This gets a bit complex and you need a fairly good understanding of the differences between waypoints, track points, shaping points, tracks and routes... If you are unfamiliar with those things, and how they work, I would suggest that you study these things first, to help you understand what the GPS is doing internally.
A Track is simply a collection of points that end up creating a line, when connected together, that displays on the map. A track displayed on the map of the XT is not navigable with turn by turn directions, it is simply a picture on the map that you "follow" by looking at the map and riding to follow it. Different GPS models have different limits for Routes, Waypoints, Geocaches, Waypoints within a Route, Track Points within a Track, etc. The XT limits are as follows: Taken from the Garmin Support Site
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=O ... s61OhANsf5
When sending or creating files for the zumo XT, keep in mind the following limitations:
Unlimited GPX files-*
Unlimited waypoints-*
Unlimited geocaches-*
Unlimited routes-*
Maximum of 200 waypoints per route
Unlimited saved tracks-*
Maximum of 10,000 points per track
2,000 archive tracks
Each GPX file can contain a mixture of waypoints, geocaches, routes, and tracks. If the GPX file containing a waypoint or geocache is deleted, the waypoint will no longer be available on the device. When utilizing routes, only 50 points can be used for on-road navigation.
* Contingent on the fact that the device has enough storage space
Tracks are utilized for Adventure and Dual Sport events because the purpose of the event is to travel a specific set of roads or trails in order to experience the ride, scenery, and challenges the originator intended, not simply to get from point A to point B in the most efficient way. In fact, it is typically the least efficient way to get from point A to point B, and seeks out gravel, double or single track trails, fire roads, specific landmarks of interest, water crossings, etc.
In a typical GPX file that contains Track Information for an adventure or dual sport motorcycle event, the originator of the track will typically insert waypoints along the track that identify specific features the rider may want to be aware of. Those features may include, but not be limited to: water crossings, dangerous conditions such as a steep incline/decline, rough terrain, extremely hard or technical section of trail, the start of a bypass (which typically helps you avoid a more difficult section), gas stops, restaurants, photo opportunities, historical landmarks, topographical features, etc. These waypoints are typically designated with a specific type of icon (perhaps a Red X for a water crossing, etc. as determined by the originator of the track - they typically stay consistent throughout the track so the rider can identify what is coming up ahead of them by simply looking at the icon). The XT has a very limited number of icons that you can choose from when creating waypoints on the device, and in the absence of the Explore App, they all end up being a rather generic looking green square, and therefore are fairly useless for Adventure and Dual Sport motorcycle tracks. Basecamp allows a much larger selection of custom icons and If you utilize the Explore App when importing the GPX file, the waypoints transfer over with the custom icons. You have to configure the settings on the XT to show "Up Ahead" items and include Waypoints as being visible on the map for them to show up.
These waypoints become a part of the GPX file when the originator exports the track to a GPX file. However, they are not points that are "routed to", they just appear on the map and their location is determined by their GPS coordinates. They are a part of the GPX file, but independent from the track. They can be searched, located, and "routed to" because they have specific coordinates, but they are not part of the track.
Part of the beauty of the XT is the ability to convert these tracks to Trips (which then are navigable and provide turn-by-turn directions). When converting a track to a trip, (remember
Recalculation must be off for it to remain accurate to the intended path of travel), the GPS includes every track point in the track as a "shaping point" which forces the route to follow the track as it was designed or recorded by the originator. With recalculation off, the GPS will then create a trip that follows the track points accurately and utilizes the track points as shaping points for the trip that gets created. The GPS is not looking at the start and end and then utilizing the settings you have established as preferences for routing to create a route between the two points. It is also not looking at the waypoints that are included in the GPX file, it is simply displaying them on the map based on their GPS coordinates.
A lot of people do not utilize a GPS in this manner. They simply enter in a destination and follow the route that the GPS generates to get there. Those of us who utilize our GPS units to navigate a predesignated and planned set of roads are much more interested in the journey than we are the destination. It's the ride experience that is most important. Tracks are a convenient way to share that experience with others and ensure that they are following the same path you intended/designed for the event.
Don't get me wrong, I also use my GPS to get me from point A to point B in the most efficient manner by letting it create my route when I am in my car or truck and simply need to get someplace unfamiliar to me. But, when riding a motorcycle, I typically plan a very specific set of roads/trails that I want to take, and utilizing tracks is a very effective way to do this.
The same kind of thing can be done (on a more limited basis) when creating routes by placing enough waypoints (that you route to as a "next stop", or "next destination" in the route to force the route to take specific roads, but it requires that the route be made up of known roadways in the mapset that you are utilizing, whereas tracks do not require roads. Additionally, if you happen to miss a waypoint that is embedded in a route (perhaps due to a detour from construction or an accident), the GPS may try to route you back to that missed waypoint. Details about how you tell the GPS to "skip" a waypoint in a route vary and I won't try to cover those here. A trip, converted from a track, will not attempt to re-route you to a missed track point (if you have recalculation off) like a route will.
Another nice feature of the XT is the Track Recorder function. If you happen to be out scouting roads/trails to utilize for an event, you can have the XT record your track as you ride. That track can then be imported into BaseCamp for refinement, to add detailed waypoints, etc.
Everyone uses their GPS for different purposes, and sometimes people cuss the device for not doing what they want it to do without having a deep enough understanding of how the device works. I have found, that through a bit of dedicated study and sometimes experimentation, I can accomplish most things I want on the XT. Plus, the screen is just beautiful to look at...