Alternative Zumo antenna/receiver :

[BEER30]

Hey guys , I might have found an alternative antenna/receiver for the zumo (XM only) for around $50.00 plus free shipping. I just ordered it after talking to the tech on which "Off the record" he believes we have a good chance that it will work . As it looks so far , this unit is for indoor use , but if we place it under the fairing or inside weatherproof compartment . We will also have to get an adaptor.extension to connect to zumo's base , as it has a right angle connection . I found one of them and if I remember correctly , they run $18.00 . Even if you have to buy 2 of these , 1 for scoot and 1 for cage , it is still cheaper than the GXM 30 Garmins offers for over $200.00 .

 

It should be here in a few days to where I will attempt to see if it works and pass the news along here and to the tech at where I purchased it . If it doesn't work , the tech said I could return with no problems and if it does work , along with a reveiw/report directly to him , he will consider a group discount for the forum members interested .

 

Until then ,

 

 

Gene

[Guest TFD69]

Gene, please let me know how you make out with the alternate antenna. I have someone interested in the Zumo.

 

I thought the garmin puck was not only an antenna but the reciever as well for the XM radio.

 

Question, questions and still more questions

 

Thanks

[BEER30]

Hopefully the antenna/receiver will come tomorrow . I know actually ditto about XM and have no subscription . The tech told me XM has a free trial with 5 stations to test the unit with . As soon as I find out , I will post .

 

Gene

[BEER30]

Received the antenna/receiver today . I went to connect the pieces together and the mini usb connection was the wrong type . I will call the tech Monday to see if there is an adapter . Still have hope for this !

 

Gene

[BuddyRich]

Hey Gene, did you find an adapter yet? I just bought a Zumo and was wondering how this turned out. Any thing here you can use?

 

http://www.usbgear.com/USB-Adapters.html

 

 

http://www.dcables.net/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=135&gclid=CI3Ki4Xw04kCFQYgYQodKDzu3g

[BEER30]

I'm still on the trail on this . I spoke to the tech to tell him that the usb ends do not match . He is looking into this as well as getting a Zumo himself to see first hand . He also said that he will be checking into dealer pricing on the GXM30 antenna , to see what kinda deal we may possibly get. He has my contact info. and will call me as soon as he comes to a conclusion .

I also called on the two links you provided . One was not really interested and the other did not really know what to do, but did listen in hopes to help.

 

Gene

[Pilot]

Gene I'm also watching this post to see the outcome. I would add the XM to my Zumo but I think the antenna/receiver is a bit to expensive just to listen to XM. I'll just use the MP3 player function of the Zumo for the time being, but I would add XM for a reasonable price. Thanks for looking into this for us and keep us posted.

[dragerman]

I'm still on the trail on this . I spoke to the tech to tell him that the usb ends do not match . He is looking into this as well as getting a Zumo himself to see first hand . He also said that he will be checking into dealer pricing on the GXM30 antenna , to see what kinda deal we may possibly get. He has my contact info. and will call me as soon as he comes to a conclusion .

I also called on the two links you provided . One was not really interested and the other did not really know what to do, but did listen in hopes to help.

 

Gene

Very interesting, I too would be interested in knowing how you make out with the antenna.

 

Here’s one for you, try doing a Google search for ‘XM promo code’. Looks like there may be some deals there too... every little bit helps!

 

Good luck!

[BEER30]

Kinda put it on the back burner there for awhile there guys , as other more important things came about . But I just called my tech guy whom is returning back from VA and will stop by in a few hours to take a look see at what we are trying to accomplish . My 2nd cuz who works for Garmin has been out of country working on airline GPS stuff and had not heard back from him in quite some time .

 

Gene

[Guest driscollms]

Gene, I hope you are right. However, there is more to the Garmin "antenna" than first appears. This is actually the receiver and antenna. The antenna has a unit ID number (like other XM receivers) that is needed to activate the signal. Apparently the Zumo has little more than the software to interface with the antenna. How do I know...well I have one. The Zumo immediately recognized the antenna/receiver. I had to imput the ID number on the XM website for the unit to become active. I hope this helps. I will follow the thread to see how things turn out but the Zumo isn't the piece of equipment that is registered with XM, it is the antenna.

