Living With The Garmin Zumo Xt2

It’s a nice winter project as well.

 

Interesting thread, and timely for me as well.

I've got an XT (not XT2) mounted on my new 1250 GSA...which despite me asking not to have it installed, came with the BMW Nav cradle (I used to have their heap o'crap Navigator as well, thank God I managed to offload that before the inevitable screen issues)....anyway, no matter, remove cradle, install Touratech mount with Garmin XT.

Like a few (excellent, thanks) posts here, i also subscribed to MRA, lifetime gold, iirc after watching a Richy Vida video one evening....but typical of me, not done anything with that purchase yet. A bit like @Multirider75 I usually just chuck in some villages to force the route plan in the direction I think I want, and go for it...always panicked at midnight the day before I'm leaving. What I'd like to do is be more organised and use the tools to plan proper routes. Thanks for the link to the education @Twin4me

However.....with the evolution of the CarPlay devices, specifically the Chigee unit that drops into the BMW cradle, I have been tempted to sell the XT and mount, and revert to the bit of kit I've got in the loft; shove a Chigee in it and just use Google Maps or Apple Maps which fully integrates with the BMW whizzy-wheel, gives me access to podcasts, music, call handling all in a way that BMW never managed to achieve reliably with their Garmin alliance.

First world issues....

 

I'm pretty sure that Google Maps for route planning will also cause frustrations. With your MRA Gold lifetime I'd be investing €79 in MRA navigation Next, that's the current price for a lifetime sub, and then you'll be able to plan on your PC and navigate using a mounted phone or CarPlay panel. Route transfer is seamless between the two as the data is stored in the cloud with the option to store on your phone (helpful if data/WiFi isn't available).

I've been using MRA for over 4 years and Nav Next for almost 2 years, I'm on the beta programme for Nav Next so had access to it in early 2022. One of the many things that I like about MRA is that they're bikers and are continually improving their offerings and very much listening to their user base and beta testers. They deserve the success that they're enjoying.

If there's an appetite for it I could do a group Zoom session at some point over the winter to go over the way I use MRA Gold to plan and plot my routes. Not saying that it's the best way, there are several ways to skin a cat, we'd probably all learn something. If there's interest here I'll start another thread. I did one of these Zoom sessions previously during lockdown.

 

Thanks @Bumpkin , yep I'd be up for that, thanks.

I do continually get emails from MRA offering me additional modules, but this is purely down to my lack of time with it, my initial reaction is "didn't I just pay a lifetime sub for this? I thought I bought something that was all-inclusive!"...like I said, thats likely my ignorance/inexperience with their platform more than anything else

 

FWIW, My mate paid the lifetime sub for Navigation Next without the MRA Gold subscription. He still gets access to the online route planner without the Gold options shown below.

 

And I assume the lack of mapping layers like Google Maps, StreetView etc. Is he just getting the free basic version of MRA Routeplanner? If so there are a few other elements he'll be missing.

 

Yeah, I guess so.

 

Using MRA on the phone. Pretty happy. Would consider switching to a dedicated tablet that can get mobile data, and keep phone in the pocket. Bigger & brighter screen would be nice. Maybe even have some perma-lock situation, so I can just leave it on the bike.

 

@rotaxracer has just bought a Chigee to use on his BMW XT. MRA navigation will work with it (android or Apple car play style) and the wheel.

 

Just upgraded my subscription to the MRA Navigation Next Lifetime package....in for a penny, an' all that

 

Let us know how you get on with it. For me on my Android phone I've found that it works better on the phone than via a panel, only tried one and that went back as the screen content was too small to read. There wasn't a means to increase the scale significantly that would have made it readable on the move. It was a different story when used with my partners iPhone, worked well. The issue was with the panel which had the spec I wanted but failed on having too high a screen resolution, not a common brand. MRA Nav Next works OK with the head unit in my car though. Will look into what panels are available in the spring.

