2022 Garmin Zumo XT review - should you just use your phone?
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- Bike sat-navs are at a bit of a cross-roads. Everyone has a smartphone and there are a billion ways of attaching yours to your handlebars for some mid-ride sat-nav faff. But should you invest a bit more in a dedicated sat-nav? I've been using a Garmin Zumo XT for the past few months and I've been pretty impressed by it - join me for a full tech review plus some general witterings about why I prefer it to my phone…
00:00 Intro with a fly on my head
01:10 Pros and cons vs using your phone
03:05 A quick look at the Zumo XT (flap check) & mounting options
03:58 Screen responsiveness
04:49 Using it
06:31 Can it find a McDonald's?
07:19 Music app
07:58 Twisty road setting
08:56 Leathery fist test
09:24 Weather radar! It's useful!
10:11 Is it worth the price? How to get it cheap
11:52 Outro
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I've since done a review of the Garmin Zumo XT2! That's here: czcams.com/video/4rkP-1ImvjA/video.html
This has to be the most hilarious off-the-cuff English dry-humor motorcycle channel I have ever listened to. It’s like Hugh Grant shaved his head, grew a beard and fell in love with a motorcycle. Too awesome.
That has absolutely made my day, thanks Dani! Welcome to the nonsense part of CZcams!
Loose comparison...don’t forget to mention he’s male like Grant, not female
Another Zumo XT fan here. I like all the features you mentioned and when it is paired with your phone it also displays calls and messages which can be quite handy if you're out for a ride when you should be at work.
Yup, though I had to turn that off because I kept getting notifications from my smart doorbell when I was trying to relax in Germany :D
I knew civilization was finished when Mcdonalds started calling themselves a restaurant
Civilization finished when women started with claims of equality for them
amen
Hmm, by definition, McDonalds is a restaurant. The same is true for all other fast food restaurants.
@@BikerGirlTraveler maybe time to adjust the definition
Cannot stop laughing 😂
I’m very much against my phone on my handlebars , they have become too important to us with the info they have at hand for our ease of use .my iPhone was over £1k not a top of the range but certainly around what you expect to pay for iPhone . it has all my important information on it , banking etc , if it became detached , stolen or damaged I’d be lost ..if you lost your phone and were stuck beside the road do you remember your wife’s or riding friends numbers , breakdown contact, your insurance company even the hotel your going to , even finding a roadside phone box is pretty difficult nowadays if somehow you can recall anything . I have got the XT as well and it’s brilliant ,…..I challenge you to turn your phone off and see how many numbers you can remember , don’t forget also if your phones damaged you might not be able to use internet either to help you out ,
I’m an Android user but have an old iPhone 8+ for fixing to the bike. Big screen and I don’t care if it gets damaged. Best of both worlds!
After having owned a Navigon 5, Navigon 6, Zumo 550 and Zumo 595 I vowed never to own a Garmin again. I have been using TomTom Rider 550 for years now and my goodness how much simpler and better that works, and for a much lower price. Nonetheless, I think it is time that the 550 gets un update.
I’ve had mine for over a year and didn’t know it did any of that😂
Excellent vid again. Thanks
Thanks again Philip! Honestly it can do so much more than what I had time to show. It's mega.
OK, one thing no one seems to comment on is, that a Sat. Nav. doesn't get lost when there is no phone signal. Travel through a place where there isn't a mobile phone signal with a Zumo or other dedicated Sat Nav. no problem. But, get 'lost' when using Google maps or whatever on a smartphone when there isn't any mobile signal and you're still lost!
I also have/use a Garmin XT and love it! I know, old tech compared to a modern smartphone, but the reasons you mention are all relevant and real. I live in the Southwest of the US, and in the summer months, temperatures can be quite warm (sometimes over 40C) and I have experienced the dreaded overheating scenario with my phone, which became quite inconvenient when riding somewhere I had never been before. Also, another “feature” of a smartphone is to automatically dim/darken the screen in certain scenarios - also happens (always) at the most inappropriate times, at least for me and my phone. I will always have a dedicated GPS unit on my bike designed to handle the environment and activity of riding a motorbike…
Good choice. Imagine using your phone and you crash…phone flys away or the mount fails and the road ate it.
Reaching into a dedicated, zipped pocket for your phone is a life saver
This is a great point, living in Texas myself
Iphone X overheats and shutsdown very quickly in AUS on a mild 35c day. Just ordered a ZUMO 2 today.
I've had many Zumos over the years, 660, 595LM, XT and now the XT2. I've used them on the bike and the car. Wouldn't be without one.
