Garmin Zumo GPS thread.

Discussion in 'Gear & Accessories' started by jasonsmith, Nov 3, 2009.

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What do you have?

  1. Zumo 550

    30 vote(s)
    50.8%
  2. Zumo 660

    10 vote(s)
    16.9%
  3. Older Zumo

    4 vote(s)
    6.8%
  4. Want to get a Zumo.

    15 vote(s)
    25.4%
  1. kd4ysi

    kd4ysi New Member

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    nice tnx jason now im jellous
     
  2. Spectre

    Spectre New Member

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    This is a great thread.

    I remain quite happy with my Zumo 550, and don't feel the need to upgrade at this time. At any rate, once you've experienced GPS on a motorcycle, you'll likely be hooked.

    My GPS unit (as well as an Escort 8500X radar/laser detector), is totally hard-wired into an Autocom Super Pro AVi kit, which includes in-helmet ear speakers and a microphone so that I can effortlessly talk hands-free (VOX) with a passenger, as well as the ability to talk with another rider using a Kenwood FreeTalk 2-way FM radio. (The radio and everything else tied into the Autocom draws its power from the Autocom box, so there are no batteries to hassle with, and there's a continuous source of electrical power that's drawn from the motorcycle's electrical system.)

    With the Autocom system, the passenger's helmet must of course have an Autocom headset installed. At any rate, the passenger will quite clearly hear everything that I hear, including the GPS unit, as well as the radar/laser detector warning tones, and she can also listen in and talk bike-to-bike with another rider just as I can with the 2-way radio.

    Because all connections with the Autocom intercom system are hard-wired, you have to get used to plugging-in and unplugging the cords whenever you mount or dismount the bike, but I find this to be a very minor inconvenience compared with the numerous drawbacks of a Blue Tooth set-up. Consider for a moment the following the following issues:

    1) The Autocom system is actually designed to be used in conjunction with 15-25 db earplugs, because Autocom's engineers have long recognized the advisability of always wearing substantial hearing protection while riding. In addition, the Autocom system is centered around a powerful and fully adjustable amplifier and processor which also incorporates a Background Noise Sensor (BGNS) in the rider's helmet, which monitors wind and engine noise levels while riding, and automatically adjusts the volume up-or-down according to moment-to-moment feedback from the BGNS. No way can a merely battery-powered Blue Tooth set-up even begin to match and indefinitely and reliably maintain the required electrical power needed to produce this degree of volume in in-helmet headsets while also wearing ear plugs. Forget about it.

    2) Blue Tooth devices typically eat power and are quickly drained when taxed. Moreover, they tend to be rather finicky, and it's not uncommon for them to occasionally lose contact with the devices they're supposed to be in contact with. Cell phones combined with the vagaries of Blue Tooth ear-buds are a case in point.

    3) OK, if you're still thinking that when it comes to a motorcycle-specific intercom system, including battery powered versions of most or all of the features that the hard-wired Autocom system delivers with continuous power drawn from the bike's electrical system, you have choices...

    You can trade away the trivial inconveniences of Autocom's few hard-wired electrical plug-in leads, along with its continuous and inexhaustible electrical power that's drawn from the motorcycle, in favor of a Blue Tooth set-up in which each and every device you wish to hear (some of which may also require batteries if not hardwired) must be linked with Blue Tooth headsets. If you choose the latter, you can then worry about which of these many batteries might be about to randomly crap out on you within the span of a day, not to mention the need to fully recharge all of them each day. And of course, all of those batteries will eventually fail to accept a full recharge. Have fun trouble shooting and trying to figure out the sources of such battery problems when you're tired and just want to rest. These expensive rechargeable batteries rather unpredictably and unevenly degrade over time and must eventually be replaced.
     
  3. uberchuckie

    uberchuckie New Member

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    I just ordered it. Thanks.

