GPS purpose built for a Motorcycle

[duey]

imo the mp3 is sort of a waste of space on my c550 as it won't patch audio through fm modulation, only via AUX input (rather just use ipod or similar if thats the case). Bluetooth to me is extremely usefull in the car as it doubles as handsfree unit, my only gripe about it is that (applies when on bike) it can only function as a headset, it doesn't allow me to connect to my bluetooth on the helmet which would've been really usefull to me since i would rarely ever need to look down at the unit.

I'm pretty sure after the miss's uses the c550 and gets used to it she'll end up stealing from me and in return i can get the zumo550 and i may just replace the gauge cluster on the sv also

[PatSV650]

"I think that XMRadio and Sirius Radio better rethink their
marketing strategies ... "

OK, what's that supposed to mean?

[Currently]

Originally posted by PatSV650
"I think that XMRadio and Sirius Radio better rethink their
marketing strategies ... "

OK, what's that supposed to mean?

Most folks that I know never renew the XM Radio stuff.
I think if they really want to take off, they need to provide
some commercial stations that are free access.

To be honest, what I heard was not worth the subscription.

[Punjistick]

I agree. I sure as heck wont be renewing my subscription.

[ssg]

The GXM 30 doesen't just do radio, it's also for XM weather and XM traffic data (overlayed onto the GPS screen) thus it's allgedly high price.

Not sure the Z550 does that (yet) but the high end of the 2700 series (2730) did this a year ago and was cheaper then the Zumo. Then again, it didn't have a fuel gauge.


Sidnote...since I just went from a Nuvi 660 to a C530 - that streetname announcement is prime for actually navigating without staring at the screen (like in a car) or metro navigation.

For what you get on the 450 it almost seems like it's a really marked up version of the C530 in a Zumo case (f that).

[Currently]

Yup for a total subscription cost of 15 bucks a month.
This is after the "trial" period expires of course with the
'built in subscription' in the GXM 30 antenna.
The Zumo 550 can do XM Nav Traffic and FM Nav Traffic.

As for the street to text to speech feature, it can be very annoying. Most bike riders can do just fine without that
feature.

It is fairly waterproof, I don't have to worry about a downpour.
Very glove friendly ... DON'T TRY INPUTTING DATA WHILE RIDING!

My wife's Honda has the OEM version of the high end Street Pilot.
That really is nice. However, you still have to use your common
sense using them. You input Home Depot and it wants to send
me to Michigan. Getting the right data in and accessing the right
POI's are tricky.

[PatSV650]

Originally posted by Currently
Most folks that I know never renew the XM Radio stuff.
I think if they really want to take off, they need to provide
some commercial stations that are free access.

To be honest, what I heard was not worth the subscription.

That's what I keep hearing about XM. The music channels don't have enough variety, plus some even have commercials, which, defeats the purpose.

I have been very happy with Sirius. The music channels are great and with no commercials (just an occassional DJ with news about bands which is very brief) The comedy channels are very good as well. My wife hardly uses the CD player in her car now because of the Sirius.

After listening to it for the last year+, I then listened to regular radio for a short while.... it's all commercials. Hardly any music and there's only, what, 1 or 2 "rock" stations left around here? All the stations around here play the same old tired 20 or so song loop. As much as I like listening to MUSIC, it's worth my money. I've had the opportunity to listen to XM, and, you're right, XM sucks!

[Punjistick]

Luckily I got 6 months of XM for pretty much free after rebate. But as soon as it is over I am not renewing it. Your right about regular radio though, it sucks. There are so many commercials it's not even worth bothering with. The one nice thing about XM is they will usually play a bunch of songs and then chime in with a quick DJ bit. The lack of stations that I like is what really kills it for me.

Maybe after VIR I'll have some money for the Zumo.

[ssg]

Originally posted by Currently

The Zumo 550 can do XM Nav Traffic and FM Nav Traffic.

ahh, didn't even catch that it coul do FM/TMC too - that is actually what I use now and it's awesome. The XM one I have heard is more latent.

[PhatPat33]

ZUMO 550 for $678

Good price for the 550

[Punjistick]

That is a good price. Cheapest I have found it for is $695.

[ChR1s]

Originally posted by PhatPat33
ZUMO 550 for $678

Good price for the 550

I've experienced less than favorable service from that merchant. No problems with GPS Discount. A few bucks more, but Compuplus I will not deal with again.

