Zumo User Forums

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2026 12:39 pm**

Hoping someone can help with this.
I have many Basecammp routes that I would like to load into my XT3 and be able to follow them.
Has anyone figured out how this is done or what might be needed?

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2026 1:47 pm**

I would expect that it works just like the XT2.

If you have a Windows PC, Trip Manager may be the best choice - see viewtopic.php?t=3150

In general you can do it via:
USB cable,
sd card, or
wirelessly (but there are issues with this one).

USB Cable:
connect the zumo to computer, tap connect to computer on the zumo, it takes a minute for the zumo to be recognized.
Basecamp will see the zumo and give you a warning, but it will work fine, so you can export directly, or
You can use the PCs file explorer to copy gpx files exported from BC,
or you can use Trip Manager.

sd card:
export from BC, copy to sd card inserted in computer, move sd card to zumo, import gpx files

Wirelessly:
Use the Garmin Tread App on phone or tablet, but the zumo/Tread/Explore sync process has several issues. You can find many posts on this forum.
I avoid the Tread App entirely, but others do use it.

If I have missed anything, I'm sure others will add to this.
There is lots of info on this forum. Don't hesitate to ask specific questions.

Posted: **Thu Mar 12, 2026 3:47 pm**

I don't have an XT3, only a simple 396, but would like to share my method for what I do with a BaseCamp gpx file data to my 396.
my method might also works on an XT3 but my method is BaseCamp to Zumo unit via the PC Windows 11 then USB wired to the 396
On Base Camp, highlight the library section with the gpx and route data.
then on BC select the File menu, then Export
export those BC files to a folder of your choice on your Computer.
then USB wire connect the Zumo to the Computer for Mass Storage mode
to force my Zumo 396 into Mass Storage mode, here is what I did
on the Sound screen visible on the 396, I pressed on the upper right corner of the Sound screen for 10 seconds
this will bring up the Developers menu
on this Developers menu select where is says Mass Storage, I think the default was MTP or something
change it to Mass Storage.
so that above 1st before connecting USB to computer
now with my 396 in Mass Storage mode, i find the SD Card on the 396 via the computer
then I use windows 11 Copy/Paste to copy that exported gpx file from the computer to a folder on the SD card on the Zumo
I forget now what folder name i put that pasted gpx file into on the sd card
now here I where i am unsure, to get my 396 to IMPORT the gpx/route data from the SD card to internal memory on the 396
from there you're on your own
my memory is crap lately, sorry, this is all the help of misinformation I can give, good luck

over and out, happy zumoing

Posted: **Fri Mar 13, 2026 8:45 am**

twowheelstom wrote: Thu Mar 12, 2026 3:47 pm I don't have an XT3, only a simple 396, but would like to share my method for what I do with a BaseCamp gpx file data to my 396.
my method might also works on an XT3 but my method is BaseCamp to Zumo unit via the PC Windows 11 then USB wired to the 396
On Base Camp, highlight the library section with the gpx and route data.
then on BC select the File menu, then Export
export those BC files to a folder of your choice on your Computer.
then USB wire connect the Zumo to the Computer for Mass Storage mode
to force my Zumo 396 into Mass Storage mode, here is what I did
on the Sound screen visible on the 396, I pressed on the upper right corner of the Sound screen for 10 seconds
this will bring up the Developers menu
on this Developers menu select where is says Mass Storage, I think the default was MTP or something
change it to Mass Storage.
so that above 1st before connecting USB to computer
now with my 396 in Mass Storage mode, i find the SD Card on the 396 via the computer
then I use windows 11 Copy/Paste to copy that exported gpx file from the computer to a folder on the SD card on the Zumo
I forget now what folder name i put that pasted gpx file into on the sd card
now here I where i am unsure, to get my 396 to IMPORT the gpx/route data from the SD card to internal memory on the 396
from there you're on your own
my memory is crap lately, sorry, this is all the help of misinformation I can give, good luck over and out, happy zumoing

Man, that's a lot of extra steps. I connect my Nuvi or 595 or XT to my Win11 laptop via usb. Wait for a while for comms to establish. Open Base Camp, wait some more for comms to establish. Drag and drop route title to User Memory. That's the SD card in the unit. That's it. Disconnect unit restart, and import the route. Done.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2026 1:33 pm**

I think an important question here is whether Basecamp will see a connected XT3.

Another consideration is whether you need, or want, all waypoints used in your Basecamp route points to be transferred to the device as waypoints. I find that it is enough to export just individual routes and tracks, not entire list folders. My exports go to my HD first, then copied to the SD card, then manually imported into the device. I have an XT, which I understand is different from the XT2 and XT3, so I'll explain my reasons at then let XT2 and XT3 owners determine whether this logic fits their devices and their personal preferences regarding file storage and management.
- I export to my HD so that I can keep my .gpx file organized by trip as well as the local routes that I always want on the XT. This makes it very easy to copy the local routes back to the card and then import into the XT following a clean-up of my XT and card. I will clean-up my XT following long multi-day trips.
- I copy routes to the card rather than directly to internal storage because the device will never modify a route file that is on the card. The card then serves as a backup resource that allows for easy restoration of a route in the event that the copy in Trip Manager gets modified by the XT.

