamp directly to the SD card in the unit, looked like it imported OK so we'll see

Does not using the Tread app eliminate other connected services such as Weather and Traffic?

[Malarkey]

Yeah it does which is not ideal but for the weather you can use any app on your phone and likewise on traffic if your really need to I guess.

Like most of the Garmin apps, this a good idea but not working correctly as yet - with a bit of luck they'll look at it and rectify the problem but i wouldn't hold your breath

Paul

[MTNFSH]

If you are not using the Tread app, I am curious what your experience has been on creating and saving routes on the XT2? I recently had the frustrating experience of creating a route and saving a route on the XT2. To open the route, I selected it from the Explore catalog app listing routes on the XT2 and then got this message: "Garmin explore route is currently being converted for use with the zumo xt2 device" and was told to try navigation later. Same message after three days. It makes no sense that a route created on the XT2 needs to be converted for use on the same device.

Older routes created on Basecamp are accessible from the Explore app listing on the XT2. I'm fine with continuing to use Basecamp but I still want to be able to create / modify routes while on the road using the Zumo as I used to with the old 595LM

[Malarkey]

Personally I've not tried to create a route on the XT2 as yet and as a fairly new user I've not had to amend a route either but with an imminent trip to the Alps and a strong likelihood of diversions I should be able to give a more accurate answer in a couple of weeks.

[technoguppy]

If you are not using the Tread app, I am curious what your experience has been on creating and saving routes on the XT2? I recently had the frustrating experience of creating a route and saving a route on the XT2. To open the route, I selected it from the Explore catalog app listing routes on the XT2 and then got this message: "Garmin explore route is currently being converted for use with the zumo xt2 device" and was told to try navigation later. Same message after three days. It makes no sense that a route created on the XT2 needs to be converted for use on the same device.

Older routes created on Basecamp are accessible from the Explore app listing on the XT2. I'm fine with continuing to use Basecamp but I still want to be able to create / modify routes while on the road using the Zumo as I used to with the old 595LM

I was able to modify an existing route on the unit itself. It wasn't drop-dead simple but it wasn't overly complicated either. I was able to delete Waypoints / Shaping Points, add in the Waypoints / Shaping Points, have it re-route (while keeping the other Waypoints / Shaping Points that exist down the path).

I have not created a route starting fresh from the unit itself. I find that a little challenging to old eyes and unfamiliar roads. I predominantly use BaseCamp and port the route to the unit via USB.

Without the TREAD App, I had no issues porting in old (ZUMO 595) maps into the new unit. The TREAD App is (IMDO) the problem.

[ballistic]

Hi everyone, joined the Forum a couple of weeks ago after my lovely wife bought me an XT2 for my Birthday.
I'm currently approaching the halfway point of a 7,000 mile trip around Europe, on my own and learning about the XT2 as I go.
I still use MapSource (can't get to grips with BaseCamp) and downloaded my 32 routes onto mt XT2 before I set out, which imported them without difficulty... took a long time, though!
So far, I've had no issues whatsoever, once I'd realised that "Tolls and Fees" and "Toll Stickers" were two separate entities.. couldn't understand why it was trying to get me off some motorways (which had tolls for cars, but not motorbikes) even though I didn't have to pay. Garmin could add an option for motorbikes in those countries where they can ride toll-free.
I haven't loaded Tracks on my phone, as I don't want traffic reports of weather information etc., so that's not a problem. In fact, it's quite often a good thing when there's standing traffic because I can usually filter past, giving me a nice clear road ahead.
Creating a new route on the XT2 directly is okay, until you begin inserting shaping points. It does work, but takes an age.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the XT2, the thing that I find I am missing the most is that there is no "Shortest Route" option... I would be delighted to be informed that there is, and I've just not found it.
There you go, that's my 50p's worth (inflation, eh?).

[MTNFSH]

I'm really regretting that that I got the XT2 for my 2023 Tiger Rally Pro after my Zumo 595LM went bye bye with my old 2015 Tiger Explorer. below is my latest exchange with Garmin support to address an issue to the "The Garmin Explore route is currently being converted for use with the Zumo XT2 device. Try to start navigation later." message others have reported above since 2022.

Bottom line is that the XT2 software and the Tread app were updated today (8/23/2023) to add a "Great Rides" features but in the process the Garmin engineers broke the basic mapping functions of the Zumo XT2 and the Tread app.

Hi Adam - I'm following up on your last email. I want to note first that I had successfully created a route on Tread on August 21 and was able to open it on the XT2 after syncing the Tread app on my phone with the XT2. I did not get the "The Garmin Explore route is currently being converted for use with the Zumo XT2 device" message. However, I see that both the Tread app and the XT2 software were updated earlier today and I need to report the following:

routes that I had created prior to these updates have materially changed, generally dropping shaping points and changing the routes to Interstates. Attached is a route that specifically states Farm to Home via US Highway 50 but instead the route is now via Interstate 66. The modified routes via I-66 displays on both the XT2 and the Tread app.

