Garmin Zumo 396 Unboxing and brief demonstration

[@Porsche996driver]

5:15 that’s what I was looking for - to scale the size of this unit and 4.3” screen. Looks like perfect size, thanks.

[@HarleyGurl114]

Wow I just ordered this so it is on the way - I exchanged it from the first one I ordered it was the Zumo XT which was a little large for my liking. This was a great video n what to expect from this model. Thank you

[@TourmotoDesign]

Thanks, I’m glad it was helpful for you. I’ve moved on to the Zumo xt since making this video and it was a good upgrade but the 396 is still a great device. Ride safe!

[@HarleyGurl114]

@@TourmotoDesign Yes that XT is amazing!! Just too big for me and It has so many features I will never use!!! Thank you again for your help!

[@snatr]

​@@HarleyGurl114 It's been a couple of months now... Do you regret sending back the XT?

[@HarleyGurl114]

@@snatr hey there thank you for reaching out, we had a long winter here, I am about to try it out this weekend!!!! A new riding season has begun!!! Thank you for your tips I have it all set up and ready to go!!! I will let you know how it works for me!

[@rodfeu]

Excellent video, do you know if I can enlarge the letters? When I'm driving I have trouble seeing, hugs.

[@TourmotoDesign]

@@rodfeu it’s been a long time since I had this particular gps so I may not be correct. I don’t think there is a way to enlarge the text on this one.

[@fightinflounder9340]

Thanks for the overview. Just purchased one from amazon and it will arrive tomorrow. Hope the installation will be easy (the wiring)

[@D.E.X]

You missed putting the waterproof cover for the mount thru the hole before mounting the ball. Did the same thing.

[@c__walker__jr]

how low would the price have to be on the 396 for you to consider it a good by in 2023/24?

[@TourmotoDesign]

Well, the Zumo xt is 399 new now and can be found for 200 used. And considering how much I dislike the 396 compared to the xt……I wouldn’t spend more than 100 on a 396.

[@VinylTherapy]

Thanks for the video. How long does the battery last before needing to be charged?

[@TourmotoDesign]

I only really use the battery when it’s off the bike setting up Bluetooth or map settings so I’ve never really relied on the battery for long.

[@pjmtts]

I think it’s supposed to come with the fuse in-line with the harness . It wouldn’t make sense to have you guess what rating fuse to use.

[@ShawnKitchen]

The power requirements are printed right on the transformer. If people would only take the time to read...

[@wrrobb]

Can you load music onto the device, transmit via blue tooth to a receiver for playback through your motorcycles stereo system? (blue tooth receiver connected to AUX input)

[@TourmotoDesign]

Yes you can store music on the SD card and play it over bluetooth

[@JCrozier1]

Thanks for this unboxing video. It's exactly what I was hoping for. This unit has that obviously been out for a long time. As a new purchaser, would you buy this one or pick one of the slightly newer versions that they put out? They don't cost too much more, but are they worth the extra money? Thanks.

[@TourmotoDesign]

I HIGHLY recommend their newest unit. The Zumo XT. I made a review series of the Zumo XT and after using for a year now I can say that it is far superior to the 396

[@JCrozier1]

Just found this one on GPS City for 229 shipped. So cheap compared to some of the other units out there.

[@jynx-vu2zc]

can the cable be connected directly to the garmin, or do you have to use the cradle ? I have a universal mount that I prefer to use

[@illduitmyself]

Yea has mini usb plug

[@schnittan]

Great video. I plan on buying one of these for navigation during longer bicycle rides, and i won't be able to use the intended power cable to charge the unit through. Will the unit be charged if I hook it up to my power bank through the mini USB?

[@TourmotoDesign]

Stefan Vahlgren it will. Charging through the mini USB port puts the unit in “automotive mode” . Not really sure what’s different about that other than it forces the directions to play through the onboard speaker instead of over Bluetooth.

[@BenalRida]

Is it possible to connect the Garmin via USB cable to a USB socket on your bike? Meaning is there a USD socket on the Garmin and if so can you still access it when it is mounted in the cradle?

