Route Export to Garmin zumo XT
Quote from pe112 on 14.08.2022, 02:17Hi Guido,
first of all: Scenic is great!
I was looking for an iPad app for planning routes offline for my Garmin zumo XT while on the road. (Planning on the XT is crappy.) Scenic fills that gap almost perfectly. Powerful, easy to use and fast route planning and GPX export 🙂 Thanks a lot for that!
Now there are two improvement that I would like to suggest for the GPX export:
1. Mapping Scenic Stops and Vias to the corresponding Garmin Route Point types
I found that you are exporting two variants of a route in the GPX file: "(Vias and Stops as Routepoints)" and "(Vias as path - Garmin Extension)".
As far as I understand the first one maps Scenic Stops and Vias to plain GPX <rtept>s while the second one maps Scenic Stops to plain GPX <rtept>s and Scenic Vias into the Garmin GPX path extension.
Now it seems to me that both approaches have their disadvantages, at least when it comes to the latest Garmin zumo device, the XT (I cannot talk about others):
- (Vias and Stops as Routepoints): Exporting all Stops and Vias as plain GPX <rtept>s makes them all Stops on the XT. But knowing the difference between a Stop and a Via is one of the biggest plusses of Scenic and of the Garmin zumos (including the XT) and was one of my main reasons for chosing them.
- (Vias as path - Garmin Extension): Exporting the Vias as a Path does not survive the first route recalculation on the XT.
And that first recalculation already happens during the route import 🙁
(Paths are used by Garmin to send to the device an exact copy of the route calculated in their Basecamp application. As soon as the device relaculates the route it will do so only based on the Stops and Vias. Because the Vias are sent from Scenic as a Path only the Scenic stops will be used for the recalculation and the Vias get lost.)What I found to work best is to map
- Scenic Stops to GPX <rtept>s with the <trp:ViaPoint> GPX extension and
- Scenic Vias to GPX <rtept>s with the <trp:ShapingPoint> GPX extension
I do have a script running on my NAS at home that translates a "(Vias and Stops as Routepoints)" route into a "(Stops as ViaPoints, Vias as ShapingPoints)" version. The result is working fine on the Garmin zumo. However my approach with translating the Scenic output on my NAS at home is obviously just a workaraound and it works only with an Internet connection available.
It would be great if you could include a "(Stops as Garmin ViaPoints, Vias as Garmin ShapingPoints)" version of a route into the GPX export.
If you would like to have more details or example GPX files, I will be happy to provide them.
2. Adding configuration options what to include in the GPX export files
The exported GPX files include
- All stops as Waypoints
- Two versions of the Route
- A Track
When this is all sent to the Garmin device directly from the Scenic app, it results in large files/long transfer times via Bluetooth and clutters up the Device with Favourites/Waypoints over time.
What about introducing a configuration option for the GPX export to specify if the Waypoints, the Track and which version of the Route should be included in the exported file? Or does such an option already exist and I have not found it so far?
I would be very thankful if you could consider my suggestions. The first being by far the more important from my perspective. And if I can support you in some way, please let me know.
And again: Scenic is an excellent piece of software 🙂
Hi Guido,
first of all: Scenic is great!
I was looking for an iPad app for planning routes offline for my Garmin zumo XT while on the road. (Planning on the XT is crappy.) Scenic fills that gap almost perfectly. Powerful, easy to use and fast route planning and GPX export 🙂 Thanks a lot for that!
Now there are two improvement that I would like to suggest for the GPX export:
1. Mapping Scenic Stops and Vias to the corresponding Garmin Route Point types
I found that you are exporting two variants of a route in the GPX file: "(Vias and Stops as Routepoints)" and "(Vias as path - Garmin Extension)".
As far as I understand the first one maps Scenic Stops and Vias to plain GPX <rtept>s while the second one maps Scenic Stops to plain GPX <rtept>s and Scenic Vias into the Garmin GPX path extension.
Now it seems to me that both approaches have their disadvantages, at least when it comes to the latest Garmin zumo device, the XT (I cannot talk about others):
- (Vias and Stops as Routepoints): Exporting all Stops and Vias as plain GPX <rtept>s makes them all Stops on the XT. But knowing the difference between a Stop and a Via is one of the biggest plusses of Scenic and of the Garmin zumos (including the XT) and was one of my main reasons for chosing them.
- (Vias as path - Garmin Extension): Exporting the Vias as a Path does not survive the first route recalculation on the XT.
And that first recalculation already happens during the route import 🙁
(Paths are used by Garmin to send to the device an exact copy of the route calculated in their Basecamp application. As soon as the device relaculates the route it will do so only based on the Stops and Vias. Because the Vias are sent from Scenic as a Path only the Scenic stops will be used for the recalculation and the Vias get lost.)