    $10 shipping for a $10 part. :rolleyes:
     
  4. jimlowe

    jimlowe New Member

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    I have had the 660 for around 6 months,works well used it for touring spain and portugal in the summer on the v rod.also works well in the car.I have a "scala team rider" bluetooth headset works really well with the voice instructions and cell phone,but not so good when talking to pillion as it picks up too much windnoise.Also not much good listening to mp3 as not loud enough,mind you might be better if i had some baffles in the exhaust lol.
     
  5. jasonsmith

    jasonsmith Member

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    Your going to love it. Much better than it moving around on the bars plus it's more centered to your instrument cluster so your eyes can stay looking forward.

    Have you tried a stereo (AD2P) headset with your 660? Curious how much of a difference there is to your Scala. I'm going to get the Chatterbox XBi2 as soon as I can find a decent deal somewhere.
     
  6. jimlowe

    jimlowe New Member

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    no not tried the the headset you mentioned,but as i said cannot recommend the scala if you intend to use it for communication with pillion,otherwise very good, one other point can be difficult to attach the headset to some helmets.
     
  7. NOLA VFR

    NOLA VFR New Member

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    I'm running my Zumo 550 through a J&M with the hard wired headset/mic. LOVE IT. Never ride without it now.
     
  8. chomper

    chomper New Member

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    Js thats the same mount i use. didn't like it mounted in front of tank so i installed it on handle bar,clutch side. you do need to loosen reservoir to get it on and then retighten. i should post a picture even if its not a zumo:flip:
     
  9. JBzRed07

    JBzRed07 New Member

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    I have the 550. The only thing I don't like about it is that I am not able to permantely disable that obnoxious Fuel Guage / low fuel warning.

    Other than that, it has been an outstanding product.
     
  10. jasonsmith

    jasonsmith Member

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    :tongue:

    The 660 came with a bar mount but I'm not a fan of big blocky (gps) objects moving around with my steering. I like it dead center and planted. I stuck the bar mount on anyway for the camera. Why didn't you like off the tank?
     
  11. jasonsmith

    jasonsmith Member

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    With the 660 they made it so the fuel can be disabled entirely, not sure why Garmin couldn't add that in a firmware update for 550 owners...
     
  12. cheyanne9

    cheyanne9 New Member

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    I also have a 550 and have set the number very high so it dosent alert every tank.
    I dont recall what I changed it to, I did have it set to 200 miles. Your correct it is a great tool. I have seen more areas of the northeast than I would have without it.
     
  13. cheyanne9

    cheyanne9 New Member

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    Upgrade map

    Yes, the most current map is 2010.20. It's huge (data wise) I had to remove all foreign voices and and map indictators, I only ever use the blue arrow anyway. I installed all of North America, I think I'm going to cut back to the east coast map or if possible the north east map.

    Also I took the lifetime map upgrade plan - upgraded 3 times so far, had a little glitch and called customer service, they are outstanding!

    Current mount for 550.
     

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  14. jimlowe

    jimlowe New Member

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  15. uberchuckie

    uberchuckie New Member

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    I finally gotten around to remount my Zumo 660...

    Before:
    [​IMG]

    After:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I don't have the GPS hitting my tank bag now.
     
  16. jasonsmith

    jasonsmith Member

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    Sweet! Thanks for the pics.

    You can also order a longer arm that will lift the Zumo past your bag. I have two different length arms for just that possibility.
     
  17. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Boxing Day Jason. Promise. WOuld have gotten it the end of this month when my welfare cheque came in but I paid of the boy's Line of Credit instead
     
  18. JBzRed07

    JBzRed07 New Member

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    I wonder what their reason is for not allowing someone to disable the feature? :smokin:

    I believe that's my next move - to set the mileage setting to a really high numeric value.

    Thanks felluz! :thumbsup:
     
  19. uberchuckie

    uberchuckie New Member

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    I just did a 1000km weekend trip to NY/VT. It worked well though having it higher would be a bit nicer.
     
  20. Dave P

    Dave P New Member

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