590/595 Compare

[kernowing]

I'm thinking of buying either a 590 or 595. Based on users experiences, what are the main differences either good or bad? Do both use the same bike mount?
I think that @Stu has one or the other.
Thanks, Pete.

[Stu]

I used to have the 590 and a mate has the 595

Both fit on the same mount both are pretty much the same to be honest nothing on the 595 stands out as a must have. They are the same unit just different software

But I would recommend an xt over both of them to be honest

[kernowing]

I used to have the 590 and a mate has the 595

Both fit on the same mount both are pretty much the same to be honest nothing on the 595 stands out as a must have. They are the same unit just different software

But I would recommend an xt over both of them to be honest

Thanks for the reply Stu, I'm torn between a 590/595 and an XT but seeing all the problem posts relating to the XT has pushed me towards a 590

[jfheath]

I have a 590 which is currently running the 595 software.

I like the additional features on the 595.

Years back, when I first switched my 590 to use 595 software, I started writing up the differences between them, but I never finished it. But what I have written picks out most of the nice features.

I can't include a copy of the pdf file on this site, but I might be able to add screenshots..... Yes I can.

Its not written as a comparison - it is written looking at the features of the 595 and commenting. In many cases the 590 had a similar feature. The 595 improved on these.

One other addition that springs to mind is Garmin Adventurous routing - which is an improvement over the Curvy Roads that I think the 590 had. With adventurous routing you could set each of three criteria to one of three settings.

Edit route instead of Skip route point. Allows you to select from the next Via Point and names it or the next shaping point and names that.
Adventurous routing
Spotify control via Smartphone - although I understand that this no longer functions as a result of changes at Spotify's end.
Live Track - set it up, and when you start a route it will inform nominated people where your track log can be viewed in psuedo real time.
Photo Live shows live image captures of major road junctions.

Screen shots below are all from the 595.

I still have my 595/590 as well as the XT. I can rely on the 590 and 595 to behave in a very predictable manner when navigating and when I have to deviate from the plotted route. I cannot say the same for the XT.

The 590/5 has cable connections as well as BT. The XT has only BT, but the XT has a much brighter screen, reliable battery and built in speaker for use in hand.

[kernowing]

An excellent post @jfheath thank you. Given your observations, would you agree that the 595 would be a better choice if the price was comparable?

[biz]

I have two 590s, both running 595 firmware, and I prefer the 595 firmware to the 590.

[jfheath]

I described a scenario related to XT routing at this point. I've moved it because it is more relevant to the XT forum, but if you want to see it as it relates to a query in this thread, the moved post is here:

viewtopic.php?t=2030

The answer to the question is moved with the post, but I have duplicated it here:

It isn't for me to advise, but I would not recommend the XT to anyone for serious navigation. It is good fun to play with, and it has a brilliant screen and a lot of very usable features. Navigation from route point to route point after encountering a closed road doesn't appear to me to be one of them. I like the 595 and have mine set up as a 595 for the majority of the time. If I am going to places new to me - I'll have the XT on the dash where the pillion can see our progress, but the 595 is positioned between the bars as a faithful standby.

And if you don't like the 595 and want the ultra-reliability of the 590, then its a 5 minute job to switch the software. (I've only done it to and from an original 590 though). I quite like it as a 595 though. I think the software that I acquired is a USA version as it does not switch to portrait mode ... not that I want to.

[jfheath]

Another comment regarding the Zumo 590 and Zumo 595.

A Feature that the 590 has that I have not seen on any other Zumo.
The ability to organise the trips into date order. Not just sort - but organise them.

Here's an example. Click the link to see the full size image. Clearly I have combined a number of screen shots in portrait view to obtain this list.

590 Full Ordered Trip List.png (71.99 KiB) Viewed 5297 times

Today is November the 30th. The trips in the trip list are all set with the date of departure set for the Via Point at the start of the route.
The list shows all of the trips which are planned with a start date in the future - the soonest one first. (So 1 Sep to 11 Sep 2023).

The Past trips are sensibly shown in reverse date order, so the most recent route is shown at the top.

Below that are the routes for which I have not set a date.

This list is dynamic. If today was the 1st Septmeber 2023, then I would be riding the route at the top of the list. Silsden to Dumfries.
Tomorrow, that would be at the top of the PAst Trips list, and 06 Tomintoul would be at the top of the Forthcoming Trips.

Now why didn't they keep this for the 595 or the XT ???
(Although the list will still sort into date order if you set the date of departure for the start point. Annoyingly, you cannot do this on the XT. You have to do it in Basecamp.)