What I found to work best is to map
- Scenic Stops to GPX <rtept>s with the <trp:ViaPoint> GPX extension and
- Scenic Vias to GPX <rtept>s with the <trp:ShapingPoint> GPX extension
I do have a script running on my NAS at home that translates a "(Vias and Stops as Routepoints)" route into a "(Stops as ViaPoints, Vias as ShapingPoints)" version. The result is working fine on the Garmin zumo. However my approach with translating the Scenic output on my NAS at home is obviously just a workaraound and it works only with an Internet connection available.
It would be great if you could include a "(Stops as Garmin ViaPoints, Vias as Garmin ShapingPoints)" version of a route into the GPX export.
If you would like to have more details or example GPX files, I will be happy to provide them.
2. Adding configuration options what to include in the GPX export files
The exported GPX files include
- All stops as Waypoints
- Two versions of the Route
- A Track
When this is all sent to the Garmin device directly from the Scenic app, it results in large files/long transfer times via Bluetooth and clutters up the Device with Favourites/Waypoints over time.
What about introducing a configuration option for the GPX export to specify if the Waypoints, the Track and which version of the Route should be included in the exported file? Or does such an option already exist and I have not found it so far?
I would be very thankful if you could consider my suggestions. The first being by far the more important from my perspective. And if I can support you in some way, please let me know.
And again: Scenic is an excellent piece of software 🙂
Quote from Guido on 14.08.2022, 03:08This is awesome! Had more users struggling with the XT import. Didn’t now about the <trp:ShapingPoint> GPX extension. I can definitely make that work! If you could send me an example file that would be great. (Use the ‘email me’ button at bottom of help page).
Its already in the pipeline to give users a choice as to what elements to include in the GPX.
It will be a little while before I get around to this though. Will probably not be for this motorcycle season (in the northern hemisphere).
This is awesome! Had more users struggling with the XT import. Didn’t now about the <trp:ShapingPoint> GPX extension. I can definitely make that work! If you could send me an example file that would be great. (Use the ‘email me’ button at bottom of help page).
Its already in the pipeline to give users a choice as to what elements to include in the GPX.
It will be a little while before I get around to this though. Will probably not be for this motorcycle season (in the northern hemisphere).
Quote from pe112 on 14.08.2022, 03:47Hi Guido,
excellent! Sent you an email with some example files.
And next season is absolutely fine with me 🙂 Already had my motorbike vacation this week. (Anybody may guess from my avatar where it took us.)
Thank you,
Martin
Hi Guido,
excellent! Sent you an email with some example files.
And next season is absolutely fine with me 🙂 Already had my motorbike vacation this week. (Anybody may guess from my avatar where it took us.)
Thank you,
Martin
Quote from massi on 14.08.2022, 05:25I would appreciate this, too!
And @Martin, would you like to share your script?
I would appreciate this, too!
And @Martin, would you like to share your script?
Quote from Mex on 15.08.2022, 14:23Sorry guys,
all if us use the best navigation software we ever used. Why should i send my Scenic route to a standalone navigation like garmin or tomtom?
I use my cellphone for navigation. Using all advanteges Scenic gives me.
Rainy day. Cellphone in the tankbag. Instructions by headset.
Of course everyone has other ideas for making Scenic better: Taking pictures along the track. Voice commands on every turn by turn track, hiding speed, so the wife won‘t see you speeding…
Dont forget Scenic is a 1-man-show. Guido does this all by himself.
Let Scenic be handsome and intuitiv to use.
Just my 2 cents.
Regards. Mex
Sorry guys,
all if us use the best navigation software we ever used. Why should i send my Scenic route to a standalone navigation like garmin or tomtom?
I use my cellphone for navigation. Using all advanteges Scenic gives me.
Rainy day. Cellphone in the tankbag. Instructions by headset.
Of course everyone has other ideas for making Scenic better: Taking pictures along the track. Voice commands on every turn by turn track, hiding speed, so the wife won‘t see you speeding…
Dont forget Scenic is a 1-man-show. Guido does this all by himself.
Let Scenic be handsome and intuitiv to use.
Just my 2 cents.
Regards. Mex
Quote from Guido on 15.08.2022, 16:34@Mex. Thanks for the support. I understand where you are coming from. If I keep adding features, at some point Scenic's intuitiveness will decrease.
However I do think this GPX thing is an important one. I want Scenic to be compatible with (not all, but at least the main) apps, websites and devices out there. This helps expanding the usability and also the community.