I enjoyed the fly on your head in the first segment, nice video, learned a bit.
I found when driving LGV's or delivery vans that I used my dedicated satnav for main guidance but used my phone to get postcodes for cafes, petrol stations etc. Do the same on my bike so best of both worlds.
Awesome quick wit, well explained, after a few reviews, pretty much convinced the XT is the way to roll on my adventure bike.
Keep the sunny sideup…thank you 😎
Great Video. I use my phone as primary but on trips I also take the Zumo XT. I'm in the US and traveling through the mountains, you will loose cell signal. We nearly ran out of gas and had trouble finding a gas station. After that, I purchased the Zumo as a backup. I will use it to import map files for pre-planned routes but I really don't use it to it's full potential. Thank you for the reminder of it's other features. Weather is a big one.
I love the dedicated Navi concept still. My old Garmin was solid and never had issues with signal. Great review!
Hi Tim, just happened across this video. I'm with you on the phone in the pocket and dedicated GPS on the bike. Have a garmin Montana which I've had for around 3yrs now that has served me well. Looking to upgrade to the Zumo XT for the bigger screen ( got old ) and this review has sold it for me. Love your outlook and humour now liked and subscribed to your channel 👍
Just watched your review I couldn’t stop chuckling I do love your humour anyway you’ve convinced me I’m going for the Garmin XT.🤘🤘
Thanks, you just saved me £92.50 off the price of the XT. I didn't realise Bennetts gave a reward discount for Garmin, so thanks again. Great video too 👍
I ‘ve never considered being distracted by music a benefit to safe riding nor to enjoyment of the bike or the journey. I keep my phone for calls and photos and that’s it. I prefer a dedicated satnav for touring. Bmw navigator allows curvey route alternatives, multiple way points and the ability to skip any. Waterproof, less to lose if damaged and just perfect for the job.
True, but listening to music or podcasts on long motorway schleps is good fun (for me at least… your risk aversion levels may vary!).
Ive been searching for reviews and this way the best ive found, good work
Just bought a Zumo XT for my KTM. Also subscribed to My Ride basic whilst waiting to have it fitted to the bike. Your review has convinced me that I've done the right thing. Thanks...
Got the Zumo and agree with everything you say in this video. It’s a great piece of kit, love it
This was all I needed to finalize my purchase decision. Thanks a lot for the great video and perfectly clear information.
Thank you! Enjoy your adventures :)
Great balanced and informative vid thanks,I’ve ordered one👍
Just to add to this very useful review, during my last winter trip to Krystallrally Norway my garmin has performed perfextly in temperatures down to -15C whilst all of my friends mobile phones and tablets gave up at -5C.
So in one hit you loosing navigation and call-for-help resources
Great vid and love your sense of humor! Thank you.
Couldn't agree more - you'll notice I'm one of those motorcycle "influencers" who isn't sponsored by Quad Lock either - I was one of the the first to use a Quadlock, it completely trashed my £800 phone camera and QuadLock's answer was (a few months later) buy a vibration dampener!! Stable/Horse/Bolted. Like you I'll never risk another phone with them again, vibro dampener or not.....
Thanks for the comment TMF! Absolutely agree - there's no way I'm going to risk an expensive phone, no matter how much assurance they give me…
I randomly came across your video today and I have to say I love your humor and you will have a long-time viewer in me!
Aww thank you! That’s made my day!
@@timrodierides I’m glad I did, you’re video made mine! I’m a new rider and trying to figure out what GPS to get or if I should just use my phone. Also maybe you could share you’re riding wisdom with me this morning and help me make another decision. Here in about 5 hours I’m scheduled to take my skills test to get my motorcycle endorsement (I live in the US, Ohio) I’m debating on which bike of mine to take it on. I hear it’s easier on a smaller bike. I’m trying to decide between using my CRF250L or my Tuareg 660. I know the Tuareg is a lot bigger but I feel like I’m more confident on it at low speeds vs the CRF because it forces me to push forward out of fear of dropping it haha. I also have a 2015 Caponord 1200 but I know that would be a disaster since it’s super heavy and I have only ridden it once since picking it up last weekend. There is also my wife’s 2020 Vulcan S I could use if I wanted. I have way to many bikes for a new rider lmao.
just returned from Mexico, used the Zumo the whole time, it was terrific .
Really good video, buddy - I am about to make the 'leap' to the XT (having used the Nav V for for years on the BMW GS) - made the move to Triumph and now need a new sat-nav. The XT is a chunk of change, but I think your video has swung it - thank you!
