just caught this on CNET
http://ces.cnet.com/8301-19167_1-10134143-100.html
What's interesting is the 660 is MSRP at $799.00 while the 550 is at $964.27.
No XM® Navtraffic & Radio!!
No XM® Navtraffic & Radio!!
No XM® Navtraffic & Radio!!Yep, noticed that too, and what is this function?, and this sounds interesting...
You are right.. It looks like those features are gone.. That's not good >:(
Even on the 550, the lack of screen vertically was more of a problem...adding to the width of the screen does not help me as much...
I guess on SEUC the lack of XM is no biggie, but I was hoping for a better weather solution.... :smilie_daumenneg:
The best weather solution to date is the GPSMAP478. Real time NEXRAD weather superimposed on the map. Just ask Duane.Better then this??
new multiple routing feature that will give you a preview of the shortest, fastest, and off road route so you can choose from one of three options
Click -> here (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=133&compareProduct=15000&compareProduct=414) <- to see side by side comparison of the Zumo 550 - Zumo 660.Looking at that it seems to me that because of the larger screen and higher resolution, one should be able to see a significantly larger portion of the map with more zoom comfort as well. The only thing missing is XM.
:pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
:fireman:
Well newer isn't always better.
Maybe this is the first in a Zumo replacement line, like a 670 or 680 or whatever, that will have the XM and Traffic/Weather for $1100 or more, which is even more than they get for the 550!!! ;)
Hoist! 8)
I'm not too familiar with the NAVs, but my hubby and I have been eyeing them for months. Is the 550 and the 660 worth the extra bucks?660 was just released yesterday and is not yet available for sale so can't really speak on how it's going to be in the real world. The 550 has been out for several years and many of us here use it and have found them to be reliable, and worth the expense. If you don't need one right away you may want to wait until the 660's become available to the public and some reviews can get posted, if you want to do something right away I would suggest the 550.
660 was just released yesterday and is not yet available for sale so can't really speak on how it's going to be in the real world. The 550 has been out for several years and many of us here use it and have found them to be reliable, and worth the expense. If you don't need one right away you may want to wait until the 660's become available to the public and some reviews can get posted, if you want to do something right away I would suggest the 550.Gary, would you happen to know if anyone makes gps for bikes that include real time weather radar?? I held off on the 550 hoping for that in the next gen Zumo ..... but ..... well here we are :nixweiss: :drink:
IMO from what I'm hearing so far with the differences between the units I would not upgrade to a 660.
:pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
:fireman:
Gary, would you happen to know if anyone makes gps for bikes that include real time weather radar?? I held off on the 550 hoping for that in the next gen Zumo ..... but ..... well here we are :nixweiss: :drink:Howie,
Howie,Thanks, I would think that would be a given for a bike. Guess there's not much of a demand for it or that feature would be more prevalent.
Garmin 478 comes to mind, but not sure that's the right model or not. If Porthole (Duane) or Hard10 (AJ) see this they will be able to give you the correct model but there is one that does that I believe. This specific model I don't think was made for motorcycles, but I believe it is marine grade which would make it waterproof. :nixweiss:
:pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
:fireman:
Howie,
Garmin 478 comes to mind, but not sure that's the right model or not. If Porthole (Duane) or Hard10 (AJ) see this they will be able to give you the correct model but there is one that does that I believe. This specific model I don't think was made for motorcycles, but I believe it is marine grade which would make it waterproof. :nixweiss:
:pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
:fireman:
Howie, the model 478 and 378 are marine units that have real time weather capabilities. Being that these are marine units, they come with marine charts preloaded. The 478 is for Coastal Waterways while the 378 is for Inland Lakes. Both accept the GXM 30 which will allow you for a monthly fee to receive XM NEXRAD weather. You can also receive XM radio for a fee. The cheapest weather subscription is $29.99 per month (called the Fisherman subscription) so it's a little expensive. However, it is invaluable in certain instances.Thanks AJ!! To me, on a bike over the road, it seems like a weather radar is a no brainer. $30 a month seems a little much however. Do they require an annual subscription or can it be seasonal (monthly).
