Zumo xt

[Kerrsy]

Heard lots of good things about the zumo xt so bit the bullet and bought one. Have now fitted it through the gps preparation cradle and it works a treat. Great preparation to xt converter from 3DAM which includes a new adapted locking mechanism. Only downside is you lose the wiz wheel interface.

[XRNewey]

My Nav VI is on the blink (my second, the first became faulty too  ) Contemplating a new alternative, so am interested to know why you chose that one? Did you also look at TomTom? TIA 

[Kerrsy]

Originally Posted by XRNewey

My Nav VI is on the blink (my second, the first became faulty too  ) Contemplating a new alternative, so am interested to know why you chose that one? Did you also look at TomTom? TIA 

I looked at different reviews on the Internet and the consensus seemed to be the xt. I have read of many problems with the bmw navs. I saw a YouTube video on the 3DAM adaptor and thought I would go that way. It meant I could keep the original bmw sat prep cradle. As I mentioned before all you loose is the wiz wheel interaction.

Hope this helps

[bobdave]

Originally Posted by XRNewey

Did you also look at TomTom? TIA 

I use a TomTom Rider 550 which I had on my previous bike. I got a replacement power cable from Nippy Normans (link - https://www.nippynormans.com/r-nine-t-family/lead-for-connecting-any-garmin-or-tomtom-gps-into-the-bmw-harness ) then replaced the BMW cradle with the TomTom cradle. This results in loss of the whizzy wheel but it seems that happens whatever you use unless you use the BMW offering.
I've kept the original BMW mount that I will put back on if/when I change bikes.

[XRNewey]

Thanks both. My experiences with the Nav VI (being flaky/rubbish) may well colour whether I bought the Zumo, plus its the more expensive of the two (both for the unit and the 3D AM mount), so research continues!

[bobdave]

If it helps, I've used TomTom a few years and been happy with them. The first one I had started to mist up under the screen after an extremely wet 2 weeks in the Swiss Alps and even though it was out of warranty I contacted TomTom and they replaced it as i pointed out to them it was sold as waterproof - whilst not ideal the customer service side was excellent and I've experienced no further issue with it.

[Col_C]

Didn't do my homework! Bought a Nav VI in the deal when I bought the bike, giddy with "new" bike over enthusiasum thinking the whizzy wheel was a must have. Now a little concerned whether it will last my upcoming Euro trip, I think it has the latest software version as the home screen has a monochrome style (not a fan of), whether this will have any bearing on reliability remains to be seen.
However I also have a Zumo660 that I've been using for years (without problem) on my Triumph, fairly sure that will slot straight in the BMW mount although I doubt the wheel is going to talk to it. Think I'll be loading a duplicate set of routes on to that and find space for it in the panniers as a backup. 

[XRNewey]

Of course, another option is the BMW Connected Ride Cradle, anyone used one? I could use my phone, then, but I've heard they aren't gentle (vibration) with iphones, anyone know the details?

[XRNewey]

Just to add, there's plenty of posts about them in these forums, so just wading through them now. 

[LeftCoastKen]

Originally Posted by Col_C

However I also have a Zumo660 that I've been using for years (without problem) on my Triumph, fairly sure that will slot straight in the BMW mount although I doubt the wheel is going to talk to it. Think I'll be loading a duplicate set of routes on to that and find space for it in the panniers as a backup. 

I have a 660 from my previous bike as well.  Works just fine on the XR minus the wonder wheel.  I have a BMW Nav V and I do exactly what you are suggesting.  I bring the 660 loaded with routes on long trips as a backup.