Garmin Zumo 396 LMT-S - Anyone use one?

Shawn K

Shawn K

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Boiling Springs, SC
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GL1800
I'm looking at dropping some coin on a Zumo 396 LMT-S, since the prices are dropping like a stone these days after the launch of the new Zumo XT. I was looking through all the GPS threads on the forum, and I noticed that there doesn't seem to be a single discussion thread on them, which really surprised me.

Mostly, what I'm looking for is a motorcycle-specific GPS that can handle weather changes without needing special casing, something that can do "winding roads" navigation, and that can do live traffic. The 396 fits the bill, and the live weather is a plus. In addition, a locking cradle is available from Touratech, and it can do map updates via Wi-Fi. Seems like what I'm looking for, and they're available on Amazon for $269.

Has anyone used the 396? Have any thoughts to share?
 
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Shawn K said:
Has anyone used the 396? Have any thoughts to share?
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I bought one a few months ago. I have used it in my car and it functions a like my Zumo 590. I have not loaded any routes from Basecamp yet to see how close that it follows one of them.
I too bought it because of the price at that time. It will be some time before I can test it on my bike, as my seat is at RDL for a rebuild.
 
I have a 396 and a 590, yes they function similarly, real difference is the size of the unit. Loved my old 550 workhorse, and it was simpler, but slower, less memory. Larger screens need higher resolution, the XT does that finally, I think, but haven't seen one in person. Smaller screens usually have lesser resolution but more clarity. Don't think you'd regret a 396 at all, I don't.
At the same time, I'm not using "curvy roads" feature, I load my own routes, so my GPS needs that capability. Not necessarily concerned with traffic apps or weather, we all have a phone to do that if needed. I'm less interested in features that require phone data or subscriptions, as international data plans are just too expensive nor do I wish to have a second phone with a US carrier.
 
I was just looking at the Zumo GPS for motorcycles a few days ago. Never had one for a bike before. The Zumo 396 LMT-S and the 595 LM were the top 2 choices in an article I read. The LM is a slightly advanced version of the LMT-S.
My local Costo and Amazon.ca have them at the same price at $349. They come with a mount and power cords etc. I think I'll pull the trigger soon....
 
Kevcules said:
My local Costo and Amazon.ca have them at the same price at $349. They come with a mount and power cords etc. I think I'll pull the trigger soon....
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Garmin proper will be happy to sell you the 595LM for $700USD and $649USD at Amazon.com. I don't know that I'd wait too long.

I generally like the XT for the screen size and "Birdseye 'Satellite' Imagery" but its UI elements are a step backwards - clunky looking compared to earlier models. Then there's the $500 price tag. Yeah you're 595LM is lookin' pretty good.
 
My 396 works OK, like Ray I miss my 550 (I still have it) but it doesn't have the bluetooth capability the 396 has.
 
I bought a 396 LMT-S about a year ago. It supplemented a 550 I've been using a long time. I like the overall size compared to the 590/596 size and the screen is larger than the 550's. The 396 is mounted on the Goldwing and is completely competent for the type of motorcycle riding and touring I do. I recommend it without reservation. However, there were a couple of things I had to get used to compared to the 550. First was the screen colors are somewhat muted compared to the 550 but the screen resolution is better on the 396. The other is how the 396 shows favorites on the map. I was used to the 550 displaying all the favorites with the name or number that were on the screen so any waypoint in the area was known to me. I believe the 550 map scale is editable to the scale where way points show up with ID or they disappear to reduce screen clutter. By zooming in/out I could see waypoints nearby I dropped as bread crumbs and ID by name. The 396 shows only heart shaped icon as a favorite when in the immediate area of the GPS and I have to touch the screen to drag to the icon then press on it to see the name or ID.
 
Shawn K said:
since the prices are dropping like a stone these days
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The price drop is sweet...but it also tells you there's a lot of markup on the products, because they are still making a profit on it at the reduced price.

