Tuesday, November 13, 2018

GPS woes

Ok, so the poor old Zumo has been having a few issues of late and I now fear that she is fading fast and may have to be retired 😢

While the route worked fine on Saturday there were a few other interesting issues:

  • Continually telling me how far to the next turn - on occasion interrupting songs 4-5 times!  It seemed to get worse the further into the ride I got so I ended up turning the Bluetooth off on the GPS.
  • Telling me that I was off route and suggesting recalculation even though I was bang on the purple line all the time.  This also seemed to get a little worse later on in the ride.
  • Not telling of upcoming turns.  Kinda funny considering issue #1.  Caused one episode of sudden braking and quick turn.
  • As I neared home I cancelled the route (which would just take me into town) and just said take me home.  Unit locked up for a while before waking up.
Yeah, but other than that all good...

So, I'm currently shopping...Looking at either the Zumo 595 or 396.  Only interested in Garmins as that's what I know and Mapsource/Basecamp are pretty easy to use.  Also, I think both will be capable of driving my Virb too.

There's a $400 difference but from what I see you don't really get a lot more except a slightly bigger but higher rez display.  I'll need to buy an extra cradle so I can use it on both bikes so that's even more $ so the 396 is probably looking more likely at the moment.  Also concerned that the slightly wider 595 might struggle to fit where the current 550 is on the Connie.

But, if anyone's got any opinions - I'm all ears!


10 comments:

  1. I have just purchased the Nav 6 BMW Garmin device and this works very well. you could get one of these and bolt a R1200GSA behind it.

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    1. Would it have enough power to run the GPS?

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  2. Tape a Map to your tank and forget the gps?

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  3. Can't help you with the choice of unit but before you bin the old one, I was reading that the Russians were fcuking with the gps signals recently while NATO was holding wargames in Norway. Has the gps been playing up for a while or was it just that weekend?

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    1. The Russians eh? Sneaky jokers trying to spoil everyone's fun...

      The GPS has been playing up for a while now :(

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  4. Andrew,
    Are you using proprietary Garmin maps or NZ Open Source? Have you cleaned out all your software and tried re-loading? I use Open Source on my ancient Garmin 76CX and have had no problems. Actually thinking about a TomTom when the Garmin finally carks it.

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    1. Both....I do wonder it I am pushing the limits as the Zumo hasn't got the memory of more modern units. There are actually 3 map sets on the Zumo as the Garmin NZ ones became NZ-Aus maps when I purchased lifetime updates. At the time I emailed Garmin to see if the original maps could be removed (I still get a message that they are out of date) but apparently you can't...

      Adding the Open Source ones a while ago maybe helped the rot set in...

      Love the Garmin stuff 'cos the software for route planning is so good. Also, the TT organisers provide Garmin files for the event - maybe I'm lazy...

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  5. Have you tried doing the hard reset to factory settings (google for how) this has helped me with my old Nuvi 760 which is now 10 years old but still my overseas touring device.

    I have a Zumo 660 on the FJR in Japan, actually that is still current model sold here, if you could source a good used example of this model that could be another option.

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    1. Thanks for the suggestions Warren. I'll look into the factory reset option but it probably still won't stop be looking at shiny new ones...

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