I've had enough. But going to waste some more money on Garmin.

[er-minio]

Back on the usual, painful topic.

In this last trip, my ageing XT behaved surprisingly well for the first couple of days. Plotted and followed the routes exactly as expected. No U turn issues.
I praised in on the third day, and it all went to shit.


Now. I think my specific unit might have some issues.
Couple of major issues I encountered this time was the XT feeling phantom taps on the right side of the screen, opening a set of menus and changing screens while riding. This went on for about 45 minutes (and made me jump on the wrong motorway exit ). While this is normal behaviour if it rains, especially by the way my Zumo is mounted, weather was dry and there were no objects interferring on the screen.
After almost having it smashed against a wall, I restarted it and the issue went away for the rest of the trip.
My GoPro battery was flat, so I managed to capture just the tail end of this behaviour, not the "phantom taps". You have to trust me on these.

I've had other minor problems (U turns) that are expected, but also very fucking weird routing where the Zumo started sending me through secondary roads despite the routing settings.
Each time I was crossing a small town it would detour me from the main road... always had to double check.
It also did that thing where you are along a motorway and makes you get out on the ramp and then immediately back in. This means that you have to double check each time it tells you to turn/get off a motorway on transfers.

I do the trick with keeping the track active under the route. At least I have that.

The most annoying was: leaving Porto I had a specific route to follow. I set it up and it asked if I wanted to be routed at the starting point: yes.
After a few miles of stupid detours I realised that it was taking me via backroads.
I stopped, swore at it for a few minutes, then manually selected the beginning of the intended route by tapping on the map, and in this case, the directions where correct (jump on the motorway to get out of town, etc.)

Video here:

I had a number of restarts/resets when riding.


Now:
I am/was generally fairly happy with the rest, hardware-wise. It's the bugs that make this (for me) a pretty much unreliable product. Each trip there is a bunch of issues. (Other XT 1s and 2s in the group too).

But...

For London/inner city navigation I do use (happily) a Beeline Moto 2 as it navigates better than Garmin inside complex scenarios and it's small and more than enough data on screen. That part is sorted.

If I travel, I generally plan in advance routes and options day per day. Both routes and tracks (tracks for both backup and eventual offroad options).
I do use alternative mapping in some cases, generally off-tarmac.

Usually longer trips look similar to this:


I'd also like to be able to use proximity alerts on waypoints sometimes, for detours, etc. I can do that on the 62c. Not on XT.

When at the end of the day, or end of a specific route, I just direct the XT to the destination being it an hotel saved as a waypoint, or punching in the address manually.

I do keep it connected to the phone for data/address search.

I do not use it to receive/make calls or control the music. Do not care much about that.


Last week I wanted to have a Garmin developer at reach to shout at them for an hour before physically assaulting them... so the most logical outcome of this would be to move away from Garmin as clearly they dropped the ball ages ago on consumer nav... but me not being a logical person... I was considering (and I asked about this before in previous years) to waste some more money on Garmin and switch to a Montana 7x0i with InReach.
I do not generally travel outside Europe, but I found myself often without mobile service offroad in not-so-remote areas (Strata Florida in Wales above all, trails on the Alps in Italy, etc.) and was considering and InReach for a bit of safety. The Montana (i) has it inbuilt and works like a proper Garmin GPS (I have a GPSMap 62c and fairly happy with it) that probably would be better for my intended use.

Apart from the massive costs (Montana + Mount + CN Maps) my question is to people that made a similar step.

I know a few users here have both XT for road use and Montana for more offroad/exploration use, but I'd rather have a single device and also, as above, I consider my XT a fairly unreliable device.

Installing CN Maps is the address search decent?
I can do without the lane assist screens.

Are there any massive and known bugs (like the U turn one on the XT)?
Am I putting myself in a world of pain?
Is the screen readable compared to the XT? I do like to keep my nav in that weird position you see in the videos. Sometimes doesn't help with glare.


I do not want to have a phone affixed to my bars, and also prefer dedicated hardware.

 

[DJ123]

The issue with the XT (in my experience), is the software and algorithm on it is flawed in it's thinking. It's nothing like the 396, which would generate great routes and get you to your destination on your pre-planned route without any fuss.

I use the XT as a map / to follow my route. I do not let it navigate me to the start of the route because it then tends to re-calculate the rest of it too. I have 'off route calculation switched' off & everything else switched off route was where it takes part in thinking.
Since making these changes i find it is absolutely fine to work with - as a map. Or a straight forward A-to-B route along a main road. I do not rely on it's thinking for anything else.

I know the screens can start to go with age, so it might be worth asking Garmin for a replacement (of what i hear, usually they swap out + £ for a refurbished device).

 

[er-minio]

I use the XT as a map / to follow my route. I do not let it navigate me to the start of the route because it then tends to re-calculate the rest of it too.

I do similar.
This summer I only used tracks, and followed "by eye" as if it was just a moving map (that it is).

This time I insisted with the routes, as they initially worked.
But also the routing it does to the start of a route/track is flawed.