A route that I created on August 21 with two simple shaping points from my home to Harpers Ferry WV has been rerouted to detour along I-270 / Frederick MD instead of along Highway 28.

When I attempt to recreate the same August 21 route on the Tread app with the same two shaping points, I get a message "unable to calculate route" when I try to add a second shaping point" as shown on the attached photo. This is the same manner by which I had previously successfully created a route BEFORE today's XT2 software and Tread app updates. I am also attaching this new 8-23 route which displays an "unable to calculate route" message when I open the route on the Tread app using the edit button.

The XT2 has been attempting to sync with my Iphone for the past 4 hours. both devices are open and the XT2 shows the Tread app to be connected.

I have to ask if I am the only user reporting these issues with today's updates to the Tread app and the XT2 software.

Your help / guidance here is much appreciated.



****
The response I got quickly from Garmin support about 20 minutes later makes me think my email was not actually read or considered.

"Thank you for keeping me updated! The software releases you are referring to were designed to introduce the Great Rides feature to the zumo XT2. It was not intended to address the issue we have been working on, but I can report to you that my engineers are actively investigating the issue. I will continue to collaborate with my engineers and I will keep you informed if I have any questions or if I have a resolution. Feel free to reach out to me with any updates like this one or any questions.



Thank you for choosing Garmin"

[Gelo]

Hi everyone,
Garmin's bad behavior with this navigator is incredible when it has been on the market for months.
I bought the XT2 a month ago and can't say anything else that it is a disaster in the creation of routes.
I use the Kurviger, MRA,etc; because the Tread application is not friendly to me and to use the Basecamp I would need a PC and therefore the main function of the XT2 disappears. I don't want to connect USB cable.
The sad thing is that it creates the tracks perfectly but the routes it does what it wants, horrible.
So far I only transfer the track and from the XT2 I do the route with the track, so far everything is fine but I don't like losing the waypoints, therefore the Navigator doesn't work for me.
Today I have contacted the technical service and they tell me that they have not registered any of this, I must be the first. AWESOME!!!
The Tread is rubbish.
After updating the same XT2 I have entered a route and I get a window saying that the vehicle profile used to create the route cannot be used on this device. Incredible!!!. It tells me that if it recalculates the route, if it is, it does what it wants and if it is not, you have nothing.
The Tread/XT2 set is a disaster
If I could trade it for the XT1 I wouldn't think about it.
All the best,

[Peobody]

I have an XT not and XT2 but the routing problems you describe are the same on both units. These devices are good at getting you to a destination but not necessarily on the roads the you want. When the XT is configured for 'Faster' instead of 'Shorter' it places unreasonable emphasis on routing you over faster roads, regardless whether there is other roads the will get you to your destination quicker. It appears that the XT2 does the same. The XT will follow a pre-planned route provided it never does a recalculation. Avoiding a recalculation is almost unavoidable on long routes because there are so many things that trigger one. The best way to get these devices to follow a pre-planned route is to have enough route points so that when they recalculate, they are forced to recalculate on the roads you want because of the route points. It is a challenge though. You must try to strategically place route points at any point where you think a recalculation will select a different road. It is a game where you must try to out-think the device. I lose more times than I win. Having a track of the route showing on the map helps identify when a recalculation changes the route. When a recalculation change occurs, sometimes stopping the route and then restarting it is the only way to recover.

[Malarkey]

An Update on my recent 3000 mile trip around Europe using the XT2 with my friend using the 595.

Well thanks to Technoguppy suggestion removing the Tread app completely and then re-importing all my routes via the micro SD card I'm happy to report that I had very few problems with my unit - yes it does some odd things but I turned the re-route option to ask and every time i went off route it asked and I refused it and was able to get back on track myself.

I did have to stop the route a few times and re-start but it comes back in at the nearest point so that worked OK - as someone else has suggested you need lots of shaping points then it mostly keeps you to where you want to go, (I use Basecamp which is difficult but great once you get the hang of it).

I also had to design a route directly on the unit one day, put in the start point, the end point and a few shaping points and although it takes an age to do calculate it did follow it to the letter.

My friends 595 followed the routes pretty much as planned, it had similar issues with the re-routes including a bit of a melt down on one day when he did a detour for petrol which then threw the whole route out and the Garmin made it's own one up, so he had to cancel the route and restart but as there is no option on the 595 to go to nearest entry point he had to choose the next waypoint and it took us well off the planned route.

So overall compared to the 595 I think the XT2 is a better option, as long as you accept it's weaknesses and you work around them as best you can - NEVER bother with the TREAD app, it's total rubbish, it doesn't work, it's not been fixed and it's not designed for what we want to do in my opinion.

I think that's about it, hope that helps a little more and thanks to all the other contributors, the shared knowledge has really helped me.