Zumo 396

[Triple B]

Does anyone currently have, or has anyone ever used the Zumo 396? I’m asking because I can get a 396 for approximately half the price of the current models. The adverts seem to say that they do everything that I want, and they come with Lifetime Maps. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

 

[PistonBlown]

The 396 does seem to be a good deal. It's a new model and they have changed the design from the 390 which it replaces - unlike the 590 to 595 which doesn't seem to have changed physically or software wise.

The 396 does have a smaller screen and its lower resolution, which will mean the text etc will be more blocky , but they seem to have the same features otherwise from what I can work out. Haven't seen a comparison review yet.

 

[Highwayman2013]

Looks like Tom Tom makes a similar unit. https://www.tomtom.com/en_us/drive/motorcycle/products/rider-550/

 

[Triple B]

Looks like Tom Tom makes a similar unit. https://www.tomtom.com/en_us/drive/motorcycle/products/rider-550/

Thanks for the info....I’m hoping someone who uses one of these Tomtom’s will chime in.
i’ve never used anything other than a Garmin, and then only the cheap ones....never one created for a motorcycle.

 

[Highwayman2013]

I have an older Tom Tom rider and it works well. They are a little hard to get used to when you are used to a Garmin.

 

[sandeejs]

395

Don't know if this helps or not, but I have a Garmin 395. Generally easy to use, gets me where I want to go.
Good luck in your quest.
~Sandee~

 

[Triple B]

Don't know if this helps or not, but I have a Garmin 395. Generally easy to use, gets me where I want to go.
Good luck in your quest.
~Sandee~

Knowing what you know now, if you were looking for a gps, would you purchase the 395 again?

I appreciate your honest appraisal. Right now, I have a gps for my car that I use on my Spyder, but find it awkward to see while I am riding.

 

[sandeejs]

still liking th 395

Knowing what you know now, if you were looking for a gps, would you purchase the 395 again?

Yep, I would purchase it again. It's a little smaller than my previous gps, but way newer. I don't need to look at every detail of the map; I just want to know where the next turn is. Perfect for my needs.

~Sandee~

 

[Triple B]

Many thanks, Sandee. You’ve been a big help. Thanks also to Highwayman2013....very much appreciated.

 

[blitzkreig]

... and they come with Lifetime Maps. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

Be carefull with your interpretation of Garmin's "Lifetime Maps" assurance ...

It is not your lifetime, nor the lifetime of the device ... but the lifetime of when Garmin supports your device.

You are locked out when Garmin no longer sells that Model. You are locked out if you have any kind of problem downloading the new maps and you are locked out if Garmin just wants to lock you out.

I have a drawer full of Garmin GPS ... some costing hundreds of dollars ... fully working with "LifeTime Maps", which are junk in the drawer because they will not update and there is nothing worse than an old map.

They still work. They will not update maps anymore and Garmin couldn't give a rat's patute about you or your "LifeTime Maps".

Such is life ... LOL

 

[Kiry]

Be carefull with your interpretation of Garmin's "Lifetime Maps" assurance ...

It is not your lifetime, nor the lifetime of the device ... but the lifetime of when Garmin supports your device.

You are locked out when Garmin no longer sells that Model. You are locked out if you have any kind of problem downloading the new maps and you are locked out if Garmin just wants to lock you out.

I have a drawer full of Garmin GPS ... some costing hundreds of dollars ... fully working with "LifeTime Maps", which are junk in the drawer because they will not update and there is nothing worse than an old map.

They still work. They will not update maps anymore and Garmin couldn't give a rat's patute about you or your "LifeTime Maps".

Such is life ... LOL

Interesting. So what is the average lifetime then? <curious>

 

[blitzkreig]

Interesting. So what is the average lifetime then? <curious>

By my experience about a year and a half ... maybe two. Then you are "OUTA HERE" ... You are a WAY better using your cellphone and a plastic baggy over it when it rains.

Garmin even just this month discontinued support for their cell phone application called "Navigon". An excellent product which didn't use data time but downloaded the database actually to your phone. I have BOTH the North American version and the Western European version costing me hundreds of dollars which are scrap now. I hate Garmin but they have a great product with their new GPS. I sincerely hope they survive ...

 

[grandbug]

I have had a Garmen Nuvi 1455 for many years that still updates. I am using it on the Spyder.

 

[PistonBlown]

This was a couple of reviews that a local rider did of first a 390 and a 590. Now I know those are the previous versions to what your asking about but its probably still useful.

https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/169820-Garmin-ZUMO-390LM
https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/170593-Garmin-Zumo-590LM

 

[Kredab]

Garmin

I have a Garmin nuvi 1450 which I got in 2010 , been using it in the car and Spyder, just received new update......I have been thinking about a new waterproof one. I'll be watching this thread to see what people think of the new one and I will add this question to the pile.


Is there a GPS that works like google maps but not on a phone ? I understand I could just use my phone but being a workphone and my service isn't the best in certain parts of the USA. I really like how google maps is set up but is that made in a portable gps form.:spyder2::spyder2:

 

[PistonBlown]

Is there a GPS that works like google maps but not on a phone ? I understand I could just use my phone but being a workphone and my service isn't the best in certain parts of the USA. I really like how google maps is set up but is that made in a portable gps form.:spyder2::spyder2:

You could get a Samsung or other Android tablet (an Apple iPad is another option but obviously the Android devices are designed for google).

From your description of needing better coverage than your mobile you'd need to get one that has 4g i.e. you can connect it directly to the internet over the mobile network. Something like the Samsung A6 (4G) may do the trick. It's smaller than the full size tablets but still bigger than a phone and relatively cheap, certainly cheaper than a phone. Its not the flashiest tablet Samsung do but for google maps etc it would work well. The screen on that is 7" but there are bigger ones.

Samsung do a ruggedized (drop proof, waterproof etc) 4G tablet called the Tab Active 2 but its very expensive.

It is possible to get a tablet that only has WiFi and then connect it to your mobile phone using the 'hotspot' option - but as you mentioned its a work mobile and doesn't have great coverage that's probably not the answer for you. By the way, the 4G ones come with WiFi as well.​

There are plenty of different mounts you can get to hold your tablet on the Spyder, or the map pocket on a tank bag - Some tank bags are now designed to hold tablets.

From experience, having tried using a tablet before getting my GPS, the downsides vs a dedicated motorbike GPS are:

• Sunlight on the screen can be more of an issue
• Need to stop and take gloves off to operate
• You need to set it up so the screen stays on and you need the screen full brightness to combat the sun. That plus the 4G connection mean that it does use the battery quite quickly so for longer journeys you will need to run power to it - though if you've got a usb plug on your Spyder that's easy to do
• With google maps you do always need a connection, and murphy's law will be when you're really lost you don't have one There are other cheap GPS apps you can for them though, some of which do have built in maps. There's one I used that worked well, will try and remember the name
• Unless you get a ruggedized one its not waterproof, there are waterproof cases available or can use a zip lock bag of course.

 

[GOZFST]

Here's a link to a discussion about the 396 on Adventure Riders.
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/new-garmin-zumo-396.1293919/