I’ve ordered one because that’s my thing. It’s look more like an evolution than a revolution. The update from the 590LM to the XT was the most significant change because of the massive screen upgrade.
As usual it looks like it’s not compatible with the previous editions cradle but I’ll give you an update on that when it arrives.
There is a feature to track everyone in a group ride so you can see who has got lost but that requires you to all have the same device which seems unlikely in any normal setting.
It’s been out for about two months but I missed the launch again because I’m not into social media.
The cost of XT compared with XT2’s and the extra features does make it a challenge to upgrade especially as early adoptors have had issues.
The rider tracker can be handy but when on tour we simply share our locations on Google Maps. It’s rare we ever need to find anyone so digging out the phone works fine.
It depends on your perspective. If you’ve already got an XT it still worth almost £300 used, so the upgrade is only £229 for a bigger screen and some interesting new features. Plus I’m interested to see if they’ve improved the Bluetooth audio for navigation instructions.
That’s been the case for me ever since the 550. There was a bit outlay for that (half the cost of my CB500 at the time), but since then I’ve only spent a few hundred for each upgrade.
There’s not really been a compelling reason to upgrade since the 590LM other than the screen upgrade but yeah if you fancy it and have one to sell it’s not such a big leap.
I’ve just discovered Garmin no longer do map updates for my trusty 660, which has been a totally reliable companion for 15 years, so unfortunately it now has to go.
Been very interested in an XT2, however it has some terrible reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. I’m hoping they’ve ironed out any issues by now…
Also keen to hear of the experiences of any other XT2 users out there…
I’ve had no issues with it so far and I’ve used it a fair amount. It works in much the same way as the XT and 590LM. The screen is nicer and it now uses USBC. A big difference for me is that the spoken navigation over bluetooth is now much better quality and the music fades down so you can hear the instructions rather than stop completely as it did on all previous generations.
The ride summary stuff is interesting. It shows you how many gs you pulled and so on.
Overall I like it but I’m an enthusiast. Amazing that you got 15 years out of your 660. I still miss my 550 a bit, it just worked and I liked the design and the physical buttons.
Great thanks Joby, I appreciate your speedy and very helpful response. Yes I will be very sad to relinquish the 660, a great piece of kit that’s served me extremely well over the years.
I think the technical issue others have experienced - unresponsive screen even after reset - may be due to vibrations so key for me is the warranty. I believe Garmin provides a two year warranty on their products which isn’t too bad but I’d prefer a 5 year warranty on a £529 item!!
Excited to finally have live traffic included in my mapping/routing, which I’ve got used to using my phone to navigate in my car…
They are really good with warranties. I had 2 new mounts for my 550 when they cracked. They just sent them out with no issues. I had an issue with the Battery on the 550 too and they sent out a new unit (I think, it was a while ago). I’ve not had any other warranty claims since but they have a reputation for being good.
Hearsay on the internet says people smashed their screens and got refurbished units when they sent theirs back (which they were pleased with). But that’s all hearsay.
You’ll still get about £100 for your 660 on eBay (somehow). They have good resale value even if they are old.
Yeah, the warranty’s great - I got three brackets in the end from Garmin trying to sort out why my XT didn’t charge well and each time it was the full kit with another ram arm and handlebar clamp! I think they’re aware of the weaknesses and happy to sort you out when you hit them, but it’s a bit of a shame that they don’t just not-have the problems That said, the famous garmin pogo-pin corrosion is happening on the Galaxy Tab bracket that replaced it
I was pretty disappointed in my XT (not the XT2) but not terribly surprised:
It’s impossible to get an actual test-ride with the XT2 but I had a good go on one at a couple of shows and it just didn’t feel markedly better - fine, usable, can take you to a place but just not-great. I think the XT2’s Tread app finally gets decent bluetooth transfer of stuff so you don’t need to pick between planning on-device or on a laptop in Basecamp, so for that alone I’d skip all prior to it.
Really, though, I’ve found that most of what I disliked about my XT are the sort of familiarity that long-time Garmin users enjoy so you’re unlikely to be disappointed if you’re just looking for a newer 660 rather than anything substantively different, I just find it really hard to justify the £500-odd they’re asking at list price for it.
If eezy keeps it for another 15 years that’s only £35.30 per year. If he gets £100 for the 660 then we are down to £26.60 per year, which doesn’t seem so bad. Man maths is a wonderful thing.
Hah, yeah, and honestly almost the entirety of my problems with it are Garmin things; if what you want is a continuation of the 660 then that’s exactly what this is.
And if he wants to save even more money, I’ve still got my XT and mounts that I keep meaning to put up for sale and that’d be even less than an XT2! But, honestly, I’d recommend anyone get the XT2 over an XT, it is better.
I bought a XT2, but managed to fix my 590 so sent it back to sportsbikeshop for a full refund.
I didn’t really use it, but was reading a lot on the zumo forums (a really good place) and I gather that whilst basecamp works with the XT2, they are pushing people to the phone app.
THis is a big no no for me, I love basecamp, even if the phone app was good, how the fuck can i plot a 200 mile alps route on a 6 inch phone screen.
Joby any insights?
I don’t use the zumo for directions often (but do use it for music on every ride), but when I do I really like to plan very detailed specific routes, normally in Europe.
I am not too keen on all this connectivity stuff either, live weather and traffic OK, booking.com / trip advisor / spotify not so much, have a phone for that.
I had the same concerns but it works fine with Basecamp. A message pops up saying it’s not officially supported but it works just fine, same as every other Garmin device I’ve had.
I’ve not used the app much either. You can use it through a browser though so it doesn’t have to be always through your phone. I don’t like the Trip Advisor information either. It’s just annoying. It think I’ve mostly turned that off.
Thanks for the review. Good point about rain. My phone is supposed to be submersible to some specific depth so I thought it would be fine in rain. It is, but despite the charging cable being well covered, and in theory not getting wet, the phone was very quick to say ‘Liquid detected. Charging has been paused’. It means use in the rain is restricted to internal battery power only.
I will have to upgrade the phone mount to wireless charging.
Thanks all for your comments and man math advice, which works for me especially as I will be putting my 660 on ebay, and am also selling a seldom used Canon lens (200-400 L) to help pay for it. Ordered my shiny new XT2 yesterday, it arrived today, looking forward to unboxing and playing with it tonight. Sadly my trusty mechanic has just gone on his holiday so won’t be able to get it mounted/wired properly to the bike for another couple of weeks yet…
That said, the famous garmin pogo-pin corrosion is happening on the Galaxy Tab bracket that replaced it 