Tell me your experience with the Zumo XT?

[Kingz]

Paid for the genius maps programs and spent last summer trying to learn to like it but I’m giving up. I don’t want to spend next summer as frustrated as I was this year. Has anyone had experience with the Zumo XT?

[ThreeWheels]

Paid for the genius maps programs and spent last summer trying to learn to like it but I’m giving up. I don’t want to spend next summer as frustrated as I was this year. Has anyone had experience with the Zumo XT?

I heartily endorse the Zumo XT.

186407

[RayBJ]

I don't have the XT but do have the 595. As for map planning, Basecamp (free from Garmin) has been my go-to routing app for several years. I use it for day trip loops and multi-state long-haul touring. Easy to copy the created route by drag & drop to the GPS unit. On the road, the GPS route can be altered manually or automatically if you go off the planned path.
Some of my friends use smart phone apps but they fall short of the Garmin capabilities when on the road and when creating routes. They usually just load the GPX file and follow along whoever has the Garmin unit running the route.

[Kingz]

I heartily endorse the Zumo XT.

186407

Just watched some YouTube videos on it. Sure seems nice and I always liked my old Zumo. Do you have to take some body parts off to wire it? Where did you purchase?

[MONK]

Just watched some YouTube videos on it. Sure seems nice and I always liked my old Zumo. Do you have to take some body parts off to wire it? Where did you purchase?

I'm not ThreeWheels but I've got the same set up he has (down to the Helibars :) ). I bought mine from Lamonster. You need to remove (3) of the right side tupperware but it's surprisingly easy to do. I'm mechanically challenged and I had the tupperware off in about 10 minutes. My only issue was with the wiring as I didn't have the proper tools (or know-how) to figure out the correct polarity. NOTE: Quite a few have noted that the factory GPS plug/wiring is backwards.

I'd suggest you search the site for more info on the installation. There are quite a few good threads about it, especially the one started by jetfixer.

HAGO!

[RayBJ]

NOTE: Quite a few have noted that the factory GPS plug/wiring is backwards.
Don't assume! You need to check the polarity of the wires on the GPS plug before wiring to verify the hot lead. Mine was correct as were many others here. If you don't have a meter, use a 12v light with wires. Ground 1 wire to a known frame ground and probe the plug with the other wire. When the light lights, you found the +12v wire.

[redlightron]

I also could not deal with BRP's recommended products so I went to the XT and I am very pleased with it.

[EdMat]

Long time Garmin user. Just got an XT and swapped it for my 595. Garmin hit this one completely out of the park. :yes:

[Flamewinger]

Sygic GPS Nav is the newer app and not as expensive as Genius and way cheaper than any Garmin.

[ThreeWheels]

Just watched some YouTube videos on it. Sure seems nice and I always liked my old Zumo. Do you have to take some body parts off to wire it? Where did you purchase?

Here is a video made by Paul Metheney.

https://youtu.be/YGLGiz7Ho9g

It's an excellent video but runs a bit quickly through the steps.
Just pause it to give yourself enough time to read the directions on the screen.

You remove three panels. The connector is shown in the red circle: Check Monk's post #13 for the correct location of the connector.
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=182736&d=1593270389

[bikerchris1270]

Paid for the genius maps programs and spent last summer trying to learn to like it but I’m giving up. I don’t want to spend next summer as frustrated as I was this year. Has anyone had experience with the Zumo XT?
Went from a Garmin 660 to the XT.......wow.....tremendous difference.....I really like the weather radar overlay feature.

[Kingz]

Ok. I’m convinced. Now another question- does the XT play through the bikes speakers? And/or through our Sena intercoms? Does the music volume mute when the XT gives directions?

[MONK]

The connector is shown in the red circle:
https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=182736&d=1593270389

Sorry, but the GPS connector is actually in the yellow box. It's in a dummy connector on the bike. Push the lever on the wired part of the connector and pull out.

[RayBJ]

Depending on the Sena model you have, you can set the GPS input to cut out the music when talking or just lower the music volume. The GPS is not the deciding factor. Same story with bike speakers, it depends on the bike's radio inputs. You can usually connect the GPS via BT or audio-in plug. Then if the bike has BT to helmet option, you can select between speakers or helmet output.

[MONK]

The XT is BT only. According to Lamont, the only way to BT it to the bike is using a BT convertor (can't remember the exact name) via the 3.5mm AUX plug in the glovebox/frunk/trunk. Not sure why you can't BT the XT directly to the bike w/o using a convertor.

[RayBJ]

I believe the 2020 RT base radio only has BT OUT to helmet. Amazon sells the 3.5 to BT adapter.
https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Receiver-Wireless-dp-B01IV1H1ME/dp/B01IV1H1ME/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

[MONK]

ALL 2020+ RTs have the same radio. There was no upgraded radio for the Limited models. Lamont sells a similar adapter/converter/receiver. http://www.lamonstergarage.com/bluetooth-receiver-for-rt-f3t-st-br1-lamonster/