Garmin Zumo 350LM Now Available

[scrape]

Garmin released a new Zumo this week, the 350LM.  Pricey, I think and do not see a significant advantage over the 660/665, but word on the street is that there may be more  new models on the horizon in the coming months too (Zumo 340).  I am wondering if Garmin is going to replace the current Zumo line with the 350LM as the high end replacement for the 660/665 models and a rumored Zumo 340 to replace the 550/450/220 series.

http://www.garmin.com/zumo

[mellow_gold]

$700   No thank you.

I made my Nuvi2450 weatherproof with a $0.02 ziplock baggy  

[RBEmerson]

Interestig mods but... why???  Maintenenance?  There's an app for that (I use A-Car).  Unless Garmin significantly improved the routing and Bluetooth handling (why am I not holding my breath, waiting to see if the 350LM is all good...), this hardly something to compel to drop more than I'd pay for a new Schuberth helmet.  When most GPS' are selling for a third of this.  And Garmin already sells lifetime maps for well under the price folded in here.  Bottom line: IMHO, Garmin... FAIL!  

[bomber]

Bottom line: IMHO, Garmin... FAIL!  

I agree -- it's beginning to look like Garmin is running scared from the onslaught of built-in sat-nav systems in cars and smart phone aps (though I have neither, and am pretty happy with my 450).

The product on which they've built their entire business is becoming a commodity (see also RIM's Blackberry platform).

Our requirements are form a niche market, I would imagine . . .

[Croak]

Actually, Garmin makes most of their money from avionics and marine systems, the consumer stuff is just a sideline, albeit a fairly profitable one, even with the competition picking up.

I replaced my stolen Zumo 550 with a 650 last month, and made the order minutes after discovering the 550 was gone.  It's become an integral part of my riding, especially on tours and I'd be lost without it (pun intended).  Besides the standard mapping functions, it's my speedo, it's my fuel gauge, and it's my secondary entertainment system.

That said, the 350M is priced the same as the 650 with slightly better specs, it has the advantage of being all black (something you had to pay HD or BMW prices for before), the case looks to be a bit more forgiving of rough handling than the 650/655, and I imagine it'll work like the 550, giving you XM as an option rather than a commitment like the 655.

[bomber]

Actually, Garmin makes most of their money from avionics and marine systems, the consumer stuff is just a sideline, albeit a fairly profitable one, even with the competition picking up.

I was not aware of that -- thanks!

Must be time for my nap!

[expatbrit]

I do (did?) love my 550. It's starting to act ... odd, however, with random refusals to power up at all that then -- equally randomly -- go away. Might be time to look at replacing it, but MAN they're still expensive.

[Mastros2]

I just checked it out.  WTF, really Garmin?!? Only your high end (read = $$$) models have an mp3 player now?  Once my 765t goes, I will have to find an alternative.

[radon222]

I just checked it out.  WTF, really Garmin?!? Only your high end (read = $$$) models have an mp3 player now?  Once my 765t goes, I will have to find an alternative.

I dunno about you...but I kinda put $700 at the high end of the scale....especially when no options for tunes is included.

[FiremanBob]

Lost my Zumo 220 last night (possibly stolen). I"ll check this out but the price is a choker.

[radon222]

Lost my Zumo 220 last night (possibly stolen). I"ll check this out but the price is a choker.

That's are real bummer.  Keep in mind that at the moment the 350 only exists on Garmin's website and is still physically unobtainium.  So if you can afford to wait a month or two...your cool.  

[redpattison]

No thanks, does not even have an mp3.

[stk0308]

I will never understand the need for an MP3 player on a motorcycle.  With that said, I am also not going to understand a $700 GPS unit, even if it is "motorcycle specific".  Yesh.

[Croak]

And I'll never understand the people that can't understand the desirability of music and audio books, especially while slabbing.  And hell, you live in Missouri, you've got hours upon hours of flatlands in three directions.

[expatbrit]

And I'll never understand the people that can't understand the desirability of music and audio books, especially while slabbing.  And hell, you live in Missouri, you've got hours upon hours of flatlands in three directions.

+1.

I don't use the GPS for it, because it's all already on the iPhone and the Sena, voice control, and volume control are too convenient at this point. However, I /love/ the ability to have a podcast playing while riding, or music, or something.

[NoGear]

Actually, Garmin makes most of their money from avionics and marine systems, the consumer stuff is just a sideline, albeit a fairly profitable one, even with the competition picking up.

I replaced my stolen Zumo 550 with a 650 last month,

zumo 650? Can't find that one on Garmin's site.


Don't forget about making money off of government contracts.  They make the ones that we use in the Army that don't have a third of the capability of civilian ones but lose it and you owe Uncle Sam $12,000 for a new one. Yes, $12,000 for 1!  Somehow last year they went from $7,000 to $12,000.  Nice little profit margin I'd say.

[stk0308]

And I'll never understand the people that can't understand the desirability of music and audio books, especially while slabbing.  And hell, you live in Missouri, you've got hours upon hours of flatlands in three directions.

Even when slabbing I'd rather be paying attention to the environment

[Croak]

Some of us can walk and chew gum at the same time.  

[Cablebandit]

Some of us can walk and chew gum at the same time.