Zumo XT and Basecamp - Everything That You Need to Know

[jfheath]

A series of detailed, illustrated notes that I have put together from my use of the XT.
Links to the various sections are given below, and you can navigate between the pages within a section.
Clicking on 'Contents' brings you back to this page.

Contents - Section by Section

0 - Contents Page - A full hyperlinked contents page.

1 - Introduction - The Essentials - Routes, Trips, Routing Points, Ways to navigate

2 - Using Basecamp - Interface, Trip Design, Via & Shaping, Avoiding Issues.

3 - Transfer & Import Trips - Using the USB connection, Transfer, Ghost Points, XT File Structure, SD Card, Removing Data

4 - Navigate a Trip - Select Next Destination, Closest Entry, Follow a Route, Skip, Ignore directions

5 - BC Profiles and the XT - How a Trip affects XT behaviour, Vehicle Modes, Calculation Modes, Zumo Cradles

6 - Navigation Methods - 6 ways to Navigate explained, Trips, Routes & Tracks

7 - Garmin Explore - Set-Up, Disconnect, Collections, Routes & Tracks, Basecamp and Explore, Icons

8 - Off-Road Routes - Routes & Tracks without navigable maps.

9 - Loose Change - Categories, MyRouteApp, Email routes to XT, BC Databases, Put routes in date order, Show Favourites.

10 - Hidden Menus - System Diagnostics, System Boot

11 - Zumo XT Menu Map - 5 Diagrams showing the full menu structure


You may notice that some page numbers are skipped occasionally. That's OK. They are blank, left in place for future topics.

If you wish to see a double flip page version of this document, I have published one here.
Best viewed in full width on a large wide monitor (mine is a 24" 1920 x 1080 and displays well).

The information on these pages has been acquired from personal experience of using and testing the behaviour of Basecamp and my Zumo XT. I have no links with Garmin, and these pages should not be regarded as instructions. They are presented for interest only. The contents of these pages must not be shared, copied, transmitted, redistributed or re-published in any form without my permission. (C) JHeath 2021. Polite requests from established members for a personalised pdf copy of these notes are usually met with a positive response. Send me a PM with your name, ZumoUserForums name and an email address.

[Stu]

Massive thanks to @jfheath for putting all this together.

This is best viewed via a computer

If there is any errors then please let us know so they can be corrected

[jfheath]

ChangeLog

7 Dec 2021 - P89 - The Map & Vehicle Menu - Replaced Image with the Correct one.
18 Jan 2022 - P63 - Removed typos and improved descriptions - easier to understand if previous pages have not been read.
25 Mar 2022 - P72a - Added a Page on creating direct routes for Point to Point Navigation.
12 May 2022 - P74 - added information indicating how to add/edit categories for Waypoints using the XT screen. (Thanks @raf)

[Milu23771]

As always, thank you for taking the time and the care with which you help us to reveal the arcana of our device. I wonder if it is possible to leave this topic at the top of the list, like the one for updating the maps, so that it can always be consulted easily. Thanks again

[Milu23771]

Sorry, my keen sense of observation makes me realize only now that the topic is already at the top of the list. However, the heartfelt thanks for Jfheath's work remain.

[auke54]

Thanks @jfheath
Great info and a very nice way of presenting.

[Wapping123]

Excellent, thank you John.

[groundhog719]

Thanks so much for putting this together. It must have been a lot of work.

I have been using various GPS units for almost 20 years on desert/dirt bikes, dual sport, and sport touring bikes. I consider myself a serious GPS user with a lot of plotted miles. I switched from handheld units when the GPSMap276 came out and refused to discard my 276C until I got this Zumo XT 2 years ago (when it first came out).

This tutorial is exceptional in it's scope and thoroughness. Even though I was sure I knew it all I found that I picked up quite a few new things and have learned why some features work or don't work the way I've been using them.

I do however, use several custom profiles in BC (like "MostlyDirt" with only "Unpaved roads" left unchecked and "MainHwys" with only "Interstates" and "Major Highways" checked) to get BC plot the magenta line close to the way I want it. Then I will 'nail down" the route with via/shaping points by switching between the "Motorycle" profile and the custom profile. When the magenta line stays put between the two I figure it is good to export to the XT.

I didn't see the notice about the 2 page flip version available until after I had gone through the entire project on this forum. The flip version is much easier!!

[jfheath]

I do however, use several custom profiles in BC (like "MostlyDirt" with only "Unpaved roads" left unchecked and "MainHwys" with only "Interstates" and "Major Highways" checked) to get BC plot the magenta line close to the way I want it. Then I will 'nail down" the route with via/shaping points by switching between the "Motorycle" profile and the custom profile. When the magenta line stays put between the two I figure it is good to export to the XT.

Thanks for the very kind comments, and for your contribution.

Regarding the use of custom profiles. That is an excellent way of doing things. Please allow me to add a little.

Profiles contain all of the information about routing and avoidances that you want to use every time for the vehicle that you specify.
None of that information gets transferred to the Zumo though - except the vehicle and the shorter/faster routing option.

When you edit the preferences in the profile in Basecamp, it recalculates every route that has used that profile.

A custom route doesn't do this. The same routing and avoidance options that can be set in a profile are also available for a custom route - but they are stored as part of the custom route. Change anything in that dialogue box and the changes to the map are instant - you don't have to close down the dialog box before you see them - so you can experiment with the changes and see the effect very quickly.



If you place a track on the map of where you want to go, the small deviations will be very easy to spot.

When finished, simply apply the motorcycle profile. Or not. The XT defaults to using the motorcycle profile for any route that it receives that is not a car or a motorcycle. It also resorts to using faster time unless shorter distance is selected - even if curvy roads is chosen.

[smac]

Again jfheath I would like to add my thanks - a really clear manual.
I have a question which I hope you or someone can answer. Every other Garmin I have had has the icon 'Towns' which can be added to the 'Where To' screen. You could press it and navigate to a city centre without having to put in an address. It seems this icon is not available on the XT and the only way to navigate to a town centre is via the Address Icon. Am I right?