New GPS, first things first

[carolinakid1]

Since we are talking GPS here, which Garmin Zumo is recommended?

[Top Cat]

I have the Garmin Zumo 550. It does everything I need it to do. Would buy another one if this one craps out.
It depends on what features you want. Some are more sophisticated than others.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Sounds pretty straight forward.
What the hell is a JPG

A fancy GIF

[markclark57]

Originally Posted by carolinakid1

Since we are talking GPS here, which Garmin Zumo is recommended?

After looking at a few Garmin for Motorcycle units ($$$) I decided to try my old TomTom that I used for years in the Plumbing truck. It's not waterproof (not much need for that here) but it works good. I can see the screen in full sunlight and the "voice" is audible at freeway speeds over the Cobra's. I haven't had any issues yet with the now 5 year old maps either. I'm hoping that by the time this one takes a dump they will have some newer models available.

[blowndodge]

My Garmin 265WT faceplate cracked so I'm using a backup TomTom XL340M. Seems fine so far...

[carolinakid1]

I currently use my Garmin 225W (double duty in the car) but was wondering why the need to develop the Zumo line for motorcycles?

[blowndodge]

so they could call it waterproof and charge you 500-600 bucks

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by blowndodge

so they could call it waterproof and charge you 500-600 bucks

What a doubter.

The motorcycle specific GPS is waterproof and is built to take the vibration of motorcycles.

[cnc]

Plus the screen is supposed to be better in daylight, the ram mount, car mount and a few other goodies.

[Bud2rat]

I, too, have been using my car TomTom for the last 4 years without a hickup. It's been a valuable tool. My riding buddy has a 2009 Goldwing with nav and my TomTom is more accurate than his factory model.

[Netnorske]

I have the Zumo 550 and it has been a great addition to my bike over the last four years. They are spendy, but like TC says...they are made to be waterproof and stand up to the punishing vibrations you can experience on a bike. They have a ton of features, but my favorite, most functional tool is the "Arrival Time". This is WAY more useful than how many miles are left on the route. I could care less how many miles I have left if I know what time I am going to get there.

After you activate your planned route (and it makes no difference how far it is), at the bottom of the screen it tells you your arrival time at your current speed, if you rode directly there. If you stop anywhere, it will recalibrate and give you a new arrival time. This is awesome, because when I activate my 350 mile route for the day at 8:00am, it tells me I will arrive at 1:34pm. With each stop along the way it adjusts.

After several site-seeing stops, a lunch stop and so forth, it now says I will arrive at 5:26pm. Since I do not wish to arrive at my hotel later than 6:00pm....I probably should not dick around too much more and just git'er-done. So I keep riding straight to the hotel and guess what...?? I pull in at 5:26pm...right on the money. The thing is truly amazing....

I should mention that it does not seem to automatically adjust when I cross time zones. You would think that it would, but I have not seen that on mine. Keep that in mind as you travel. If you arrival time says 5:26pm but you cross from PST to MST....you will arrive at 6:26 MST, but your Zumo might still show 5:26pm.

[waterman]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

What a doubter.

The motorcycle specific GPS is waterproof and is built to take the vibration of motorcycles.

I have an older Garmin Streetpilot. They take the vibration just fine. It even took a nice tumble at 45 mph off the bike and survived nicely. Waterproof is the only thing that is an advantage with a motorcycle specific but there are ways around that plus behind the windshield it rarely gets wet.

[waterman]

Originally Posted by blowndodge

My Garmin 265WT faceplate cracked so I'm using a backup TomTom XL340M. Seems fine so far...

Finally got tired of looking at your ugly mug shot and committed GPS suicide.

I'm surpised nobody has said anything on this yet.

[blowndodge]

Originally Posted by Netnorske

I have the Zumo 550 and it has been a great addition to my bike over the last four years. They are spendy, but like TC says...they are made to be waterproof and stand up to the punishing vibrations you can experience on a bike. They have a ton of features, but my favorite, most functional tool is the "Arrival Time". This is WAY more useful than how many miles are left on the route. I could care less how many miles I have left if I know what time I am going to get there.

After you activate your planned route (and it makes no difference how far it is), at the bottom of the screen it tells you your arrival time at your current speed, if you rode directly there. If you stop anywhere, it will recalibrate and give you a new arrival time. This is awesome, because when I activate my 350 mile route for the day at 8:00am, it tells me I will arrive at 1:34pm. With each stop along the way it adjusts.

After several site-seeing stops, a lunch stop and so forth, it now says I will arrive at 5:26pm. Since I do not wish to arrive at my hotel later than 6:00pm....I probably should not dick around too much more and just git'er-done. So I keep riding straight to the hotel and guess what...?? I pull in at 5:26pm...right on the money. The thing is truly amazing....

I should mention that it does not seem to automatically adjust when I cross time zones. You would think that it would, but I have not seen that on mine. Keep that in mind as you travel. If you arrival time says 5:26pm but you cross from PST to MST....you will arrive at 6:26 MST, but your Zumo might still show 5:26pm.

Yet another "Unibomber Manifesto" from our beloved North-Westerner

[blowndodge]

Originally Posted by waterman

I have an older Garmin Streetpilot. They take the vibration just fine. It even took a nice tumble at 45 mph off the bike and survived nicely. .

Yea, but your face sure didn't!!