Zumo User Forums

After 14 years my old Zumo 500 finally gave up the ghost, so I bought a new Zumo XT. Here are my thoughts on various cases that I've tried.
If you want the short version: the winner is this Hama 2.5" hard disk case.

I started with the obvious option, the official Garmin case. It's expensive, but nicely made, hard outer shell with a good layer of soft padding inside, embossed Garmin logo... but it's too big! The Zumo XT rattles around loosely in all 3 directions. I then tried the ebay cases mentioned here. I wasn't completely happy with these either. The smaller case I found to be slightly too small. You can zip it up, but the zip is hard against the corners of the Zumo so you don't have good impact protection at the most vulnerable points. The larger case is the only one I tried that will fit the Zumo with a 3D-printed bumper installed (shown with just the bumper in it in the picture). It's maybe 10mm longer than it needs to be to fit the Zumo with bumper, but spot-on for width and thickness.
The other thing I didn't like so much about these cases is they're made of a very rigid material and have no soft padding layer, so impact protection won't be quite as good. My winner: a Hama case for 2.5" external hard drives, model number 00095521 https://uk.hama.com/i/00095521/hama-e-v ... -2-5-black. It fits like a glove. This case also has no soft padding layer, but the hard shell material is a bit softer and more compressible, so it feels like it will soak up knocks better. I also tried a Hama "Black Bird" soft case for 2.5" hard drives https://uk.hama.com/084127/hama-black-b ... -2-5-black
It fits, but again it's slightly too snug so the padding is squished round the corners. But as a case just to prevent scratches, it works, and when empty it's easier to squash into a pocket than a hard case.

Hi @AndyL
I have a Garmin Zumo XT with a 3D-printed bumper. Previously I used the "Amazon Basics Hard Black Carrying Case for 5-Inch / 12.7 cm Sat Navs"
But now it's small if I use the bumper. Please could you confirm if the case that you show with the bumper is this one?



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183597492228

I too thought the Garmin case was a bit sloppy, so I have gone with your recommendation and ordered the Hama E.V.A. HDD Case, 2.5, black.
I await delivery. Thank you for your research.

This is Amazon Basics

BrAtKo wrote: Thu Apr 06, 2023 8:12 am This is Amazon Basics

AmazonBasics.jpeg

In this case I used before to put the bumper, I think if you don't have a bumper, it's the best option in terms of price/quality.

soso75 wrote: Wed Apr 05, 2023 5:13 pm Please could you confirm if the case that you show with the bumper is this one?



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183597492228

Yes that is the exact same ebay listing that I bought the larger of the two ebay cases from.

AndyL wrote: Thu Apr 06, 2023 11:29 am

soso75 wrote: Wed Apr 05, 2023 5:13 pm Please could you confirm if the case that you show with the bumper is this one?



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183597492228

Yes that is the exact same ebay listing that I bought the larger of the two ebay cases from.

Finally I ordered this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B098T9Z479? ... ct_details



and it's perfect if you use the XT with a bumper.

I wanted to get the hama suggested but i couldnt find a supplier anywhere near me. Amzon wanted £20
I ended up ordering an orico 3.5hdd stackable case its a hard plastic case so should be nice and strong £7
I googled the standard size of the zumo xt and a 3.5 hdd this was the result.

HDD 147mm x 101mm x 26.11mm
Zumo 147mm x 90mm x 25

There looks like their is a foam inlay so i get some wiggle room on the length if need be i can add a thin layer in the bottom to give is a snug fit

This won't help anyone but I can't help sharing that I use an old case whose originally purpose was to hold cassette tapes. It carries a variety of cables as well as the XT manual. I have never been concerned about my XT being securely held in it. The XT is designed to be durable and on the rare cases when I actually use the case when I travel, it isn't subject to being tossed around.

Overall
The case is hard plastic with a foam interior. One clear negative is the latch is very hard to open so you need strong fingers or maybe a modification to make it a bit easier to open. When empty the middle of the case will flex if you push hard the edges wont.
The case will prevent damage to the xt however if dropped on concrete its possible the case will absorb the force by cracking

Size
When you lay the case flat with the Garmin inside the height inside is mm perfect. If you stand the case on its edge and shake it side to side there is no movement of the unit inside.
When you lay the satnav screen down in the case you get a 3mm gap on one end so the case is about 3mm too long
also above the case is a 1cm gap so the case is 1cm too wide this leaves a gap for a cable however if you don't use one a strip of foam put or glued in will take up the space i probably wont bother.

Overall for £7 im very happy with the case and like both the look and how hard it is. If i was using the case daily i might cut off the latch and put an elastic or rubber strap round the box but as is its good.

On a side note about the durability of the zumo xt
before i found this post i was walking around charity shops looking for a case last week and had it in a thick winter sock in my hand. i stepped on a uneven paving slab and twisted my ankle causing me to fall and put both hands out. I was holding the zumo screen down as i fell. To add to this it was just before a crossing and the slabs in front had concrete bobbles to advise blind people they are at a crossing. The zumo landed screen down on the bobbles with my weight on it and i'm not light. I knew it was smashed and pulled it out to find no issues whatsoever. i was amazed