New Zumo XT

14kmtnman

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Joined
May 18, 2014
Messages
476
Location
Yakima, WA
I wound up getting a new Zumo XT to replace my 660 which is now 5 or 6 years old. Man what a improvement over the 660. The difference is like day night. FYI I do not work for Garmin. The screen can really be seen and read in direct sunlight. It is very similar to the high end TFT dashes on some of the new motorcycles. Very clean and sharp. There are lots of brand new features and options especially compared to my 660. One of those new features came in handy yesterday by being able to pull up Weather radar on the screen on the move. It saved us from getting caught in a major downpour and hail storm coming back from a day long ride. Another nice feature is the direct wi-fi connection. It did all of the updates in 10-15 minutes as opposed old the wired process of up to 4 hours (per the Garmin log on info). Pairing with my phone and headset was snap. A bigger brighter screen, faster processor, easier pairing, more features, topped off with a really decent price made my decision easier. It was well worth it after yesterday's ride. I can't wait to explore the other features.
 

Alexander

Active Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2020
Messages
83
Location
Kansas City
Thank you for the review!

How is the mounting hardware -- give you any trouble?

I've been mulling over the idea of purchasing the XT over the past few weeks (...vs mounting my old Nuvi... or buying a more recent older model), and will probably go ahead and get the XT ordered. I think the only thing it doesn't currently have is the tire pressure monitor of earlier models, albeit a convenience and not a necessity. I gather that the screen is far superior to earlier models as you noted, which is the most important feature, but I didn't know it could pull up the weather. That's awesome.

[Edit] Looks like Weather info is provided via a bluetooth-paired phone using the Garmin Drive app. Potential warning for others: If you're using an older phone (like I am), Garmin Drive requires Android 6.0. My phone uses Android 5.0, which presumably eliminates the ability to use those features on the XT.
 
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14kmtnman

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Joined
May 18, 2014
Messages
476
Location
Yakima, WA
There is only the connection to the battery, 2 wires, a black and a red. No extra 4 or 5 wires to contend with. It took me twice as long to disconnect the old one compared to installing the new one. Other than that it has a different mount which is included in the box. I used the same ram mount and location I already had on the bike.
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
I am pretty unhappy with my 595, been thinking about the upgrade.....


TPMS option: YES or NO ?
What is wrong with the 595? No issues with mine other than the battery not holding a charge. Mine is hard wired so no big deal. I will say the XT is a nice looking unit.
 

HeliMark

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Joined
Dec 18, 2013
Messages
995
Location
Tennessee
I wound up getting a new Zumo XT to replace my 660 which is now 5 or 6 years old. Man what a improvement over the 660. The difference is like day night. FYI I do not work for Garmin. The screen can really be seen and read in direct sunlight. It is very similar to the high end TFT dashes on some of the new motorcycles. Very clean and sharp. There are lots of brand new features and options especially compared to my 660. One of those new features came in handy yesterday by being able to pull up Weather radar on the screen on the move. It saved us from getting caught in a major downpour and hail storm coming back from a day long ride. Another nice feature is the direct wi-fi connection. It did all of the updates in 10-15 minutes as opposed old the wired process of up to 4 hours (per the Garmin log on info). Pairing with my phone and headset was snap. A bigger brighter screen, faster processor, easier pairing, more features, topped off with a really decent price made my decision easier. It was well worth it after yesterday's ride. I can't wait to explore the other features.
Can't find any pictures, does it actually show a weather map with the radar/clouds? I have a Garmin for my trailer with the phone connection for weather, and it is just a text display of the weather for the area. Interested if it does, as I am looking to update my 390. Really do wish they continued with the 665 or newer with the XM in it.
 

Kurgan

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Joined
Dec 11, 2015
Messages
372
Location
SE Michigan
I've been using a 10 year old automotive Garmin on the bike and it's really a crappy option. You can barely see the screen depending on where the sun is in relation to the direction you are traveling and it is S L O W. Just traveling the speed limit it often can't generate the next screen or directions on where I need to go before I'm past the point I needed to turn. I really do need to get something like the Zumo XT.
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
4,516
Location
Ventura, CA
I’ve been eyeing the XT since it came out. I’m still running an original 550 since they first came out. I’ve replaced the digitizer twice and has the button repair done by palm dr. and it’s still going strong. My only reluctance is giving up my XM radio.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

14kmtnman

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Joined
May 18, 2014
Messages
476
Location
Yakima, WA
HeliMark - Yes the clouds/storms show on the main screen. You can even zoom out to 50 miles.

The difference in processing speed, readability, especially in direct sunlight is amazing compared to my old 660

I bookmarked a few detailed reviews, in 2 different folders no less, that I can't find now. They had lots of screenshots and details.

I am one who doesn't listen to the radio while riding so I have not looked at the XM option. I know the manual says you can run music using your phone, which seems to have been made a part of the Garmin experience now.
 

Cycledude

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Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
3,997
Location
Rib lake wi
Sure would be nice to see an actual picture of you weather radar on your new Zumo XT and exactly what phone are u using ?
 

regder

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Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Messages
466
Location
Toronno
XT owners, how is the music interface? If searching for a band or album, do you still have to scroll through all of them to get to say something that starts with Z or are there shortcuts now?
 

Cycledude

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Jan 29, 2016
Messages
3,997
Location
Rib lake wi
I have owned a 595 for almost three years and ever since the first day I have been saying the screen is crap compared to my old $120 Garmin Nuvi 1450 with over 300,000 miles of use, if you put them side by side almost no One would choose the 595 screen over the 1450 Screen.

I have a shade for my screen and am able to use tracks and waypoints by converting the tracks into routes. I guess it all depends what you are using it for.
 

14kmtnman

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Joined
May 18, 2014
Messages
476
Location
Yakima, WA
The difference between the 660 and the XT is like day and night. The XT is that much better. On the 660 I could barely read screen in sunlight with or without a shade. I feel like I'm in the 21st century now, gps wise.
 
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