I have an idea in my mind on how I can implement this in a way that shouldn't decrease the intuitiveness. Perhaps it will even improve it. Stay tuned 🙂
@Mex. Thanks for the support. I understand where you are coming from. If I keep adding features, at some point Scenic's intuitiveness will decrease.
However I do think this GPX thing is an important one. I want Scenic to be compatible with (not all, but at least the main) apps, websites and devices out there. This helps expanding the usability and also the community.
I have an idea in my mind on how I can implement this in a way that shouldn't decrease the intuitiveness. Perhaps it will even improve it. Stay tuned 🙂
Quote from Old Man Emu on 25.12.2022, 18:08Yes perfectly explained. I received an XT for Xmas. I was going to buy a second iPhone but the XT has some excellent features.
The distinction and operation between Waypoints and Viapoints is essential for long twisting rides into unknown areas.
This would be a great feature for us XT users.
Old Man Emu
Yes perfectly explained. I received an XT for Xmas. I was going to buy a second iPhone but the XT has some excellent features.
The distinction and operation between Waypoints and Viapoints is essential for long twisting rides into unknown areas.
This would be a great feature for us XT users.
Old Man Emu
Quote from Old Man Emu on 25.12.2022, 18:09Subscribing to this post
Subscribing to this post
Quote from Mikeyman67 on 27.12.2022, 22:36I have an XT. Sometimes its nice to have a backup plan, and occasionally I test devices for work and the Android OS comes into the picture. Subscribing. Thanks for all you do Guido. This is some fantastic software.
I have an XT. Sometimes its nice to have a backup plan, and occasionally I test devices for work and the Android OS comes into the picture. Subscribing. Thanks for all you do Guido. This is some fantastic software.
Quote from mattik on 23.01.2023, 12:27Hello Guido,
thanks a lot for your great work.
I plan many tours with Scenic, but transfer them mainly also to a Garmin XT. Scenic is also a backup for navigation.
Therefore I like to agree with pe112.
And it's great that you want to implement it.regards, Mathias
Hello Guido,
thanks a lot for your great work.
I plan many tours with Scenic, but transfer them mainly also to a Garmin XT. Scenic is also a backup for navigation.
Therefore I like to agree with pe112.
And it's great that you want to implement it.
regards, Mathias
Quote from TX7 on 31.01.2023, 21:05Guido, and fellow contributors, please excuse any incorrect terms in my communication. I am relatively new to navigation apps and the standalone GPS integration but learning. I learned enough after a real effort to learn Basecamp that I won't be doing that, I'm not a computer programmer! So I want to keep using Scenic, but hate that complex routes sent from Scenic to Garmin Drive and to my Zumo XT end up gutted of the fun vias and stops we can include through your app. Do you have any update on the brilliant ideas pe112 proposed for making waypoint and via details transfer to the Zumo XT? The Zumo XT is quite popular for motorcyclists, just got one for Christmas.
Love Scenic, I can whiz up a route in no time from my couch, tent or hotel room, and the ability to copy and paste straight from Google Maps ( just learned that one ) is beyond cool. As I know you will, please keep it simple for the slower half of the bunch, that would be me. This could be a real benefit to Zumo XT owners, once they learned about it.
Jon
Guido, and fellow contributors, please excuse any incorrect terms in my communication. I am relatively new to navigation apps and the standalone GPS integration but learning. I learned enough after a real effort to learn Basecamp that I won't be doing that, I'm not a computer programmer! So I want to keep using Scenic, but hate that complex routes sent from Scenic to Garmin Drive and to my Zumo XT end up gutted of the fun vias and stops we can include through your app. Do you have any update on the brilliant ideas pe112 proposed for making waypoint and via details transfer to the Zumo XT? The Zumo XT is quite popular for motorcyclists, just got one for Christmas.
Love Scenic, I can whiz up a route in no time from my couch, tent or hotel room, and the ability to copy and paste straight from Google Maps ( just learned that one ) is beyond cool. As I know you will, please keep it simple for the slower half of the bunch, that would be me. This could be a real benefit to Zumo XT owners, once they learned about it.
Jon
Quote from Guido on 31.01.2023, 22:06Hi Jon,
im working on a big update at the moment, switching to the new HERE maps framework. I’m hoping it include this in that update. Update should be ready in about two months max.
cheers,
guido
Hi Jon,
im working on a big update at the moment, switching to the new HERE maps framework. I’m hoping it include this in that update. Update should be ready in about two months max.
cheers,
guido
Quote from TX7 on 01.02.2023, 11:34Thank you Guido.
The Zumo XT guys will be thrilled.
Jon
Thank you Guido.
The Zumo XT guys will be thrilled.
Jon