Thanks AJ!! To me, on a bike over the road, it seems like a weather radar is a no brainer. $30 a month seems a little much however. Do they require an annual subscription or can it be seasonal (monthly).
I guess on SEUC the lack of XM is no biggie, but I was hoping for a better weather solution.... :smilie_daumenneg:
Actually, it is. I you are listening to XM on the HK radio, and using the GPS on the Zumo at the same time, the GPS won't cut in on the XM radio to give you the turn by turn. If you are using both through the Zumo, then you will have the cut in for the directions. So, actually, it is a big deal. Someone can correct me if I am wrong on this, but I think that's how it works.
Thanks AJ!! To me, on a bike over the road, it seems like a weather radar is a no brainer. $30 a month seems a little much however. Do they require an annual subscription or can it be seasonal (monthly).
to the 660, I may try and wait for the expected price reductions to the 550 as seen with the phase out of the 450. What would you do???
You seem to be convincing yourself to stay with the 550.
If you liked it, the different format of the 660 may not be what you are looking for.
Over the years of using a variety of navigation equipment (marine) I found that the first units I learned to use were the format and use style that I stuck with.
Same with the modern portable GPS units.
Although almost everyone that has a Zumo 550 raves about them, I don't care for the way it works or the user interface. But, my first portable was the Garmin 276c, learned how to use it, learned all the features and that is the reason I stayed with the Garmin 478 over the 550 I got a great deal on to try out.
Since the Garmin 478 was brought up above, on these units you have the option of the verbal instructions being announced as in they can be turned off.
Although what you can't do yet is adjust the verbal instructions and XM volumes independently. The voice announcement is a bit louder then the XM and a bit annoying in that aspect.
Unfortunately, I may be the guinea pig. My 07 Chevy Avalanche was broken into this week and among many other things taken was my beloved Zumo 550 hidden deep in the console. Any Chevy owners with an Avalanche type door handle be warned ---- very easy to manipulate. An 07 Yukon close by was also broken into that day. Anyway, I'll be replacing the Zumo as I really liked it but will take a hard look at the 660 v 550. Right now by just reading the comparison, I can't see moving to the 660. With XM already on the SEUC I don't need the option, but am hoping to use the bluetooth in the future when I get the Nolan or J&M setup. I don't understand why the 660 is limited to 10 routes, and also liked using a full size SDHC card on the 550 for tunes and data rather than the mini card. Unless I learn some hard reasons to convert to the 660, I may try and wait for the expected price reductions to the 550 as seen with the phase out of the 450. What would you do???From what I've been reading it's probably going to be a couple more months before the 660 is released. Don't know how soon you looking to replace or if that will make a difference. In regards to the 10 routes from what I've been reading it appears that is the standard for all the newer units by Garmin. I'm not sure what I would do at this point if I were in the position to have to buy a new GPS. I don't currently have/use XM, nor bluetooth, but the larger screen with more pixels would definitely have me looking at the 660. Good luck whatever you decide. :2vrolijk_21:
I couldn't agree more. I've tried the Street Pilot and the 550. Neither one compared to the 478, in my eyes. I too started with the 276c Plus as my first chart plotting GPS. I still have my very 1st unit, a Garmin V, floating around some where.
Duane, are you sure about this? I know I can mute the XM portion. I thought there was an independent volume for each. ???
AJ - as far I know you can control the volume and/or mute the XM output. But when you are playing the XM and voice guidance comes on it is noticeably louder then the XM broadcast. When talking to Garmin reps I have brought that up along with a few other suggestions. The only answers I got were sit tight there should be a variety of consumer requests in an upcoming software update. With the possibility of a video display possibly being one of them.
Click -> here (http://www.msndirect.com/coverage.aspx) <- for MSN Direct coverage map. One good thing about it is the cost... They offer a one time payment plan of $129 (or $49.95/yr). :2vrolijk_21:
:pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
:fireman:
I just saw on Garmin's website that the Street Pilot 2820 is showing up as a discontinued unit. Does that mean that we might see it selling for a low price? How does that unit compare with the Zumo 550? I no it doesn't have it's own battery, so it would have to be hard wired. Does it give voice prompts through the HK stereo or only through the included speaker? Just curious, since there may be some good deals on them.
