5 GHz Wi-Fi

For help and advice on the Garmin Zumo XT3 and XT3s
proofresistant
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Re: 5 GHz Wi-Fi

Post by proofresistant »

@danham
Okay, this is again off topic from my actual 5 GHz issue, but your post from your "workaround" confirms that it can definitely make sense to use Wi-Fi.
I myself had to transfer a map update via Wi-Fi also once, because Express kept crashing erenntly during Map installation, and I recently read the same thing in other forum, even though it seems to work more reliably via USB in most cases.

[@Anyone else]
One more please: don't start discussing USB standards here in this 5 GHz topic, especially not after one or two Google hits.
The topic usb, standard vs specials vs restrictions vs provided features, is complex and we've already discussed it here several times in several threads also.


Back to the topic:
Does anyone have experience with 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
Does it work, and can a 5 GHz network be found?
Has anyone explicitly searched for 5 GHz but only found 2.4 GHz?
Is there a Zumo-specific trick or underlying Wi-Fi setting (besides visible or invisible SSID) that allows a 5 GHz network to be found?
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Re: 5 GHz Wi-Fi

Post by Peobody »

It is interesting how varying our experiences are. I agree with @lkraus about keeping wi-fi disabled. Notable is that my one experience with a map update over wi-fi was bad. I have since done updates solely with a PC connection and GE. @danham has had the opposite experience. My PCs (laptops) are hardwired to my home LAN. Don't know whether this has any influence on the PC vs. wi-fi experience.

As for 5G versus 2.4G, 5G was unreliable, adding an extender helped but slowed it down noticeably. I eventually just disabled it at the router. We still need 2.4G.
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zūmo XT linked to Cardo Packtalk Bold and iPhone SE.
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Re: 5 GHz Wi-Fi

Post by twowheelstom »

the Zumo XT does not support 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks. When connecting your zūmo XT to a Wi-Fi network for map updates or software downloads, you must ensure you are using a 2.4 GHz connection.
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Re: 5 GHz Wi-Fi

Post by twowheelstom »

For the best, most stable connection to Garmin services, a 2.4 GHz network is required.
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Re: 5 GHz Wi-Fi

Post by proofresistant »

Peobody wrote: Thu Mar 05, 2026 4:10 pm ... As for 5G versus 2.4G, 5G was unreliable, ...
“5G was unreliable” for your other devices, clients, or even for the zumo device as well?
I'm asking because I can't even see 5 GHz on the zumo XT2 (Tread 2), so I definitely can't use 5 GHz generally in my observations.


twowheelstom wrote: Thu Mar 05, 2026 4:19 pm the Zumo XT does not support 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks. When connecting your zūmo XT to a Wi-Fi network for map updates or software downloads, you must ensure you are using a 2.4 GHz connection.
I really don't understand this contradictory statement.
How can I ensure that 2.4 GHz is used if 5 GHz cannot be used at all?
And where do you get your certainty from when you write that the Zumo XT does not support 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks?
So, are you referring to the old zumo XT or the newer zumo XT3?
I originally asked whether 5 GHz works with the zumo XT3. The XT2 and Tread 2 would also be interesting, but I'm less interested in the old XT.



Back to the topic (again) :ugeek:
I just have adjusted my wording to make it a little more clearer.:
;-)
  • Does anyone have experience with zumo XT2 or XT3 or Tread 2 and using 5 GHz Wi-Fi ?
  • Does 5 GHz Wi-Fi work with zumo XT2 or XT3 or Tread 2, and can a 5 GHz network be found from those devices?
  • Has anyone explicitly searched for a 5 GHz 5 GHz Wi-Fi network with tthose Garmin Devices and only found 2.4 GHz Networks like me?
  • Is there a Zumo-specific trick or underlying Wi-Fi setting (besides visible or invisible SSID) that allows a 5 GHz network to be found from zumo devices?
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Re: 5 GHz Wi-Fi

Post by rbentnail »

lkraus wrote: Thu Mar 05, 2026 12:03 am Personally, I've blocked wi-fi because I do not want to risk an unexpected update. A new map can force your planned routes to recalculate when loaded.
I too blocked wifi except at home for updates. I got tired of the XT looking for updates every time I pulled up somewhere with wifi and I turned it off. I don't know if it would update without an input from me but I got leery of it just looking.
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Re: 5 GHz Wi-Fi

Post by proofresistant »

I have since been informed through another channel that the zumo XT3 also works with 5GHz Wi-Fi fine :-) :-) :-)

PS
All other information regarding the usefulness or uselessness of Wi-Fi usage was, is, and remains irrelevant to the question :roll:
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Re: 5 GHz Wi-Fi

Post by Peobody »

proofresistant wrote: Sat Mar 07, 2026 6:27 pm I have since been informed through another channel that the zumo XT3 also works with 5GHz Wi-Fi fine :-) :-) :-)
"Fine" if you have solid 5GHz Wi-Fi. Most of us were pointing out that we didn't. Even if our devices were capable of using 5GHz Wi-Fi, it was unlikely that they would work fine.
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