Just a couple thoughts:
  • I'd look for a factory refurbished unit, if you can find one at a discount. I bought my 595LM for hundreds less than the brand new version all because it was a factory refurbished model. When it arrived, I couldn't tell that it wasn't brand new. Everything looked new, and it came with the new warranty as well.
  • Before you plunk down the money for the 396, consider the TomTom Rider 550. If I was considering the smaller 4.3" format, I'd probably go with TomTom. The biggest reason why for me, is the use of the screen real estate. My 5" Garmin uses a wide side bar for some of the info, and the TomTom devices use a much narrower side bar for info. The net effect I believe is the TomTom has as much usable screen as the 5" Garmin has...but in smaller outside dimensions. If the wide side bar is there on the 396, the difference between your viewable screen for the route ahead would be larger on the TomTom.
Chris
 
Daboo said:
The price drop is sweet...but it also tells you there's a lot of markup on the products, because they are still making a profit on it at the reduced price.
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Capitalism 101. I'm almost never a "first adopter" of new technology pieces for that very reason. I also don't buy cars or motorcycles that are under three years old for the same reason - let someone else take the depreciation hit.

Daboo said:
I'd look for a factory refurbished unit, if you can find one at a discount.
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I usually do. But I've had no such luck with the 396. And with the prices on new ones getting so low, I don't think you'll see much of a market for refurbished ones of this model for a while. But even refurbished 59x models are still way more expensive than a used 396, and refurbished 395s are only slightly less expensive than a new 396 (but a generation older).

Daboo said:
Before you plunk down the money for the 396, consider the TomTom Rider 550
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I've thought about it many times. I'll be honest, though... I've always viewed Tom Tom as a sort of "Garmin's crazy uncle". I don't know why I think that; maybe it's just their lack of strong branding or U.S. market share. I'm not saying they make crap product, I'm just saying that I have a perception of them being less desirable. Feel free to change my mind if you have a different personal experience with them.
 
Recent release of the new Garmin Zumo XT is probably the reason for the price drop of the 396. The 396 did that to the older 390/395, etc. etc.

BTW you can full screen the 396 or customize the side bar's size and data fields.
 
Shawn K said:
I'll be honest, though... I've always viewed Tom Tom as a sort of "Garmin's crazy uncle". I don't know why I think that; maybe it's just their lack of strong branding or U.S. market share. I'm not saying they make crap product, I'm just saying that I have a perception of them being less desirable. Feel free to change my mind if you have a different personal experience with them.
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I understand your feelings about TomTom. The interesting thing is that in Europe, the perception is the opposite. Over there, TomTom has the market and Garmin is a far less important player.

One thought. If you have a smartphone, try the TomTom app. The free version gives you 50 miles of use a month. It'll give you an idea of the interface and the way TomTom uses the screen interface.

Supposedly, the TomTom screen has less resolution than the Garmin products, or at least the 595 line. But in looking at one of the few I've seen in the wild, liked it. Enough that if my Garmin dies, I'd probably get one of those rugged Kyocera versions of smartphone and install the TomTom app on it.

Good luck, and happy shopping. If you ever need help spending your hard earned money, just let me or any of us know. We'll be glad to help. ;)

Chris
 
I have the 396 its a fish, went through imelda with it and no problems. Sandstorms no problem. Garmin navigation, i promiss it will be interesting.
 
paulcb said:
How well does it work with the Garmin Smartphone Link app? Traffic and weather useful?
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I haven't had a chance to really test it yet, but I'm considering defying the Governor tomorrow (@skipcurt threw down the tag gauntlet, and I really need to respond). As soon as I get some time on it, I'll post my thoughts. For the sake of organization, I might make it a separate thread.

But it's definitely installed!

20200424_160736.jpg
 
This seems to be at a great price point. Is there a limit on the number of waypoints per downloaded GPX file? I seem to recall that some Zumos had a 25 waypoint limit meaning that on occasion a longer route had to be divided into 2 parts.
 
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