Thread: Anyone have a Zumo?

I don't own one, but I've used them on my buddy's motorcycles. They are absolutely fantastic. I was VERY impressed. Riding around in the hills of Incline Village, NV and it showed every little BS street... which is an area of mostly little BS streets, lol.

Can't go wrong with this unit from what I've experienced.

You should give the quest to CBRVFR because you know he loved it so much.

I have the BMW version of the Zumo, I like it - even though it's the equivalent of the 525 Zumo (its the 550 but neutered not to take the XM antenna because of licensing agreements BMW has with Sirius).

As far as pricing, check with these guys:
Zumo Price Fest Thread - Prices are dropping - Put your latest PRICE info HERE - ADVrider


My input on the Zumo is middle of the road. I think the perfect classification of the Zumo is: It's a simple to use device that anyone could use...but designed to work for a very select and discriminating technical audience. It's sort of like a Nuvi that took it's vitamins, but a 2720/quest/276 it is not.

The unit does have some onboard route planning and creation/editing. It does have some nice features for turning a track into an editable route. However if you've got more then a few routes loaded, it gets arduous pawing through them all to get to what you want. This is because as far as I can tell it doesen't support categories or color coding for anything, which is a major annoyance to me.

I had my 2720 setup with all my waypoints, just categorized for work/riding/family/friends then other waypoint categories by specific routes and/or events. I also have all my local riding routes and junk on my 2720. Not so with the Zumo, it's all dumped into one big pile on the unit, forcing me to limit it to my "what I need for this ride" sort of use.

The tracklog is a love/hate feature. The love part is that you can edit and manipulate individual portions of it 'live' back into a route. The hate part is that anytime it's off, or sits still for about 5 minutes, it automatically ends the last segment of your active log, and saves it as a track. Do 800 miles to Canada in 3 days (with stops, breaks, etc.) and try to take part of the way up as a modified route back...and you're searching through about 24 tracklogs. Granted they are sorted by time/date, and will automatically dump onto an inserted SD card all by themselves so that you never run out of space .

Last night I got home from the aforementioned event, and while on this journey I had a 2720, Legend HCx, and the Zumo all running side by side. A friend had his 4 year old 276c present, and loaded with the same maps/routes/waypoints/via's that I had, and it was a helluva lot easier for him to manipulate data and 'plan' a little better. The 2720 was good in this suit, but unfortunately I couldn't plan on one then ship to the other, so I ended up using the 200$ Legend to plan most of the routing stuff, and just let the Zumo run in map display mode.

Speaking of map displays...I can't figure out if I'm going insane, or I'm just a sucker for widescreen now, but the Zumo map in 3D irritates me if navigating unfamiliar roads at speed. I switch to 2D and the map is either too close or too far for quick and sane reference.

Just to be clear:
I LIKE:

• It's tiny footprint (though another inch wide wouldn't kill that either) but it isn't too thick or thin, and isn't so heavy you can't use it with a long RAM arm.
• It's robustness (been dropped, put in mud, rains, sleet, hail, etc. and it keeps going, there isn't a mile on my GS that doesen't get put on without this guy practically).
• It's external memory capabilities and intelligence/manners regarding them.
• Screen is adequate in the sun, and large enough lettering you can really place it anywhere.
• Despite the labelling issues, if you adopt your labelling system appropriately, it's route handling is superb and you can modify routes as needed on the fly.
• Local reroutes are generally fast. It passes my only a quarter mile till the exit at 70mph reroute test, when I become indecisive and make a 'where to' change
• General functionality is pretty convenient on a bike, it's definitely the easiest to use GPS on a bike that i have own. Saftey is important, and this is probably the #1 reason why it's still on there. If anything else I had did all of the things above, it would be displaced.
• The bluetooth stuff - I don't use it often, but when I do, it works well depending on the phone. newer BT devices will work better than this with old ones. Dumb phone shows incoming call and a number, smarter new phone shows your phonebook entry and what # the caller is coming from. You can also do SMS from some phones (on a bike?!) if the phone is smart enough.
• I do like the gas gauge thing, alot even though my bike has a trip computer and fuel gauge which are both spot on, the Zumo's gauge keeps me reminded

