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.
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.
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.....
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
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.
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.
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 👍
@@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 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...
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.
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
Hi Tim, i bought one Garmin zumo xt.i really liked... anyway I lived in Plymouth for 6 years. Now I am in Berlin. Greetings from Berlin to all motorbike friends.
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 👍
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’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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Good review Tim - another thought. I have a Tiger 900 GT Pro so can use its Turn By Turn directions linked to my phone in my jacket or if I like I can use Maps on the phone itself as well - so the best of both worlds EXCEPT - apart from the phone being hard to see in bright sunlight there's also the problem that if I lose phone signal for some time or if the phone stops working then I lose both turn by turn and maps! This happened to me in the middle of Wales this summer - no paper maps and no clue where to head for. Luckily after heading roughly north for a few miles the phone came to life again and I survived. Just ordered my Garmin today!
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.
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
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!
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.
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 😎
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.
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 UA-cam 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.
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.
Like the review, funny and informative. I’ve actually bought a refurbished older iPhone which I only use on the bike. Doesn’t have the camera tech to ruin so I’m not too worried about damaging it. However, the downsides are the phone is not waterproof, if I lose signal it stops functioning properly and finally, in the heat of the summer (🤷🏻♀️) it can (and has) just shut down! I actually agree that a satnav device is probably better, but the Garmin 346 I had was just awful. As for the XT, I just wince at paying £350 for it, and the XT2 at £550 is just ridiculous. If you are a dedicated tourer then it might be justified, but for local riding and the odd excursion I don’t really see it gives value for money.
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.
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.
looking at buying a dedicated satnav, did try sticking an older phone on the handlebars with quadlock but it rattled about so much! even with the anti-vibration dampeners, on longer rides the phone would get really hot from having the screen on for ages, the camera also ended up not working right as it just wouldn't focus on anything (a known problem for many), battery life was abysmal too sadly and like you say at the start here if you were to have an accident you risk the phone being destroyed - atleast in your jacket or a bag it stands half a chance of still being usable. It's just such a pity that the few satnavs that are out there are about as expensive as a lower budget phone and some require being directly hooked upto your bikes battery which is fine for long rides but a battery only mode would be nice with the ability to charge via USB or from your bike battery if needed!
Maybe you find it a stupid question. But can you put movies and music on a sc card and play them right on the garmin xt2 ? Does is also play Flac music files or only mp3 ? The movies could be usefull when in the tent at the evening. Now i have the 595 world edition. I can only find the xt2 that is for Europe. Would it be possible to put on a few other countries on the sd card. F.e. when you go from Turkey to Iran ? It would be silly if you have to use your phone while having a dedicated gps device in your sight.
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 !!
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.
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!
Magic Earth? TomTom? Sygic? All offline. Garmin, no problem with them, but is only a skin and a android navigation app (also) installed and available only on their devices . The only reason they do have their own devices, is more money for them.
For the casual user, you are correct. But the well initiated will download maps from google to their phones. This allows full use even when cell reception is absent. But I for one do prefer a dedicated satnav unit.
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!
I just order the XT, replacement for my 14 year old Zumo. I thought this summer I would just use my iPhone on my Harley, did not work for these reasons, screen too small on iPhone 11, and it vibrate too much for my old eyes to see it.
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
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'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
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.
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'm curious why you don't use the app with your KTM TFT that connects your phone to the display. I have the Norden 901 Expedition which came with the Husqvarna Connect app. My phone stays in my pocket connected via bluetooth to my bike. I can navigate maps, music, pretty much everything via the control buttons on the left side of the handlebar (the same buttons that control ride settings, etc.).
Completely agree with you, plus the smart phone's GPS relies on network connectivity most of the times and can not precisely tell where you are in some off road situation or mountains. Also the phone fails to detect your direction if you are not moving but dedicated GPS is spot on all the time. It happened so many times that google maps told me to go forward when I was static and then tell me to turn around because it detected the wrong direction while stopped.
mobile phone gps does NOT rely on any net. there's a dedicated gps-receiver inside, working fine inside my,already old, xiaomi note8. having phone in flightmode, deactivated all extern connection, using OSMand maps on the phone and the integrated gps. working fine.
@@AmbaMerlinson Maybe true but the GPS receiver is so weak and the antenna so tiny which is practically useless compared to a dedicated GPS. Good luck finding your location on a cloudy day in the mountains or a city with high rise buildings.
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.
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?
Great info. I'm in Texas and once one gets outside of the cities there are many areas with no cell phone signal and the same in other states so a phone is not a good option.
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
I use maps (on iphone) when i want to find something on the road and send it to garmin drive to send it to xt. Find something in garmin is always a pain
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As someone who lost their phone in an accident i would get one definitely Yes my phone was just a cheap one and I went down the Oxford cliqr route as i am tight james blunt My mount,case survived but my phone got sent to the stratosphere. Never suffered with vibrations as it was mounted centrally But if you shell out every 2yrs for a over a bag of sand on a phone. Stick it somewhere safe and spunk 300 nuggets👍
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!
