EOE Advice Please: Zumo 660 or ? and best plact to buy

[greench440]

As I'm getting ready for the National, I've decided my 12+ year old Garmin eTrex Vista has reached the end of it's life.  It never worked quite right after it took some abuse in the ZX-11 crash and I'm finally ready to spring for a real navigation system instead of a simple GPS.

So, what say you experts on everything?  I'm most interested in the Zumo 660 at this point.  Are there any comparable alternatives from the other vendors?  Where is the best place to buy?

My only "non standard" requirement is the ability to load routes from the DeLorme Street Atlas program I use on my laptop.

Thx.

[greench440]

Wow, I'll pull a Bob Mielke, 25 views and no replies?

Evidently this means there's nothing better than a Zumo 660.  I'm off to Fry's tomorrow to pick one up when they open.

[zer0netgain]

No real answers from me, but I have a StreetPilot and bought another ST.Ner's Zumo 550.  I didn't care for it (worked fine, but the features had more drawbacks than benefits over what I already had), so I sold it.

Mostly, what I wanted was bluetooth I could use to listen to MP3s, and while the 550 would do that, the configuration was really geared towards cell phone use.  It wasn't that the sound was mono only...it was garbage quality for MP3 playback (phone/directions came through fine).  There was a workaround, but the cost of the extra kit just wasn't worth it.  The 660 is still out of my price range.

In any case, the 660, IIRC, is the top-of-the-line Garmin that's certified IPX-7 so you can use it in wet environments.

The 665 offers XM compatibility...about the only difference from the 660.

I see no other Garmin model that compares to the 660 in features (in other words, no 660-like Garmin that's not designed to be waterproof in exchange for a lower price).

[Justin]

I see no other Garmin model that compares to the 660 in features (in other words, no 660-like Garmin that's not designed to be waterproof in exchange for a lower price).

Correct, there is no other GPS that will give better performance/features/waterproofness than the 660 (well, except the 665 if you want XM) for your intended application.

[Mr. Squidward]

I like my 660, though I’m still getting used to it.  It replaced an old Quest2 with a failing antenna, and is much faster with a much nicer display.  Though some of the features are a bit dumbed down, the interface even though simple is still pretty versatile, and I’m really starting to like the touch screen.  Right now I’m using it with a wired earphone connection but my plan is to go Bluetooth eventually.  

Personally, I don’t think there is a better choice for dedicated motorcycle GPS, but I’m sure there are many others that could be made to do the job.


Oh, and definitely go here: http://www.zumoforums.com/

[greench440]

I just finished installing it on the FJR and giving it a test run to the local Home Depot.  It was easy to mount using the included RAM mount and using the ball I had previously installed.  

I've updated the software and maps, though that took about 2 hours to download over my DSL, installed MapSource, created a route to Home Depot and downloaded it for the test run.

Now I just need to program my routes to the national and load them to the unit.  I've never listened to music so I didn't hook up the earphone or mic.  I may eventually get a blue tooth helmet and try the whole music/phone thing.

Those of you waiting for a Home Depot ride report will be disappointed.

Thanks for the

[Croak]

I run a 3.5mm extension cable from the Zumo mount under the tank/side panels, to an underseat splitter, where my Zumo and my TPX are fed.  From the splitter I have a female jack dangling on the left side of the seat.  I plug in a set of in-ear headphones to that.   My Zumo 550 is my on-bike entertainment center as well as my navigation aid.  MP3, XM radio, audio books.

Hardwired is the only way to fly IMNSHO.   ~4 hour battery life just doesn't cut it with me, when I'm riding, the audio is playing full time.

I can't imagine using the Zumo without an audio hookup of some sort, even if you're the type that disdains music while riding.  The spoken cues are great, and it allows you to keep your eyes on the road rather than spending a lot of time looking at the unit.   Spend $10, get a 6' 3.5mm extension cable from WalMart or Best Buy (right angle male works best), and a set of headphones that work for you, in-ear or external.

