Zumo User Forums

Had a few questions relating to XT and XT2 on Facebook. I was guided here by jfheath for usefull dialogue, so here I am, be gentle.

I wondered where you had got to. Did you get lost ?

What was it that I said that I would help you with ?

1.I was pondering the difference between the XT and the XT2 where the Tread App and Explore cause deviations in poorly planned Routes/Tracks. I have read your posts on this subject and have stopped the synching so far so good.
2.I am also looking to install the XT2 on my 2021 BMW R1250 GS Adventure having removed the OEM Nav Prep. I may put a BMW repair plug on and use the vacant Plug/Socket left by the said OEM Nav Prep. I also have the Lone Rider Motocan route to use if needs arise, along with fusing the cable and wiring it straight to the baattery.

madforthetar wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 3:14 pm Had a few questions relating to XT and XT2 on Facebook. I was guided here by jfheath for usefull dialogue, so here I am, be gentle.

Welcome to the forum. It is made up of a bunch of folks who are courteous, kind, helpful, and above all, knowledgeable.

madforthetar wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 6:02 pm 1.I was pondering the difference between the XT and the XT2 where the Tread App and Explore cause deviations in poorly planned Routes/Tracks. I have read your posts on this subject and have stopped the synching so far so good.

Ah yes - I went looking for the post - but according to the Facebook logs, I had a post and all associated replies deleted from the XT and XT2 owners group on FB - two days ago. No comment, no warning, no reason. Just deleted. I can't remember what I said, but somebody didn't like it. I know there was a link to this site. I probably hinted that the replies that you were getting were not very helpful !

Questions

Q1 - Have you got rid of Tread completely from your phone ? That will work. But if you start with a completely factory reset XT2, (you lose your track logs and routes unless you copy them first using a USB cable), and and a phone without Tread installed - you can then install them again - and sign in to your Garmin.explore account.

When you get to the option where your are asked if you want to store data or synch - you do not allow that. (They keep changing the words they use). What you get is an XT2 which never tries to synch but it does pass data from your phone to the XT2. So you can get weather, traffic, roadworks etc on your XT2 screen.

Q2. Have you read about making the XT2 behave itself - curing the RUT issue ? There are a few tools around which can help, and there are a couple of techniques that you can use to prevent it form ever happening.

I still use Basceamp for planning routes. I send them as GPX files to the SD card - where the XT2 cannot alter them. I also send tracks of the route. I use Garmin Waypoints (ie points that I have created, named and saved before creating the route). The XT2 will not alter the names of Waypoints. I then build my route around the waypoints and add shaping points to suit. Some of the original waypoints will be set as shaping points, some as Via Points.

I then take a copy of the route using the option on the XT2 screen. I use the copied route to navigate - it is RUT proof.
It takes a bit of preparation, and you still have the issue that the XT2 will want to head for the nearest fast road - so shaping points have to be placed accoridingly.

You also need to know how to superimpose the route on top of the track - using collections and making just one collection visible.

Most of the issue to do with the XT2 disappear if you do the above. That is a rushed summary. If you want to know more about any of that - you have some info about what to ask for. The info about the XT2 is scattered all of the place. I haven't got round to doing a guide like I have for the XT1.

madforthetar wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 6:02 pm 2.I am also looking to install the XT2 on my 2021 BMW R1250 GS Adventure having removed the OEM Nav Prep. I may put a BMW repair plug on and use the vacant Plug/Socket left by the said OEM Nav Prep. I also have the Lone Rider Motocan route to use if needs arise, along with fusing the cable and wiring it straight to the baattery.

Your BMW. The Zumos can be powered from their USB socket - but it is not a good idea. Was this your intention ? The problem is that the wire flaps around int he wind and it rattels the USB socket int he Zumo. That is only held in place by a soldered connection to the very fine metal coating on the circuit board - and a weak plastic clamp (if it is built the same as the 590). Over time the connections to the circuit board break. You either need to stop the cable moving in relation to the XT2 or get yourself a new cradle.

The XT2 runs on 12v, but it is also designed to be bacward compatible with the XT1 cradle which runs on 5v. The XT2 has 6 contact positions on the back, the XT1 has 5 - yet the XT2 is designed to plug in and work with the XT1 cradle as well as the XT2. So it runs on 5v if that is the case. You might have more success in finding aon XT1 cradle. I know it works - my XT2 sits on my desk in an XT1 cradle powered from a 12v transformer and using the XT1 cradle with its built in step down transformer for a 5v supply. And it charges while it is turned on. The XT1 will not fit in and XT2 cradle. There is a ridge in the moulding of the cradle which prevent it. It doesn't prevent the XT2 - because that has a correspondign trough to accomodate the ridge.

Anyway. If that little lot isn't going to answer any questions - but at leas you will have a number of things that you can put into the category of 'what the hell was he talking about ?' and ask the appropriate questions.

Something to be gettting on with......

Welcome to the forum, @madforthetar.

madforthetar wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 6:02 pm
2.I am also looking to install the XT2 on my 2021 BMW R1250 GS Adventure having removed the OEM Nav Prep. I may put a BMW repair plug on and use the vacant Plug/Socket left by the said OEM Nav Prep.

I've not come across the BMW repair plug. I wired my XT in to the original loom using a £20 lead from Nippy Norman. It looks like that's been replaced by the cheaper Part No: MKS-ELA13585.

you bikers who own BMW motorcycles have very well built bikes, greetings from Canada

colirv wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 10:32 am

madforthetar wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 6:02 pm
2.I am also looking to install the XT2 on my 2021 BMW R1250 GS Adventure having removed the OEM Nav Prep. I may put a BMW repair plug on and use the vacant Plug/Socket left by the said OEM Nav Prep.

I've not come across the BMW repair plug. I wired my XT in to the original loom using a £20 lead from Nippy Norman. It looks like that's been replaced by the cheaper Part No: MKS-ELA13585.

Same plug........Oem Bmw Motorcycle Repair Plug 3-Pin Original 611656 83300413585. Three yellow wires only 1 and 3 are required as 2 is a data cable I am told.