Thanks for the kind comment - hope it serves you well
I had to stop partway through, this is comedy genius, loving it!
Now, back to the video!
Thank you for the review. It was very helpful, and it wasn't a boring topic at all. I purchased a Zumo XT today to mount onto my bike for the same reasons you did. It's too bad you didn't show the Topo Map and Bird's View that was in the product description. Those are features I'm really looking forward to checking out.
Clear and reasonable analysis. Thanks buddy. Cheers from Brazil.
That was a great review , exactly what I was looking for and very entertaining presentation. Made me want to watch right to the end. Packed with non stop information , thanks. First time on your channel , now subscribed !!
Thank you kindly!
Good honest review, and comparison. Subscribed, looking forward to seeing more.
Thanks!
great product review tied in with intermingled humour...should be sponsored ! 🤣
Excellent! Fantastic review; love the humor. Keep them coming!
Thanks Frank!
I appreciate the review, thank You! I agree!
thank you to sharing you thoughts.
Interesting review, thank you Tim. I have experience of using older Garmins on bikes and recognise that speed was definitely an issue; if you deviated from the route it expected you to take, you could be faced with further route decisions before it had caught up... My preferred navi solution on my bike for a couple of years has been a Beeline - I love the simplicity (and having my phone still in my pocket) but recognise the limitations of the system and that it is not for everyone, and not a solution if you want "proper" mapping. I am in the process now of setting up my old phone as a satnav on my bike (yes, with Quadlock) and will be interested in how that works - main driver for that is to be able to use the RallyMoto roadbook app on my bike, which needs a phone to work, but I will also undoubtedly use "normal" navi apps as well when I want a change from my Beeline, which sits alongside the phone on a Givi accessory bar.
The older we get the harder is is to read the smart phones in the sun. Then the iphone will get hot and go dim. I order the Garmin. No brainer. Thanks for the entertaining video.
Great talk about the Zumo XT as I got one coming for Xmas :) can't wait
Gives you an excuse to go on a big tour in 2023 Dean!
@@timrodierides that's the plan
Phone based navigation is fine for commuting and people who don’t care about riding good routes.
Agreed
Hi Tim I'm the same I don't like my phone on my bike ... you have just convinced me to buy the zumo xt ...!! Cheers 😊
I have had mine on my wr250r for over a year and it keeps all my offroad routes for later use. With a another mount it clips right on to my ktm 950 with no problem and allows me to chose single track two track or black top routes.
From one Brit to another, you nailed it, mate. I'm sold.
Just stumbled on your channel. You’re freaking hilarious. I just had the rear camera on my iPhone replaced after 40 miles of riding with it on the handlebars of my Himalayan. Now that wasn’t vibration isolated, on the other hand, I rode for 16,000 miles on the same bike and the same mount with my Motorola G6 and it didn’t have any camera problems. Now to be fair the one flaw in that phone is it couldn’t really make a phone call. Life’s about give-and-take I guess.
I have the identical setup and find it great within its limitations. I also purchased the Touratech locking dock which allows me to leave it on the bike when its in view without some light fingered so and so making it disappear. Everyone I know whose had a quad lock has had issues from them disintegrating or disengaging......Hmmmm
great info there and can't go without mentioning the bike. It looks awesome!!
I’ve used Tom Tom, Garmin and Phone apps. For a road bike I think the Sat Nav is the easiest option. Do note that a Mount to lock the Garmin on the bike or to use on multiple bikes will cost just as much as Quad Lock. I ride road and trails so a phone gives me apps for both styles of riding and allows me use the app/map that’s best for the country I’m in. Overall for mixed riding and multiple bikes I think the phone wins by a small margin.
Thanks for the video, I've been debating on gettng one of these, I ride my bike so I can forget about my phone lol I prefer it in the tank bag hidden away.....I think I might invest in the XT....sláinte!
Thanks for the kind comment!
Great video and really helpful. cheers Tim
Thanks for the kind comment!
I couldn't agree more. I don,t want my phone "bouncing" on the handlebar and risking loosing it, and yes, Zumo XT might be expensive but a new "top" phone nowadays is way over that price. Also, I live in Spain and I have had some overheating problems with my phones when navigating+charging+music during my summer rides; that's what finally made me get a dedicated gps a few years ago
Hi, I used a Garmin 660 on my previous bike a Triumph 955i for quite while. I covered parts of France and Spain (Picos.) Initially it struggled with the Mac but I eventually managed to get it work ok with Basecamp using an ordinary 3 button mouse ( didn't like track pad and Mac Magic Mouse.) I created several routes on the Mac and transferred them to the old Garmin 660 with out any problem although some of the routes were a bit quirky sometimes routing down an off slip road on a motorway and then back up the on slip road. The maps are def out of date now but I still occasionally use locally if in my wife's older car that does not have a sat nav. Great video thnx.
Like a Which Magazine crossed with a Carry On film, ooh matron! Fantastic review Tim.
Hahaha I’m changing my bio to that. Thank you Sean 😂
Love it, brilliant. Thanks mate!
Just purchased one of these for my multisrada enduro 👍
Well done! Interesting Review. And I agree with you!!
I'm still using my older phone for my sat nav, so vibration not a problem, I divert my good phone that I keep in my pocket to the old phone, and I can also see who is calling me when I'm riding and can also text/phone etc from the old phone on the bike in front of me.
Also, I can charge my phone from the USB charger and swap it from bike to bike. The only downfall I would say is the screen is not as bright as a sat nav. Many Thanks
I use sat nav because it doesn't over heat and people can't call me when I need to know which way to turn. Also I don't get distracting nonsense on sat navs.
Damn I loved the energy of this video so much.. subbed!
Thank you!
Zumo XT for me. The larger font size is so much easier to read especially with all the vibrations.
Just upgraded from a Zumo 660 to the XT. I tried to use an old phone and not even close.
Been using my quadlock for 2 years I bought the one with vibration dampner I ride 60-80 miles nearly per day had no issues with my phone and I have the same phone as you.
Funniest and most factual motorcycle reviews subscribed!!!!
I'm doing a lot of research into getting a Sat Nav for my own bike. Biggest worries are battery life and of plugged in to the bike if it will kill it as I want to get a bike/dash cam too. I have see a CZcams creater put the phone under a tap and it no longer responded or changed screens because you can't lock it. The speaker and suction cup are for use while in a car or hiking as you can change the travel mode.
Thanks for the video! I was just about to buy one from a local retailer for £350, when you mentioned the Bennetts rewards. Checked it out and I saved £87!!!! Thank you for the tip!
I couldn't make my mind up, on this one, having had with nightmare with a Garmin Navigator 6 and all of it's uncontrollable screen problems. I had almost decided never to buy another Garmin and just go with a phone mount. After seeing your video my mind was changed. What swung it was being able to get £92 off by having Bennetts Insurance. I've been with them for a few years. Just an offer I couldn't refuse! Thank You.
great review and very helpful - seriously thinking about this. what is the speedometer like - is it accurate? and does it pick up all speed traps?
Great video, just a couple of questions:- I only have a phone no computer i phone 13 pro can i download onto the xt from that? Also will it show green lanes are they already installed, excuse my lack of tech knowledge
Nice review, does it cover the whole world or do you have to load different maps in it and do they charge more for those maps?
I can confirm earlswood McDonald's is terrible!!!. Thanks for info in the video dude ,think I'm gonna have to get one for gpx tet routes. The garmin is 20x better to read the screen on a sunny day compared to a phone screen.
PSA: "One is none and two is some" as the G.I. saying goes so I always carry a topo map and compass whatever else I nav with. My four-wheeled vehicles get a motor carriers road atlas bagged under the seat and a simple scout compass in the glove box. Practice land nav without the electronics until those are purely optional. It's not difficult and you won't have the "lost 2Lt" expression on your face if your fancy gear dies.
I really want one of these, and if I still had an adventure bike would get one in an instant. I now have an R nineT though and can't find a way to mount one without it looking ridiculous. Great review
Thanks! Yeah, a big ball mount is going to ruin the looks of an R9T a bit...
Thanks for this really entertaining clip. I use Garmin XT since a while now and I am happy with it. It does a good job. I do have a QuadLock mount as well for my phone, but I am actually not sure why.....
The only thing I hate with the Garmin (but this was also an issue with my former TomTom): It starts to go wild when rain is heave enough since it thinks raindrops are fingertips. But this is pretty much the only negativ I can say about my Garmin.
Interesting i plan to fit a sat nav inside my screen above the console, will prevent this
I definitely agree a dedicated GPS is the best option for the reasons you mentioned. The phone is better with ‘you’ in case something happens.
And I subscribed straight after than intro 😂👍
Flies, pornography and digs at influencers… it's what I do!