That is too funny!!!!! :ROFLOL: :ROFLOL: :ROFLOL: :ROFLOL: :ROFLOL: :ROFLOL:
I use the 2820. No battery power and no slot for plugging in an external memory card (so any route has to be uploaded to the unit via cable or done through its own display).At it's time the 2820 was the thing to have! I remember well, only four years back, how we envied the technology wizzards who'd use the 2820 mounted on their Touring bikes. Just before I got around to buy one, the Tomtom Rider came out, at a third of the price and with its convincing touch screen operation. So I went there, without any regrets. However, I'd have to say that the 660 is really tempting.
Personally the 2820 does everything I need it to. Can use the aux in on the radio for voice prompts through the bike speakers or bluetooth to the helmet (if you've got that in your lid) for voice prompts that way. Wish it had stereo bluetooth but I'd have to upgrade the lid to take advantage of it anyway... :nixweiss:
You can find info at this website: http://www.gps4fun.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=4499&category_id=9&keyword=zumo+660&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=30
I am not familiar with the sound systems on your motors but the Zumo 660 does have a line'out jack for a patch cord.
Noticed that the Zumo Forum (http://www.zumoforums.com) had some pictures posted today of the back of the 660...Any word on release dates over there Gary?? :confused5:
[
Couple of observations...
1. Current Zumo (450/500/550) mounts aren't compatable
2. Speaker is in the unit now vs the mount.
:pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
:fireman:
Any word on release dates over there Gary?? :confused5:Unofficially still around the first of April/2009.
And I'm guessing that the first rain storm this baby gets wet in, it'll be toast!! :stars:Maybe, maybe not... That question was raised on the Zumo Forum. There are speakers that are designed to get wet (marine and on our bikes) hopefully this speaker is designed for the elements. :nixweiss:
Unofficially still around the first of April/2009.
April 09 isn't the 1st quarter. I wonder why so long and why Garmin says 1st quarter on their web site?Maybe April is the start of their first fiscal quarter? :nixweiss: Federal Govt. 1st Qtr is October, My city's is June, so it could very well be Garmin's first quarter. Nobody hardly does anything on the calendar year anymore.
Maybe, maybe not... That question was raised on the Zumo Forum. There are speakers that are designed to get wet (marine and on our bikes) hopefully this speaker is designed for the elements. :nixweiss:
:pumpkin:
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
:fireman:
Maybe April is the start of their first fiscal quarter? :nixweiss: Federal Govt. 1st Qtr is October, My city's is June, so it could very well be Garmin's first quarter. Nobody hardly does anything on the calendar year anymore.
:devil:
And I'm guessing that the first rain storm this baby gets wet in, it'll be toast!! :stars:I would not be concerned about moisture. The Zumo's have an excellent waterproof (IEC 529 IPX-7 standards) rating. I am not so sure about the value of the speaker at the back of the unit. Compared to a cage installation, where the sound typically gets reflected from the windshield, we've got not much help there on the bike. Not that many people will actually use the speakers, as Bluetooth is preferable.
I would not be concerned about moisture. The Zumo's have an excellent waterproof (IEC 529 IPX-7 standards) rating. I am not so sure about the value of the speaker at the back of the unit. Compared to a cage installation, where the sound typically gets reflected from the windshield, we've got not much help there on the bike. Not that many people will actually use the speakers, as Bluetooth is preferable.
Ride safely,
Louis
I think you are absolutely right here Louis - can't imagine trying to listen to the directions with anything other than helmet fed sound.Hey Nige, I'm ok on hearing the directions piped thru my fairing spkrs. (unless I've got the full coverage lid on and the faceshield closed.....then it's tough) and, I totally agree on still loving my 550 at this point. :-* har! spyder
.
Nige
N.B. Still love my 550 though.
