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[greglyon]

I don't own an Ipod, and have never downloaded music to my windows os computer.  I have several cds that i would like to load on the Garmin.  Do I need to convert the files to mp3.  If so, does windows 7 come with software that allows you to do so?  What's the easiest way to get from the cd to the Garmin.  Thanks   

[Dan_Lockwood]

Even without owning an iPod, I would still use iTunes for your music (my preference only).

The program is free from Apple and easy to setup.

Once it's setup, all you do is insert your CD into the computer and iTunes asks if you want to import that CD.  You can pick what sample rate for MP3.  If disk space is not an issue, I would go with the highest MP3 sample rate they offer, or not less than 192.

Once you have the songs into iTunes, you can make Playlists that you just drag your songs into.  You can have as many playlists as you like.

Then from the open play list, you can burn a CD with that playlist group of songs on it.

Keep in mind that MP3 is a lot smaller file size that straight WAV type files.

I have over 300 playlists.  I have one that's Motown.  In that playlist if have about 130 songs.  All of those songs will fit on one CD in MP3 format.

In my case I have a '09 SERG with the HK head unit and I usually use my iPod through the AUX input, but from time to time I do the MP3 CD's for a day or two.

If you burn the playlist to a CD, you could than download that CD content into the Garmin or copy them back out to another folder on your hard drive.

It sounds complicated, but it really isn't.

I have over 85k songs in my iTunes right now and it's very easy to navigate through them.

Good luck and I'm sure others may have a better idea for you.  Also, I'm not familiar with the Garmin and maybe they have their own software for this purpose.

 

[RedDevil]

I don't own an Ipod, and have never downloaded music to my windows os computer.  I have several cds that i would like to load on the Garmin.  Do I need to convert the files to mp3.  If so, does windows 7 come with software that allows you to do so?  What's the easiest way to get from the cd to the Garmin.  Thanks  

Windows has the Media Player that you can import (rip) songs from your cds into your computer.  You can save the songs either as .wav or .mp3.  You'll need to save them as mp3.  Once you're done, you'll find them in your "My Music" folder on your hard drive.  Put a MicroSD card into your 660 and then plug the 660 via the included USB cable to your computer.  The 660 will show up as a new drive on your computer if you view the contents of the computer on Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer).  Once you've found the drive, all you have to do is highlight the songs you want to put on the Garmin in your "My Music" folder and drag and drop them into the Garmin folder and you've transferred songs to your Garmin.

[iski]

This link tells how to convert CD files to MP3 files.  http://reviews.cnet.com/1991-7899_7-5116130-1.html
 

After you have converted as many songs/CDsas you need, save them in a folder.  Helps to make folders with 25 or so songs per folder or less. Easiest way is to make a folder for each of your new CD MP3s.


Get a micro SD card - or 2 or 3.  4 gb or 8 gb are better values. Insert a micro SD card into the slot on the 660 (behind the battery inside the battery compartment - tiny card, itty bitty slot.  

Connect your Garmin to the computer using the USB connection.  You will have 2 new drives appear in "My Computer".  

One drive will be the Garmin unit, the other new drive (will have a letter like "G" or "H" drive) will be the micro SD card.  That drive will be empty, the Garmin drive will have files in it.

Make a folder or folders for your new songs to differentiate types of music, etc..  Songs will copy with the same sub-folder names you made from the MP3 conversion earlier.

Copy the songs you want for the 660 and then paste them to the micro SD card.  Will take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how fast your computer is & how many songs.  

After you are done, disconnect the USB, turn the unit off, and then back on.  

MP3 should be loaded with the songs you C & P to the micro card.



Have not done this CD/MP3 convert in a long time. Somebody else may have an easier way to do this.

[Fired00d]

Windows has the Media Player that you can import (rip) songs from your cds into your computer.  You can save the songs either as .wav or .mp3.  You'll need to save them as mp3.  Once you're done, you'll find them in your "My Music" folder on your hard drive.  Put a MicroSD card into your 660 and then plug the 660 via the included USB cable to your computer.  The 660 will show up as a new drive on your computer if you view the contents of the computer on Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer).  Once you've found the drive, all you have to do is highlight the songs you want to put on the Garmin in your "My Music" folder and drag and drop them into the Garmin folder and you've transferred songs to your Garmin.

That's exactly the way I do it, and don't forget this important thing..

.....
 

After you have converted as many songs/CDsas you need, save them in a folder.  Helps to make folders with 25 or so songs per folder or less. Easiest way is to make a folder for each of your new CD MP3s.


.....

Creating folders with about 25 songs in them will reduce the time the Zumo has to read all the music files and being able to access/play them.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[greglyon]

Thanks guys!!

[RedDevil]

That's exactly the way I do it, and don't forget this important thing..

