Big firmware update for Zumo users

[eakins]

http://www.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=1907

[marcopolo]

OK, but does it provide you with the option of turning off auto-recalculation when you venture off your route? I didn't see it, and that was one of the biggest irritations from what I gather.

[Davis]

I don't think the latest software has the option to turn off recalculation. A work around is to simply suspend navigation while you are off the route and resume when you rejoin the programmed route.

[Highway41]

Can't get the download from Garmin; probably busy. It looks like it will fix my two main gripes - being able to pan and show elevation. We'll see....

Bill

[Lets_Play_Two]

Can't get the download from Garmin; probably busy. It looks like it will fix my two main gripes - being able to pan and show elevation. We'll see....

Bill

 

It does show elevation (I was at 11 ft.), but I didn't try the pan feature.

[tobyzusa]

Can't get the download from Garmin; probably busy. It looks like it will fix my two main gripes - being able to pan and show elevation. We'll see....

Bill

Wondering if they pulled the download off the site. It has a BIG bug in it. When following a route, the third button down now functions as an unplanned "off" button. Not cool.

[chrisolson]

"Added option to limit BT headset audio to phone only. "

 

This means you can use the phone via bluetooth without loosing MP3 stereo

[Highway41]

Spoke to Garmin today and finally just downloaded the update to my desktop and then loaded the zumo. Never did get their Webupdater to work. I was hoping to be able to change the display to show Speed and Elevation; oh well.

Bill

[mbresso]

"Added option to limit BT headset audio to phone only. "

 

This means you can use the phone via bluetooth without loosing MP3 stereo

 

"...without losing MP3 STEREO?" Are you sure? Evidently I'm not much of a visionary. Garmin has always rightly claimed that if you're using your cell with full wireLESS Bluetooth your MP3s will only be in mono. I guess I don't get it. If the headset you're using is only receiving telephone calls by what conveyance do you receive your MP3 in stereo; how would this work exactly?

[jerseygeorge]

Great update. Shows Garmin was listening and cares. I love my Zoooomo!

[chrisolson]

"Added option to limit BT headset audio to phone only. "

 

This means you can use the phone via bluetooth without loosing MP3 stereo

 

"...without losing MP3 STEREO?" Are you sure? Evidently I'm not much of a visionary. Garmin has always rightly claimed that if you're using your cell with full wireLESS Bluetooth your MP3s will only be in mono. I guess I don't get it. If the headset you're using is only receiving telephone calls by what conveyance do you receive your MP3 in stereo; how would this work exactly?

Well, this assumes you already had an intercom like autocom or starcom1, etc that has a wired phone input and were using wired input for GPS or music.

 

Previously, if you wanted to hook up the phone via bluetooth (BT) then all the audio from the Zumo automatically, no choice, went via BT - the turn by turn and phone were already mono but MP3 became mono. Zumo's implementation of BT is not stereo and I don't believe that its software upgradable. So even if you solved changing from a wired to BT headset for your helmet - not an easy task 'cause you still have bike to bike and radar audio to deal with - but you still only got mono mp3.

 

But now you can specify only the phone audio goes BT. Using the add-on motorola bluetooth unit (the least expensive option) plugged into the phone port of the intercom, the Zumo pairs to it like a headset and integrates the phone (just like wired) but with the advantages of BT and Zumo integration all together.

 

The turn by turn and MP3 are left wired to the intercom consequently the MP3 remains stereo. This is the best its probably going to get for a few years until someone puts more thought into total BT integration of all the periferals in the motorcycle environment.

 

This may seem like a minor improvement since most everything is still wired. But having the phone display on the Zumo and the ability to make outgoing calls via the Zumo and the automaic pairing of the phone just by proximity is really nice - then again there are those that have a hard time understanding any phone useage on a bike.

[IndyDenny]

 

Previously, if you wanted to hook up the phone via bluetooth (BT) then all the audio from the Zumo automatically, no choice, went via BT - the turn by turn and phone were already mono but MP3 became mono. Zumo's implementation of BT is not stereo and I don't believe that its software upgradable. So even if you solved changing from a wired to BT headset for your helmet - not an easy task 'cause you still have bike to bike and radar audio to deal with - but you still only got mono mp3.

 

But now you can specify only the phone audio goes BT. Using the add-on motorola bluetooth unit (the least expensive option) plugged into the phone port of the intercom, the Zumo pairs to it like a headset and integrates the phone (just like wired) but with the advantages of BT and Zumo integration all together.

 

The turn by turn and MP3 are left wired to the intercom consequently the MP3 remains stereo. This is the best its probably going to get for a few years until someone puts more thought into total BT integration of all the periferals in the motorcycle environment.

 

This may seem like a minor improvement since most everything is still wired. But having the phone display on the Zumo and the ability to make outgoing calls via the Zumo and the automaic pairing of the phone just by proximity is really nice - then again there are those that have a hard time understanding any phone useage on a bike.

