Do You Have Screen Issues with Your Garmin Zumo? Here's the Fix.

[R Doug]

Are you like me?  Is your Zumo going on the fritz with the touchsceen having a mind of it's own?  The common symptoms include the following:

*  Touchscreen buttons light up but refuse to function. After that the screen becomes locked.

*  Messages appear as though you have touched the screen, but you haven't.

*  Map scrolling becomes erratic or locks up.

Well, after a little time on the internet, I found out I was not alone and neither are you.  So, how do you fix it?

I found out there are two options.  

1)  Call Garmin and set up for a replacement at the cost of $150.00 + shipping.  Using this option, you will send your broken Zumo to Garmin on your dime and they will ship you a factory refurbished unit with a short warranty.  

Or 2), you can purchase a new digitizer and fixed the unit yourself.  

If you go with option #2, you'll first need to purchase a Garmin Zumo digitizer replacement.

Digitizer alone = $15.99
http://www.keepingtouch.com/lcd-touc...tile_p595.html

Display and Digitizer unit= $$26.58
http://www.keepingtouch.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&inc_sub cat=1&search_in_description=1&zenid=57gt8lkd2h6dt4 7g2mlcmas706&categories_id=&keyword=zumo+display

Finally, you can get excellent instructions on how to replace the digitizer from the resources below.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=528905

[Mastros2]

I'm wondering if this is model specific. Been having some similar issues with my 765.  

[Andrew]

Nice to know, Thanks

[cbsnbiker]

I have not had these issues with my 220. I hope it stays that way.  

[R Doug]

I'm not sure if the digitizer issue is limited to the Zumos or not.  I can say that I've had this Zumo since 2007 and it's been on nearly every bike I've owned including my off road bike.  It's been a pretty durable unit.  

[ConPilot1]

It's been a pretty durable unit.  

My 450 has been very trouble free for three years now. Locks up every now and then but just the old double button push reset fixes that.

[Cablebandit]

While I like the idea of touchscreens, this is one of the big drawbacks for using them on a bike.  Not to mention they are not nearly as bright as the older models.  I just broke down and bought a Montana 600 and while the screen is bright (for a touchscreen model) it's not nearly as bright as my old 60CS.  I also wonder how long until the screen is all messed up from micro-scratching.

[RBEmerson]

Micro-scratching is one reason why a screen protector is a good thing.  Pull the old one, put a new one on, end of old scratches.  

[Cablebandit]

However, they make the screen brightness even less.  There are also reports of some of the screen protectors peeling the film off the GPS when you try to remove them.

[Bryan217]

I've had my Zumo for a few years now and never had a problem. I love it.

That being said, after having iPhones for a couple years, they make the Zumo look and feel like crap. For the money, Zumos should have much brighter, more responsive screens, and better looking maps (like almost any GPS app).

[mxvet57]

Crap i wish i knew about this 2 years ago when i poped for the $140 dollar replacement.

I should order one just to have on hand if it brakes in the future.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Mine did it also it turned out to be dirt between the screen and housing on the edges.  I could have taken it apart and fixed it but wouldn't have been able to return it for a refurb unit so I spent 150 bucks plus shipping and you get a practically brand new unit back in the mail.  Not a big deal to me but the OPs fix is way cheaper that's for sure.

[Mastros2]

 I just broke down and bought a Montana 600 and while the screen is bright (for a touchscreen model) it's not nearly as bright as my old 60CS.  

Are you going to share a review?  

That being said, after having iPhones for a couple years, they make the Zumo look and feel like crap. For the money, Zumos should have much brighter, more responsive screens, and better looking maps (like almost any GPS app).

Looks like the all in one cell/gps unit is going to be in the very near future.  I know there are apps that can do almost everything but I really like the route planning that Mapsource gives me.

[Bryan217]

Looks like the all in one cell/gps unit is going to be in the very near future.  I know there are apps that can do almost everything but I really like the route planning that Mapsource gives me.

As much as I like my iPhone, I can't see using it as my primary GPS, at least on the bike. I use Goggle Maps rather than Mapsource, but I agree, I love the custom routing capability. Unless/until the GPS apps for the iPhone get to that level, I still have a use for my Zumo.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I tried to do a few GPS apps to use my cell phone as my sole device on the bike.  I was unimpressed using multiple apps.  The refresh rate seems to be too slow to use for anything other than walking or maybe bicycles.  That's on a 3GS not sure if the newer iPhones have better GPS chipsets or not though.  

[R Doug]

IMO the Zumo is much better than cell phones.  As for now, it's waterproof, more robust if dropped (i.e. no glass), is programmable via my PC, and doesn't need a cell signal to work.  Also, if I ever have an off, the cell phone will be in my pocket and not mounted to my bike.  While it's no guarantee I would be able to use it after a get off, I'd rather have it on me than on the bike.  

[Cablebandit]

Looks like the all in one cell/gps unit is going to be in the very near future.  I know there are apps that can do almost everything but I really like the route planning that Mapsource gives me.

Jump into the new Millenium man.  Mapsource is no longer supported by Garmin.  Basecamp is the wave of the future.  

[jeepinbanditrider]

I can still use my Mapsource with my new maps    They just won't be updating or supporting the software but you can still use your new maps in it.  Basecamp doesn't seem too bad right now.

[Mastros2]

Jump into the new Millenium man.  Mapsource is no longer supported by Garmin.  Basecamp is the wave of the future.  

One day I'll go mac, one day! So far, we have been running windows 7 with minimal issues (cross fingers).

[R Doug]

I love my BaseCamp.