[kuhlka]

I've had it on the bike and in the car for a couple months now and its been pretty good to me so far. It stopped working once because I let the battery run dead overnight, but it has otherwise been a great unit. Very waterproof (I've ridden through pissing down rain with it), has a good MP3 player and bluetooth support, and has the ability to plug in an XM reciever for traffic and radio.

I just ordered a helmet headset from California Sport Touring, INC. and it should be here in a few days to test out. I also won a Shoei X-eleven on ebay for $147 so I'll be installing it in that when my friend gets around to shipping me the helmet...

 

[AlaskaS3]

SWEET deal on the lid. Keep us posted.

 

[kuhlka]

Got the helmet today as well as the Starcom1 headset and installed it. The helmet fits VERY snug, which is to be expected brand new and washed by the previous owner. I'll get a better idea of comfort when it is broken in, but right now I can already tell the foam around the neck hugs in closer and there is more of it, which will eliminate a LOT of wind noise from that area. The headset is hardly noticeable and I routed the wires behind the back padding. Sound quality is great, I just need to test it out on the road to see how well the mic works and what kind of wind noise there is. So far, I'm very happy having spent under $200 for what would normally cost ~$600.

 

[kjazz]

This unit still working for you Kuhlka??

I'm looking at getting a GPS unit. Would like Bluetooth (to work with my Scala), and like the features of the 550. My only hesitation is the annoying tendency for a manufacturer to release a completely new and improved beyond my wildest imaginations model immediately after I buy the current model.

If anybody knows anything about a better than Zumo 550 model upcoming, please drop a hint here.

Thanks,
Kjazz

 

[MIS3]

I just read a review on the 550 on Cnet. I wish that was available when I got my Nuvi 360. I can use it on my bike but the mount and waterproof feature would have been nice.

 

[Martin_R]

I'm looking at getting a GPS unit. Would like Bluetooth (to work with my Scala), and like the features of the 550. My only hesitation is the annoying tendency for a manufacturer to release a completely new and improved beyond my wildest imaginations model immediately after I buy the current model.

If anybody knows anything about a better than Zumo 550 model upcoming, please drop a hint here.

The 550 has worked for me very well for a year or so. I use it in car and on bike both. Customer support has also been very good, I had one unit die on me and had a new one in my hand within 2 days. The 550 just received the v3.80 software update and new GPS+Bluetooth firmware, so it is not yet forgotten by factory.

But it is true that the design is over a year old, so some update might appear soon. I think the Nuvi range has updated once already, so the same updates might appear on the Zumo range soon.

 

[kjazz]

Martin, what updates "might appear soon"? Anything in particular that you're aware of that will boost its capabilities?

Thanks,
Kjazz

 

[Martin_R]

Martin, what updates "might appear soon"? Anything in particular that you're aware of that will boost its capabilities?

-Slimmer design + higher res screen. OK I guess, but the current seems plenty enough. I don't want to ride with an etch-a-scetch on my handlebars.
-Speech recoqnition. Useless for me.
-"Instant on" improved Sirf chip. Nice to have, but the current chip finds reception within seconds anyway and works even indoors on a cloudy day, so don't see this that necessary.
-Some improved download MP3s & traffic info over FM/XM. Useless for me.

As far as routing and speed of processing goes, the current unit seems to be very good already. +the accessories on 550 pack cover pretty much all needs, all you need in addition is an ear piece if you want spoken directions on bike. Carmount already has speaker for car use.

Search for Garmin Nuvi 8xx and 880 and you will find lots of info on next-gen Garmin units. This is also a good place for Zumo info:
http://www.zumoforums.com

 

[kjazz]

Very helpful. Thanks mucho.

 

[kuhlka]

I've had the Zumo 550 in pissing down rain with zero issues. My only suggestion is to make sure you install the motorcycle power cable to the license plate light so when you shut off the bike the GPS isn't draining your battery. The Zumo seems to like to turn itself on or not turn off when you are expecting it to be off. I've killed 2 batteries on the 1098 leaving the GPS hooked up directly to the battery and I even turned off the GPS after getting off the bike. I'm hoping my next battery will be fine now that all my electronics are hooked up to the license plate light.

I haven't played with the cell phone features much at all because the Starcom headset sucked balls and crowded my ears. I'll eventually try a mic and my Shure headphones so I can actually hear calls. One big problem with the phone feature is that there is no PTT button so the wind noise interferes if you're not using a chin spoiler and all the wind reduction stuff (which actually increases buffetting as it doesn't allow the wind to flow through the helmet).

The MP3 audio is very quiet compared to an iPod or most other MP3 players. I'm thinking you'd want a starcom or some kind of amplifier thing so you can hear the music better.

Other than that, the GPS features have been great so far on the bike, really easy to use in gloves, and most of the data is really accurate. I haven't updated mine since I bought it last february though so some of these features might be greatly improved...

 

[kjazz]

Thanks!

 

[bob5150]

I got the 550 for X Mas. Wasn't really looking for a GPS, but have to say I really like it. I mounted it on the BMW, but I'm thinking of getting a second cradle & cable and putting a mount on the S3. On the Beemer, I hooked the power into the hot lead to the parking lamp in the headlight. The mapsource program and being able to download routes is nice. Lot of features on the 550, probably take me 6 months to figure them all out.

Anyone put theirs on the Speedy yet?

 

[remal]

I have also been happy with the Zumo 550. had it for 6 months, use it int eh car, kit car and bike without any problems. a good bit of kit