Topic: GPS - "NON-ZUMO",,,why not use my Garmin Navi? (Read 5077 times)

cus · « **on:** May 21, 2009, 08:14:22 AM »

Hi again - the new guy with LOTS of questions! I have no idea how to use the HD GPS. It looks like it will never compare to a Garmin with it's graphics on it's best day.

I see very attractive prices on Garmin Nuvi's on line - full featured, $150. The motorcycle specific Zumo is MUCH more. Any reason why I can not use a Nuvi and invest the savings on other fun stuff for the scoot? I think I can mount it and I can take it off the bike when not in use and use it in the car - thanks!

naitram · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2009, 08:24:03 AM »

ever ride in the rain?

cus · « **Reply #2 on:** May 21, 2009, 08:45:34 AM »

I think I can slip it in my pocket and ride without it when it rains....

naitram · « **Reply #3 on:** May 21, 2009, 08:48:20 AM »

thats the main reason for the zumo its waterproof

Fired00d · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:31:41 AM »

Along w/the most important thing of it being waterproof I would imagine that the shockproof rating will be better for GPS' designed for motorcycles. You'll be much happier paying the extra and not having to worry about all the other factors it will be subjected to while riding your bike.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

bissjim · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:38:07 AM »

Depending on what series your talking about the Nuvi does not have external audio out, it has an internal speaker and that will be hard to hear if at all at road speeds, it does not have Bluetooth and is not waterproof. The Zumo is built for bikes.

As far as the nuvi not being waterproof if you put one on your bike just carry a zip-lock bag and a rubber band with you for when the sky opens up.

Rooster · « **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:42:38 AM »

I don't know anything about the Nuvi but I am very happy with the Zumo 550, far superior to the stock one that comes with the bike. Mostly you have to look to far down to use it. Much safer up on the bars where you can just glance at it and not take your eyes off the road.

cus · « **Reply #7 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:53:48 AM »

Bottom line - is the 550 "the" model to have for a bike. If so, where are the best prices on purchasing such - thanks!

Diamondback · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:57:35 AM »

Having a Nuvi 260w, a nuvi 255wt for the cars and a Zumo for the bike, the money is worth it.

The waterproof idea is a good one but can be overcome with a plastic bag.

However, here are some key differences, the Nuvi's do no allow you to plot a unique motorcycle route, they do not have XM and an audio out. Most do not have Bluetooth.

And for sure the screens on the Nuvi's are not designed to sit in direct sunlight.

Also, the Nuvi's (except the motorcycle designed one that just came out) is not designed for the excessive vibration on the bike. I have a friend who road with a Nuvi 260w for three weeks to CA. and it quit working (probably vibration or heat or something but was fixed under warranty) switched to the Zumo.

But the Nuvi's are nice from point A to Point B.

PR3VS56 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2009, 10:06:24 AM »

I went with the RoadTech Zumo. Talk about pricey! But it looks great on the bike -- military like. Very solid mounted in place, and the side buttons (not touch screen, although that's still there and active) work great with thick gloves.

That said, I'm coming off a NON-waterproof Street Pilot c330. NOT made for a bike, but very cheap. I rode with it through all kinds of heavy weather, never a problem. The display was a challenge under certain lighting conditions, and as stated earlier the audio could not be heard over the bike noise (no aux out). Beyond those relatively minor flaws, the cheapie worked great. It took me across the US more than once.

Go cheap & don't worry about it. If it breaks it breaks. Or, go pricey and have something special and bullet proof.

Diamondback · « **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2009, 10:08:39 AM »

Fired00d · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2009, 10:52:39 AM »

Quote from: cus on May 21, 2009, 09:53:48 AM

Bottom line - is the 550 "the" model to have for a bike. If so, where are the best prices on purchasing such - thanks!

Majority of those that have went w/aftermarket have the Zumo 550, however Garmin just introduced a new model (Zumo 660) recently so I would look at both if I were buying at this time. Those that have the 550's have been pleased w/the performance of them. I used bizrate.com to find the best price when I was looking for my Zumo.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Indenial · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2009, 05:55:49 PM »

Been using Nuvi wide screens for 5 years or so and they are great with limitations as listed above. Zip lock bag for rain, can't plot a course, can't hear the directions, easy to remove and easy to see. Like it.

Diamondback · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2009, 06:12:20 PM »

I purchased the cellset solution to integrate the Garmin Zumo, the HD CB and Intercom. Works great with any of the HD stuff. I like having the Zumo advise me as to when to turn etc.