The greatest issue with the GPS units I've tried has been performance. Since all of the chips are being thrown at phones, perhaps the better move is to switch to GPS units without screens that a phone can connect to for GPS data and display through a dedicated app. Otherwise, the GPS could just use faster chips with more memory. I'd like to see that and a return to resistive touch screens with interfaces based on taps rather than slides AND big directional & volume buttons.
A phone is ok for around town, but a more rugged, weatherproof device with large screen text/icons focused on just directions/mapping is better for long trips. There's less need for it to be small/slim, so they good be built to be handled and repaired.
Also riding across countries and not having to use data for roaming is a win.
For my upcoming tour of South America, I am happy that Garmin has licensed iOverlander data to display in the XT.
Great video - I’ve a new Tenere 700 coming and I’ve spent days and days trying to find a phone solution - they’re really expensive and there are loads that won’t ship nice mounts to the UK.
Ooo. Enjoy the new bike! I've got a review on the Zumo XT2 in the works... but if you can find an original XT cheaper, get that
I would like to know how to import a list (for example an Excel table) of points of interest directly from a PC to the Garmin Zumo XT? Or how can I add POIs (defined by coordinates) via computer?
Also the drive app is great for typing in addresses quickly
Yes! Totally forgot to mention that.
I like this and you are funny! Thanks!
I’ve had it for almost a year. In Canada it costs $679.99+ tax. Worth every penny! There is a lot of areas without the cell coverage where it works flawlessly.
I picked up my first bike yesterday from the shop. It was a 65km trip back home and it took me 4 hours because I kept getting lost - my 65km had become 122km. I had tried memorizing the map before leaving but had to find a petrol station which threw my mental map out of kilt. Had to keep stopping to look at the phone as it was very difficult while trying to ride (and probably illegal). Verdict - need a GPS - and was looking at this one. Very timely review, thanks. P.s. Can't believe the size of that monitor on the KTM - it's huge! Shame you they don't partner up with Garmin to offer gps functionality on that big screen.
Thanks for the kind words! The KTM does have basic turn-by-turn GPS stuff built in, but I've never managed to get it working…
Great video. Bought it
I use a Garmin Montana because I do a lot of off-road and I can send messages or SOS over satellite without any signals. I still think it’s a pain to use so I mostly use my phone and run them both when touring. Never had a phone die on me, and if I did, I always have AppleCare so I’d just walk into any Apple Store and get II replaced or repaired.
I've got the Zumo XT & Quadlock which I don't use for all the reason outlined
The other thing about phones in hot weather using nav will absolutely overheat your phone & it will shutdown, the Satnav won't
Good point!
lets be honest...the youngins whod probly mostly never get caught dead on an adventure bike... the trend is definitely changing though. riders after 35-40 start to have close up vision problems.. when on trips, i prefer to have a dedicated larger screen for nav, and trying to fumble with a tiny screen with gloves on.. for me there is no comparison, they are different tools..and one should never replace the other...great vid.
I was using a phone on the bike until I got stuck in a downpour at night in the middle of nowhere. The phone started screaming at me that it’s detecting water(no s***). Had a beeline on the bike. Couldn’t get it set up in the dark and in the rain. So I got pi***ed off. Bought a zumo xt next day. Phones are great-yes! Most of ‘em don’t like water though!
Hi Tim - love the channel - can I ask what mount you used to mount the Garmin onto your Nav Bar - just got the Zumo and a Givi nav bar ( 12mm ) but finding a decent non cheap plastic bracket is a bit elusive - thanks and safe riding - Maf in Brighton
I use a Garmin car sat nav, they're a third of the price of a specific bike sat nav and does the same job.
Hi, what about that round trip thing? You ever tried? Is it comfy to use?
Yup. Agreed.
great review! I'm new to the GPS world, is there a monthly subscription and/or cost to download maps, local or international?
There are many fantastic riding spots on the East Coast of the United States where cellular reception doesn't exist. In the middle of the country, it's the same story. I'm in the Philippines right now and can confirm there are fairly large swaths of land where phones don't work. We're a very long time from where not having a GPS on an adventure bike makes sense.
Thank you for the helpfull video. But I am struggling to find ''dirt/offroad'' roads in my phone. Does this Garmin know offroad roads to travel?
Hello? F#$king thank you! I never thought it was a good idea to mount my phone on the handle bars. You've summarized my exact feelings/opinions about the phone/standalone GPS argument. Although, I don't recall having the accent.
Haha, apologies for the accent!
Zumo XTs rule. Particularly with that mount... Agree with all your conclusions. I put a locking thingo on my GPS.. I also have an app on my phone that sends emails and alerts to the GPS. Hours of mindless fun.