[ceilingcat]

I have the 665.  The 665 is more expensive than the 660.  The 660 has a bunch of bugs and about 90% of them have been fixed with the 665.  The other plus for the 665 is XM.  The 550 required you to drop an extra $200 or so for the XM antenna.  The 665 comes with the antenna, ram mount, and car suction cup mount.  The 660 is being closed out by Garmin so you can get great deals on them.  The 660 also does not like anything over a 16gb SD card (it depends on who makes the SD card and mine would randomly decide it could not read it).  The 665 is compatible with up to 32gb SD card (the micro SD card btw) and does not seem to care who makes the card.  

Some people have reported random resets of the 665, black screen, freezes, etc. I have never had this happen.  Sometimes recalculating new route on the 665 will take a very long time; sometimes it does it in a few seconds.  I think the menu to get to the audio functions is stupid – you have to go thru 3 different menus but w/e. It would be nice if you didn’t have to go thru the menu options to turn on the XM radio or MP3 player every time you turn the thing on but its ok I guess.  I would like to eliminate the audio book option (remove it from the audio menu) but I can live with it.  Garmin just did a big update for the 665 firmware – I didn’t notice any changes other than having to re-sync my blutooth gadgets.

I use it with the Scalea Rider G4 for blutooth and my crackberry tour 9650.  Sometimes the 665 will fail to connect to the Scalea Rider G4, but it’s kind of rare.  I either power cycle the Scalea Rider G4 or the 665.  The 665 acts as a central hub for blutooth gadgets and I guess it sometimes gets confused; but it’s rare.

I have had all three.  My 550 screen died after 2 years, the 660 was so fracking buggy I sold it on ebay and replaced it with the 665.  I am happy with the 665.  At $900.00 its not a cheap toy.  I have found it to be far more durable and road worthy than the 660.  I have dropped it, its been rained on, hailed on, driven thru 100+ degree weather – down to -20 degrees.  It does have some very minor bugs but

Purchased from GPS CITY http://www.gpscity.com/

[Cablebandit]

Curious....I thought the 665 was just the 660 with the XM receiver included.

[zer0netgain]

Curious....I thought the 665 was just the 660 with the XM receiver included.

It is, but as it was developed later, it's possible it's "debugged" a bit more.  There might be internal changes not apparent since both look the same and have pretty much identical features.

[ceilingcat]

Curious....I thought the 665 was just the 660 with the XM receiver included.

It absolutely is not.  The 660 was pushed to the market too quickly.  On the Zumo Forums this is stated quite clearly.  The 665 has recoded firmware and some other 'lectronic gizmos.

Externally they look the same.  Software and Firmware wise they are completely different.

[Cablebandit]

It absolutely is not.  The 660 was pushed to the market too quickly.  On the Zumo Forums this is stated quite clearly.  The 665 has recoded firmware and some other 'lectronic gizmos.

Externally they look the same.  Software and Firmware wise they are completely different.

Well if you read it on the internet it must be true.  

[1KPerDay]

Those of you waiting for a Home Depot ride report will be disappointed.

Stupid question: I have a 660 but have never used it on a bike... I used it in the car for one trip and liked it a lot. However I'm confused about downloading maps or whatever. I thought all the maps were already on it. Are there extra details/whatever you can download for particular areas or something?  

[greench440]

The maps are already loaded.  I'm just loading routes and way points for my trip to the national because I want to go a specific way that is not the way the auto routing on it wants to go.

[birdrunner]

WOW,  for $700 - $800, I'll gladly get lost, go home via Colorado,  spend 5 nights in a hotel, and still have cash left over.

[Croak]

Mine has paid for itself as an entertainment center, campsite locator and fuel finder alone.  

[ray916mn]

I run a 3.5mm extension cable from the Zumo mount under the tank/side panels, to an underseat splitter, where my Zumo and my TPX are fed.  From the splitter I have a female jack dangling on the left side of the seat.  I plug in a set of in-ear headphones to that.   My Zumo 550 is my on-bike entertainment center as well as my navigation aid.  MP3, XM radio, audio books.