[ssg]

GPSdiscount is also who I deal with exclusively unless Costco.com has it cheaper (sometimes). But if it isn't there, I'll wait till it is.

[Currently]

Cyber Marine in Connecticutt treated me very well on my deal.

[Punjistick]

here is a thumbs up review for the Zumo 550

and a thumbs downreview

The second review brings up some interesting points. I don't know how useful those things would actually be on a motorcycle, but for around $700 you'd think they could include those things. The compass especially for instance if you wanted to ride west and keep going in that direction while exploring new roads. I don't know, I've never used a GPS before so I don't know if you'd really want that or not.

And in the first review, he mentions the lack of a headphone jack. It might be nice to have in case you didn't have any bluetooth headset. But I guess if you can afford the Zumo you probably already have one of those.

[duey]

Originally posted by Punjistick
here is a thumbs up review for the Zumo 550

and a thumbs downreview

The second review brings up some interesting points. I don't know how useful those things would actually be on a motorcycle, but for around $700 you'd think they could include those things. The compass especially for instance if you wanted to ride west and keep going in that direction while exploring new roads. I don't know, I've never used a GPS before so I don't know if you'd really want that or not.

And in the first review, he mentions the lack of a headphone jack. It might be nice to have in case you didn't have any bluetooth headset. But I guess if you can afford the Zumo you probably already have one of those.

Guy complains about an alitmeter readout?? Gimme a break. Compass? Would've been nice, its not like they completely left it out, but realistically couldn't you just follow a road in that general direction anyways?? I should email him about taking it off his hands if he hates it so much lol.

And wow i didn't realise that the bluetooth functions that way with the zumo, my streetpilot c550 doesn't allow me to join the gps + bt headset + phone which was a huge let down for me (while on the bike anyways, not an issue in the cage).

[Currently]

That negative review is full of shit ... come on ... I am a motorcyclist, not a friggen pilot. Altimeter my ass.

If you are using the trip functions, speed, fuel, and such, there is a compass on that page that does get the job done.
Plus get verbal directions in the background from the earset.

I am not going to ride a motorcycle and decide that the angle of declination is 23 degrees from true north and that this road is a bit off.

The reviewer's elevator doesn't reach the top floor.

As for the comment on the earplug ... that is false.

The base has the jack for the earplug for both the car and bike mounting bases.

[Punjistick]

Ok that guy is just an idiot then. I bet he doesn't even ride a bike.

[Currently]

I created an account just to comment on his review ...

[mycirus]

So has anyone found a cheaper deal than 677 on the Zumo 550? I am thinking about getting one but want the best price. Has anyone bought a 550 yet? Anyone have a hookup?

Bruce

[Currently]

Did you consider the Zumo 450?

Not like you are going to use the 550 features on a bike
unless you got money to burn on XM and Traffic radio subscriptions
along with the necessary 300 dollar antenna ...

[ssg]

Get a 2720 from Costco for 350$ then if you *really* need traffic go get a gtm 10 or something. The 2720 has tracks, altitude, all that b.s. that the POS Zumo left out.

The Zumo is complete mamau.

[mycirus]

Did you consider the Zumo 450?

Not like you are going to use the 550 features on a bike
unless you got money to burn on XM and Traffic radio subscriptions
along with the necessary 300 dollar antenna ...

The antenna is only 209 on Amazon and I am sure I can find it on ebay cheaper. I like the idea of adding gadgets later plus to switch it to a car.

[MissTwisties]

We already have a Garmin Nuvi, it's an awsome little machine. On top of taking you where you need to go, it gives you all the accomodations close by (restaurants, gas, hotels, etc.) within a few miles of where you are. There is many cool features. I still have to figure out how to use it to plan routes for rides. We did use it on the bikes to go to the speedboat races last summer on Lake Ontario. Also used it when we took the plane to Florida...gives you altitude and all, that was just plain awsome.

[Currently]

I agree with V ...

I ride ... pull to the side of the road .... type in Dunkin ... and it brings me
to the nearest Dunkin Donuts!

AHHHHHH! Nothing like replenishing the caffeine molecules in your bloodstream!

The antenna is only 209 on Amazon and I am sure I can find it on ebay cheaper. I like the idea of adding gadgets later plus to switch it to a car.

It is not the gadget ... it is the damn subscriptions.
Plus you got to buy 2 of them, one for the car and one for the bike.
That antenna does not move very well .... you want to install it and
leave it where it is.