Hey Nige, I'm ok on hearing the directions piped thru my fairing spkrs. (unless I've got the full coverage lid on and the faceshield closed.....then it's tough) and, I totally agree on still loving my 550 at this point. :-* har! spyder
Anyone hearing any new updated rumors (reliable ones) on the release date? Still looking at early May? We are well into the first quarter and I'm getting itchy for one.I checked with four retailers yesterday and sadly they all said the same thing...Garmin is now expecting to begin shipping the Zumo 660 to distributors on July 7, 2009 and they will be filling pre-orders first. Dammit...I was hoping to have one in hand prior to my mid-May trip to the mountains, but I guess I'll be keeping the 2720 for a while longer. :furious:
Randall
What's interesting is the 660 is MSRP at $799.00 while the 550 is at $964.27.
I did a preorder for the 660 with Tiger GPS and they say it is due to be released in early April.
We'll see!
:nixweiss:
http://www.tigergps.com/garminzumo660.html
Can the Zumo be pluged into the aux jack on the 09 head unit? If so can you play mp3's and then when turns come up the unit speak the turn over the music?Since the 660's aren't out yet I can only speak about the 550's (more then likely the 660 will do the same) and you can plug them into the Aux jack on the head unit, select "Aux" in your radio, play MP3's that are on the SD card in your Zumo, and when navigational directions come on they will pause the MP3's and give directions.
I like the idea of the 660 but man thats alot of cash. Need to makes sure it will do what I want before I drop the coin.
While waiting to pick up my bike, i'm having them install the lit windshiels strip. I ordered the Zumo 550 power cable so they could wire in before delivery while I decide on the 660 or the 550. I saw a demo video ( don't remember where) that shows the 660 comes with some sort of combo power/audio multi cable. All sites, including Garmin do not list a motorcyle power cable as supplied, only an automotive cable. I'm wondering if this new unit is designedprimarily for auto use and motorcycling use as a secondary intention, and possibly maybe why the 550 remains essentially priced the same. Dilema now, go for the 550, or wait?
The Zumo 660 comes with a motorcycle power cord attached to the cradle unlike the 550. This makes it 100% waterproof and for those that use a wired headset you will also have a cable that can run under the tank to hook up your headphones instead of having it hang off the unit like the 550. Keep in mind the 660 is full stereo bluetooth not mono like the 550. There are many advances in the new unit however don't look for XM radio because it is not there.
The 660 will be shipping around April 18th as it is seen now and some say maybe earlier.
You can read all about it on the Zumo forums and if you join the forums they are offering a member discount which is a heck of a deal
Here is the thread but you need to join just like you joined this forum to get the deal.
http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?topic=8429.0 (Please sign up as it is free and orders will be crossed checked with members. It will help you no matter which Zumo you are using anyway)
If any of you have any questions please ask and I will usually answer them pretty fast. If you are trying to decide which one to get at this point and don't care about XM go with the new updated 660.
(http://i44.tinypic.com/1zm2nid.jpg)
Darn, there went $650. anyone want to buy a 2 week old 450?
They started shipping this week, first orders direct to Garmin should be in purchasers hands tomorrow or Friday.Thanks Mark, I'm poking around now trying to find one!!
There were some in stock earlier today at http://www.gpsnow.com/garmin_zumo_660.htmComin up with nada here .... seems first wave sold out. Let me know if ya'll see something or if ya got an extra one Mark ;) :huepfenjump3:
but now there showing all gone. I have 2 on order with the intention to cancel one when I get confirmation on the first. I did the AMA discount on the Garmin site then found one somewhere else online for the same $640.00 I'm ready, these old eyes need the larger screen. ;D
Some dealers had them earlier today but are sold out already tonight. Keep us posted if you find any in stock.
You may want to tryIs that code entered exactly how you have it here Tommy? I seem to be having a little trouble.
http://www.getfeetwet.com/
Use discount code CLUBDISCOUNT and you can buy it for $640.00.
Best price that I've found!
:2vrolijk_21:
Is that code entered exactly how you have it here Tommy? I seem to be having a little trouble.
That WAS the correct code. As azone14 posted, it appears to have been discontinued!Thanks for tryin :2vrolijk_21:
:nixweiss: