New Garmin Zumo XT

My Zumo XT "died" on the Volcano Run trip on Saturday. I've tracked it down to the power pins on the mount. There's a forum in the UK that has a thread on this, so I'm not alone.

The bottom (negative) pin is loose and pushed in. There doesn't seem to be a way to repair it easily. I contacted Garmin customer support over the weekend. Waiting to hear back from them.

Update: Garmin is sending a new power cable. Unfortunately, I won't get it till mid-September.

Chris
 
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Daboo said:
My Zumo XT "died" on the Volcano Run trip on Saturday. I've tracked it down to the power pins on the mount. There's a forum in the UK that has a thread on this, so I'm not alone.

The bottom (negative) pin is loose and pushed in. There doesn't seem to be a way to repair it easily. I contacted Garmin customer support over the weekend. Waiting to hear back from them.

Update: Garmin is sending a new power cable. Unfortunately, I won't get it till mid-September.

Chris
Click to expand...
You can bypass the mount power and use a mini-usb cable to power-up the unit until you get a replacement cable from Garmin. All you need is a 12v source and USB adaptor and you'll be back in business. I was afraid that the power connector on the mount did not look very robust. I guess I was right.
 
I tried to solder the pins yesterday, and it didn't work. So for this weekend's trip to John Day, I'll be using the USB connector. That'll be okay as it won't be raining...but what about this winter?

Garmin will send me a new power cable that should arrive in a couple weeks. The old one lasted 3.5 months. Did it fail from use attaching the GPS to the mount? Or did I snag it when drying off the bike after washing? I usually leave the power pins alone when washing the bike and use a leaf blower on most of the bike to dry it. So my unscientific guess is the power pins failed in normal use. If so, that's not good.

Chris
 
Daboo isn't alone with this issue. Especially on the first shipped units. The mount on those was more lose than it should have been too. A quick Google search brings up many complaints.

A cover like the older Zumos would be very nice.
 
Yes I heard that Garmin sent out new mounts for people who bought the first units sent out. The mount on mine is very tight almost too hard to click into place so it looks as though Garmin did make some adjustments.
 
bdalameda said:
Yes I heard that Garmin sent out new mounts for people who bought the first units sent out. The mount on mine is very tight almost too hard to click into place so it looks as though Garmin did make some adjustments.
Click to expand...
Mine was tight also. To the point that I really wondered if it was actually locked in place, or just appearing to be locked in place.

But the mount doesn't really affect the power pins in the cord. I can lock the GPS in the mount without even having the power cable installed. My concern is those pins coming loose.

One of the things I'll be packing with me all the time now, is going to be a USB cord...

Chris
 
The pins are springloaded and can be bent if you don't put the GPS in the mount and rotate it toward the pins. Also caution on ensuring the GPS is indeed latched in the mount. I recently lost my 396 off the bike and it took a gentle tumble into the ditch, no real damage, but it won't boot up at all now. Inspected the innards, all looks perfect... it's a paperweight now.
 
RaYzerman said:
The pins are springloaded and can be bent if you don't put the GPS in the mount and rotate it toward the pins. Also caution on ensuring the GPS is indeed latched in the mount. I recently lost my 396 off the bike and it took a gentle tumble into the ditch, no real damage, but it won't boot up at all now. Inspected the innards, all looks perfect... it's a paperweight now.
Click to expand...

I make sure that all devices on my handlebars have a secondary tether. What might seem secure when installed will almost certainly rattle free at the worst moment.

These are useful

Amazon.com : Sametop Adhesive Camera Tethers Safety Leash Compatible with Gopro Hero 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, Session, 3+, 3, 2, 1, Hero (2018), Fusion, DJI Osmo Action Cameras (5 Pack) : Camera & Photo

Amazon.com : Sametop Adhesive Camera Tethers Safety Leash Compatible with Gopro Hero 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, Session, 3+, 3, 2, 1, Hero (2018), Fusion, DJI Osmo Action Cameras (5 Pack) : Camera & Photo
www.amazon.com
 
bdalameda said:
The Zumo mount and power connections seem a little cheap and it looks like making a locking mount would be impossible on the Zumo XT. Did I mention that the screen is great!

Dan
Click to expand...

The screen is borderline amazing. Looks wonderful.

I agree that the power connection is cheap. Maybe it will surprise me, but I'm worried. Whenever they become more common I plan to buy two and set them aside. In case.

There are two locks for the XT. Touratech and Zumolock. The Touratech looks overly complicated and heavy. Pretty much in line with the other GPS locks they offer. And ZumoLock. Much more simple, lighter and less expensive. I think the Zumolock would be handy just to keep from accidentally activating the release while riding.