But, to be fair, it is useful to have time/distance to destination and re-routing in case there are blockers around the road... considering it's a digital device. And you need an active route for that.
This summer, while using just tracks, I had to reroute around Grenoble and had to do "by eye" trying to rejoin the track...

Auto-recalculating if I veer off... and without fucking up the entire plan... is something that I would expect from a digital device in 2026 priced over 400 quid and marketed as "Adventure Navigator". But I am known to be fussy.

 

[er-minio]

I know the screens can start to go with age

Ah ok. Didn't consider this actually.

 

[DJ123]

I do similar.
This summer I only used tracks, and followed "by eye" as if it was just a moving map (that it is).

This time I insisted with the routes, as they initially worked.
But also the routing it does to the start of a route/track is flawed.


But, to be fair, it is useful to have time/distance to destination and re-routing in case there are blockers around the road... considering it's a digital device. And you need an active route for that.
This summer, while using just tracks, I had to reroute around Grenoble and had to do "by eye" trying to rejoin the track...

It is nice to re-route if a road is blocked, but the Garmin will not do that unless it has been picked up on the 'active traffic' that a road is closed. I've only had it correctly do this once, where it was a major motorway closure. Every other time, i appeared at a road closed sign - whether it's been planned roadworks, or an emergency closure.

At this point i tend to jump back to my route on MRA, amend it and set it back over - if the re-route is a bit further than a few miles.

 

[Berin]

I have both. I wouldn't say the 700 is without issues, but it's a much more capable device - for instance it handles tracks and POi's much better, and you can set proximity alerts. And it has the in reach, which I have used and it does work well.

I think address search is more clunky - maybe even only 4 digit postcodes, but that is only relevnant to Britain, and it doesn't do some stuff like search along route.

I would say if your plan includes any unsurfaced roads the Montana is better, but it's steeper learning curve. If you want to borrow one and a mount I have a spare.

Same as the XT, though, never link it to Garmin Explore!

 

[er-minio]

I would say if your plan includes any unsurfaced roads the Montana is better, but it's steeper learning curve. If you want to borrow one and a mount I have a spare.

I'm used to the 62 and the "standard" GPSmaps behaviour in a way, and also would be very happy to have profiles. I remember you offering to test one of your Montanas last time I asked as well. Thanks again. I might take you up on that (even just a very quick wander around).

Same as the XT, though, never link it to Garmin Explore!

Never ever again.
Forgot to add to the above description.

I hard resetted my XT at some point and removed the Explore connection from the diagnostic screen.
For me that was paramount as I want to be able to switch individual tracks on and off manually.

I have a fair amount of green lanes stored on the XT as tracks, and it showing them automatically when nearby (when paired to Explore) was a mess when riding just outside London, as they will all appear at once.

 

[Boxerboy55]

I’m a biased Garmin user. I’ve conquered Basecamp to my satisfaction.
From 550 to 660 to XT.

I’m sitting on a ferry about to leave Bilbao for Ireland. The XT didn’t make a mistake during the recent 2,000+ miles.
Today kept me off the motorway to ferry and was most enjoyable.

All my planned routes were completed ok.

Each of us just had to conquer what works for us.

I don’t use any audible devices while riding.
Just me, the road and the XT.

BTW I’ll save the “Max Speed” for a while

 

[Andy63]

I use the XT as a map / to follow my route. I do not let it navigate me to the start of the route because it then tends to re-calculate the rest of it too.

Didn't realise it did this, even with auto recalculater switched off? But wouldn't suprise me, it would answer a few routing issues we've experienced recently while trying to follow set routes.
Also noticed the the off ramp and on ramp routing, but also see that with other Garmin devices particularly the Zumo 590.

 

[DJ123]

Didn't realise it did this, even with auto recalculater switched off? But wouldn't suprise me, it would answer a few routing issues we've experienced recently while trying to follow set routes.
Also noticed the the off ramp and on ramp routing, but also see that with other Garmin devices particularly the Zumo 590.

I think it depends how far you are from your start point, and which way it takes you there. If it is only 1 mile along a straight road it will probably not affect it. And given that most routes imported/tracks converted only show a start/finish point, it can start to re-shape the route as per it's own route guidance.

I had it happen a couple of times, and no longer use it for this reason. Especially if you have created you to take you out of Town avoiding the Centre, or out your Hotel onto the nice roads, and avoid the main roads.

 

[Andy63]

I think it depends how far you are from your start point, and which way it takes you there. If it is only 1 mile along a straight road it will probably not affect it. And given that most routes imported/tracks converted only show a start/finish point, it can start to re-shape the route as per it's own route guidance.

I had it happen a couple of times, and no longer use it for this reason. Especially if you have created you to take you out of Town avoiding the Centre, or out your Hotel onto the nice roads, and avoid the main roads.

When I create a route, I put the start well away from the hotel i am staying at, usually on a road leaving the town or city i'm departing.
So when starting the route it usually gives the option of the second waypoint, if i select first waypoint it will route me to that point does this mean it will recalculate the rest of it too?
I probably need to amend this back to using the hotel im staying at as the first waypoint and skip it once I get going??

