A recent discussion in the C-14 accessories section led me to buy ($400 on sale) a GPS designed for motorcycles rather than the car GPS I have used for the last 8 years. I had never understood or appreciated the additional benefits of a GPS that worked in concert with a phone on the road. The GPS I had used (Nuvi 2557LMT) was 2013 technology and despite the "L" (lifetime) the 2557 no longer could be updated. The Zumo XT debuted in March 2020.
I spent much of yesterday learning about how the Zumo XT works. For Luddites like me it appears that the Zumo XT will be easier to use. First the screen is much brighter. Former GPSs I used were hard to see in bright sunlight - impossible at times. The unit is rain resistant. I can see weather conditions at a glance (if there is cellphone coverage). I can hear prompts via bluetooth earbuds.
In Mexico, where I don't speak the language it's incredibly easy to get lost. Major highways passing through busy towns and cities are not signed properly. Street addresses in Mexico do not work like the United States - maybe E911 efforts of the 1990's caused that magic to happen. Booking a hotel was a lengthy process that depended upon the GPS data - if the GPS didn't list the hotel or restaurant entering a street address instead would never work - sometimes I needed to hire a taxi to lead us to the hotel. The Zumo GT allows for interfacing with the internet via Garmin Drive which opens a full selection of hotels and restaurants I will be able to find.
Route planning, exporting and importing was a difficult process, but now I can use the Garmin Drive app or directly input destinations easier into the GPS. It appears to be a more intuitive design - time will tell.
The advent of citizens utilizing satellite navigation opens so many possibilities that will enhance travel and safety. There are folks that prefer paper maps - which still have a place - but I liken the map vs. gps preference to modern surgery vs. civil war surgery. The technology exists, and it rocks.
I spent much of yesterday learning about how the Zumo XT works. For Luddites like me it appears that the Zumo XT will be easier to use. First the screen is much brighter. Former GPSs I used were hard to see in bright sunlight - impossible at times. The unit is rain resistant. I can see weather conditions at a glance (if there is cellphone coverage). I can hear prompts via bluetooth earbuds.
In Mexico, where I don't speak the language it's incredibly easy to get lost. Major highways passing through busy towns and cities are not signed properly. Street addresses in Mexico do not work like the United States - maybe E911 efforts of the 1990's caused that magic to happen. Booking a hotel was a lengthy process that depended upon the GPS data - if the GPS didn't list the hotel or restaurant entering a street address instead would never work - sometimes I needed to hire a taxi to lead us to the hotel. The Zumo GT allows for interfacing with the internet via Garmin Drive which opens a full selection of hotels and restaurants I will be able to find.
Route planning, exporting and importing was a difficult process, but now I can use the Garmin Drive app or directly input destinations easier into the GPS. It appears to be a more intuitive design - time will tell.
The advent of citizens utilizing satellite navigation opens so many possibilities that will enhance travel and safety. There are folks that prefer paper maps - which still have a place - but I liken the map vs. gps preference to modern surgery vs. civil war surgery. The technology exists, and it rocks.
