The frustration continues post trip. I tried to spend some time exploring a couple of different methods of transferring routes but my Windows 11 PC is no longer recognising the XT2 as removable hardware which means I cannot connect it to Garmin Express. Looked at a lot of FAQs videos on the Garmin website (and YouTube), tried different cables to connect the two together and tried using different USB ports on the PC. Absolutely nothing. Contacted the UK Garmin help line and so far, had zero response. Thanks Garmin Persevered last night and finally got the PC to see the XT2 after 2 factory resets, ditched the micro SD card (now reformatted) and used yet another (and better quality) USB data cable. Garmin Express talks to the XT2 and I can update the map set from it, to Basecamp on the PC. Hoorah ! Basecamp still tells you it’s not compatible but that now appears to be because Basecamp doesn’t have the same widgets the XT2 has. I’m still none the wiser why the the XT2 decided to have a wobble but moving forward, I’ll keep duplicate routes on the micro SD card and keep it separately in the case, I won’t be using the bluetooth function to connect my phone or the SENA and I have deleted the TREAD App from my phone. Andy
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.
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.