I also use tracks but the new generation of Garmins obscures the track under the magenta route rendering it useless.
I could follow a track but I'm so used to directions via my headset from the turn by turn route I'd probably miss loads of turns.

 

[Berin]

Didn't realise it did this, even with auto recalculater switched off? But wouldn't suprise me, it would answer a few routing issues we've experienced recently while trying to follow set routes.
Also noticed the the off ramp and on ramp routing, but also see that with other Garmin devices particularly the Zumo 590.

I usually create a waypoint at the start and end of the route (or nearby) then navigate to the start. If at the end the route is in a town I often stop the route and navigate to the end waypoint

 

[Berin]

When I create a route, I put the start well away from the hotel i am staying at, usually on a road leaving the town or city i'm departing.
So when starting the route it usually gives the option of the second waypoint, if i select first waypoint it will route me to that point does this mean it will recalculate the rest of it too?
I probably need to amend this back to using the hotel im staying at as the first waypoint and skip it once I get going??

I also use tracks but the new generation of Garmins obscures the track under the magenta route rendering it useless.
I could follow a track but I'm so used to directions via my headset from the turn by turn route I'd probably miss loads of turns.

In the Montana you can set track colour and thickness

 

[Andy63]

In the Montana you can set track colour and thickness

The older Garmins like the 390 and 590 layered the track above the route so you know instantly you are on the desired route or if you've been recalculated.

 

[glenn2926]

I’m a biased Garmin user. I’ve conquered Basecamp to my satisfaction.
From 550 to 660 to XT.

I’m sitting on a ferry about to leave Bilbao for Ireland. The XT didn’t make a mistake during the recent 2,000+ miles.
Today kept me off the motorway to ferry and was most enjoyable.

All my planned routes were completed ok.

Each of us just had to conquer what works for us.

I don’t use any audible devices while riding.
Just me, the road and the XT.

BTW I’ll save the “Max Speed” for a while

Pretty much how I use my old Zumo 660. Plot the route on basecamp, send to device and done. The Zumo is on mute as it has been since the day I got it. My Motorhome Camper 760 is used in exactly the same way. Very simple, very user friendly and neither has let me down in over 15 years now.

 

[Mzokk]

When I create a route, I put the start well away from the hotel i am staying at, usually on a road leaving the town or city i'm departing.
So when starting the route it usually gives the option of the second waypoint, if i select first waypoint it will route me to that point does this mean it will recalculate the rest of it too?
I probably need to amend this back to using the hotel im staying at as the first waypoint and skip it once I get going??

I also use tracks but the new generation of Garmins obscures the track under the magenta route rendering it useless.
I could follow a track but I'm so used to directions via my headset from the turn by turn route I'd probably miss loads of turns.

You can set a wider track in the Zumo XT so that you can see the magenta line by customising a theme.

This is the line you need to change.



This is the value I changed it to.



This is what it looks like. If Navigating it's visible either side of the magenta line if you use a contrasting colour and as you can see you can see where the track varies from the route.

 

[er-minio]

I do the same with the route/track. Just make it start outside the town/location where I am generally staying (also because in most cases I book day by day).
The idea of putting a separate waypoint at the start makes sense. I do that for the offroad bits. Should start doing it for tarmac routes too.

The detours my Zumo does are like these:

Never solved. Similar to what you see in the YouTube recording above.

I find that, on the XT, if you set the track to "widest" on some zoom settings you can see the track below the route.
I normally show the active track in yellow, so I can see the yellow border on the magenta route and be sure that is following as planned.

I do not use the audio indications either. Just look down at junctions.

Given all this, I was considering I can live with a Montana for road use.

 

[Mzokk]

If your zumo XT is divorced from explore (advised) then you can turn the tracks on and off in the tracks app in the same way as the old devices.

 

[er-minio]

Yep, that is what I do. And the reason why I removed the connection with Explore.

 

[Mzokk]

I'd also like to be able to use proximity alerts on waypoints sometimes, for detours, etc. I can do that on the 62c. Not on XT.

You can set this up on the XT for Custom POI's using POI Loader a free garmin Programme. Much to Wappings amusement I use it for Public Loos (as well as Dolman, ancient monuments Castles and WW2 Defence heritage. This is the public loos one. Even if I'm not navigating I get a visual warning an a farty noise played through my headset........because I'm a child. Proximity is set at 0.3miles.



I don't really use the XT for navigation anymore I use MRA via the Android Auto screen on my Honda and run a track of the route and proximity warnings on my XT. Funny I was on Tour last week in the Borders and was doing a run over the MOD ranges near Otterburn and Northumbria National Park and for some reason was running the route on the XT as well as MRA and my XT developed the same glitch as yours until I turned off the navigation of that route. I haven't investigated further as yet. On my old R1150GS I run an old Zumo 390 and 340 (as a backup) they are very dependable.