I DON'T LIKE:

• No ability to customize button function, display tabs, or color schemes. It chases the C5xx series Streetpilots in this regard, I would have hoped it took after the 276c.
• No ability for categories of any type.
• No support for 3D mapping (it does run topo ok, but wish it did like the Colorado with Topo's).
• The bluetooth is all mono, so you can listen to your tunes wirelessly - but not in stereo. The wired stereo output (IMO) is a line out, meaning you're not hearing much above 30mph unless you plug it into an amp.

I HATE:

• Their security solution, it's rediculous. First there is a screw on a little flap, that when you DO want to remove the unit from the mount, is a major pain to use. Also the power cord as part of this solution goes under the GPS through the mount...so if you decide to take the whole ram mount with you as a quicker measure..you're still undoing the lame screw. Anyone that wants a 600$ gps doesen't care about any of this and it would have been cooler to have a DZUS fastener or similar at the top, or a thumbscrew in place of the funky security version that requires me to keep my handy screwdriver handy.
• Looking at routes and trying to navigate them in preview mode. I always end up saving some waypoints or deleting a route point I did not want to.
• The MP3 player while nice and all, I hate because I want to just delete it from the device. Don't give it it's own screen, give it a replaceable tab, or a 'hint' sort of drop down at song change or something. Let me never see the UI and just control it through buttons or something.
• No configurability, there is zero way to change the buttons, screen params, text, tabs, etc.
• This is mostly a Garmin rant, but when the next town over is named Hatsfield, and I type 'find' 'near' 'city,st' and just type in 'hat' , it starts giving me ANYTHING IN THE COUNTRY that starts with 'hat', apparently sorted by the next following letter. If I type in all of Hatfield it then gives me the list by state alphabetically. This is completely stupid to me.

It's a good unit, probably the best on-bike usage case I have tested. It's small and sleek, and would be a godsend to tuck away on a sportbike.
But if you're loading up your luggage for a marathon event and/or are going out to lead rides. Get some practice time in with flipping and figuring out those routes or you'll be sorry.

BTW, in case your scanning ebay and come across a BMW Zumo, it differs in that it has:

• - No car kit
• - No ram mount (the powered cradle is a RAM patterned hole set, and it appears to be oem'd by).
• - No XM (and thus no XMweather).
• +GTM 20 usb traffic receiver with 3 month subscription if new.

Now if I didn't answer anything you asked specifically, let me know.
Am I recommending the unit - yes, I just have my bones to pick with it.
As far as anything vs. the 550, to me I'd just buy the 550 - it comes with anything you need to use it anywhere, anytime, with anything. No being fussy about getting a 70$ car cradle or 25$ adaptor plug for it, or worrying about it not being able to work with your phone.

Originally Posted by MotoVegas

I don't own one, but I've used them on my buddy's motorcycles. They are absolutely fantastic. I was VERY impressed. Riding around in the hills of Incline Village, NV and it showed every little BS street... which is an area of mostly little BS streets, lol.

Can't go wrong with this unit from what I've experienced.

Despite any slant of my ramblings above, the unit is exceptionally good at what it does do . You can turn mapping detail up or down as well which I like.

Another sort of nice feature (mostly depending on the navteq data supplied for your area) is my Zumo shows when a road class changes, in that a paved road will go from Orange to a gray dashed section when the pavement ends. It's not true 100% of the time, but it's good if you're out in no mans land

SSG based on your post (thanks) a couple of questions.

On my Quest 2 I just flick a lever and take the GPS when I go into places. Is this not possible with the Zumo since it is pocket sized

You can enter routes on the computer then upload them correct? That is my only mode other than find: go home

Can you fix the resolution? I had the way my quest does auto zoom and turn it off and run at 0.8miles all the time.

The blue tooth is wasted on me. Most use is on the 1000RR with earplugs. Occasional truck use makes turns by street name useful but on the bike I am in wander mode XM or anything similar is not desired.

