Garmin XTs and 396s on sale
- Thread starter Marc BEAULAC
- Start date
The 396 might not be the latest and greatest, but it still works fine for me. Most places that I go I know the roads anyway, but the Garmin is handy for calculating travel times and fuel stops on long trips, especially if we have someone in the group with less range than my bike. On IBA rides I usually have my fuel stops planned out well in advance. The XT being on sale does make it tempting though...
Some of you may be interested in a comparison of the 396 and the XT.
I grabbed an XT when they first hit the market. First one crapped out, Garmin replaced within a couple days. Second one was also a problem, also replaced quickly. I have a few more Garmins but the XT is by far the best FOR ME.
I grabbed an XT when they first hit the market. First one crapped out, Garmin replaced within a couple days. Second one was also a problem, also replaced quickly. I have a few more Garmins but the XT is by far the best FOR ME.
I've run a 396 and XT side by side for about two years now. I've used this arrangement in two rallies and numerous solo rides with multiple waypoints.
The XT has a far better screen, but in most other regards I find the 396 actually performs better in the real world. Primarily the 396 is much, much better at dynamically re-routing when I go off route for any reason. The 396 always recalculates faster and more reliably. The XT sometimes gets stuck in a "do a U-turn" loop even when I'm back on the main route, forcing me to stop and restart the route. The 396 never has this problem.
I have both loaded with the same maps, configured with the same settings. It's infuriating and puzzling. Maybe all the extra features (whatever they are) bog down the XT's CPU? I don't know.
If I had to replace my XT tomorrow I would get another 396, even if they were the same price.
The XT has a far better screen, but in most other regards I find the 396 actually performs better in the real world. Primarily the 396 is much, much better at dynamically re-routing when I go off route for any reason. The 396 always recalculates faster and more reliably. The XT sometimes gets stuck in a "do a U-turn" loop even when I'm back on the main route, forcing me to stop and restart the route. The 396 never has this problem.
I have both loaded with the same maps, configured with the same settings. It's infuriating and puzzling. Maybe all the extra features (whatever they are) bog down the XT's CPU? I don't know.
If I had to replace my XT tomorrow I would get another 396, even if they were the same price.
Yes, I tried that. Instead of constant "make a U-turn" instructions it would give other nonsensical instructions or sometimes just quit altogether with a "cannot calculate route" error. The more complex the route, the worse the problem.
But even with simple routes I watch them work side by side and the 396 recalculates faster, every single time.
But even with simple routes I watch them work side by side and the 396 recalculates faster, every single time.
I've found that running "route" as opposed to Point to Point is always a problem. Why can they just recalculate the portion needed to get back on route. And the more turns in a any calculation the longer it takes. On the NAV-VI i don't allow auto recalculations. I'll just get back on route and let the unit find itself back where it wants to be.
Turning of U-turns will simply make the software ask you to make three lefts and a right or three rights and a left...... in other words, a u-turn....
If you don't want to have the unit do a recalculate, zoom out a little and find a route to take you back to your track.....
I knew when my 665 was doomed as it started drawing straight lines instead of following the road.... on return from tour the next update refused to install full European mapping... and of course it doesn't support SD cards... had my XT now for a few years....
If you don't want to have the unit do a recalculate, zoom out a little and find a route to take you back to your track.....
I knew when my 665 was doomed as it started drawing straight lines instead of following the road.... on return from tour the next update refused to install full European mapping... and of course it doesn't support SD cards... had my XT now for a few years....