Garmin zumo 550 GPS A Riders Review

[FishWitch]

Originally Posted by CAL

I am still searching for a motorcycle unit --waterproof, xm audio and (real time subscribed) weather, wireless stereo to helmet. A couple of responses have said the Zumo 550 does all that, but the pix I have seen of the weather on the Zumo were NOT radar returns --only forecasts. Anybody using XM weather Naster Mariner, sailorman, fisherman??

Cal, like any good fisherman would say, " If the rock is wet, it's raining."

I check the local CalTans(Calif Dept of Transportation) live cams before leaving on a trip. If the weather really looks foul I leave options to change directions or change route entirely.

I have had a ZUMO 550 for a few years now and love it. I dont use anything but the mapping. I also ride with my laptop so can access daily info before starting out.

The ZUMO Forum is your best bet for the info you are looking for. Post back and update us.

A lot of cell phones now have that feature. Maybe incorporate the 2 for a lesser price.

[Oldun]

Hi Tim

I hope you get better information from the gurus at the Zumo Forum because I am just a user not an expert. I've got an older 450 and a slightly less old 550 (on two different bikes in different countries). On my 550, the Bluetooth connection is definitely not stereo, but since I only use it for the occasional voice prompts inside the big smoke that doesn't bother me. Also, I have been able to get it to synchronise to both a Bluetooth earphone for music and the Bluetooth intercom, but I hadn't tried both at the same time... until tonight just to see, and I can't get them both to work at the same time when activated at the same time. But like I say, my model is nearly 3 years old, maybe the newer ones have this facility. For my money the Zumo is / was worth every cent, it performed flawlessly in daily riding as well as around the continental US, coast-to-coast... but I usde it for directions and distances and recording routes and audiobooks and not much else. Good luck and happy riding.

Originally Posted by Halfton2

I hope someone here can help answer a question regarding the Zumo 550.

Can this gps bluetooth sync to more than one device at the same time, for example blackberry storm phone to zumo to autocom logic?

Sorry I'm not usually one to reactivate a old thread? I see in the literature that it is capable of at least one bluetooth connection.

Also is that bluetooth connection in stereo?

Thanks

Tim

[BigH]

Hi to all,

Is the NUVI 550 auto/moto can be a good choice, considering features vs price???
Tks for any advice

[CRASH]

Personally I think the ZUMO series is a bit over priced for nothing more really than a water proof case. Understand I have never used a ZUMO, but the price to feature ratio turned me off. I have been using a Nuvi 760 for years ... when it rains I put a baggy over it (now referred to by my family as the 2 cent Garmin rain cover) and ride.

[PongoUSA]

Originally Posted by CRASH

Personally I think the ZUMO series is a bit over priced for nothing more really than a water proof case. Understand I have never used a ZUMO, but the price to feature ratio turned me off. I have been using a Nuvi 760 for years ... when it rains I put a baggy over it (now referred to by my family as the 2 cent Garmin rain cover) and ride.

Dan, I'm happy with my Navu 760, also. When it rains, I put it in a ziploc bag, it still fits into the craddle. Works fine. Only problem is, I'm going through a lot of power cables, they last only about 3 or 4 month and stop working. The only ones, I'm able to find, are those with the mini usb thingy, and I suspect, they are corroding or something. Do you use a different power supply ?

[CRASH]

Originally Posted by PongoUSA

Dan, I'm happy with my Navu 760, also. When it rains, I put it in a ziploc bag, it still fits into the craddle. Works fine. Only problem is, I'm going through a lot of power cables, they last only about 3 or 4 month and stop working. The only ones, I'm able to find, are those with the mini usb thingy, and I suspect, they are corroding or something. Do you use a different power supply ?

I had the issue with my Magellan and when I upgraded, made a point to do it differently. I have the RAM MOUNT that uses the standard power cradle. Basically this doo dad



and this standard cradle



Looks like this from the back before you put a mounting ball on it.



I rarely disconnect the multi pin connector. I use the standard car charger and plug it into a unit I installed under the seat. That is powered by a relay off of the key switch. I could easily have cut open the car charger for hard wiring, but was not excited about it. I can get the GPS out of the cradle and then release the button on the bottom of the cradle to remove. The cradle stays behind. Let me know if you want a picture. This set up has lasted over 2 years about about 40k miles so far ... of course now you have jinxed me.

[PongoUSA]

Dan,

I have the same Ram Mount, but never thought, the original Garmin craddle would fit into it. Well, I tried it after your post and it fits Now, all I need, is a adapter from the powerlet to the car charger plug of the Garmin with enough wire to fit underneath the seat.

Mucho Gracias

[RCLafnjack]

I purchased a Zumo 550 with the xm radio antenna. I really like all that functionality and paired with my BlueAnt F4, its quite nice. My only issue and maybe its me, but, why would any manufacturer put out a bluetooth device that has audio capabilities and NOT MAKE IT STEREO??? With all the research I did, I missed that part. I listen to my music when I ride and to get crappy sound wasn't what I was looking for. Fortunately for me, I was directed to hang a Jabra A123 bluetooth dongle off the 3.5mm jack and bluetooth to it. That works fine, but I really don't get how a device made "FOR BIKERS, BY BIKERS" could miss that significant option.
Other than the music issue, I really like the zumo 550 and despite the above. The XM radio is a very nice addition for long rides. The real test will come next year when I do CA, FL, ME, WA (4 corners) that will last 7-9 weeks.