Garmin zūmo XT, All-Terrain Motorcycle GPS Navigation Device, 5.5-inch Ultrabright and Rain-Resistant Display

Although I own and use numerous GPS units (mostly Garmin), I am not sure how many I have owned. My guess is that it's somewhere around 10. Though, this is the first motorcycle-specific GPS I have used, since up until recently, many motorcycle GPS units were too small for my taste. I have had my last review revision for about a year at the time of this latest revision. In the past, my actual use of the product has been somewhat limited due to the pandemic restrictions/concerns and our Florida's extreme heat and humidity. I would like to make two There's no way to describe how good this screen is! When polarized sunglasses are worn, the screen is very bright and readable even in direct sunlight. My GPS is way better than any of the ones I've used in the past. Definitely a plus! Moreover, the data fields are very easy to read, and the speed indicator is a pinkish red color which is impossible to miss when you're With the glove friendly GPS, you can use your hands without removing your gloves. It may be possible for me to try it out this year after I escape Florida. 5 things you need to know. It seems to me that the 5" screen size is just right. The last three GPS units I used were 7" truck/RV units. A big, easy-to-read book that is extremely competent (except in direct sunlight) but is both bulky and difficult to read. As a result of the brighter screen of this unit, it takes the lead over the larger, dimmer screens on the others, in addition to the smaller size fit better into the dash area. The other plus is. I have been using automotive and truck GPSs that did not work. I've never had an issue with the GPS getting wet, but it's nice to know that we don't have to worry about it anymore. A GPS with a standard 1" ball mount has finally been developed by Garmin. There is no need for special cradles or adapters. Despite this, I chose not to use the Garmin bar mount and arm and instead used the already installed Ram clamp. The on ball and the 6" arm were in a big box of extra Ram stuff I had I already had them. As long as the GPS is locked in place, it appears to be very securely mounted to the dock/mount provided. A single press of a button on the back and lifting it off will enable you to remove the GPS quickly and easily. You won't have to deal with cables or plugs as the mount comes with its own cable. The GPS contacts are even covered by a little rubber cover with a rubber seal when the GPS is not being used. Installing it is just about as simple as that. It's a simple matter of re-clipping the cap on. I think it is all great, as long as you store the GPS in a secure place. The same button can be pressed by a thief, who will walk away with your $499. Many might not think it worth it when a thief can push the same button. You can find the GPS coordinates at 00GPS. A simple wire-thread wiring procedure was executed. The wires are just negative and positive and have to be hooked up somehow. The jack on mine is wired to the hot-swappable In all - Here is the My GPS needs a time circuit so that I don't have to turn the ignition on to get it to work. Having the map maintain detail when zoomed out when zoomed in is another major advantage over other newer GPSs I have used in the past. I believe this will be more useful than any of the newer models I have used so far. While I usually follow a predetermined route in a 4-wheeler or RV, I don't follow that on a bike This is the route to follow. I often use my GPS as a road atlas for my bike trips rather than just blindly following a route, with only a general idea of where I'm going and only a general idea of where I'm going. If you zoom the screen all the way out, you will still be able to see secondary roads with the map detail turned all the way up. There are eight miles in a mile. Secondary roads in most cases are disabled above this point. You may choose either 3. I live 5 miles away. In this GPS, if you are thinking about checking out that little road, you might be able to see it by simply zooming out as opposed to having to scroll around and in the process lose all perspective of While underway, I disable the auto zoom and adjust the zoom level myself instead of relying on the camera's auto zoom. According to the current settings, the auto zoom appears to automatically operate at a good level of zoom. As of now, I'm going to try it. The results will come in time. *UPDATE As I mentioned, I got tired of it zooming in and out all on its own, and I now set it manually. It's only the way this GPS handles customized POIs (Points of interest) that has disappointed me so far. Uninitiated individuals and those without any prior knowledge of the field The custom points of interest feature allows you to create a list of locations of interest that are not included in the factory-installed POIs on your GPS. There could be a compilation of a particular chain of restaurants and/or retail stores, or they could be an attraction of some kind. There are lists available for download on websites such as the POI factory, or you can make these lists yourself if you want to be super geeky. I have seen a few instances of custom POIs loading on the Zumo XT with Garmin's POI loader, but they can only be found by digging through Interestingly, custom POIs do not seem to be included in the traditional "where to" search. While I could live with that, I'm not a fan of the fact that there is no way to make custom POI icons appear on the map when using this GPS system. No matter if it's a Harley dealer, a covered bridge in New England, or the mighty Taco Bell, it's always nice just to look at the map and see if there is one within driving distance. BREAKING UPDATE! Following a system update, my custom POIs now display in the unit! For your POIs to be shown on the Zumo XT, make sure "Up ahead" is selected in the map settings menu. will also show Garmin's less than worthless POI icons for fuel, restaurants, and motorcycle related POIs, and it can make the screen a bit busy, but I can deal with I would like to talk about Previously, I noticed Garmin's pre-release devices were not as accurate as they should have been There are several issues with loaded POIs, including highly inaccurate data and frustrating usability. It has happened far too many times that I was sent on a wild goose chase to businesses that either didn't exist or were outside of my area. When you're driving a large RV this is much more of a big deal than it is on a motorcycle. This is why I stopped using Garmin's POIs about two years ago and I stick to other alternatives when searching for fuel, food, etc. TRUTH BE TOLD - it works. I think they could have done better now. It's impossible to say for sure. The last time I used them, I was burned so many times, it will be a long time before I use them again. I would like to let you know there has been a recent update There was no doubt about it. We headed out of the city because it was only 5 miles away. The GPS missed a gas station on the way, and it led me about 5 blocks further up the street to a rundown old building that may have been a gas station at one time, but it had obviously not been for a very long time. The perfect solution. Neither it nor its predecessors knew about the well-established, massive RV park. Use a Garmin POI if you're looking for a place, not to locate it. Then enter the address into the GPS by searching for it on Google Maps with your cell phone. Using your smartphone, you can get weather radar data through a Bluetooth connection with the weather overlay. The app hasn't chased me around in a shower yet to require street level, minute by minute updates, but it appears to work fine as long as you have a good wireless data signal. It is really cool to have such a I've used it for only a few short trips, but if it is like any other Garmin that I use, they will almost always find the addresses and you can be pretty sure they will get you there eventually, but they may also choose some rather bizarre routes for you. I would appreciate it if you took a minute to look at the proposed route. You should always listen to your common sense and not your GPS. There's a lot of money involved with this thing. Pricey as all get out. As a matter of fact, it is the most expensive nonrenewable resource GPS for marine applications is the best I've ever had. The purchase has left me with no regrets, and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. I have updated In the coming months and years, I will probably update this review based on what I learn.