 

Have you actually tried this out?

 

This is the one feature that is preventing me from buying a Zumo. Garmin's implementation of audio out and mic in is certainly not very friendly to Autocom, Baehr, Starcom and others.

 

I certainly hope you can say that you have tried this and it works. So what about XM? if I pair a phone to the Zumo, then pair the zumo with the Motorola HF-820 which will be connected to my intercom. Will the wired stereo output of the Zumo be active and let XM as well as MP3, and nav prompts to be sent through that interface?

 

 

Thanks for this

Cheers, Denny

[chrisolson]

I certainly hope you can say that you have tried this and it works. So what about XM? if I pair a phone to the Zumo, then pair the zumo with the Motorola HF-820 which will be connected to my intercom. Will the wired stereo output of the Zumo be active and let XM as well as MP3, and nav prompts to be sent through that interface?

I currrently run stereo XM and turn by turn voice and stereo MP3 wired to my starcom1 via the garmin audio output into the starcom audio input.

 

Starcom1 has a BT unit (similar to the Motorola, but more expensive). I emailed them when the zumo first came out and asked the very same question - their reply was that yes, the phone would pair to the zumo and the pairing of the zumo to their BT unit would act as a headset when plugged into the phone input of the comm system. Of course until the upgrade, there was no purpose to use the BT connection 'cause of the BT headset problem or the loss of stereo MP3.

 

I will run an actual live test this weekend with the phone and the HF 820 pluged into the phone input ( I need to wire the Motorola unit for bike power). But, based on starcom1's response and the experience of others using the HF 820, I have no doubt that it will work as advertised.

 

Everthing remains the same as currently wired except for the phone. The phone pairs to the zumo and the zumo pairs to the HF 820 which has a wired connection to the starcom1 which integrates everything into the existing wired helmet headset.

[Chuck Hatcher]

Personally I think Zumo's Bluetooth pairing to a phone is excellent, but I do not get the appeal of a Bluetooth headset. If you don't want wires, you have to have a battery attached to your head, and worry about keeping it charged. I'd rather run audio wires to my head, with either earphones or helmet speakers. For me the Zumo means no other audio electronics are necessary. I understand a lot of people don't want to give up bike-to-bike comms, but the way I see it if every rider is set up with a hands free phone, if any important information needs to be passed, it can be and with no range limit (assuming cellular coverage). The only thing I want is a better microphone (better than Garmin's, and preferably one that does not require a battery).

[IndyDenny]

I will be very interested in the results of your live test.

 

BTW bluetooth is updatable via software, however the hardware must be capable of supporting the update.

 

for example, the Zumo could have hardware that supports a2dp(stereo), but Garmin could have chosen not to implement that feature in the software. I don't know the specs of the zumo's bluetooth hardware, but that is a possible scenario, especially since a2dp headsets for helmet use are very rare right now.

 

Cheers, Denny

[mbresso]

Personally I think Zumo's Bluetooth pairing to a phone is excellent, but I do not get the appeal of a Bluetooth headset. If you don't want wires, you have to have a battery attached to your head, and worry about keeping it charged. I'd rather run audio wires to my head, with either earphones or helmet speakers. For me the Zumo means no other audio electronics are necessary. I understand a lot of people don't want to give up bike-to-bike comms, but the way I see it if every rider is set up with a hands free phone, if any important information needs to be passed, it can be and with no range limit (assuming cellular coverage). The only thing I want is a better microphone (better than Garmin's, and preferably one that does not require a battery).

 

I'm totally with you. I have an Autocom but unless I have a passenger I don't normally use it; plus I wear a half-helmet most of the time. Wireless BT seems a small hassle in and of itself and nobody seems to be getting any or decent results.

 

Alternatively, I finally just got my BeyerDynamic headphones w/boom mic today here at work. They're supposed to be fairly professional and the microphone should be too (this is the 4th or 5th headset/boom mic setup I've bought). The dual jacks will plug directly into the Zumo's mic in and audio out. I'll try it tonight. I should be able to get everything (ALL music and in stereo, nav prompts and GOOD input/output cell phone sound). I'll let you know.

 

[IndyDenny]

My brother heard from Starcom1 today.

They have loaded the firmware update on their Zumo and it does work as hoped. With the phone paired to Zumo, Zumo paired to their BT adapter the audio from the MP3's and nav prompts will naow pass through the wired audio output. They also have a new cable MIC-01 that can be used so that Stereo audio works and phone works. via phone paired to Zumo, connections from Zumo to Starcom via MIC-01 and MUS 04 cables.

 

So I ragged pretty hard on The folks at Starcom about this and now has been solved. That was the big thing for me preventing me from getting a Zumo, now to save up a few more bucks, hope for a nice Tax refund check I guess.

 

Cheers, Denny