New Garmin Zumo XT

Well, the XT that I ordered, that was supposed to arrive on the 22nd of last month, has been delayed again. Now, Garmin is saying the shipment will reach them on the 7th (2 more days) and will ship to distributors as soon as possible. Looks like I won’t have it for my trip on the 14th. I wonder if the shipment got caught up in the Suez Canal fiasco?

John
 
... some weird routing issues occur when out in the field...
I have always found that to be true. On my 595LM, on a trip north to Mt. Baker and Artist Point, the GPS would want to route me east. I just kept going north and it picked right up and continued reliably from that point on. Once, I looked to see where it was actually routing me...and it was all the way over the Cascade mountains to Wenatchee and back. That would be a great detour, but not what I had in mind.

The Zumo XT I've noticed has that kind of quirk also, but in this case it was just routing me around a couple blocks and back to the same road I was on. Why? I have no idea.

Sigh...the things we'll put up with just so we don't have to ask directions. ;)

Chris
 
Any one else having problems with basecamp not seeing the Zumo XT on Mac?
Updated the Zumo and I get a “corrupted map” error
Garmin Zumo XT V 6.10
New Mac running Big Sur 11.2.3
Fresh install of Basecamp
Fresh install of Garmin Express
Fresh frustration
 
Any one else having problems with basecamp not seeing the Zumo XT on Mac?
Updated the Zumo and I get a “corrupted map” error
Garmin Zumo XT V 6.10
New Mac running Big Sur 11.2.3
Fresh install of Basecamp
Fresh install of Garmin Express
Fresh frustration

This is a well documented issue. The reason is that the Zumo XT uses an Android based OS which will only allow one connection.

After you connect the ZUMO XT to your Mac, Garmin Express makes the first connection. After running any updates, make sure you close Garmin Express completely including the background service. Then when you start BaseCamp, the Zumo XT should be recognized though it may take a while for it to appear.
 
This is a well documented issue. The reason is that the Zumo XT uses an Android based OS which will only allow one connection.

After you connect the ZUMO XT to your Mac, Garmin Express makes the first connection. After running any updates, make sure you close Garmin Express completely including the background service. Then when you start BaseCamp, the Zumo XT should be recognized though it may take a while for it to appear.
Well documented indeed. Silly actually. I was able to find it after countless tries, some worked for others and some didn’t. So now I can get BC to see it but I can not convince Garmin Express to down load the map to Mac. If it’s not downloaded the BC is utterly useless for me.
Warning Rant below:
If only our best software guys weren’t trying to get you to click on an add and decided they could make good software programs. Maybe even move computer science forward. But for now I guess we will all just wish Ad Blockers were pre installed.
 
Anyone using a map program on Big Sur that works with Garmin Zumo XT.
Thinking how crazy it is that it seems you need a Mac for this, Windows for that, Android for them, Linux for the rest...
 
Well, the XT that I ordered, that was supposed to arrive on the 22nd of last month, has been delayed again. Now, Garmin is saying the shipment will reach them on the 7th (2 more days) and will ship to distributors as soon as possible. Looks like I won’t have it for my trip on the 14th. I wonder if the shipment got caught up in the Suez Canal fiasco?

John
Mine was on back order but finally got it on Friday the 8th. I ordered it on March 23rd from Garmin web site.
There was a national back order and some vendors are saying end of April.

Side note: got it installed but the harness that comes with it was not long enough for the ST. I had to splice on about 18" to get it to reach my fuse block in the tail section under the seat.
Got all the maps and software updated via WiFi, should be ready to go.

Oh yes, the phone function is null and void if you don't have blue tooth head set paired ( it disables the phone functions.. so if you want the phone to operate - Showing text messages and alerts etc... you will need to purchase a blue tooth headset.)
This info is not readily available on their web site.
 
Last edited:
Well, mine left Lubbock, TX on Thursday and made it as far as Memphis by Saturday afternoon. Only 200 miles to go. UPS says Tuesday delivery. I hope so, since I’m leaving for Ranchstoc on Wednesday morning at daylight. I already have RAM mounts and power wires run from my fuse block. Hopefully the update and map download goes well.

John
 
Damn did I blow it by not buying when they were on sale last month. :(
 
Damn did I blow it by not buying when they were on sale last month.
I think so, I ordered mine on March 23rd ( from Garmin web site) and the next day they went off sale. So I just got in under the wire so to speak. These are on back order but I finally got mine after about 2 weeks. Hopefully they will go back on sale for you.
 
Mine shipped today! ETA Monday.
I think you will be impressed. I don't know what you are using now but I went from a Zumo 550 with outdated maps to this. So far it has been fantastic, although I haven't done a lot with base camp yet. I primarily use my GPS for live navigation and not much for routing to destinations using base camp routes.
This model is kinda nice for letting you know upcoming school zones, rail road crossings and reduced speeds ahead. In most locations it shows posted speed limits on the maps.
The screen is the biggest plus. It is TFT and high definition. The field expands out 5.5 inches and is nice size for live navigation.
 
I should mention I have a 550, 396, 590 already. Received the XT, went through Settings, all looks familiar as the 590, set my preferences. Firmware version 2.90 noted.
Installed new SD card, plugged in USB (Windows 10). Garmin Express opened, informed me of update, I ignored, went to register the XT. GE crashed, restarted, no prompt for update, registered the XT. XT updates listed includes 6.1, I'm choosing to ignore until all the dust settles.
I noticed under the map update the option to install to computer and device, but I gather that is not for real based on prior comments..........

Screen is nice as I expected, not impressed with the cradle lock, they could have done better IMHO. Going to install backup tether when I can find one. Going for a test ride tomorrow with a newly created route in BC. I will ensure completely locked in cradle before departing. Installing my usual Glarestomper sunshade. Still have to pair up phone and headset and see what this Garmin Drive app is all about.......
 
I should mention I have a 550, 396, 590 already. Received the XT, went through Settings, all looks familiar as the 590, set my preferences. Firmware version 2.90 noted.
Installed new SD card, plugged in USB (Windows 10). Garmin Express opened, informed me of update, I ignored, went to register the XT. GE crashed, restarted, no prompt for update, registered the XT. XT updates listed includes 6.1, I'm choosing to ignore until all the dust settles.
I noticed under the map update the option to install to computer and device, but I gather that is not for real based on prior comments..........

Screen is nice as I expected, not impressed with the cradle lock, they could have done better IMHO. Going to install backup tether when I can find one. Going for a test ride tomorrow with a newly created route in BC. I will ensure completely locked in cradle before departing. Installing my usual Glarestomper sunshade. Still have to pair up phone and headset and see what this Garmin Drive app is all about.......
That's quite a collection. I'm debating pulling the trigger on the 396, Costco has them for about $350 v. $677+ for the XT. How did you like the 396? Versus the others?
 
The 396 is a much faster GPS than the 550, a somewhat better screen resolution than the 550, with newer functionality. I put that one on my VFR, which one day I might put an XT cradle on it... I have too many GPS's...... 590 going on the auction block soon, but it's a good GPS too.
 
Wow, what a difference. XT is $500 USD. and 396 is 250-270. Take a ride trip to US and buy it.

Edit.
I looked at the exchange rate and the difference is not that big...
Yeah, I find once exchange and duties/taxes factored in, you're not much ahead buying from the US. Course, it's different if you're down there and willing to be a bit flexible with disclosure when you come back into Canada at the border. Though messing with Canada Border Services and duties etc. is a mug's game. Those buggers have more power and less restrictions than the police.
 
Back
Top Bottom