Garmin Zumo XT

No idea, I don't know if I just didn't have it securely in the mount or if the mount was bad, either way, I figure it could happen again so I will take precautions.

My brake line released my XT on a rocky section of trail. The pumping forks apparently caused the XT to pop out. I was up on the pegs so didn't notice it missing for a couple of miles. When I did I retraced my tracks with a pit in my stomach thinking an ATV might have rolled over my $500 GPS. Thankfully I found it unharmed.

I learned two things from this experience. 1. The medium Ram arm is the wrong length for the XT on my bike (DR650). I now use a long arm. 2. A GoPro tether is cheap insurance.

I have zero interest in convincing anyone to run a tether. If you don't think it's good, cheap insurance, please don't run one. Chances are the majority of people will not have a problem. However, it does happen, so if you cannot recognize that a potential risk exists, I can't help you. That's your decision to make.

Tethers: For me, it was user error when I had a montana. I thought I had it clipped in, but it wasn't. A tether saved it a couple of times. What are our options besides the expensive touratech? One of the biggest negatives about this zumo is the lack of a hole for a tether like the Montana had. All it takes is a hole and a string. I'm not sure I'd trust a stick on zip tie holder, but I might trust it if it was epoxied on.

Follow up to my original post. I packed up my Zumo XT to return it and had 2nd thoughts. I still think Garmin software development is managed and performed by people whose training is from the last century - but my 63 year old eyes really struggle to see the map on my Montana 650 when riding in the woods with strong sunlight. The high glare when the sunlight is not blocked by leaves alternates with moments when I can see the screen but it's almost like looking at something with a strobe light flashing. Typically, if I adjust it so there is no glare while sitting, then I have strong glare while standing and vice-versa. If I try to adjust it on the move, at least 50% of the time I accidentally touch the screen and cause it to stop tracking because the Montana thinks I am trying to make a waypoint. This is not a situation a street rider will struggle with. It is really bad on my KTM 350EXCF.

I need a better daylight readable screen and the Zumo XT has that. I revisited the issues with my MacBook and Basecamp and discovered a work around. The problem is that if Garmin Express or any other software connects with the Zumo XT, the computer resources used for the communication link never get released after Express or other software is shut down. I don't know if this is purely an OSX issue or a combination of OSX and the Android operating system Garmin uses on the XT. Either way, if another program was 'talking' to the XT prior to starting Basecamp on a Mac, then Basecamp will not detect the XT even if you shut down all other programs. (This does not happen with my Montana 650 on a Mac)

I did the following. I set up preferences for Garmin Express so that it will not automatically start when I plug a Garmin device into the USB port. I also stopped it from running constantly in the background (that is the default Garmin sets when Express is installed.) If I used Garmin Express to update software or load maps, I unplug the Zumo XT when finished and plug it in again when I want to use Basecamp. This forces the Zumo XT to reboot. Sometimes, this does not work, and the solution is to reboot the computer and the Zumo XT. That seems to work every time.

If the MacBook goes to sleep with the Zumo XT connected and Basecamp open, it will not detect it when the computer wakes up. Same deal - I have to reboot the XT and the Macbook.

These are issues that were common and expected on 20-30 year old computers and operating systems. Sucks that we have to deal with this in 2020 with a new $500 GPS.

Some other observations. The active topo map included with the Zumo XT sucks for real off road riding on trails and dirt roads like we have in the NJ Pine Barrens and places like Famous Reading Outdoors in central PA. I will have to spring for Garmin 24K topo maps like I had on my Montana. The motorcycle mount included with the Zumo XT may be fine for street use but the way it attaches to the back of the Zumo does not look like it will hold up in an off road environment on a small single cylinder bike like the KTM 350. Too much vibration. I will have to come up with some kind of tether just in case the mount breaks or vibrates loose.

I did look into the new Montana 700 series as an alternative but its only real advantage to me is the rugged mount available for it. It does not come preloaded with any useful maps so that is an extra expense on top of having to shell out for the rugged motorcycle mount. Of course Garmin could not have designed the new Montana work with the existing rugged mount for the Montana 600 series. Add in the cost of 24K topo maps and the rugged mount and the Montana 700 investment approaches a minimum of $850.

Not only is the Touratech expensive, I'm told it weighs nearly 0.6kg. That's a lot of weight to be bouncing about on a trail.

I used these purchased from amazon and it is a very nice solution. I have not had a problem with my mount. I did find the mount to be a bit underwhelming. Having read the issues in this thread, I opted for the tether. I can learn from others experiences. I also learned about the tethers in the forum. I attach the tether on upper corner opposite side of the ports.

XCSOURCE Camera Tethers Kit 5X Insurance Tether Straps +3M Sticker Mounting for GoPro Hero 1/2/3/3+/4 OS36 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JFPR202/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_0CMmFbVYFVDWE

Those Gopro tethers are pretty nice, but seem to be out of stock alot. Here's another option that with Scotch Outdoor Permanent tape has worked very well even on the back of the ribbed XT:

https://advrider.com/f/threads/garmin-zumo-xt.1431553/page-83#post-40373762

Too bad you didn't start off looking through this thread, because I answered all of this in a post four months ago:
#465

--mark

We need stickies for big long threads like this.

I did start by looking at this thread and searching on the topic. Excuse me if I missed your post in 97 pages and > 1900 posts. My search terms were "Basecamp does not recognize Zumo XT on MacBook" Don't be so quick to criticize. I may not have 4000+ posts on this forum but I am far from a newbie.

Sorry you took it as criticism; it wasn't intended that way. I've just been running into a lot of instances lately of people getting upset over things for which there are established answers. Not just on this forum but life in general. If I have to tell one more friend to RTFM for something they've just bought instead of complaining they don't know how to use it...

Anyway, sorry if my tone was snarkier than necessary; but I think you'll find that the issues you've had with the XT are easily addressed.

--mark

Here's one thing I've learned after 30+ years as an educator and over 22+ in the role of an administrator...

A question that you have answered for the 3000th time is being asked by the next person who asks it for the first time...

The 3001st person to ask deserves the same care and attention as you gave the first person who asked.

If you can't answer with care and concern for the person asking, don't answer. Pretty simple rule in life.

Very interesting take on a situation, I had never thought of it that way - well said!

People have been discussing it on a lot of GPS & M/C forums here in Europe & on Facebook - seems to be relatively common problem.

My personal take on a stick on tether, it does not have to be super strong ie structural, but if the unit pops, you will notice it before it bounces down the trail or highway.

Yeah, I've already replaced one power cable; luckily the new one has been fine, so far. Sounds like they had an early batch of cables with the pins improperly secured, but hopefully they fixed the issue.

--mark

Mine came with a rubber dust cover i thought ppl were saying the contacts are exposed if the units isnt mounted. Is this a new thing ?

Got mine two days ago and no cover.

The cover should be attached to the motorcycle mount's power cable. It's a small rubber rectangular cover that only covers the pins when the device is removed from the mount.