[@TourmotoDesign]

there is a mini usb port on the back of the unit but it will not work to charge. its only meant for data and if you plug a cord into it the unit goes into data transfer mode making it useless as a gps.

[@ShawnKitchen]

@@TourmotoDesign That's half true. If you buy a mini-USB *charge* cable (as opposed to a data cable), it will power the unit without going into data transfer mode.

[@TourmotoDesign]

Shawn Kitchen hey that’s a great point! BUT it won’t be water resistant with that port open all the time. Probably best to run the power wires on the bike and use the usb cable if you have it mounted in a car.

[@ShawnKitchen]

@@TourmotoDesign Agreed. I was responding to your point about the unit going into data mode and being unusable as a GPS.

[@mattsnip]

Hello. I have the same model but it's edges are curvier. I'm wondering if you have the newer WiFi model or is it the same as mine? I haven't watched to the end yet so apologies if this has been answered.

[@TourmotoDesign]

Yes, this has wifi for map and software updates. I think the model you have must the Zumo 395. That one didn’t have wifi and was curvy. I made this video a few years ago and I have since upgraded to the Zumo xt and it is so much better than the 396. I would highly recommend it over this model. Or just keep what you’ve got.

[@matthewbarger4592]

can you see it in direct sunlight?

[@TourmotoDesign]

Yes it is usable in direct sunlight. The screen on the new zumo xt is unbelievably better than the 396 but the 396 is still pretty good in sunlight.

[@iamcaferacer]

Can you use this in portrait?

[@TourmotoDesign]

iamcaferacer yes. I forgot to mention that in the video

[@chauffeurmarco]

Some review say that the screen is not very bright under the sun

[@TourmotoDesign]

That’s true. That’s the main reason I upgraded to the new Zumo xt

[@golf1diesel]

@@TourmotoDesign any thoughts? Zumo xt vs rider 550 vs garmin 595lm?

[@TourmotoDesign]

@@golf1diesel I don’t have experience with the 595 or the rider 550. I do know that the 396 is similar to the 590/595 and I was not very impressed with the 396.

[@golf1diesel]

@@TourmotoDesign ok..how is the zumo xt so far? Do you think it's worth the hefty price tag?

[@TourmotoDesign]

@@golf1diesel I do! It’s light years ahead of the 396. I used to only put my gps on the bike for long trips cause it was so problematic that I wasn’t going to deal with it every day. But now I just leave it on all the time. It just works. The screen is the biggest improvement but the xt this also much faster than the 396 and I like the music display better.

[@jsharp7103]

If you would have read the directions you would have know to put the contact cover through the base plate before attaching it, I saw it dangling down there, can't cover the contacts that way, but you can remove the base plate and put it through.

[@TourmotoDesign]

J Sharp yeah I realized that after filming.

[@ShawnKitchen]

What is this "read the directions" of which you speak? As an American, I am unaware of this concept.

[@TourmotoDesign]

Shawn Kitchen I know right. mr fancy pants over there.....reading directions. “I was elected to LEAD not to READ!”

[@geraldscott4302]

Unlike the Garmin Nuvi, you cannot connect this to a USB port on your computer and it will turn on.

[@TheDoronle]

Thanks man loved your vdo, very helpful

[@matthewbarger4592]

why in the hell dont they come with a fuse?

[@TourmotoDesign]

I thought the same exact thing when I first got mine. Then I found out that the small box on the wire is a self resetting circuit breaker....so it functions just like a fuse but you don’t have to replace anything if it pops.

[@Joez86]

No cigarette lighter power plug? :/

[@ShawnKitchen]

Motorcycle-specific GPS designed to be used with the motorcycle-specific mount, which is hardwired to a motorcycle's electrical system. If you want a cigarette lighter power plug, buy one of the cheaper car GPS units.

[@motocamping333]

Bought this everytime I put in destination it goes of 300 of junk

[@redhytech]

Don't get one. This damn thing will have you going weird places for no reason. Even if you plot out a route. It will have you go down a road 200 yards and turn around. It will havr you go down people's driveways, cut acros their yard and get back on the same riad you were on. And if you miss a point(tracking point) it stops giving directions until you go back ana hit that point.