Creating folders with about 25 songs in them will reduce the time the Zumo has to read all the music files and being able to access/play them.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Is that a 550 limitation?  I've got all my songs, (not sure how many, but over 400), all in the same folder on the 660 and have no access delay issues.   

[Fired00d]

Is that a 550 limitation?  I've got all my songs, (not sure how many, but over 400), all in the same folder on the 660 and have no access delay issues.  

It is a 550 issue and it is recommended on the Zumo Forum to put them in folders of =/< 25 songs. I can't speak of the 660/665 as I don't have one or been around anyone that has nor have I followed many of the threads on the Zumo Forum pertaining to the 660/665.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[iski]

I reloaded my backup files for the 550 onto micro cards for the 660.  The 550 uses regular sized SD cards.  Files were in folders with 25 songs per folder in my backup.

Not sure why but the 660 is a much faster unit.  Maps load quicker, MP3's load quicker, calculates routes quicker.  Left the songs in files of 25 (d00d's original suggestion which saved MINUTES of time to load the 550 - thanks!) so not sure how the speed would be if I had loaded them without the 25 song folder designations.  May not be needed for the 660?



For me, would not spend the difference just to get a 660.  The 550 is fine as is, & the 660 offers some improvements but not enough to make me just spend the money to have the latest & greatest.  My opinion.

[Gone Fishin']

As you do ask specifically about the Zumo 660, here is the easiest way do to that:

a.) Use iTunes to store your music (see description above).
b.) Let iTunes create mp3 files of your selection of songs to be available on the Zumo. Zumo can't read another format.
c.) Create an intelligent playlist in iTunes telling it to use all mp3's. This is easier than trying to dissect all songs manually, hence they are twice in iTunes (1 x iTunes native format, 1 x mp3).
d.) Use this playlist to copy the songs to a Micro SD card (e.g. 8 GB, which can hold ample).
e.) Use Micro SD card in Zumo.

This way you do not block the small internal storage of the Zumo and have ample music en route.

Hope this helps,
Louis

[greglyon]

Thanks to all who have responded.  Turns out my problem was a failure to rip them into mp3 format before offering them up to Ms Zumo.  Microsoft default format is something other than mp3. 

[1abastarsmda]

I reloaded my backup files for the 550 onto micro cards for the 660.  The 550 uses regular sized SD cards.  Files were in folders with 25 songs per folder in my backup.

Not sure why but the 660 is a much faster unit.  Maps load quicker, MP3's load quicker, calculates routes quicker.  Left the songs in files of 25 (d00d's original suggestion which saved MINUTES of time to load the 550 - thanks!) so not sure how the speed would be if I had loaded them without the 25 song folder designations.  May not be needed for the 660?



For me, would not spend the difference just to get a 660.  The 550 is fine as is, & the 660 offers some improvements but not enough to make me just spend the money to have the latest & greatest.  My opinion.

The folder issue seems to only pertain to the 550.  I have to put mine into folders, but I tried it without putting them in folders for my friend's 660 and it works great.

[iski]

The folder issue seems to only pertain to the 550.  I have to put mine into folders, but I tried it without putting them in folders for my friend's 660 and it works great.

Thanks.  Will use that method for the future MP3s.



BTW - the Zumo 660 fell out of the mount on the 2010 SEULTRA about 2 miles away from my home when I had about 200 miles on the bike. No idea why - could not duplicate the problem.  Just riding along & it fell into the street.  Dealer gave me a new 660. No problems since.  Old unit was scratched up but still worked - screen was not broken.

[greglyon]

Transferred music to my 660 after converting to mp3.  Was able to do so in one large file.
Thanks again

[Beach Bum]

Dan......85k songs.  Wow....I want to follow you on the next ride

[FLSTFI Dave]

I just got the Road Tech 660.  I have 28 Gig of music on my Ipod and my Mac.

How can I convert the Itunes format to MP3 for use in my GPS?  Is there an easy way to do that?

[kraut]

if you got an ipod, you got itunes. Offers you options in which format you want to write.

BTW: most modern laptops have card reader slots. Using them is much faster than USB-to-Zumo.

[FLSTFI Dave]

if you got an ipod, you got itunes. Offers you options in which format you want to write.

BTW: most modern laptops have card reader slots. Using them is much faster than USB-to-Zumo.

So, how do I move my play lists and music from Itunes to the card in mp3 format?  I have not been able to figure this out.

[Georgehjr]

Guess I have some work to do......

[Fired00d]

So, I do I move my play lists and music from Itunes to the card in mp3 format?  I have not been able to figure this out.

The GPS will only recognize/play MP3 formatted music.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[grandpadoc]

Media Player works best for me although the music gets downloaded to iTunes and MP both at the same time. Older laptops and PC's will not recognise SDHC cards or cards larger than 2GB through the card port, but will work fine through the usb cable.   Doc