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!
The phone requires an internet connection to work the GPS properly. My ZUMO is fully self contained and will work every time! My ZUMO is waterproof, and the touch screen works with my gloves. I will never stop using my ZUMO, and will use my cell phone to make phone calls, as it is intended to do.
One point you did not mention, it nevers loose signal even in mountain and counrty side.And it also works on Older bike (2001 BmwR1150R) with no gas gage, On the gramin you can add electronic to a n old bike.
Might be a bit ott for your usage but check out the Carpe Iter nav unit. Next level and what the Garmin could be. If they could size the Carpe Iter down to the XT size or thereabouts no one would buy anything else.
Interesting video 📹...I've used my phone in an UltimateAdons case, but thats a pain when you want to take a quick photo. A Garmin or TomTom....maybe a second phone is my way ahead. And I still use a thing, you may have heard of it, called a ' map' 🤣!!. I fold up a page of the 'map' and put it in my UltimateAdons case. Cheers Steve
A map?! That'll never catch on! I do love the idea of using a proper paper map and plotting routes. I took a paper map on my first ever tour in 2010. It got soaked through in my tank bag on the first day 😂
I've since done a review of the Garmin Zumo XT2! That's here: ua-cam.com/video/4rkP-1ImvjA/v-deo.html
Does that mean your selling the Zumo XT cheap?
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 UA-cam!
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
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’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.
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 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 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.
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.
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 👍
I enjoyed the fly on your head in the first segment, nice video, learned a bit.
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 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...
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.🤘🤘
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.
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
I love the dedicated Navi concept still. My old Garmin was solid and never had issues with signal. Great review!
From one Brit to another, you nailed it, mate. I'm sold.
Hi Tim, i bought one Garmin zumo xt.i really liked... anyway
I lived in Plymouth for 6 years. Now I am in Berlin. Greetings from Berlin to all motorbike friends.
just returned from Mexico, used the Zumo the whole time, it was terrific .
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 👍
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 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Good review Tim - another thought. I have a Tiger 900 GT Pro so can use its Turn By Turn directions linked to my phone in my jacket or if I like I can use Maps on the phone itself as well - so the best of both worlds EXCEPT - apart from the phone being hard to see in bright sunlight there's also the problem that if I lose phone signal for some time or if the phone stops working then I lose both turn by turn and maps! This happened to me in the middle of Wales this summer - no paper maps and no clue where to head for. Luckily after heading roughly north for a few miles the phone came to life again and I survived. Just ordered my Garmin today!
Now dropped the iphone and garmin gps for the Carplay units C5 to use Calimoto, google maps, wazes and pandora music. So far not missing the garmin
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 😂
For my upcoming tour of South America, I am happy that Garmin has licensed iOverlander data to display in the XT.
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 :)
I had to stop partway through, this is comedy genius, loving it!
Now, back to the video!
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!).
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
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!
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.
Same. Quadlock, charger head, dampener. iPhone 15 Pro. No issues with camera. Waze is great on my Cardo.
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 😊
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 😎
Also the drive app is great for typing in addresses quickly
Yes! Totally forgot to mention that.
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
Zumo XT for me. The larger font size is so much easier to read especially with all the vibrations.
Ive been searching for reviews and this way the best ive found, good work
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…
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 UA-cam 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.
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
Just upgraded from a Zumo 660 to the XT. I tried to use an old phone and not even close.
Like the review, funny and informative. I’ve actually bought a refurbished older iPhone which I only use on the bike. Doesn’t have the camera tech to ruin so I’m not too worried about damaging it. However, the downsides are the phone is not waterproof, if I lose signal it stops functioning properly and finally, in the heat of the summer (🤷🏻♀️) it can (and has) just shut down!
I actually agree that a satnav device is probably better, but the Garmin 346 I had was just awful. As for the XT, I just wince at paying £350 for it, and the XT2 at £550 is just ridiculous.
If you are a dedicated tourer then it might be justified, but for local riding and the odd excursion I don’t really see it gives value for money.
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.
Funniest and most factual motorcycle reviews subscribed!!!!
You had me at Jupiter! Well done sir.
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.
looking at buying a dedicated satnav, did try sticking an older phone on the handlebars with quadlock but it rattled about so much! even with the anti-vibration dampeners, on longer rides the phone would get really hot from having the screen on for ages, the camera also ended up not working right as it just wouldn't focus on anything (a known problem for many), battery life was abysmal too sadly and like you say at the start here if you were to have an accident you risk the phone being destroyed - atleast in your jacket or a bag it stands half a chance of still being usable.
It's just such a pity that the few satnavs that are out there are about as expensive as a lower budget phone and some require being directly hooked upto your bikes battery which is fine for long rides but a battery only mode would be nice with the ability to charge via USB or from your bike battery if needed!