Lacey Jacobs

| Jan 09, 2021

During the first three months, it broke. It's rare for me to write a negative review. It is Garmin, however, that has disappointed us with a poor quality power cable. An excellent, purpose built GPS unit, the Zumo XT, is available at a very affordable price. A connector that connects the device mount to the cable is of the worst quality I've ever used. After 3 months, the pins fell out, and so the unit will not charge while it is mounted. The driver's acting inexcusably will leave a person stranded in the middle of a trip (like me In addition to this, Garmin, which makes GPS monitors, must know about the issue because replacement cables are backordered everywhere 5 to 8 weeks. There is no excuse for Garmin to cut corners when the iPhone is just a molecule away from cutting down their automobile/motorcycle It seems like they would care more about your safety.

Isabel Waters

| Jan 02, 2021

During the course of planning motorcycle routes, I heavily rely on Base Camp Throughout the US and Canada, we offer day rides as well as multi week trips from the Midwest. I've rarely suffered from a problem on my Zumo 665, so I'm glad these XT devices have been so reliable. The 665 device used XM (with a subscription), not only for the music channels, but also for traffic and weather (rather expensive but worth the money). Garmin Drive, an app that offers weather and traffic information, is used by the XT. Data from the phone is all that is necessary. This is a HUGE advantage to have live weather radar superimposed on your route! will not be able to guess what the sky looks like, and whether I have to stop to put on rain gear or detour to a different Although I have yet to use this XT on a long route, I am eagerly anticipating it. If I have any subsequent experiences that alter my opinion, I will update this review.

Joel Summers

| Jan 12, 2021

A number of great features make it a good piece of equipment. It is a very good screen. As far as I can tell, the manual is my biggest issue. Besides basic information like how to turn it on, it has nothing else. It's mostly up to you to figure out some of the features.

Danny James

| Oct 02, 2020