Is Anybody Else Here Having Problems With their Garmin Zumo XT Mini USB Port?

[Jim1348]

I have a Garmin Zumo XT. I use it on my ATV and e-bike. I use a 12 volt power cord when ATVing. When I use it e-biking it is connected to a battery power pack via a USB to mini USB cable. It loses connectivity fairly often. I have cleaned it with compressed air and even tried a very small amount of alcohol on a Q-tip. It will be better for short time and then lose connectivity, again.

Would it be worth sending this in to Garmin to swap out a new mine USB port? Would I be better off replacing the mini USB port with a newer USB-C port?

[Peobody]

The mini USB port failed early in the life of my XT. That jack is a weak point of the XT. It is not substantial enough to stand up to the vibrations of riding with a cable plugged into it. It seems to have been engineered solely for connecting to a PC. Fortunately Garmin replaced my XT under warranty. I use the mount that came with it on my bike, wired to an accessory circuit.

[Jim1348]

Thank you for the reply.

I will email Garmin and see what my options are.

[rbentnail]

Another option to check is https://www.palmdr.com/cart/repair-serv ... 31_68.html. I've had a couple different repairs done. Fast turn around and very reasonable $$. They did my 595 long before it was listed on the site, I just sent an email to inquire.

[Jim1348]

That is great to know.

I am tempted to replace the mini USB with a USB-C connector.

[Rofor]

@Jim1348

As written before here - it's really not a good idea, to use the Zumo XT with an USB cable on any other vehicle than a car! The usb port is sadly the weakest part of the unit and the vibrations will definitively kill the port sooner or later. Also, not to forget, you loose the waterproofness of the unit!

If there is really no other way to support power to the Zumo XT, it would try to use one of these magnetic cables, where on part stays permanently in the usb port of the Zumo XT and the magnetic cable connects to this part...

[Jim1348]

Robert,

Thank you for the reply. Do you have a link? I am trying to find one online and it looks like they might be difficult to locate now.

Jim

[Rofor]

Yes, sadly also here in Europe - seem's that mini USB is really oldschool, even when the Zumo XT arrived the first time - Garmin said, that they have chosen mini USB, because its more reliable than micro USB when the Zumo XT comes out.

What (maybe) also could work, is a short adapter cable (mini USB to (USB C or whatever you want)) - you could connect it to the Zumo XT and fix it with on ore more drops of hot glue and also fix this short cable to the body of the Zumo XT and than connect the matching cable to this port). This also will protect the connector of the Zumo XT!

But, again, be careful - it's not anymore waterproof then!

[Green-ee]

Every Garmin I've ever owned had mini-usb issues when used on a motorcycle. A solution that worked for me was a 90 degree male mini-usb and a springy steel strap rigged up to apply pressure against the flat side of the mini-usb plug. Depending on the mount you use this might be a solution.