Garmin Zumo recommendation

Dave Lawrence

Joined
Oct 21, 2011
Messages
1
Location
North Bend, OH
Now that Garmin tells me that there will be no further map support I think it's time to retire my Garmin StreetPilot 2610. What is the groups wisdom on the relative merits of the Zumo 550, 660 and 665. Is it worth the extra $150 for the XM radio and other goodies? Is there an issue with sun glare with either or all? And finally, is the motorcycle mount supplied with the Zumo compatible with a RAM mount?
I have read some reviews for the 665 that complain of problems with the XM receiver becoming disabled. This requires a "hard reset" to get XM feature back in operation which also removes data such as favorite routes, etc. Has anyone had these issues with the 665? All input will be greatly appreciated. Dave
 
Dave,

I have had a 550 for a couple of months now. The reason(s) I went with this versus a less expensive option were weatherproof, ability to use without taking my gloves off, mp3 player (into Sena headset), can use in the car with included mount.

XM wasn't something I could justify the cost of the antenna and the subscription.

Glare hasn't been a problem to me. The mount that comes with the 550 is a RAM product, so yes it will.

There have been some owners that have had to replace the digitizer (touch screen). I couldn't tell you if all will need this over time or if it is more isolated to a few units.

So far I have been happy with the performance of it even though the route out of my neighborhood is always in question.
 
I am also interested in this subject. I have a lifetime map subscription for my 2720. I am not aware of discontinuing maps for that device. My screen has a bit of moisture under the lens that never seems to go away, but always works. Does Garmin have any kind of policy about the lifetime subscription if they stop supporting the unit? Will they transfer the update subscription to a new device, since dropping the device is their decision?
 
I looked at the Zumo series when I retired my Street Pilot ColorMap III and ended up going with the NUVI 550 (not Zumo).
Reasons for my choice are:
-Waterproof- same as the Zumo.
-Costs 1/3 the price of a Zumo.
-Garmin mc bracket that works with RAM mounting with direct connection for power from the battery. Also a RAM bracket and mount made for this model is desired.
-Works well with winter gloves on.
-Plenty bright enough display in full sun and glare is not a problem.
-Maps of all of USA and Canada and enough memory for additional maps if desired.
-SD slot under battery.
-Removable/replaceable battery.
-Priced WAY less than a Zumo for all of the same features I want.
-I don't need audio or BT phone connect from my GPS since I have that taken care of by other devices already. I use a Scala Rider Q2 with BT to my phone and I have a mp3 player that works for me just fine.
-I don't need turn by turn voice while riding the bike since I found that more distracting than helpful. I do *sometimes* use that in the car.
-comes with suction cup mount and plate and DC plug for using in the car. I use this in both my cars. On the plate on dash in the Murano and on the windshield in the Corolla.
-Did I mention it costs a lot less than a Zumo?

Just another option that is available. Zumo is not the only game in town for a mc usable GPS device. I have Lifetime map updates on it now and use it all the time when travelling or even just finding some place I haven't been to in town.
 
My 276C failed mid-trip. Not much available for immediate purchase. Nothing waterproof. I bought a Nuvi 1450T, on sale at Radio Shack. It has a good size screen. It worked fairly well for the rest of the trip. If I set the volume on high, under 40 MPH, I could hear the spoken directions. In heavy traffic I found this very helpful. Over 40 if I heard the noise it reminded me to look at the screen.

I'm looking at the Zumo as a permanent fix. The larger screen is a plus. A built in speaker would suffice instead of bluetooth.

With the Nuvi in rain I put the plastic bag it was shipped in over it. It worked and allowed use of the touch screen.

I'll follow this thread and post what I learn.

Len
 
I have the Zumo 550 and have been running it for about 4 years now. I really like the unit. Glare has not been a problem for me either. I use it on both my ST and my GL1800. On the ST I have a Heli-bars III setback on my handlebars and it comes with a Powerlet and ramball. I use the ram for mounting the unit and the Powerlet for powering it. See my albums for some pictures of my setup. I have a J&M CB (dual) and run the sound of the MP3 from the Zumo through my headset. I don't use the directional voice, as I find that distracting. Many in my Gold Wing group have the same unit, so it is easy to share routes when going on a ride.

