Experiences using the XT3 (With TripManager)

[FrankB]

These experiences are mostly using the XT3 together with TripManager.

General:
Meanwhile I played with the XT3 at my desk for some 4-6 weeks. As a result of these tests I now have a setup that I'm confident that will work (for me). I finally got the XT3 mounted on my VFR using the supplied motorcyle mount and power cord. More driving tests are expected.

Reset to factory defaults:
To get consistent test results I had to reset the XT3 frequently, by going into the hidden menu and selecting 'Clear all user data'. Until now every time after the first reboot I get the message 'Map Update', and the unit is not reset. Selecting 'Clear all user data' again will get the prompt for 'Locale setting'. Which is a good indication that the unit is reset.

Some settings that I always do, after a reset. BTW: I recommend writing down all your changes in a document for later reference.
- Enable 'Show .System' in the hidden menu.
(Needed for TripManager)

- Locale 'Nederland' (This will set the units etc. for my home location)
- Keyboard language; American English. Remove all Input methods, except 'Qwerty'
(I live in the Netherlands and want the Dutch units, but prefer the English menu's)

- Disable all sounds.
(I dont have, nor want, a headset)

Vehicle profiles:
- After the initial setup, but before transferring routes (using Tripmanager) I delete ALL vehicle profiles from the XT3, and then create a new 'default Motorcycle' profile. Has to do with the language change after the locale was set to 'Nederland'. You can create additional profiles, but make sure: a) It's a Motorcycle profile b) It's Road and Highway legal c) If you set 3 wheels traction keep the default width. Make sure to select your current profile.
- If TripManager does not recognise your profile, you will notice 'VehicleProfileHash' remains 0 in 'Advanced/Zumo Settings'. Opening a route that is sent to the XT3 with VehicleProfileHash=0 will popup a message that the 'Profile is out of date'.
- If you change your 'Avoidances', you may also get a message that the 'Profile is out of date', when opening a trip. There may be more/better methods, but this method works: Delete all your routes from the XT3. Make sure the deletes are synced to Explore. Recreate the vehicle profile, and send your routes again.
- If the 'Profile is out of date' you will have to select the correct profile manually. In addition you may observe that the same profile name appears multiple times in Settings/Vehicle Profile, and that is 'confusing' to say the the least!
- If you want to use a profile that TripManager does not recognise (A Car profile for example) you have 2 options.
1) On the XT3 select the 'Default motorcycle' profile. Transfer your routes using that profile with TripManager. After transfer open the route and change the profile on the XT3.
2) Create a route on the XT3 containing your profile(using any method). Select that trip file in TripManager and in 'Advanced/Zumo Settings' click on 'Values from loaded trip'. These settings remain in effect, as long as you dont change the selected profile on the XT3
- Future versions of TripManager may be able to support more profiles, but the Motorcyle profile options suit my needs.

A setup that allows wireless transfer, but stops the Tread app from changing routes.
- Clear everything. All routes/tracks/waypoints on the XT3, and in Explore.Garmin.com.
- Setup Tread app, and allow 'Cloud Storage'.
- Setup WIFI.
- Verify Sync is working. You may need to check the unit has a GPS fix and the correct date/time.
- Now 'Forget' the Phone on the XT3, and forget the XT3 on the Phone. Uninstall the Tread App.

Notes:
- This setup does NOT work for the XT2!
- It may seem pretty useless to first connect the XT3 and disconnect it right after that. But this way, your routes/trips are not changed by the Tread App, and wireless transfer is still posible using Explore.Garmin.com!
- The XT3 will use the WIFI connection to sync to Explore.Garmin.Com. You can easily enable/disable the sync by enabling/disabling the WIFI on the XT3.
- Transfer of Tracks, Waypoints and Routes can by done by uploading them to explore.garmin.com. Tracks and Waypoints work well, support for Routes is minimal, as Explore.Garmin.Com does not support them well.
- Tracklogs saved by the TrackRecorder are synced to Explore. But be ware that the length of the tracks is 10% longer compared to the unit. For that reason I always save (share) the tracklogs to my SD Card.

Transfer your routes: (Using TripManager)
- My preferred route planner is still BaseCamp, because the exported GPX contains all information. (Most notably the <SubClass>) Other route planners like MRA and Kurviger will work, but because not all information is available the XT3 will recalculate when opening the trip for the first time. You will get a message about 'Maps'.
Steps:
1) Export the routes in BaseCamp to GPX. For MRA choose GPX 1.1 (Track Route POI), for Kurviger File Format GPX (*.gpx) select Route + Track. Optionally Additional waypoints.
2) Make sure you have selected 'Show .System' in the hidden menu of the XT3.
3) Start TripManager and connect the XT3. Tap on 'Connect to Computer'. Wait until the XT3 is recognised.
4) If you have an SD card installed and want to use that for your 'stripped routes', 'tracks' change the default location for GPX. See the online docs for more info.
5) Select the exported GPX file(s) in the top right panel, and click on 'Send to'.
6) In the dialog that appears tick the checkboxes for Trips and optionally Tracks, stripped Routes. Note: for trips select one of 'Recalculation forced', 'Not recalculation forced' or 'Preserve track to route'.
7) After the transfer, and rebooting the XT3 will popup with a message 'Location data', you can use that to import the tracks/routes directly. Note: Importing from an SD card will keep the data available in case you need to re-import later.
8) The trips/routes are available in Saved, and ready for immediate use.

Links to Online Docs:
https://frankbijnen.github.io/TripManag ... evice.html
https://frankbijnen.github.io/TripManag ... tions.html

First driving test:
- The first driving test was the route I used a few years ago to test the RUT problem. I used the route from back then, recalculated them for the new maps, and sent them to the XT3.
- The 'imported route' shows exactly the same RUT behaviour as it did back then on the XT
- The 'Saved route' (Fixed by setting mImported to False) was RUT free.

Conclusion: the RUT fix is still needed for the XT3

[jfheath]

Thanks @FrankB

As you know, I do not have an XT3 - but I'm curious about what it does differently. That makes interesting reading.