Garmin ZUMO Sat Nav.. worth the Money?

[Moe Szyslak]

Hi All,

Just wondering if any of you have got either the Garmin Zumo 660 or 550 and what you think of the device.

In particular, how well can you plan a route on a computer, ease of use? And are they worth the money?

Any other comments about GPS or Sat Nav for bikes also welcome

Regards
Mark (me-i'm-moe)

[HRHpenfold]

May 21, 2010 20:32:04 GMT Moe Szyslak said:

Hi All,

Just wondering if any of you have got either the Garmin Zumo 660 or 550 and what you think of the device.

In particular, how well can you plan a route on a computer, ease of use? And are they worth the money?

Any other comments about GPS or Sat Nav for bikes also welcome

Regards
Mark (me-i'm-moe)

Depends on what you want a sat nav for, but mine certainly was worth the money

[ContourMac]

I have a Garmin Zumo 550 and before that a TomTom.

I personally prefer the Garmin to the TomTom but there is not a lot in it. Route planning is easier on the Garmin as is the ease of use and fittings to mount on the bike however I like the way the TomTom gives you an indicator of the next turn at the bottom of the screen so you can plan your lane position earlier.

[m40man]

I had a Zumo 550. Lasted two days, stopped working, sent it back. So I didn't think it was worth it .

[motojackal]

I use a Tomtom Rider 2, I like it a lot. Good clear voice instructions through the head set (supplied), the mount and connection cable all in the box. You need nothing that isn't supplied, and it can be fixed with a permanant power supply in about 15 minutes.

Mine developed a small fault after 2 years, the little "door" covering the ports came adrift. I sent it to Tomtom to fix this winter. Despite the fact it was well out of gaurantee, they fixed it free, checked it and gave a new 6 months guarantee. Excellent customer service.

[Ghoti]

May 22, 2010 8:39:02 GMT ContourMac said:

blah blah blah ..... I like the way the TomTom gives you an indicator of the next turn at the bottom of the screen so you can plan your lane position earlier.

The 660 does that now (and with a dedicated 'lane' function too when needed) apart from it is at the top of the screen.

I like the Zumo 660, but is it worth the extra money over a TomTom? Tough call, but I think it is as it seems more robust (probably not though) and easily detaches/fits to bike. It also knows if you are in the car or on the bike and calculates different routes set on your preferences.

[martindrew]

Hi, not sure if you are still looking for likes and dislikes of the Garmin but as I have only just joined I thought I'd put my two penny worth in too.

I have a Garmin Zumo 550 and I love it...
For:

• The screen is clear, easy to read and clutter free
  
• It informs you how far until the next instruction
  
• Variety of choices to select your destination inc postcode, full address, city centre, POI name (there are lots already loaded) plus many more
  
• Bluetooths to your phone to accept calls
  
• Reasonably small to fit in your jacket pocket once off the bike
  
• Various Ram mounts available
  
• Built in MP3 player (best to load these on a separate SD card)
  
• GeoCaching ready
  
• Informs you of speed cameras (inc mobile sites)
  
• In-car mount also available - built in speaker
  
• Multiple destinations can be programmed and the device can then optimise the best route for you if required.
  and many more
  

Against (not many):

• Locking screw on mount is fiddly to undo (great against theft but frustrating at night to remove)
  
• All voice prompts, music and telephones calls require a bluetooth receiver (Bluetooth Helmet or separate in-ear receiver)
  
• Doesn't show which lane required like the TomTom or 660
  

In Summary a nice GPS unit which can be picked up easily without making too large a dent in ones bank balance

[Jona]

Two things that Tom Tom does that the 660 does not- Locate a buddy who is nearby via the sat nav, display info points i.e. petrol stations on the map so if you find a petrol station you have to work out which one is in your direction or ride to the nearest which could be in the opposite direction. not major but if Tom Tom did a wide screen bike sat nav I would probably swap. A cheaper way apart from getting one seond hand is to buy a refurb unit which I did & still had the latest maps etc as if it was new. Jona