I have a cheapy Nuvi 765C I got from Sam's Club. The one major thing I don't like about it is the auto-route function, and the inability to turn that off. With the Zumo, if you make a wrong turn and don't want re-routing, you can see where your original route is, but not have the unit do a re-route, unless you set it up that way. Sometimes even though you have a route, you may want to go off route, yet continue to see where your original course is.

If my Zumo crapped out today, I would go and get another one ASAP.
 
I've had the Zumo 550 since 07ish. I've replaced the screen once, but that was a very easy self repair. Other than that, no real problems and really like it a lot.

<D>
 
rjs987 said:
I looked at the Zumo series...and ended up going with the NUVI 550 (not Zumo)
Click to expand...

+1 Unfortunately, the first time I removed it from the mount it slipped out of my hand and landed squarely on the display, cracking it in the process. So I bought another one. I've used it for a couple years now in pouring rain and otherwise without a single issue. I'll load up a SD card with music before I pay an extra $400 for a ZUMO and $12/mo for XM. But if you got it, spend it... and keep the economy going!
 
I started with a Garmin Quest2, and soon sold that to a buddy so I could get a "remanufactured" Zumo 450 ... which has operated flawlessly. Then I upgraded to the Zumo 550 for the NavWeather option, along with XM radio ... and the MP3 feature is handy among the twisties where the XM reception pops in & out. I kept the Zumo 450 as a back-up unit. The only issue I've had with the 550 is an occasional "battery remove/reinsert" reboot. Nowadays, I've got a hankering for a Zumo 665, so I'm eager to hear from 665 owners.
 
My one complaint with my Zumo550 came when I wanted to update my map. After downloading all night, and installing all sorts of programs on my PC to facilitate this process, I get the message that there is no room for the lower 48 map, new version, and do I want to download East?

So now, I no longer have the full US available, and will have to make special PIA downloads if I want to ride west of the Mississippi.

You need to convince Zumo that you are smarter by really nailing down the route you create on a computer mapping program before downloading the .gpx file to the Zumo.

Other than that, I like it, and it works well in the car mount.
 
TomStickler said:
My one complaint with my Zumo550 came when I wanted to update my map. After downloading all night, and installing all sorts of programs on my PC to facilitate this process, I get the message that there is no room for the lower 48 map, new version, and do I want to download East?

So now, I no longer have the full US available, and will have to make special PIA downloads if I want to ride west of the Mississippi.

You need to convince Zumo that you are smarter by really nailing down the route you create on a computer mapping program before downloading the .gpx file to the Zumo.

Other than that, I like it, and it works well in the car mount.
Click to expand...

Tom - When you went to download the update, are you sure you didn't get all of North America?

You have the option of saving all of NA to your computer and install what you need off of that. The 550 does not have enough memory to put all of NA into it. That is why it is split into sections.

When I first tried the download, I was under the impression that you are giving - that you only can get 1/2 of the US. But there the option to download all of it. You can put the maps onto an SD card and it should be usable off of that if I remember correctly.

If you didn't get all of the maps, you may want to go back and try the update again if you are still within the time parameters.
 
In looking over the 550 and 660 I see pluses and minuses to both. On my 276 I could have the GPS show and save my riding track. I could then edit the track and save the best roads and download them to share. Can I do this on the Zumo?

On the 276 I could have the screen show information. I favored bike DC Volts, MPH, Altitude and distance to next turn. Will the Zumo do this?

Len
 
lenparkin said:
In looking over the 550 and 660 I see pluses and minuses to both. On my 276 I could have the GPS show and save my riding track. I could then edit the track and save the best roads and download them to share. Can I do this on the Zumo?
Click to expand...
Yes, plus share route maps on the road if both users employ the same type of SD card (standard SD vs. micro-SD).

lenparkin said:
On the 276 I could have the screen show information. I favored bike DC Volts, MPH, Altitude and distance to next turn. Will the Zumo do this?
Click to expand...
Not on the 450 & 550. I have read this is possible on the 665 ,,, don't know about the 660. I don't believe the Zumo series will display DC volts.
 
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