Garmin Zumo 550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $595.00 You Save: $304.99 (34%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
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for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Zumo 550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Customer Review: Pretty darn near perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
This little device is WONDERFUL. Someone has already stated that it is built like a tank and I could not agree more! I have no negatives to report about the device itself.
Now, I do have one major con for the software. To clarify, you get software on the GPS and you also get Mapsource software to load on your computer to make routes with that you can upload into your GPS. I really do not like the Mapsource software for the computer but when I bought my device in 2009, what I read indicated that even though the software wasn't perfect, it was pretty much the best that could be had. Today, 10/6/10, I understand it's still about the same scenario as far as routing software goes. Most people probably want to tell the GPS where they're going and let the device tell them how to get there. If that's what you want, this is perfect. But, for a motorcyclist we want the capability to create our own routes. With the software you get, it is just a headache -- it can be done but it's a headache.
So, let the record show that I vote 5 stars for the actual GPS device. I vote another 5 stars for versatility, the ability to put it on the motorcycle or put it in your car. I bought a Cardo Scala blue tooth headset for my helmet and paired it with my Zumo 550 and that too works wonderfully -- 5 stars there. My only beef is with the routing software you use on your pc. But as I already stated, I think it's the best that can be had right now.
All in all, I am extremely happy with my Zumo 550 and would recommend it. If I could turn back time and buy it again or choose not to, I would happily buy it again.
Customer Review: Very happy with Zumo 550
Summary: 5 Stars
Having now used the ZUMO on my BMW R1200RT for the past month, I can say that this was money well spent. The display, depending on where the unit's mounted, can sometimes be hard to see in the sun, but that's to be expected. I ended up mounting the unit between the handlebars (BMW mount), but a higher location (like on a dash or shelf) using the RAM mount or similar would solve the glare issue.
The display is large enough and it's easy to switch between screens to access different functions. I do wish that I could keep the unit from reverting back to a "zoomed-out" view of the map after making a turn, but again, a small point.
The unit is truly "glove friendly" and I like how the keyboard automatically reconfigures when using the bike mount or the car mount. It's like all Garmin units when it comes to typing in points of interest (somewhat tedious, but simple) and the accuracy is better than on my old GPS V and Nuvi.
I bit the bullet and also bought the GXM30 antenna, as I use the ZUMO to listen to XM radio and it works very well for this with no additional grounding needed. The music feature is, again, very easy to use and I don't mind switching screens to go from navigating to music as it only requires pressing one button a few times.
The unit has been exposed to a few rainstorms without a problem and the design of the mount lets me take it off the bike when going to get something to eat, etc. The rubber caps on the mount also ensure that the connections stay protected when the ZUMO is removed (storms, dust, washing the bike, etc.).
Very pleased with the unit and would highly recommend.
Customer Review: Garmin Got It Right!
Summary: 5 Stars
Just returned from a 2 week stint in NM with the Zumo 550 mounted on my GoldWing. This thing works great. Piped the audio thru the Aux input.
The system acquires satellite signals very quickly, the menu structure is intuitive, the touch screen works very easily and is easy to read even in bright sun and from behind a dark visor, the audio volume was excellent even at 80MPH on interstate and the turn by turn instructions are well timed to give riders plenty of time to adjust lane positions and riding speed. You can give it your estimated gas mileage and at end of a tank it will present you with a gas pump icon which, when touched, lists the nearest gas stations to your position. Touch the gas station you want and it will route you to it. The Zumo was great support and a joy to use during my ride. I found only two very minor "quirks". If you add the optional SD card as I did, you will need to format it as a FAT32. I formatted as NTFS and the MP3 files were not recognized although my personal POI file was recognized. Also, when you load additional maps, I loaded some US TOPO maps, the Zumo defaults to its internal City Navigator and it "flashes the Topo to let you know that it's there. To get the Topo map you have to deselect the City Navigator. Neither of these "quirks" was covered by reading the owner's manual. All in all this is an awesome system that does not disappoint. Garmin got the Zumo design right!
Customer Review: A must for the serious Rider
Summary: 5 Stars
Pros: easy to use even with my cold weather gloves on!
Cons: I don't have enough vacation time to ride my bike on more trips
"I received my Zumo 550 in the mail on the day I was leaving for a five day motorcycle trip. I did not have time to read the instructions, only time to mount it and go! The unit was so simple to use I was an expert by the end of the day. I traveled 1900 total miles on this trip and the Zumo 550 became an invaluable tool! I used it in the mountains of North Carolina always expecting the unit to Not know where I was or loose satilites but that Never happened. The built in blooth tooth linked my cell phone and bluetooth headset and I was able to hear directions clearly! With the extra mount for my car, I am able to quickly move the unit from bike to car effortlessly. I look forward to adding the XM antenna to an already feature packed unit. I loaded my 2GB SD card and listened to my favorite music and also loaded pictures of the trip on the unit as well. Don't bother looking at any other units for your motorcycle, THIS IS IT!!"
As for you folks upset about having to use a headset to hear the directions, how were you expecting to hear anything from a speaker on a GPS at highway speeds? Why would you not want the blue tooth headset to link your phone and listen to mp3 music as well? Anyway, everyone has an opinion.
Customer Review: Motorcycle Rider/Car Driver... this is a great GPS
Summary: 5 Stars
The 550 is as good if not better than my factory installed car GPS. Havng the buttons on the left is very handy. Though it's not recommended to use them when moving, I have found myself adjusting the volume of the MP3 player from time to time. Thus I mention that they could have made that task a bit easier, but that's a very minor detail.
I do wish they made a sun shade for the 550. I did find one that "sort of works" online. But when it is in place it is a bit tough to operate those left hand buttons. Again, a minor point.
The case that comes with the 550 is a very nice case, but it lacks a belt loop. So you either have to carry it in your hand, or put into a carry-all bag if you happen to have one. Now this is a pain in the butt.
Now here's my biggest complaint. To use the full range of options (i.e. the XM Radio, and the Traffic / weather) you must purchase a antenna that sells for any where between $250 down to $190. That is the cheapest I've seen it online. So, you buy the 550 for the nice round number of $1,000 you still have to add the price of the antenna. Plus if you want the radio, weather and traffic you have to add the monthly charge for those services. The monthly charges I wouldn't mind so much, but I do not understand why this antenna costs more than about $35 or $40. I only think that is a rip off. But all in all, you will enjoy the 550.