Just purchased one of these for my multisrada enduro 👍
Excellent! Fantastic review; love the humor. Keep them coming!
Thanks Frank!
Maybe you find it a stupid question. But can you put movies and music on a sc card and play them right on the garmin xt2 ?
Does is also play Flac music files or only mp3 ?
The movies could be usefull when in the tent at the evening.
Now i have the 595 world edition. I can only find the xt2 that is for Europe. Would it be possible to put on a few other countries on the sd card. F.e. when you go from Turkey to Iran ? It would be silly if you have to use your phone while having a dedicated gps device in your sight.
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.
Got the Zumo and agree with everything you say in this video. It’s a great piece of kit, love it
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!
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.
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!
Magic Earth? TomTom? Sygic? All offline.
Garmin, no problem with them, but is only a skin and a android navigation app (also) installed and available only on their devices .
The only reason they do have their own devices, is more money for them.
For the casual user, you are correct. But the well initiated will download maps from google to their phones. This allows full use even when cell reception is absent. But I for one do prefer a dedicated satnav unit.
Clear and reasonable analysis. Thanks buddy. Cheers from Brazil.
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 just order the XT, replacement for my 14 year old Zumo. I thought this summer I would just use my iPhone on my Harley, did not work for these reasons, screen too small on iPhone 11, and it vibrate too much for my old eyes to see it.
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
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'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!
Love, love, love this review! Thank you!
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.
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'm curious why you don't use the app with your KTM TFT that connects your phone to the display. I have the Norden 901 Expedition which came with the Husqvarna Connect app. My phone stays in my pocket connected via bluetooth to my bike. I can navigate maps, music, pretty much everything via the control buttons on the left side of the handlebar (the same buttons that control ride settings, etc.).
It's never worked on my bike
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.
Good honest review, and comparison. Subscribed, looking forward to seeing more.
Thanks!
Completely agree with you, plus the smart phone's GPS relies on network connectivity most of the times and can not precisely tell where you are in some off road situation or mountains. Also the phone fails to detect your direction if you are not moving but dedicated GPS is spot on all the time. It happened so many times that google maps told me to go forward when I was static and then tell me to turn around because it detected the wrong direction while stopped.
mobile phone gps does NOT rely on any net.
there's a dedicated gps-receiver inside, working fine inside my,already old, xiaomi note8.
having phone in flightmode, deactivated all extern connection, using OSMand maps on the phone and the integrated gps.
working fine.
@@AmbaMerlinson Maybe true but the GPS receiver is so weak and the antenna so tiny which is practically useless compared to a dedicated GPS. Good luck finding your location on a cloudy day in the mountains or a city with high rise buildings.
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 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?
Great info. I'm in Texas and once one gets outside of the cities there are many areas with no cell phone signal and the same in other states so a phone is not a good option.
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
I use maps (on iphone) when i want to find something on the road and send it to garmin drive to send it to xt. Find something in garmin is always a pain
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
As someone who lost their phone in an accident i would get one definitely
Yes my phone was just a cheap one and I went down the Oxford cliqr route as i am tight james blunt
My mount,case survived but my phone got sent to the stratosphere.
Never suffered with vibrations as it was mounted centrally
But if you shell out every 2yrs for a over a bag of sand on a phone.
Stick it somewhere safe and spunk 300 nuggets👍
Good review, Mate. Love the tongue ‘n cheek.
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!
And I subscribed straight after than intro 😂👍
Flies, pornography and digs at influencers… it's what I do!
3:23 mini usb (not micro, which is very similar). You're right that's an old connection, wonder why it uses that!
My bad! The new Zumo XT2 is USB C thankfully
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!
The phone requires an internet connection to work the GPS properly. My ZUMO is fully self contained and will work every time! My ZUMO is waterproof, and the touch screen works with my gloves. I will never stop using my ZUMO, and will use my cell phone to make phone calls, as it is intended to do.
One point you did not mention, it nevers loose signal even in mountain and counrty side.And it also works on Older bike (2001 BmwR1150R) with no gas gage, On the gramin you can add electronic to a n old bike.
Get the rain poncho for your phone on quad lock and you are good to go
Great vid and love your sense of humor! Thank you.
Might be a bit ott for your usage but check out the Carpe Iter nav unit. Next level and what the Garmin could be. If they could size the Carpe Iter down to the XT size or thereabouts no one would buy anything else.
Interesting video 📹...I've used my phone in an UltimateAdons case, but thats a pain when you want to take a quick photo. A Garmin or TomTom....maybe a second phone is my way ahead. And I still use a thing, you may have heard of it, called a ' map' 🤣!!. I fold up a page of the 'map' and put it in my UltimateAdons case. Cheers Steve
A map?! That'll never catch on! I do love the idea of using a proper paper map and plotting routes. I took a paper map on my first ever tour in 2010. It got soaked through in my tank bag on the first day 😂