Hardwired is the only way to fly IMNSHO.   ~4 hour battery life just doesn't cut it with me, when I'm riding, the audio is playing full time.

I can't imagine using the Zumo without an audio hookup of some sort, even if you're the type that disdains music while riding.  The spoken cues are great, and it allows you to keep your eyes on the road rather than spending a lot of time looking at the unit.   Spend $10, get a 6' 3.5mm extension cable from WalMart or Best Buy (right angle male works best), and a set of headphones that work for you, in-ear or external.

Screw wires, Bluetooth FTW. I've tried a number of Bluetooth receivers and settled on a Sony Ericsson MW600 receiver. I've verified the claimed 8.5 hour battery life for streaming music. The receiver integrates up to 3 different Bluetooth streams, so you can use it to integrate your phone, MP3 player, etc. and includes a built in mic and FM receiver. Pretty much the perfect companion to in ear buds and works well with the 660. Leave the jack plug on the unit covered and invulnerable to rain.

[Croak]

Screw the batteries, 8.5 hours is still 3.5 hours short of an average road trip day for me unless I'm lollygagging, and then the hassle of charging, especially when most of my nights on the road are spent in a campsite.

[DangerMoney]

  Where is the best place to buy?

I've purchased from all of these vendors and would do so again. All had what I wanted in stock and it was delivered within the time they specified.

http://www.getfeetwet.com/


http://www.gpsnow.com/


http://www.tvnav.com/

[ray916mn]

Screw the batteries, 8.5 hours is still 3.5 hours short of an average road trip day for me unless I'm lollygagging, and then the hassle of charging, especially when most of my nights on the road are spent in a campsite.

My average day trip is 500 miles, and the batteries lasted for a 600 mi. day. I probably should have been clearer. I verified 8.5 hours, and have yet to verify how long it lasts beyond 8.5 hrs. My guess is the 600 mi. day took 10 hrs of riding.

[Major 662]

My average day trip is 500 miles, and the batteries lasted for a 600 mi. day. I probably should have been clearer. I verified 8.5 hours, and have yet to verify how long it lasts beyond 8.5 hrs. My guess is the 600 mi. day took 10 hrs of riding.

Do you ever use the controls on the MW600 while you're riding?  Or just tuck it in an internal pocket?

[ray916mn]

Do you ever use the controls on the MW600 while you're riding?  Or just tuck it in an internal pocket?

I just tuck it into an internal pocket. The controls are too small to be used with gloved hands.

[tigertom1965]

I have a Zumo 550 and love it for my MP3s which I use evertime I ride. I have an 8GB (Or was that 32GB) card in it but I don't use all of it. I have only needed to reset the battery a few times in my 2 years of service. It works much better if I shut off the engine and it asks me if I want to shut it down or go on battery. If I shut it down I don't have problems if I shut it off while it is still plugged in I have issues trying to get it started again. Now if I load my maps to only my card it will fail to start if it gets too hot. It sometimes routes me over dirt roads that are better left to a KLR so I am always cautious when following directions. I have also found out I have to be very close to a road for it to be able to calculate a route for me. Don't laugh it doesn't know how to get through a parking lot because they are not on the maps. Do wish I had the correct lane feature. Sometimes I have to take my eyes off the road to know which exit to get off at because East and West exits are too close. It says to take the next right but that doesn't always mean the next right is the next right. It can sometimes be the second right. I have it hooked up by bluetooth to my Cardo Scala Q2 Rider and even with no stereo music it is really not bad at all. I don't expect studio quality inside a helmet with the wind whistling in my ears anyway. One thing I do not like is I can no longer download all of North America map on to my Garmin unit itself since it was limited to 1GB of internal memory. The North American map is now over that 1GB limit and I have had to not load some data. I skipped Mexico, Hawaii, and some parts of the middle of Canada where I don't expect to ever go on my bike. Hopefully the 665 has these issues resolved? Also the Zumo 550 XM connection is not sent over the bluetooth hook up so I didn't purchase the $230 antenna. I didn't know there were any other bike GPS's besides the Garmin ones anyway.