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Looking for a good GPS - Touring, no off road. Considering Garmin Zumo XT - thoughts?
- Thread starter Mooster
- Start date
troop
Well-known member
Garmin Zumo XT2. They go on sale frequently for $100 off. Many riders also use these type units, but I have no experience with them.
jzeiler
Active member
I went with the ZUMO XT2 as it uses the new "Tread" app for for routing and it syncs with your phone to bring in new routes. Garmin has abandoned the old Base Camp software and even though I was very proficient at routing with it, I have found the Tread app to be very intuitive and easy to use. Plus the XT2 has a bigger screen.
I have the Garmin XT mounted on my 2024 S2S. I like it a lot. Bright screen and buttons easily navigable with gloves. Strictly Bluetooth though, no wired connections. Will not connect to the S2S, you will need a wireless headset to hear directions connected to the GPS. Garmin Drive App required on your phone connected to the XT for full functions including road conditions and weather radar.
I connect my S2S to an old Android phone that I leave permanently in the frunk and charging constantly as an MP3 player. I connect the S2S to one bluetooth channel on my Cardo communicator and the GPS to the other channel on my Cardo. That way I can control music volume via the handlbar switches and get my turn by turn directions from the GPS. I can hear the music much better that way than using the XT as an MP3 player; also, with more connections available on the bike than the GPS, my passenger's Cardo is connected to the bike so she can hear the music as well. Music will automatically mute for the turn by turn directions.
Because Garmin Drive is also required, I can receive and make phone calls via the GPS. Everything seems to work pretty well with that setup. One major drawback is that I have to create the routes point by point on the XT's built in TripPlanner app. Unable to import a route.
hogmemberisold
Member
I have our Garmin Zumo 590 mounted on the 2025 S2S and love it, but...
Earlier this year the 590 was in dire need of a battery, and I couldn’t find one that worked. We have both a 6 inch and 8 inch Garmin Drivesmart GPS for our SUV and car, and after having a GPS with a bigger display, it changed the way I looked at things.
I almost ordered the Garmin Tread-2 SxS Edition which is an 8 inch model. It costs a little more, but after having an 8 inch display in the car, it’s hard to give it up. I did find a replacement battery that worked for the 590 and I am currently using it.
If anything was to happen where a replacement GPS was needed for the trike, I’ve already made up my mind to look for a larger model.
Earlier this year the 590 was in dire need of a battery, and I couldn’t find one that worked. We have both a 6 inch and 8 inch Garmin Drivesmart GPS for our SUV and car, and after having a GPS with a bigger display, it changed the way I looked at things.
I almost ordered the Garmin Tread-2 SxS Edition which is an 8 inch model. It costs a little more, but after having an 8 inch display in the car, it’s hard to give it up. I did find a replacement battery that worked for the 590 and I am currently using it.
If anything was to happen where a replacement GPS was needed for the trike, I’ve already made up my mind to look for a larger model.
racoon
Well-known member
I bought a Garmin Zumo XT GPS when I bought my 2024 Spyder, as Can Am was still figuring how to get Apple CarPlay to work.
I agree that Garmin BaseCamp is horrible and way too complex for casual use.
I was able to use Garmin Express to import GPX files (GPS Exchange Format) to the Zumo XT.
Any mapping application that can create GPX files can be used to plot a route, then export to GPX and then import to a Garmin GPS.
Now that Apple CarPlay is working on my 2024 Spyder RT S2S, I use the Google Maps desktop application to create my routes, then sync them to the Google Maps app on my Apple iPhone. Then I just plug my iPhone into the USB port in the glove box of my Spyder. My Honda Ridgeline also supports Google Maps, so the navigation works whether I'm on my Spyder or in my Ridgeline.
I agree that Garmin BaseCamp is horrible and way too complex for casual use.
I was able to use Garmin Express to import GPX files (GPS Exchange Format) to the Zumo XT.
Any mapping application that can create GPX files can be used to plot a route, then export to GPX and then import to a Garmin GPS.
Now that Apple CarPlay is working on my 2024 Spyder RT S2S, I use the Google Maps desktop application to create my routes, then sync them to the Google Maps app on my Apple iPhone. Then I just plug my iPhone into the USB port in the glove box of my Spyder. My Honda Ridgeline also supports Google Maps, so the navigation works whether I'm on my Spyder or in my Ridgeline.
TheMariner
Active member
I have the Garmin XT2. Works well, nice big screen & easy - enough to see in daylight. Paired well with my helmet coms for verbal route instructions. Doesn't like charging via USB from my PC (probably the PC's fault) but a normal phone charger works well.
Communication using the Tread app on your phone is OK, but I'm old school... I like a wired connection better. I prefer mapping on a decent size screen rather than on a phone app and I use Google MyMaps these days.
Map the route in MyMaps -> export it in .kml format -> email the .kml to myself -> open the email on my phone & save the .kml -> find the .kml on the phone & open it with the Tread app. -> sync the imported route to the XT2, it'll import as a 'track' -> open the imported track, and convert it to a route using the XT2's tools.