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2026 10:35 pm**

Hi @rbentnail , It's not as crazy as it seems

smfollen wrote: Thu Mar 12, 2026 1:47 pm I would expect that it works just like the XT2.

I'm pretty sure that's the Statement is true, at least it works with my Tread 2 navigation device

Well, the other Descriptions are ok also, at least in my opinion.
But it's good to knowm though you can also do it the way you're useing your devices until to today also.

rbentnail wrote: Fri Mar 13, 2026 8:45 am
twowheelstom wrote: Thu Mar 12, 2026 3:47 pm ...
Man, that's a lot of extra steps. I connect my Nuvi or 595 or XT to my Win11 laptop via usb. Wait for a while for comms to establish. Open Base Camp, wait some more for comms to establish. Drag and drop route title to User Memory. That's the SD card in the unit. That's it. Disconnect unit restart, and import the route. Done.

OK, Just think of [...] it as “just” a lot of details being listed.
Then rest easy knowing that, in the end, using the zumo XT3 will be just as easy as you’re operating to in the past (until now).

Peobody wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2026 1:33 pm I think an important question here is whether Basecamp will see a connected XT3.

Same as i written before, I'm pretty sure that's the case is true, at least it works with my Tread 2 navigation device

Conclusion
In principle, zumo XT3 will work just as easily as you're used to.

Plug in the cable

connect to your PC

open/stwitch to BaseCamp

drag and drop your routes onto the device's
- internal memory or SD card, whichever you prefer.

Then restart the device and import the content into the device as usual, and you're done

Done (Just tested it 1:1 with my Tread 2 device; the zumo XT3 will most likely be similar)

Additional info or methods are nice (very helpful), but not absolutely necessary

Copying to the SD card has some advantages

Using TripManager has many advantages

Using the Tread app is also beneficial, but for me, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits

Except for using the Tread app, this all was most already the case for older devices

Posted: **Sat Mar 14, 2026 10:43 pm**

rbentnail wrote: Fri Mar 13, 2026 8:45 am
Man, that's a lot of extra steps.

i think the steps was when using MapInstall to load maps from the computer to an SD card, but only 14 selected maps of my choosing, because without MapInstall I didn't know how to just put East Coast Canada maps on the card

Posted: **Tue Mar 24, 2026 4:45 am**

Use BC to create a gpx file. Put the gpx file(s) onto the SD card. It is quite straight forward.

Explanation:

If you drag and drop from Basecamp to any Zumo, it results in a file called temp.gpx being created in Internal Storage. This file is processed to different extents by the the XTs on power-up. Temp.gpx will be over-written each time a new transfer from BC is made and the usb connection has been lost between subsequent transfers. So if all of your data isn’t imported onto the Zumo after each disconnection, it will lose any routes that have not yet been imported. I don't use this method for that reason.

I know how the XT2 behaves, but not the XT3. I suspect that it will be the same, since it is Basecamp that creates the temp.gpx file, not the Zumo.

Ever since getting the XT1, I have used the File/Export facility to save a gpx file on my computer, and have then placed it on the SD card - not to internal storage. On the SD card, you are in control of what data is imported; the Zumo cannot alter the files or remove data from them; data is not imported automatically at power up.

The XT2 and XT3 both support the use of gpx files from other sources (I don’t have an XT3, but that is true according to the manual)

Posted: **Tue Mar 24, 2026 12:43 pm**

jfheath wrote: Tue Mar 24, 2026 4:45 am... The XT2 and XT3 both support the use of gpx files from other sources (I don’t have an XT3, but that is true according to the manual)

I can confirm that the XT3 behaves like the XT2. I've tested it myself.

Posted: **Tue Mar 24, 2026 1:30 pm**

jfheath wrote: Tue Mar 24, 2026 4:45 am Use BC to create a gpx file. Put the gpx file(s) onto the SD card. It is quite straight forward.

We shouldn't leave it at that in such general terms

May, what I mentioned above have similar functions. I didn't intentionally go into all the pros and cons in this thread, but merely noted them.

jfheath wrote: Tue Mar 24, 2026 4:45 am Explanation:
... Temp.gpx will be over-written each time a new transfer from BC is made which involves reconnecting the usb cable. ...

Unfortunately, that’s “only” half the truth, for at least one reasons.
(Observed with Thread 2; this likely applies to the Zumo XT3 as well as the Zumo XT2.)
When you “write” a route, etc., from BC to the device Memory Card \ User data folder, every time you transfer content to the Memory Card \ User data folder, a Route.gpx file is created there, possibly with a sequential number (Route0.gpx - Route(s).gpx).
These files are not deleted and remain.
You can also manage and edit this content; I haven’t yet tested in detail whether this has any side effects.

In any case,
it will come down to the question, of the best way for everyone, to get routes onto the navigation device, for which there is likely never going to be a universally applicable answer.

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