Zumo User Forums

Does the zumo XT3 now also support (at least) 5 GHz Wi-Fi?

It's about time to say goodbye to 2.4 GHz

According to the online manual:

EU wireless frequencies and transmit power

2400 - 2483,5 MHz: < 20dBm

5150 - 5250 MHz: < 23dBm

5250 - 5350 MHz: < 23dBm

5470 - 5725 MHz: < 23dBm

5725 - 5850 MHz: < 23dBm

EU SAR

A05115: < 0,411 W/kg limb, < 0,411 W/kg torso

A05116: < 0,429 W/kg limb, < 0,429 W/kg torso

I'm in no hurry to get rid of 2.4 GHz; it works at greater distances from the access point and penetrates walls more easily.

There is not much point in having fast wi-fi for a Zumo. The only thing it can be used for is updates, and 2.4GHz is already faster than the Garmin servers. 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.

Something similar, but slightly less, is also mentioned in the German zumo XT2 or Tread 2 online documentation.


zumo XT2
Funkfrequenzen und Übertragungsleistung
2,4 GHz bei 17,6 dBm (maximal)
5,1 GHz bei 17,4 dBm (maximal)
5,2 GHz bei 21,3 dBm (maximal)

Tread 2 also]
Funkfrequenzen und Übertragungsleistung
2,4 GHz bei 14,4 dBm (maximal)
5,1 GHz bei 17 dBm (maximal)
5,7 GHz bei 8,3 dBm (maximal)



But I can't find either of the two aforementioned 5GHz Wi-Fi networks on my own Wi-Fi.

Or am I doing something wrong?
I'll ask again in the XT2 section later

...

lkraus wrote: Thu Mar 05, 2026 12:03 am I'm in no hurry to get rid of 2.4 GHz; it works at greater distances from the access point and penetrates walls more easily.

You're right about that, but that's about it, in my perhaps very personal opinion.

lkraus wrote: Thu Mar 05, 2026 12:03 am I'm in noThere is not much point in having fast wi-fi for a Zumo.
The only thing it can be used for is updates, and 2.4GHz is already faster than the Garmin servers.
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.

OK, but especially when updating maps, 5GHz can make a huge difference, 5GHz is a big added value.
And the performance of the Garmin servers seems to varies. I have read about very fast transfer rates from other users.
But if someone don't do it via Wi-Fi, that's fine too, for him.
I don't think that there is the risk you mentioned, i am nearly sure, the Zumos or Treads devices do anything automatically. Whenever I checked, there were updates, I always had to initiate them manually.
I like to run map updates in the background at night—why is another topic—but in any case, the PC is turned off.

But then there's a more important point.
The 2.4 GHz is outdated, especially in terms of security. You'll be searching for a long time to find WPA3 on the 2.4 GHz band.
For this reason, I would prefer to completely disable 2.4 GHz throughout my entire Wi-Fi network.

proofresistant wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2026 11:17 pm
It's about time to say goodbye to 2.4 GHz

the major advantage that 2.4 GHz has over 5G is with distance and obstacles
2.4G has a greater ability to reach a greater signal distance than the 5G and also 2.4G wave signals pass through walls and obstacles with less signal losses, with %G you get greater speed but at the expense of total distance reached and obstacle signal loss, especially if your router is inside a building and your device is outside, or between devices that are outside where distance becomes a factor, here the 2.4G has the advantage

For fun:
There are many reasons for hiking on your own two feet, such as the fact that you can get almost anywhere on foot and that it is healthier, for example.
Nevertheless, I appreciate the advantages of further development and now tend to take a car or even a motorcycle, even though there are more than enough disadvantages.

But now, joking aside:

It's not for nothing that the whole world is now moving towards 5GHz or even 6 GHz WiFi, probably because the advantages outweigh the disadvantages

But seriously, let's stick with 5 GHz WiFi in this thread.
Does 5GHz work with your zumo navigation systems for anyone?
If so, is it perhaps dependent on the state/area?
Or what can I do to make 5 GHz Wi-Fi work for me?
Maybe disable WPA3? But that wouldn't be an acceptable solution either.

for zumo unit map updates, why not just use the cable cord to zumo unit and not wifi

twowheelstom wrote: Thu Mar 05, 2026 11:59 am for zumo unit map updates, why not just use the cable cord to zumo unit and not wifi

Firstly, that's not the answer to my 5GHz question.
Secondly, you need a PC for that.
Thirdly, it has already crashed my zumo twice, at least the maps, because Windows decided to reboot during the update process, either because of updates or for some other reason.

As I had been joking, it also works in the same way as “hiking on your own two feet” or whatever, but that's not the question for me now

I'm just interested in experiences with 5GHz now.

Not to contradict your valid reasons for preferring 5gHz, but this thread may be of interest as I was able to use what I assume (XT, not 2 or 3) is 2.4gHz WiFi for a rapid, successful map update when USB was failing me.

viewtopic.php?t=3597

-dan

on your link you mention having to use a powered USB Hub that worked better
so i googled and found this here below
(i copy/paste)

A powered USB hub typically does not "boost" or increase the voltage beyond the standard USB specification, but rather ensures a stable 5V DC supply to all connected devices, preventing voltage sag.

Instead of raising the voltage, the primary purpose of a powered hub is to increase the available current (amperage) and total wattage, allowing multiple devices to draw up to their maximum rated power simultaneously, which a computer's port cannot do on its own.

(end of copy)
which reminds me of years ago in an office with Pc computers in a ring network, they had to boost up the signals by installing a computer booster within the network ring to make the signal sent from the 1 computer in the ring to keep moving along the ring

these 5 volt USB-A posts on PC computers can only push the electicity only so far along the cable 10 feet or less