Excellent product. Never thought I would like being able to answer my phone. Nice feature when you dissapear for two weeks. Pick and choose who you talk to.

The new Zumo 660 (at least the one I saw) is $100 cheaper, no XM (but the SE Ultra has it built in). I do like the wide screen

deaf1 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 22, 2009, 08:59:55 AM »

Been riding with tomtom's for years... My only problem was with one that had a internal hard drive (bad idea) But all the new ones have internal flash memory

They have big screens, bluetooth, xm ready (some models), MP3, come with automounts and personal opinion says their maps are better. Of course they arent waterproof, but a zip lock bag works.. And you can buy 4 of them for the price of a zumo or tomtom rider. With a shareware package you can import every type of itinerary file any waypoints, even garmin... I have a 730T (refurb) that cost $180 and got my brackets from cyclegadgets (Ram)

Of course tomtom doesnt 'approve' of using anything but the rider model on bikes. But their rider2 has old technology and costs a fortune.....

just my .02 cents....

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #15 on:** May 22, 2009, 01:06:15 PM »

Or...find some leftover Garmin 2820 model...almost every feature of the Zumo (no SD card, but lots of internal memory) and you can get one for a song if you can find one. Waterproof, MP3, Bluetooth, Stereo output jack. Uses the same map as the Zumo, blah, blah, blah. Comes with a car mount (bean bag type deal).

Anything with a hard drive is a bad idea on a bike. IMO, anything not waterproof is also a bad idea on a bike...the very time you will need it most will be when it's in your pocket and you're in a strange place that you don't need to be lost in.

Generally speaking, you get what you pay for in these units. My 2 cents...

Twolanerider · « **Reply #16 on:** May 22, 2009, 01:20:53 PM »

Hadn't had a reason to look for awhile Terry. Damn. Just saw new 2820s on eBay for $250. Almost good enough reason to consider buying a backup unit.

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #17 on:** May 22, 2009, 02:07:24 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on May 22, 2009, 01:20:53 PM

Hadn't had a reason to look for awhile Terry. Damn. Just saw new 2820s on eBay for $250. Almost good enough reason to consider buying a backup unit.

Yea, they're cheap now. I've considered the same thing because Suzanne is always "borrowing" mine when she goes around town doing business. She can actually use the thing from the unit itself more efficiently than I can, as I generally map stuff out and upload. Garmin will support the 2820 for some time to come, so it really is a bargain.

woode · « **Reply #18 on:** May 22, 2009, 04:02:13 PM »

The Zumo 550 has...

*XM Radio
*XM Traffic
*MP3 Player
*Bike Mount
*Car Mount
*Audio out
*External microphone
*Bluetooth
*Good phone interface screen should you decide to pair Bluetooth phone
*Waterproof
*Create routes & waypoints offline & upload to Zumo
*Download routes traveled to PC, extract lots of interesting info (exact locations, speed, altitude, etc. etc. etc). Export to other users' Zumos
*Import custom points of interest
*Interface customized to fat-fingered/gloved biker hands
*Combination of hard (rubber covered, on left of unit) and soft buttons (on screen) make selection of options easy without taking attention off of the road

This is not a perfect unit (Bluetooth is mono only, and screen is a bit too small), but it is pretty darn close. You can get other GPS units to do some of the same things, but I doubt that you will find another that has so many useful features in one unit. My guess is that if you never had a Zumo, you may be perfectly happy. However, once you have one, you will never want to be without it. It is truly a must-have that no other GPS will replace - not even the new Zumo 660!

You truly do get what you pay for.

Ed

Diamondback · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2009, 07:27:47 PM »

I agree. I've never found one better.

It is worth the money.. Which could be why it is still the same price after almost three years on the market.

PR3VS56 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 23, 2009, 07:22:05 AM »

Are the Garmin Zumo 550 and the Road Tech Zumo the same thing?

Fired00d · « **Reply #21 on:** May 23, 2009, 08:31:24 AM »

Quote from: PR3VS56 on May 23, 2009, 07:22:05 AM

Are the Garmin Zumo 550 and the Road Tech Zumo the same thing?

