Handlebar Controller for XT2

[Devlinn]

Hi,

I am in need of an extension cable for the remote.
Any suggestions?
As previously mentioned, I think the connectors are unique to Garmin.

I have a Honda Goldwing and the distance from the Zumo XT2 mounted on the dash with the Y cable to the handlebar remote is too long.

I'm not crazy about the idea of splicing in a wire to extend the connector length....but can/will if absolutely necessary.

Thanks in advance...

[jfheath]

Welcome @Devlinn

So the cable is too short ?

I don't know of any alternative cables - but someone might. I wanted mine so that I could undo the connector to easily remove the controller from the bike - but found the same problem. It is a long way from bar end to the centre and under the dash to get to the mounting place.

Be careful with splicing - it is multi-core and some of the cores are for transmitting data - others are for power.

[Devlinn]

Correct, the cable is too short for the routing from grip to the XT2 mounted on top of the centre dashboard.

The cable has to go down the handlebar and back up through the fairing.
The proper solution would be a waterproof Male/Female 20cm long extension cable.

I am really reluctant to splice the cable for exactly the reasons you mention.
It looks very similar to a USB cable which is an absolute mess of super-thin wires.
Splicing is an absolute last resort...


Why in heavens name was Garmin so stingy on the remote connection cable length and so insanely generous on the power wiring......

[proofresistant]

Is it possible to use the handlebar controller to dynamically switch the 3D, 2D direction of travel or 2D north up map view?
I hope this is possible (and if not, I would be seriously interested in the purpose of a remote zoom).
I have not yet found anything (which I have translated into German) that I recognized as such a function.

[chrisna]

I was also hoping that this function would be included but unfortunately it is not. Question to the Garmin guys: "Can you please add this in a next update?"

[jfheath]

Info about the Handlebar controller.

Buttons

4 buttons Triangle, plus, minus, circle. Each have short press and long press options. ie 8 operations.

Any of the buttons can be programmed with any of the opertaions below:

Lock Screen, Map Layer, Pause/Play, Map Tool *, Map Layer *, Pause & Play Music, Save Current Location,
Skip Next Destination, Skip Music, Start/Stop recording, Volume Up, Down, Zoom Map in, Zoom Out, None

*Map Tools:
Town Ahead, Group Ride, Track Recorder, Up Ahead, Elevation, Trip Data, Zumo Radar, Music Player, Weather, Phone

*Map Layer:
BirdsEye, Topographic, Popular Paths (moto), Bookedmarked Great Rides, Collections, Campsites,
MIchelin Scenic Roads, Unsaved Tracks, Contour Lines, 3D Terrain, Up Ahead Places.

4 Buttons each can be programmed with one operation
The middle 2 + / - have a dual function. Zoom in and out / Zoom in and out faster if long pressed. (ie repeated presses).

So if you programm the middle two buttons , the same function is also applied to the long press. So only 6 options can be programmed.

It used to be that way so that long press zoomed in/out faster. It just repeated the same function automatically. @turbo19 corrected me a couple of posts down - that is no longer the case - you can now program the +/- keys with two functions each if they are not being used for zooming maps in and out. That is a recent change in XT2 System Software.

Buttons on the screen where you are asked for Yes/No - eg Calculate route - have a + or - option on them - so you can answer by tapping the + or - key - the map zoom buttons.

What is nice is that if you program a button to display (say) the Trip data on the right hand side. Press it once , it puts it there, press it again and it removes it - reinstating what was there before.

If you have zoom in and zoom out, then you cannot have the autozoom function enabled - zoomin in when you go slower and out when you go faster.

But no North UP / Track Up option / 3D option

The other one I wouldn't mind is a screenshot button.

[proofresistant]

Info about the Handlebar controller.
Buttons ...

@jfheath thanks again for such a detailed answer.

But let's be honest, Garmi can't be serious.

I have often wished for a controller in the past.
(First reason because Garmin doesn't manage to put reasonably sized touch buttons on the map display that you can touch safely while riding with gloves on without triggering something else, but that's another topic.)

When would I want such a controller?
When I'm driving in the 3D view and want to zoom out on the map to check the route or, for example, deviations or gas stations etc. in the area. Of course, the best way to get an overview is in the 2D North UP view.
After that, may of course, I usually want to go back zooming in to 3D view
Am I so strange now that I have such elementary requirements?

I've been struggling for countless hours now and just don't understand Garmin. This recognized deficit is once again proof that Garmin clearly wants to show me the opposite of “my” real world.

[jfheath]

I've stopped hoping that Garmin are actually going to do anything about the issues that they have introduced ever since they 'improved' upon the 590.

I can make them work for me now, but really the XT2 was so full of promise and fails to deliver straight out of the box. Mind - I have yet installed the recent Tread Update. The waiting excitedly in anticipation of finding that they have fixed something with each release - no, it just isn't there. It's a bit like a 70 year old waiting for Santa to arrive. In fact it is exactly like that.

That's where my handlebar controller came from. Such was my excitement that I think it was April before I actually got it installed on the bike.

I just like to help people find their way through the quagmire.

[proofresistant]

I just like to help people find their way through the quagmire.

You're doing well, keep going

[turbo19]

"So if you programm the middle two buttons , the same function is also applied to the long press. So only 6 options can be programmed."

I think that that's not exactly like this @jfheath . That happens when you program the zoom on the center or external buttons, but If you don't program the zoom on any button, you can have 8 functions.

In case anyone doesn't need the manual zoom (it would be strange with the handlebar controller ).