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Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS How to find your way - traditional map, compass and road signs, or GPS and more
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia




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  #1  
Old 6 Jul 2010
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Question Nuvi 550 vs ZUMO ? ? ?

Need to compare Nuvi 550 vs Zumo from experienced users please.

Will use it in the car and on bike. Should be waterproof and large memory with hi waypoints. I normally don't use topos.

Thanks

:confused1:
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  #2  
Old 11 Jul 2010
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Got the Zumo 660 not impressed.
Can't lock it to the bike so have to take it with you when you pay for fuel etc.

Bluetooth phone support is cr*p. (Only old phones on Garmin's compatability list and tech support not interested in helping if your phone isn't on the list).

Firmware updates cause problems.
Bought a 2nd hand phone from their compatability list. This did work perfectly before I did an update. Now some calls are so garbled I have to redial.
Doesn't always pair since update. Takes 3\4 attempts.
Will sometimes just crash\power off since update.
Sometimes not see the sd card since update.
Doesn't remember the last played mp3 and now starts on the same song.
There have been 3 updates since I started having trouble but none address the problems.

Map can't keep up when negotiating roundabouts.

If you've downloaded custom (non Garmin) POI's these appear under "Extras" which means a separate search.

It records your route and the speed you were doing at a specific point,
I paid £100 ish to get map updates (diferent form the zumo\firmware updates) free for life which I think is worth it.

I used to have a pda with TomTom Navigator 5 and I much prefer that software.

The Zumo 660 is not a bad idea but poorly implimented. Probably go for a TT Rider next time.
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  #3  
Old 12 Jul 2010
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I have heard quite a few bad reports on the Zumo 660 and most people buy the 550, which was the previous model but was better alround proposition.
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  #4  
Old 12 Jul 2010
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Location: Gulfport, Mississippi USA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rambrose View Post
Got the Zumo 660 not impressed.
Can't lock it to the bike so have to take it with you when you pay for fuel etc.
I hate this, touratech does make a locking mount that I purchased... but the key doesn't really lock anything... I broke the first one by just pulling it open with my bare hands, they sent me another saying the first was faulty, but the second seems like it'd be the same way, not gonna try though...


Quote:
Originally Posted by rambrose View Post
Bluetooth phone support is cr*p. (Only old phones on Garmin's compatability list and tech support not interested in helping if your phone isn't on the list).
both my Black Berry Storm (shit phone) and my Motorola Droid work fine... never had any issues.

I love the fact that it brings up my contacts, call log, ect...

Quote:
Originally Posted by rambrose View Post
Firmware updates cause problems.
Bought a 2nd hand phone from their compatability list. This did work perfectly before I did an update. Now some calls are so garbled I have to redial.
Doesn't always pair since update. Takes 3\4 attempts.
Will sometimes just crash\power off since update.
Sometimes not see the sd card since update.
Doesn't remember the last played mp3 and now starts on the same song.
There have been 3 updates since I started having trouble but none address the problems.
I haven't had any of THESE problems but I have had issues... my garmin shut off completely in the middle of one trip... didn't come back on until I was pulled over and pulled the battery and re inserted it.

It didn't record ANY data for about 2 days, so when I up loaded my tracks into mapsource... two days were gone! frustrating.

more of an issue with my computers and garmin I think, but even though I install the maps to my computer then to the Zumo, I get an error saying those maps aren't on my computer when pulling my trip log from the Zumo.

Quote:
Originally Posted by rambrose View Post
Map can't keep up when negotiating roundabouts.
I've had this issue not with roundabouts (not many in the US) but with tight canyons... the Zumo would constantly have me riding off into the unknown only to snap back to road 3 miles later... thankfully there were no turn offs to miss...

it also routes me down some odd roads... taking short loops rather than just sticking to the main road... (does this no matter what the routing preferences are)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rambrose View Post
If you've downloaded custom (non Garmin) POI's these appear under "Extras" which means a separate search.
haven't tried these

Quote:
Originally Posted by rambrose View Post
It records your route and the speed you were doing at a specific point,
I paid £100 ish to get map updates (diferent form the zumo\firmware updates) free for life which I think is worth it.
yeah I like both of these... well worth it if you go the garmin route


The Zumo 660 is not a bad idea but poorly implimented. Probably go for a TT Rider next time.[/QUOTE]

I'll stick with Garmin, though I've had nothing but +'s before, this is the only one that is kinda sour IMO...

I am sending my 660 back to Garmin today, as the internal antenna failed... I get no bars, and if I shake the unit, i can hear rattling... so maybe, my issues were due to a loose antenna :idk: one can only hope they'll be fixed and addressed.
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  #5  
Old 12 Jul 2010
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Posts: 68
A secondhand Zumo 500 and an SD card would be the best value option in my opinion.

Does everything that the new one does, but costs less and doesn't crash as often

David
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