In terms of navigating I've found it more reliable than the Garmin for sticking with the intended route. The features/functions are expanding and/or evolving with each new release.

 

I agree 100% that life is too short.
I use older top-of-the-line Garmin Nuvi's with most XT2 features where the rest is combined with my phone (which all of us have) loaded with the Waze app (which has police, speed cameras, traffic, hazard warnings and road type filtering). I also look at https://roadcurvature.com/ for twisty roads.

 

What pos Garmin is. Bought an XT2 a few weeks back, so I have a dedicated navigation device. Still intend to use Tomtom app on phone, but charging heat etc can mean some issues…so..
Here we are again. Charged my nav around two weeks ago and all looked fine. Even loaded a route from mra, yes, it looked good too.
Plugged in to charge and check for updates this morning, yes, updates available..
1.5 hours later complete. Great.
Look at map (I am in France atm) hmm, lacks detail. Check device, no Europe maps, but I now have maps for the Middle East only on the device.
Very fu**ing useful for my trip in two weeks time…which is to Italy, France and Spain.

Great. Now need to buy an adapter as the Garmin comes with a USB connection and my Apple Mac does not have a USB connector. Then download more Garmin garbage and hope to get it sorted out without having to return the unit.

rant, rant and more rant. If I cant sort it ‘fairly easily’ they can have the pos back and I will buy an ugly Tomtom rider 500.

£600 and Garmin software continues to flakey as fcuk in 2025. No wonder people use the phone.


To be more positive, I have two weeks to sort. But would say if anyone has a Garmin, do any updates well in advance of a trip..or, wait till after!

 

You can buy a cheap USB adapter easily on eBay and then use the lead that came with the unit.

I don’t really understand why you would have the wrong maps now unless it was ‘operator error’ during the updating process?

I really rate my Garmin XT but I’ve not tried the XT2.

 

I have been out today bought an adapter. I have owned 2 previous Garmin, I simply clicked update maps. Not been anywhere near deeper parts of the device to click or unclick or remove anything I should not. It should only update maps on the unit. That is not even a discussion point.

Now: Garmin express cannot connect to server. After many attempts. Garmin help desk say issue with server.
I say, one more day…and it gets boxed up and sent back.

I have done the usual switch on/off. Reinstall Garmin Express etc etc.
Garmin Express has always been glitchy too, but all I have now is a unit not fit for purpose. They are useless without up to date maps so what choice is there when map updates are available?

 

You were lucky it only took 1.5 yours for an update. I am sure I have had one that never ever managed to finish the update - so I waved it good-bye into landfill

They are a never ending source of amusement !

 

I may be wrong but I had a feeling I’d read somewhere that Garmin express might not be compatible with the latest Mac OS?

 

A couple of things I found, not sure if you’ve tried either:

I think I have found a workaround for now!

1. Turn on my Zumo and connect it to my Mac.
2. Open Android File Transfer (AFT).
3. Once AFT opens and lists my files, I open Express.
4. Express says in order to continue, AFT must be closed - I click ok to accept.
5. Voila! It connects and was tested several times.

Hopefully one of the next updates will correct the issue but for now I am up and running again.

Another one:

Hi. Had the same issue and its an easy fix. Open Garmin Express.

Navigate your pointer to the top left of your screen and open Garmin Express Preferences. Deselect both boxes in this dialogue box; Always keep Garmin Express running in the background, and Automatically launch Garmin Express when a Garmin device is connected. Close Garmin Express.

Disconnect your Garmin device from its USB. Remove the USB from your Mac: note, the cable must go directly to a USB port and not a USB hub. Restart your Mac. Connect your USB cable. Connect your Garmin and it will power on automatically. Now open Garmin Base Camp.


Hope these might help

 

I have had similar after installing updates . After the update my map only existed to a radius of 20 miles from home, after that I will fall of the edge of what must be a flat earth!!