Adventure Navigation: Garmin Zumo XT2 or DMD-T665 Device Comparison Episode 1

[@MeerkatADV]

Yep, been using DMD and DMD2 for almost five years now. Nothing better out there.

[@davidfalgout7304]

ya but.... what if there is no cell phone signal? Some say you can down load maps. If that is the case, just d/l maps to start and never use your phone. Please explain. I like the idea of the DMD2 device, but it seems to have that serious short coming.

[@jetmuchacho]

Nice comparison, thanks. I just watched to learn about the DMD. Personally I can't imagine this day and age spending my money on the old school Garmin which can only do one thing, when the android phone or tablet can do the same thing and SO much more. I've been using an old android phone for years as navigation. But I can't see a dam thing on the screen if it's sunny so I just follow the voice guidance. Plus among other problems in the rain, I've melted a couple charging cables which left me with no navigation till I could go get another one. My old mount requires me to turn a thumbscrew to tighten it or loosen it every time I want to take the phone off to use it lol. Anyway I'm looking to upgrade after a season of fighting with this stupid old system.

[@PSANDEE]

I would like to correct 2 things here from your video. 1) Garmin Zumo XT and XT2 can be used in portrait mode. 2) Garmin Zumo can be used with USB power, you don't need a cradle. You will loose some functionality like fuel tracking and such other than other it works well. Also, if Garmin Zumo units pair with Garmin Inreach devices, so you will have some functionality through Zumo. Most Important thing which not many people mention is Garmin devices doesn't need a cellular network for navigation.

[@martyn_g]

You download offline maps onto the phone- done that on a cheap rugged Android phone. You don’t need cellular.

[@PSANDEE]

@@martyn_gThe video says adventure navigation, using a phone doesn’t come under adventure navigation. A dedicated GPS like Zumo or TomTom are built to work with satellite, whereas an app on the phone doesn’t do that.

[@erichlippert3433]

@@PSANDEE Smartphones and Tablets without a built-in GPS interface are the exception nowadays, "an app on a phone" (that isn't ancient, or garbage-tier) absolutely can download maps beforehand and operate just fine without a data connection, just like a dedicated GPS device and actually do it with more up-to-date map/route datum and faster hardware.

[@PSANDEE]

@@erichlippert3433 Maybe it works for road users but not for adventure seekers. a dedicated GPS is something specifically designed to use in rough conditions and the level of GPS accuracy you get is next to none. Probably if you use it once, you wont go back to a smartphone.

[@barts_moto]

Where can I find part 2?

[@kee7678]

I bought the new Samsung Active5 tablet..loaded Gaia and other apps on it, but now trying to figure out how to mount the dang thing on my Tiger 900...without vibrating, without impeding the windscreen....and without it "falling/tilting" down off road. Spent 6 mths and still figuring it out....bought mounts, Evotech, Raid, Ram as well as the tablet holder also..... geeeshshs.

[@AdvTechMoto]

One big perk with the dmd is the mounts that come with the package. Be curious how the active 5 does.

[@stompingplatypus]

I have the lockable mount from Proclip for my active5 [non powered] with a 5 Inch Universal Pedestal Mount which is metal and can be cinched down tightly in any position... bulky but pretty solid

[@kee7678]

@@stompingplatypus That's exactly what I have too. But have not mounted it yet. How is it. I would LOVE to see any pics/videos you have or anything as I'm really needing to figure something out asap. I can send you my email !

[@Speelbird]

If you have still no idea how to fit it onto your tiger have a look at „holder for bikers“, I also use it with the tab 3 on my 701, there are also heavy duty adapters specific for your bike if you need one.

[@kee7678]

@@Speelbird Thanks. Will check right now!

[@davidfalgout7304]

ya but.... what if there is no cell phone signal? Some say you can down load maps. If that is the case, just d/l maps to start and never use your phone. Please explain. I like the idea of the DMD2 device, but it seems to have that serious short coming.

[@RW4x4van]

Would really like to see a comparison with the Garmin XT/XT2 and DMD2 software [Basecamp is a nightmare]

[@AdvTechMoto]

I don't touch Basecamp. I've always used ridewithgps for cycling and kept using it for gpx creation. DMD has a basic gpx creator on their website, but has plans to make it better I believe.

[@RW4x4van]

@@AdvTechMoto I have a Garmin 276C that I've been using for 18 years on my motorcycles while creating routes in Mapsource, nothing could be simpler. Also have a Garmin XT and can't figure out what Garmin was thinking with Basecamp that I'm not happy with.....I tried DMD2 on a tablet, but the tablet is not bright enough. I like DMD2 and I'm looking into either the phone or tablet

[@robnye5927]

30 minutes on hardware and part two for the interface?

[@AdvTechMoto]

Yeah, may end up being 3 parts depending on how I break up the inferfaces