Why don't routes work with Garmin Explore? XT / XT2

[BigBird]

I had things working tolerably well, then a Garmin Explore app update on/about 20 Oct 24 crushed the last shred of usable route functionality. I cannot figure out what is doing on with routes and Garmin Explore. Any insights?

Background: I have no problems passing gpx files (waypoints, routes, tracks) to my XT via Drive. Beyond that, not my first rodeo. Looking for some sense-making if there is any to be had. What the heck is Garmin trying to do with routes in Explore?

At issue:
- Tread app will upload routes to Explore cloud and show them as a route, but the Collection on the XT only shows a track
- Explore app uploads routes to Explore cloud as a Course.
- Explore app no longer has the option to open a Course and save as a Route.
- Explore browser make a hot mess of everything. Combines tracks. Mangles routes.

Net: cannot get a route to the Explore tool / capability of my XT.
BTW, my friend with an XT2 is pulling her hair out, because she doesn't have Drive. Similar problems with routes to XT2 via Tread/Explore (I have less confidence about exactly what is going on there with XT2, but I am spot on for XT and for using Tread to feed Explore cloud). And XT / XT2 will not route share with each other like XT/ XT / 396 / etc. will. Garmin support tells her to use cable or SD card. ????

Disambiguation:
- Garmin Explore = the many-faceted thing
- Explore Cloud = cloud repository linked to your Garmin account where your data resides
- Explore app = the smartphone app that lets you interface with your Garmin Explore cloud data
- Explore browser = the www. window into your Explore cloud
- Explore tool = the button / feature on the XT and XT2 devices that lets you access and use stuff from your Garmin Explore cloud

Compatibility notes:
- Understood, XT uses Drive companion app and XT2 uses Tread companion app
- Drive is not Explore compatible. But XT is via internet (WiFi or Drive-brokered cell data)
- Explore app is not compatible with XT but does give a view into Explore Cloud.
- But Explore and Tread apps are compatible with Explore Cloud. And you'd think the Explore tool would be, too.

With all that said, for a while there until last month, Explore was working OK with my XT within these parameters:
- stay away from Explore browser
- open a gpx file on smartphone with Explore app
- waypoints and tracks move nicely into a Collection immediately visible on XT (after sync). Many of the BaseCamp custom waypoint icons would make the jump (vs. all just flags via Drive) and the Collection(s) itself was a bonus feature.
- routes would NOT show on XT. But the route would show in Explore Cloud as a Course. Use Explore app to open Course, save as a Route, and there is in in the XT, Bob's your uncle.

NOW THAT NO LONGER WORKS. As of ~ Oct 20. How the heck are you supposed to get a route into the Explore tool of an XT / XT2

In the pics below, Fall Wander Medium was pulled in via Explore app. Fall Wander Medium 2 was pulled in via Tread. Views how each shows in Explore app and in Explore browser.

[jfheath]

Routes on Explore were never the same as routes in the XT.

Most things that I ever found out about using Explore with the XT is in this chapter.

app.php/ZXT-P61

Oh goodness - I've just downloaded the Explore app on my Ipad. I've not looked at it for a couple of years. That has changed beyond all recognition. Regard that link as a historical artefact - it is pretty useless for anything else ! Although some of the info may still be relevant.


I'll come back to the issues you raised at some point when I get time to relearn everything.

[Mzokk]

The explore app is really for these type of activities. I'm not sure why Garmin suggested its use with the XT then failed to provide any Motorcycling related functionality.

Screenshot_20241125-164115.jpg (212.38 KiB) Viewed 1267 times

I don't have an XT2 but for my XT I use basecamp and MRA for route planning and Garmin drive to transfer routes from my phone to the XT. I have deleted the connection to Explore as its not fit for purpose IMHO. I've used Garmin motorcycle navigation devices since 2004

Using the XT I now do four things that I wouldn't have necessarily done with my old units

1. I put a shaping point on every road I want to be on and use more shaping points than I previously would have if planning routes in basecamp or increasingly MRA routeplanner (to get round the Fastest time = Fastest roads issue on the XT.)
2. Always make a track and display the track and the route on the device so that I can spot any deviation(s).
3. Have recalculation on prompted rather than automatic and use it sparingly
4. Any route I'm using gets saved as an "Active Route" to avoid any issues with repeated u-turns, that can arise if I have used recalculation at some point in the route.

Garmin motorcycle navigation units are getting worse instead of better. I still have a NAV IV and a Zumo 340 and 390 and while these units don't have the good screen and bells and whistles of the XT, for actually reproducing what you have designed in Basecamp, or getting somewhere by the "Fastest Route" they are much "better" units.

[Mzokk]

Appears that it does not do routes any more only courses (tracks). In the old version of the app if you saved a course (track) as a route it retained the shaping points used in the app to create the course. This appears no longer to be the case/part of the app function. So if you send the course (track) to your XT and convert it to a route (trip) in your XT you will only have two waypoints a start and finish so if you go off route and have auto recalculate set you will go straight to the end of the route(Not great if its a circular route). Basecamp, or nearly any other third party routing tools, are better for creating routes for the XT. I use Basecamp and MRA. Because the explore app is designed for cycling and walking and wouldn't route along motorways.

I've long since severed any connection between my XT and explore. It is not fit for the purpose of motorcycle route planning.