Importing .gpx files into Zumo XT3

For help and advice on the Garmin Zumo XT3 and XT3s
proofresistant
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Re: Importing .gpx files into Zumo XT3

Post by proofresistant »

proofresistant wrote: Thu May 14, 2026 6:30 pm Then, could you create a collection
and assign the route to it?
  • If that’s not possible, we’ll keep looking into why not
  • if it is possible,
    • go (back) to the collection
    • chose “Import”
    • import one route from the GPX file (may) from the memory card
    • and then select this new collection
smfollen
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Re: Importing .gpx files into Zumo XT3

Post by smfollen »

@CollingsBob

Thanks for the gpx file you PMd. I contains both a route and a matching track.
I first imported to Basecamp and all looked good there.

Next I copied your original file to the Garmin/GPX folder on the sd card in my XT2 and then rebooted the XT2.
I think the XT3 is similar, but might vary slightly from what is below.

On restart, it asked
CB1.png
CB1.png (316.72 KiB) Viewed 278 times
I tapped Yes then selected the gpx file I wanted to import
CB2.png
CB2.png (114.1 KiB) Viewed 278 times
I tapped OK, then tapped the boxes to select both the route and the track (either or both can be selected as desired)
CB3.png
CB3.png (76.31 KiB) Viewed 278 times
I created a new collection, which is optional, then tapped Import.
CB4.png
CB4.png (57.58 KiB) Viewed 278 times
After import, I tapped the Route
CB5.png
CB5.png (66.4 KiB) Viewed 278 times
Then "Go" to begin navigating.
CB6.png
CB6.png (955.34 KiB) Viewed 278 times
The "Select Next Destination" screen is poorly named, in my opinion. It is asking where you want to join / start the route. I typically use Closest Entry Point, which is the default.
CB7.png
CB7.png (119.15 KiB) Viewed 278 times
Tap OK here to begin navigation


If you instead want to follow the track, you would select Tracks on the top line of this screen,
CB8.png
CB8.png (56.39 KiB) Viewed 278 times
then select your desired track.
jfheath
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Re: Importing .gpx files into Zumo XT3

Post by jfheath »

Some info about collections that you might have missed:

XT2-P330

Note that some of the Zumo screens will scroll so that you can see all of the options available.

Routes, tracks, waypoints - the same items can be added to more than one collection if you wish. They do not necessarily ‘belong’ to a single collection.

Collections are not defined in gpx files. The Zumo has a lot of tools to make adding multiple items to a single collection, and removing items from collections. Unlike the XT1, the XT2 and XT3 (?) can be used to create and name collections. Seems logical, but surprisingly, the XT1 did not allow you to create a collection. You can create collection on the explore.garmin.com site, and on your phone - but that requires Tread/Drive to be set up to sync.

As shown in the notes in the link - one way is to import new data into one collection, and then move it to other collections.

Or when importing, select the items that you want to place into a collection, and none of the others. Then do the same for a second collection.
It is worth spending the time as you can then turn on visibility for just one day of a multiday trip.

Waypoints are imported automatically if they are placed in internal storage, so that complicates things a bit.

Note that ‘saved’ and ‘favourites’ which had been the terms used for ‘Waypoints’ on everything up to the XT1, were changed (at last ) to ‘waypoints’ on the XT2. I assume that ‘waypoints’ is also the term that is used on the XT3. So the ‘saved’ referred to in a comment above is not the term that was synonymous with ‘favourites’ !

One last thing. If you have screen capture enabled, the icon on the XT2 is located top right of a landscape screen. It masks almost completely, one of the buttons on the green banner ‘collections’ screen which makes it impossible to carry out one task - to open the 3 dot menu giving access to other commands. You have to turn the screen portrait to gain access to it - or file your finger nail to a very fine point, then turn it back again. My guess is that they have not fixed this for the XT3.
Have owned Zumo 550, 660 == Now have Zumo XT2, XT, 595, 590, Headache
Use Basecamp (mainly), MyRouteApp (sometimes), Competent with Tread for XT2, Can use Explore for XT - but it offers nothing that I want !

Links: Zumo 590s . Zumo XT & BC . Zumo Navigation Booklet . Zumo XT2
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Re: Importing .gpx files into Zumo XT3

Post by CollingsBob »

Nope…
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Re: Importing .gpx files into Zumo XT3

Post by CollingsBob »

smfollen wrote: Thu May 14, 2026 9:13 pm @CollingsBob

Thanks for the gpx file you PMd. I contains both a route and a matching track.
I first imported to Basecamp and all looked good there.

Next I copied your original file to the Garmin/GPX folder on the sd card in my XT2 and then rebooted the XT2.
I think the XT3 is similar, but might vary slightly from what is below.

On restart, it asked
CB1.png

I tapped Yes then selected the gpx file I wanted to import
CB2.png

I tapped OK, then tapped the boxes to select both the route and the track (either or both can be selected as desired)
CB3.png

I created a new collection, which is optional, then tapped Import.
CB4.png

After import, I tapped the Route
CB5.png

Then "Go" to begin navigating.
CB6.png

The "Select Next Destination" screen is poorly named, in my opinion. It is asking where you want to join / start the route. I typically use Closest Entry Point, which is the default.
CB7.png

Tap OK here to begin navigation


If you instead want to follow the track, you would select Tracks on the top line of this screen, CB8.png
then select your desired track.
Thankyou….You have answered questions that I had regarding the .gpx file ..did I create it in a form that was correct, was there actually any data, or was there simply a file name.
The question that, for me, remains…why can’t I load a damn file?..
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CollingsBob
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Re: Importing .gpx files into Zumo XT3

Post by CollingsBob »

I think I have it figured out…enough for today. The logic of the process is odd…
I’ll create and save a route when the weather improves enough to go for a ride..
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CollingsBob
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Re: Importing .gpx files into Zumo XT3

Post by CollingsBob »

All of the files were in Favourites…
Conclusions…
Using Tread and bluetooth to transfer files from my iPad to the Garmin is not reliable.
Transferring files via sd card works perfectly, but finding out where the Garmin puts the files requires some sleuthing.
I’m glad that I still use the numbering system taught to me by John Heath a few years ago..
Many Thanks to all for your suggestions and assistance.
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smfollen
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Re: Importing .gpx files into Zumo XT3

Post by smfollen »

Using Tread and bluetooth to transfer files from my iPad to the Garmin is not reliable.
There are a number of issue with the Tread App and syncing. I removed it from my setup entirely long ago, but others do use it.

You might want to check out Trip Manager
viewtopic.php?p=24080#p24080
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