 

Mark

 

Hey guys , I might have found an alternative antenna/receiver for the zumo (XM only) for around $50.00 plus free shipping. I just ordered it after talking to the tech on which "Off the record" he believes we have a good chance that it will work . As it looks so far , this unit is for indoor use , but if we place it under the fairing or inside weatherproof compartment . We will also have to get an adaptor.extension to connect to zumo's base , as it has a right angle connection . I found one of them and if I remember correctly , they run $18.00 . Even if you have to buy 2 of these , 1 for scoot and 1 for cage , it is still cheaper than the GXM 30 Garmins offers for over $200.00 .

 

It should be here in a few days to where I will attempt to see if it works and pass the news along here and to the tech at where I purchased it . If it doesn't work , the tech said I could return with no problems and if it does work , along with a reveiw/report directly to him , he will consider a group discount for the forum members interested .

 

Until then ,

 

 

Gene

[BEER30]

Mark ,

What I have in possesion is the XM Mini-Tuner CNP-2000H . From what I understand , it is the receiver and antenna for home compatiable units . There is a car docking version of it as well. The XM Mini-Tuner is what requires the subscription , just plug it into the docking station and loop it through the Zumo's controls . The Mini-Tuner has the XM Radio ID . Just that I have to find a Mini-B male to a B Female connection , plus the right angle extension cable . Finding a Mini-B to a B Female is the issue . My eyes are getting too tired to solder something that small , as fine as these wires are .

 

Gene

[Guest driscollms]

Ok, I didn't realize you were refering to the Mini-Tuner. It will be interesting to see if this works.

 

Mark

 

Mark ,

What I have in possesion is the XM Mini-Tuner CNP-2000H . From what I understand , it is the receiver and antenna for home compatiable units . There is a car docking version of it as well. The XM Mini-Tuner is what requires the subscription , just plug it into the docking station and loop it through the Zumo's controls . The Mini-Tuner has the XM Radio ID . Just that I have to find a Mini-B male to a B Female connection , plus the right angle extension cable . Finding a Mini-B to a B Female is the issue . My eyes are getting too tired to solder something that small , as fine as these wires are .

 

Gene

[BuddyRich]

Can you get the navtraffic and weather on it? Is it weather proof?

[BEER30]

Can you get the navtraffic and weather on it? Is it weather proof?

 

That's a good question ! Water-proof , I doubt it . But I plan on mounting the antenna in the fairing or stretch a condom over it .

Honestly I do not know . I personally am not interested in the navtraffic , I can drive the shoulder of the road if needed :rotf: . Weather , I just figured I would tune into a local station or veiw it on the Weather Channel before a trip or at a motel room during a trip . Ttruck stop cafes usually have the weather channel going , so periodly stops could inform me . But if ya ride with Muffinman , it's sun shiney all the way .

I just got back from my tech's shop , ordered the adapters and still need to order the Zumo GXM30 right angle extension , where they are everywhere and not hard to get . Now it's time to waite till the items come in and start testing .

 

Gene

[bikerscape]

I saw on another site where a guy bought the Garmin 376C instead of the Zumo 550 and it has some great weather displays -- with road overlays where you could see the route to take to avoid the weather. I think he pays 30 bucks a month for the weather service though.

 

Under marine but has an auto kit and comes with the antenna. Check out the weather displays.

 

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=325&locale=en_US

 

See real-time weather on the 376C's high-resolution TFT with the included GXM 30 XM antenna and a subscription to XM Satellite Weather and Radio services. View vital weather data, including NEXRAD radar, storm cells, wind speeds, surface temperatures, forecasts and more than a dozen other weather attributes, so you can enjoy the water without worrying about the weather. You can also subscribe to XM Satellite Radio to receive over 100 channels of commercial-free music, sports, news and talk radio.

[BEER30]

AAAAH , I think I will save my 30 Bucks a month , use my nation wide free long distance cellphone plan , call my wife and tell her to flip over to the Weather Channel and give me a report . Unless my job wants to pay for the plan , I'll pass on that . Save the money for more gas and tires .

 

 

Gene

[bikerscape]

Yep, I won't pay that kind of money every month either !