In the market for GPS...Garmin Zumo XT
 

Anyone have experience with this unit? I want to use it on the Duc.

The BMW guys I ride with now generally loathe Garmin GPS. Those units sync with their bikes but had led us astray many times. Sucks because they have many saved routes, cannot remember the file format, but there are ways to convert and use phone apps instead. Google maps has option to download map bits in advance if you are very remote away from signal. YMMV

That is a main motivator.

It looks great and all that but do you really need something so big? IMO less is best on a motor cycle. Is there a smaller/simpler/monochrome option? I've been riding on and off for a very long time and at one point back in the 90's my speedo broke and I didn't fix it for years. :cool:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647813727.jpg

I'm going "walk about" in June and would like something other than paper. I'll be on unknown country roads, two lane back roads with a tank that's only good for 125-150 miles. I suppose the iphone should be OK but I'm exploring options.

Can't you just use the maps on your cellphone.

I’m using the Garmin 396 LMTS on the adventure bike. Pretty happy with it.

Have you looked at Garmin's satellite connected options? (Subscription fees :()

The "Garmin inreach mini" is their smallest option. It can connect to your smart phone.

A lot of people are under the impression you need to be in cell range for phone mapping apps to work. Not true, just download the maps when you have wi-fi.
I have more Garmin's than I can count. My go to on a dirt bike is a 32 gig Iphone 5 I got at a garage sale for $3............I have at least five different mapping apps. All apps free, except one I pay $4 a year for unlimited maps, worldwide.

That's true but I suggested the "Garmin inreach mini" because it can send & receive txt messages from anywhere on the planet.

My experience is boats, dogs, hunting and bicycles so not directly motorcycles. I despise Garmin with the slight exception of their simpler interfaces. They might be leaders in gps tech but their interfaces have always been lousy.

My experience was different.

Apple erased all my saved map data...on both the iPhone6 and the Tablet (an even older OS w/no "refresh data" option)
All I get is a blank map grid. :(
Even the compass doesn't work.

I don't have an active Apple phone account, just the devices which are registered.
There is a constant red button in settings to "update account info".
I wonder if the OS bricked themselves.

Been using a Zumo for a years on my snowmobile.
My old eyes need a bigger screen though.

Every time I use my Garmin 51 for a trip longer than 3 hours it randomly shuts itself down to a non-operative state.

Took me a while to figure out that I had to press the 'on' button for about 5 minutes
straight to reset.

(Gonna' be hard to do on two wheels)

sux

I’ve got the Zumo XT on my adventure bike and I would say that it is the first ready for primetime Garmin. It is specifically made for motorcycles. It has internal vibration dampening and it’s waterproof. And the screen is really bright! Easy to set up and easy to use. Which is saying a lot for a Garmin.

Anyone not used to cell phone mapping should read this:

https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/ultra-rugged-kyocera-phones-gps-smartphones-my-guide.1206076/

After reading, I bought 2 of the Kyocera Dura Force.....Liked the 1st one so well, I made it my main phone and bought a 2nd for $27 on Ebay.