Is the option to avoid things decent? I wish Garmin would make the s/w and unit(s) match but they don't

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

On my Quest 2 I just flick a lever and take the GPS when I go into places. Is this not possible with the Zumo since it is pocket sized

Well the first issue arises with the flicking of the lever, because it's held down by that annoying screw. I've seen people drill a hole in the thing and bungee it down, or build a little piece of Al that swivels to lock it, then the screw is gone forever. That solves the flipping thing, there are other more expensive alternatives (touratech mvg mount for example, is a nice one).
As far as pocket sized, I can squeeze it in my pockets but it its a hefty unit. The quest is sized like an older candybar phone and the Zumo is sized like a really thick smartphone. It's not comfortable to sit with it in pants pockets, I typically toss it in tankbag or gigantic jacket pocket when I go in someplace.

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

You can enter routes on the computer then upload them correct? That is my only mode other than find: go home

Yep, you're cool then since it will leave routes fairly undisturbed. The Where to--> Go Home is two clicks from anywhere as usual.

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

Can you fix the resolution? I had the way my quest does auto zoom and turn it off and run at 0.8miles all the time.

I don't see a way to turn off auto-zoom, and this is something I should have listed. The device does seem to follow your zoom prefs, but occasionally on a long routing section it will back out to show you everything. I press the + button once and it goes back into my desired settings, but I'd really like to quit that. Im going to check the manual...but yeah, I typically like to leave it backed out to whatever and do the same.
So as far as mapping resolution and view levels, it's all adjustable, but as far as text sizing and adjusting where and when you see your waypoint scales etc, no ability to change that.

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

The blue tooth is wasted on me. Most use is on the 1000RR with earplugs. Occasional truck use makes turns by street name useful but on the bike I am in wander mode XM or anything similar is not desired.

Well fwiw...I run audio in my earplugs with a Scala Rider BT headset in and I can hear the scala over the audio and/or the road. My helmet is way noisier than yours too, I guarantee it.
I didn't think I'd ever care to have the navi talk to me on the bike and whatnot, but it would come in somewhat helpful in case you wander too far away

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

Is the option to avoid things decent? I wish Garmin would make the s/w and unit(s) match but they don't.

You have the generic avoids here only (uturns, highways, interstates, tollroads, traffic (if equipped) ferries, carpool lanes, unpaved roads) thats it. No ability to 'block out' certain areas like you may have done before with earlier units.

I can get you screenshots if necessary too, it does at least have that feature if enabled

Thanks the mount is a bummer and then some, could you use a wing nut and stud combo and replace the screw in the box?

Zoom was a major issue on the Quest. Until I figured out how to disable it I was not nearly as pleased. Of course redraw and recompute on the Quest 2 is not what anyone would call fast.

On my recent graze it was remote enough that I had a hard time finding premium to fill the RR one time. I don't want voices in my head (other than the standard ones) and really am not to wild about hearing anyone period except on a stop and then she better be saying untypeable things about my prowess

I wonder what I can find another Quest 2 at.... though I would need to hide it from CBRVFR as he tosses frustrations out the window....

Zumo 450 is $399 on Amazon... very tempting still waffling between it and the 550 though. The Quest2 is dead mostly, it will not hold satellite locks anymore. Acquires then looses and starts over, even an external antenna does not seem to fix it

LOVE THE ZUMO 550.... GREAT UNIT.....

I have used it for over 10,000 miles and not major problems... Use di-electric grease on the connections..... make sure you keep the security screw snug.... Awesome.

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

Zumo 450 is $399 on Amazon... very tempting still waffling between it and the 550 though. The Quest2 is dead mostly, it will not hold satellite locks anymore. Acquires then looses and starts over, even an external antenna does not seem to fix it

I'd wait, the 550 holds is resale value better

Did we already go over the car mount thing not coming with the 450?

I like the idea of the Zumo, but until they make it BlueChart compatible, I'll have to stick with my clunky old 276C...

Love the 550.

My wife uses it in her car and the motorcycle mount is on her snowmobile, which punishes it much more than a bike. Very solid build-quality.