ZumoLock XT without RAM

ZumoLock XT without RAM ZumoLock
www.zumolock.com www.zumolock.com
 
I installed my Zumo XT yesterday, used my 550 wire to pull through the new XT cable. Everything, phone, Scala-rider headset bluetoothed up easy.
Today I would like to copy my Zumo 550 "favorites" over to my Zumo XT but don't see what the "favorites" or saved locations are called on the XT menu. Help o_O
 
Ken Valkyrie said:
I installed my Zumo XT yesterday, used my 550 wire to pull through the new XT cable. Everything, phone, Scala-rider headset bluetoothed up easy.
Today I would like to copy my Zumo 550 "favorites" over to my Zumo XT but don't see what the "favorites" or saved locations are called on the XT menu. Help o_O
Click to expand...

The Zumo XT does not have a list of Favorites by default. Saved locations can be given a Category so you can create one called Favorites. (see page 11 in the attached manual)
  • Plug your Zumo 550 into your computer and load BaseCamp.
  • Create a new list in BaseCamp called "Favorites".
  • You should see your Zumo 550 come up in Basecamp with a list of all your waypoints or favorites.
  • Select the ones you want and copy them to your new Favorites list.
  • Eject you Zumo 550 and plug in your Zumo XT to your computer
  • Copy your Favotites list from Basecamp to your Zumo XT
  • Eject your Zumo XT
  • To find any of you favorites on the Zumo XT, just press the Search button
 

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amorley said:
The Zumo XT does not have a list of Favorites by default. Saved locations can be given a Category so you can create one called Favorites. (see page 11 in the attached manual)
  • Plug your Zumo 550 into your computer and load BaseCamp.
  • Create a new list in BaseCamp called "Favorites".
  • You should see your Zumo 550 come up in Basecamp with a list of all your waypoints or favorites.
  • Select the ones you want and copy them to your new Favorites list.
  • Eject you Zumo 550 and plug in your Zumo XT to your computer
  • Copy your Favotites list from Basecamp to your Zumo XT
  • Eject your Zumo XT
  • To find any of you favorites on the Zumo XT, just press the Search button
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot, I got it done. ;) Impressive
 
Also - when a route is transferred to the XT internal memory, any Waypoints that form part of that route are automatically added to Favourites. For routes transferred to memory card, the route has to be imported before they appear - if i remember that correctly. Of course any waypoint that is not part of a route would have to be transferred separately.

Also note a 'feature' on some Zumos - there has to be at least one Favourite stored in internal memory, otherwise it will not find the Favourites on the memory card. Sorry, I cannot remember if the same issue applies to the XT. I dont have my XT or my PC at hand at present to check, but worth mentioning in case. If this last issue presents itself - ie you cannot find favourites that have been put on the memory card, the solution is simple. Tap the map, then tap the changed map display to place a blue flag. save the point as a favourite (in internal memory). The missing favourites on the memory card will magically become available.
 
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My 550 could show altitude (it even worked in planes @ 30,000 + feet)
I can't find the altitude on my XT and didn't see it mentioned in the XT manual
Is that feature gone /
 
Isn't altitude the same as elevation? Mine came with elevation in the lower right corner. If it is a different data field just tap it and select elevation. Lots of info to choose from.

When in a route it is arrival time on mine. Just tap the white box and select any of the other data available.
 
Ken Valkyrie said:
My 550 could show altitude (it even worked in planes @ 30,000 + feet)
I can't find the altitude on my XT and didn't see it mentioned in the XT manual
Is that feature gone /
Click to expand...

No, the Zumo XT displays Elevation which is measured by all GPS's. See page 12 of the manual.

One feature I wished they had supported was external ANT sensors. I use a Garmin Tempe ANT sensor to measure external air temperature. Unfortunately the Zumo XT does not support these sensors.
 
amorley said:
No, the Zumo XT displays Elevation which is measured by all GPS's. See page 12 of the manual.

One feature I wished they had supported was external ANT sensors. I use a Garmin Tempe ANT sensor to measure external air temperature. Unfortunately the Zumo XT does not support these sensors.
Click to expand...

The Cheese said:
Isn't altitude the same as elevation? Mine came with elevation in the lower right corner. If it is a different data field just tap it and select elevation. Lots of info to choose from.

When in a route it is arrival time on mine. Just tap the white box and select any of the other data available.
Click to expand...

Thanks - "elevation" is the word. & Thanks - I found it under tapping the left white (Speed) box: speed, elevation, time, etc.

Thanks x 2
 
amorley said:
No, the Zumo XT displays Elevation which is measured by all GPS's. See page 12 of the manual.

One feature I wished they had supported was external ANT sensors. I use a Garmin Tempe ANT sensor to measure external air temperature. Unfortunately the Zumo XT does not support these sensors.
Click to expand...
If you have your Zumo connected to the Mydrive app on your phone you can have it show outside temperature. It won't show temperature unless it is linked.
 
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