For all practical purposes the answer is yes except for one big difference.... the H-D one will cost you more and not have all the accessories. If memory serves me right the H-D version will come preloaded with dealerships loaded as points of interest, but you can get a file (a better one at that) of the dealerships that you can load yourself.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

PR3VS56 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 23, 2009, 11:35:18 AM »

Quote from: Fired00d on May 23, 2009, 08:31:24 AM

For all practical purposes the answer is yes except for one big difference.... the H-D one will cost you more and not have all the accessories. If memory serves me right the H-D version will come preloaded with dealerships loaded as points of interest, but you can get a file (a better one at that) of the dealerships that you can load yourself.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

What accessories come with the Z550? My RoadTech Zumo came with the automotive mount kit (separate suction cup mount/disc & cig lighter cable). I paid $699, which I thought was rich, but felt OK about it being that I didn't pay msrp. I had to buy the mc mount though -- another $40.

The only other extras I'm aware of are the external mic and XM kit.

Fired00d · « **Reply #23 on:** May 23, 2009, 12:14:48 PM »

Quote from: PR3VS56 on May 23, 2009, 11:35:18 AM

What accessories come with the Z550? My RoadTech Zumo came with the automotive mount kit (separate suction cup mount/disc & cig lighter cable). I paid $699, which I thought was rich, but felt OK about it being that I didn't pay msrp. I had to buy the mc mount though -- another $40.

The only other extras I'm aware of are the external mic and XM kit.

That would be it. Even though most don't use the supplied mount that comes w/the Zumo (it's not chrome

) there are actually two motorcycle mounts supplied w/the 550.

I paid $679 for my 550 in 04/07 (which came w/XM capabilities) and I believe others have gotten them cheaper since. You getting your Roadtech at $699 is/was a bargain

the MoCo website is showing a msrp of $799 and that was what I was basing my statement on the 550 being less cost.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

PR3VS56 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 23, 2009, 12:30:32 PM »

OK that makes sense. I went through Mark @ M&M for the friendly price. Gave mine the first long road test yesterday enroute to Solana Beach from Santa Barbara for the long weekend, and it worked great. I like the way the audio instructions mute the mp3 playing. Great unit -- I'm happy!

Fired00d · « **Reply #25 on:** May 23, 2009, 12:41:17 PM »

You can't go wrong w/either unit. Basically the same thing only difference is the name.

Speaking of the Roadtech unit... Do you know if there is a part number for the cap(s)... specifically the top one that has the bar and shield? I'm currently running the flame caps, but the B/S logo would be a nice one to have.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Diamondback · « **Reply #26 on:** May 23, 2009, 01:48:02 PM »

Once on the bike they are the same. The HD may look better.

If you go to the Zumo forum it will tell you where to buy the BS tops(as well as a host of others). Garmin even sells a few.

Fired00d · « **Reply #27 on:** May 23, 2009, 03:05:50 PM »

Quote from: Diamondback on May 23, 2009, 01:48:02 PM

Once on the bike they are the same. The HD may look better.

If you go to the Zumo forum it will tell you where to buy the BS tops(as well as a host of others). Garmin even sells a few.

You got a link?? I belong to that forum although I haven't been there in a few weeks and hadn't seen anything about them before (and just did a search w/no luck). I was aware and have purchased some of the ones by Garmin.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Diamondback · « **Reply #28 on:** May 23, 2009, 03:56:06 PM »

Couldn't find the Bar & Shield.

http://www.compacc.com/p.cfm/c/1119003/p/19570

I saw one in Colorado. Could have been custom made. It was on a carbon fiber top.

Fired00d · « **Reply #29 on:** May 23, 2009, 04:40:21 PM »

Quote from: Diamondback on May 23, 2009, 03:56:06 PM

Couldn't find the Bar & Shield.

http://www.compacc.com/p.cfm/c/1119003/p/19570

I saw one in Colorado. Could have been custom made. It was on a carbon fiber top.

Ok, thanks. I've got some of the ones in the link you provided.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

PR3VS56 · « **Reply #30 on:** May 24, 2009, 02:15:54 AM »

Quote from: Fired00d on May 23, 2009, 12:41:17 PM

Speaking of the Roadtech unit... Do you know if there is a part number for the cap(s)... specifically the top one that has the bar and shield?

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

I don't, but a parts guy went to another HD book with an exploded view for me one time when I wanted some obscure component of another part. I'd bet they could get you a part number for that cap.

bogman · « **Reply #31 on:** May 24, 2009, 06:14:47 AM »

Second to the Garmin Zumo 550 id go for the waterproof Garmin Nuvi 550

http://www.dabs.ie/products/garmin-nuvi-550-57TX.html?refs=

Quote

Do it all with the rugged, waterproof, multi-mode nüvi 550. Drive, hike, bike or boat

Quote

Recommended Use
Automotive
Hiking
Motorcycle

Author Topic: GPS - "NON-ZUMO",,,why not use my Garmin Navi? (Read 5077 times)