Communication using the Tread app on your phone is OK, but I'm old school... I like a wired connection better. I prefer mapping on a decent size screen rather than on a phone app and I use Google MyMaps these days.
Map the route in MyMaps -> export it in .kml format -> email the .kml to myself -> open the email on my phone & save the .kml -> find the .kml on the phone & open it with the Tread app. -> sync the imported route to the XT2, it'll import as a 'track' -> open the imported track, and convert it to a route using the XT2's tools.
I have the Zumo XT, can't compare to any other because its my 1st GPS, never had trouble viewing it in the sun.
Only complaint is the USB input to the Zumo is the old mini plug, NOT the type C.
Smitty42
New member
I use the Gaia GPS Free version on my phone. It has, as far as I can determine anyway, all the roads and highways one would need.
Now I admit that it uses Gaia Topographical maps only; showing off-road trails also. The Premium version has many more maps (including Gaia Open Street map but for a yearly fee). I also have it on my desktop Windows 10 PC, which allows me to create a route on the PC, save it, and it gets downloaded to my phone automatically. It will also allow you to create a route by tracking your trip and save it if you so desire. When I was riding off-road and was a Ride Leader for our off-road club, I used it to create rides, but I used the Premium version because it allowed me to access many different maps. You can also import tracks or routes from someone else and use them.
Now I admit that it uses Gaia Topographical maps only; showing off-road trails also. The Premium version has many more maps (including Gaia Open Street map but for a yearly fee). I also have it on my desktop Windows 10 PC, which allows me to create a route on the PC, save it, and it gets downloaded to my phone automatically. It will also allow you to create a route by tracking your trip and save it if you so desire. When I was riding off-road and was a Ride Leader for our off-road club, I used it to create rides, but I used the Premium version because it allowed me to access many different maps. You can also import tracks or routes from someone else and use them.
You raise a good question. One to which I have no clear answer.
My Spyder came with a Garmin 590. I updated the software to that found in a 595. (Easily done. Search the interwebs) The mount was at the center of the handlebars; a terrible location, requiring a downward look to see what it's doing. I moved it up in line with forward view. A hassle.
the Garmin software is, uh, poor, to put it nicely. I find route planning with Garmin to be more trouble than it's worth. So I plan elsewhere, convert to a GPX file and import into the Garmin. That works fairly well, but far from what I want.
On a recent trip, I found the Garmin's ability to find locations to be poor to nonexistent. YMMV, of course. I was looking for not very common roads and places. Its database contained few of the places/roads I sought. Other GPS apps (see below) did.
I've tried a bunch of GPS apps on a phone. Download app, download its maps. Most are better than Garmin, which is damning with faint praise.
I was a Sygic user for a long time, even bought the App to use on both iOS and Android. They keep adding "features"; too many features to make it clean and simple to use. I've tried Waze and a few other apps.
Finally found OSMand, which of all the apps I tried, is the best.
At the end of the day, I use a paper map. Most states will send you one for free (go to the state's tourist info web site and fill out the request form. Heads up: Washington state hasn't had a paper map since, I think, 2009. I've kept my copy. All the states around Oregon send me maps, and I've found they do what I want.) The Garmin is still there, largely to compare the speedo with the GPS' speed reckoning.
I probably won't be around to see it, but my impression of GPS technology for end-users like us is that it's a technology still in infancy. Maybe another decade of development will see a mature product that actually works and works for the sort of traveling real people do in the real world.
We'll see.
My Spyder came with a Garmin 590. I updated the software to that found in a 595. (Easily done. Search the interwebs) The mount was at the center of the handlebars; a terrible location, requiring a downward look to see what it's doing. I moved it up in line with forward view. A hassle.
the Garmin software is, uh, poor, to put it nicely. I find route planning with Garmin to be more trouble than it's worth. So I plan elsewhere, convert to a GPX file and import into the Garmin. That works fairly well, but far from what I want.
On a recent trip, I found the Garmin's ability to find locations to be poor to nonexistent. YMMV, of course. I was looking for not very common roads and places. Its database contained few of the places/roads I sought. Other GPS apps (see below) did.
I've tried a bunch of GPS apps on a phone. Download app, download its maps. Most are better than Garmin, which is damning with faint praise.
I was a Sygic user for a long time, even bought the App to use on both iOS and Android. They keep adding "features"; too many features to make it clean and simple to use. I've tried Waze and a few other apps.
Finally found OSMand, which of all the apps I tried, is the best.
At the end of the day, I use a paper map. Most states will send you one for free (go to the state's tourist info web site and fill out the request form. Heads up: Washington state hasn't had a paper map since, I think, 2009. I've kept my copy. All the states around Oregon send me maps, and I've found they do what I want.) The Garmin is still there, largely to compare the speedo with the GPS' speed reckoning.
I probably won't be around to see it, but my impression of GPS technology for end-users like us is that it's a technology still in infancy. Maybe another decade of development will see a mature product that actually works and works for the sort of traveling real people do in the real world.
We'll see.
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