Reviews: Garmin Zūmo: Rider's Bigger Brother? Options

[Rob Ot]

Posted Reviews:

Garmin zūmo: Rider's Bigger Brother?

Almost one year after TomTom released it's RIDER, Garmin now releases it's zūmo: a PND aimed at motorcyclists. But how do they compete?

Click headline to review read...
Click 'REPLY' if you want to reply to this review

The yourNAV team

[MickTuck]

So, as a TomTom RIDER owner I wonder whether I'll end up with a zumo? I have a feeling that TomTom may have lost interest in the motorcycle side of things anyway and although the RIDER is a pretty good unit the bike mount really lets it down. One gets a feeling that with the 'drilled contacts' problem there will be a short life of use on the bike!

I'm located in Australia and the after sales service of TomTom can be a bit ordinary at times. My own experience has been sometimes good and sometimes bad. This could be where Garmin might excel if they try..

Will I buy a zumo? Not for a while as I've already spent more than what I can justify for a Nav system. I had to buy the car mount, a scala headset for my helmet and a compatible phone so I could use all the features of the Rider. If the zumo would've been available at the time I bought my RIDER then I reckon the pricing would've been the determining factor. Knowing what I know now though, I like the idea of using Mapsource for planning and text to voice.

[Altaman]

Interesting...my concern is the jerking of the map as mentioned in the review. Also can the ZUMO have multiple stops entered and it will sort the stops so you travel the shortest distance?


Alt

[Bart]

The jerking of the map takes some getting used to if you're used to a TomTom unit. Sometimes it's a bit annoying, but it's do-able. After all, you don't constantly look at the map.
Nonetheless I believe this is something Garmin should work on. The CPU of the unit is certainly powerful enough to display the graphics completely fluent, so I have no idea why they didn't bother...

Yes, entering multiple waypoints is possible, but they don't get sorted to calculate the most optimal route. I don't believe there's a PND out there already that does that (though I can be wrong of course...).

[Bluediver]

The jerking of the map takes some getting used to if you're used to a TomTom unit. Sometimes it's a bit annoying, but it's do-able. After all, you don't constantly look at the map.
Nonetheless I believe this is something Garmin should work on. The CPU of the unit is certainly powerful enough to display the graphics completely fluent, so I have no idea why they didn't bother...

Yes, entering multiple waypoints is possible, but they don't get sorted to calculate the most optimal route. I don't believe there's a PND out there already that does that (though I can be wrong of course...).

As a TTR user, and a slightly disappointed one at that, I was hoping, perhaps foolishly, for the Zumo to be the perfect motorcycle unit. In many respects it is - certainly by comparisson to the Rider - but does that make it good enough? Certainly, the jerkiness is a worrying concern.

I use the Rider daily. There are many occassions when I do glance at the map to clear up an ambiguous instruction, or to give me a good idea of what's coming up. Advanced planning, if you like.

I note that you say the jerkiness of the Zumo is 'do-able', and I can understand how you'd get used to this quirk in time, but surely this is actually too big a compromise to make given the cost of the unit?

Lets be honest, the main function of a satnav system is to tell you and show you where to go. If the system isn't useable straight from the box (no bluetooth headset) and it therefore can't tell you where to go, you would rely heavily on the visual display. If that visual display is jerky, then the unit isn't fulfilling it's main goal, is it?

I really appreciate your review, but I cant help but wonder if you've been a little over generous to the Zumo. In particular I'd have to ask, if the Rider had never been invented and there was therefore no flawed unit to compare the Zumo with, would it's failings seem quite so acceptable?

A unit that is only an improvement on the Rider, and that has some worrying 'quirks', wont tempt me to part with my hard earned cash just yet. I live in hope of an improved TTRII, or perhaps a ZumoII, minus the jerky screen. But how long will I have to wait?

[Bart]

I really appreciate your review, but I cant help but wonder if you've been a little over generous to the Zumo. In particular I'd have to ask, if the Rider had never been invented and there was therefore no flawed unit to compare the Zumo with, would it's failings seem quite so acceptable?

Well, we only had one unit to compare it with. If we didn't have the Rider to compare it to, it would probably have even scored higher. It's only because of the good points of the Rider that we know thing can be done different, and that's why we think they are not acceptable.

I still like the zümo though. Overall I think the unit's got a lot going for it, and offers good value for money. The jerky screen is not unique to the zümo after all. Even Garmin's high end nüvi 660 model has the same 'bug'!

But you're right: a 'marriage' between the two units would be a good thing: a zümo, with the fluent display and the colour schemes of the Rider would be just about perfect.

So don't get me wrong: I believe the zümo is a better unit than the Rider, but if you already own a Rider, then the zümo is not good enough to get rid of it and do the 'upgrade'. If you don't already own either of the two units, then get the zümo, if only for the MapSource software. Buying the Rider now that the zümo is out is only justifiable if price is a major concern for you.

[MickTuck]

I still have my original Navman which is loaded onto my IPAQ.. The cursor position updated every second so that it what made it appear 'jerky.' Maybe this is what is happening with the Zumo. When I got my TTR I did notice how smooth the scrolling was but I think I could live with some jerkiness if everything else is better than TT.

[Bart]

The cursor position updated every second so that it what made it appear 'jerky.' Maybe this is what is happening with the Zumo.

Yes, it's exactly that!

[sverrirt]

The cursor position updated every second so that it what made it appear 'jerky.' Maybe this is what is happening with the Zumo.

Yes, it's exactly that!

I like the Zumo 550 very much, but I can not understand why it does not show elevation ! This is a GPS !! Also I do not like that you can not see driving direction. There should be an compass feature in this. You should be able to see exactly where you are in long-latt. for emergency purpose.

This post has been edited by sverrirt: Jan 7 2007, 16:39

[B3rt]

My comments about the jerky screen:
I believe they tested a defected device, I own a Zumo550 and use it now for more as 2 weeks.
The screen is absolutely not jerky in anyway, before I had a TTR and I cannot say that the TTR has a much smoother screen. There are some firmware updates available for the Zumo, maybe you should try to install them and try again. As I already said I cannot confirm any jerky screen of the Zumo 550

About the BT haedset missing.
This is true but maybe I did not read the review good enough but the Zumo also support cable headsets which can be bought for a few euro. I bought a cable headset for 25 euro which sounds perfectly and can build in my helmet very easy.
I am glad that the Zumo does not only support BT, the big dis-advantage of BT is still the batteries. Without batteries the BT does not work, if you plan a holiday with the bike you must take without the charger of your BT headset and charge it every night. Also most BT headset stil have a cable form the speaker to the receiver, so why not a cable directly to the Zumo?
Most cheap BT headsets are not stereo, the Zumo has build in MP3 player...... (hint)
An other thing is that often a BT headset has a separate receiver which you have to put somewhere (mot times in your jacket), so I do not see the major advantage of BT against a cable headset.
I do agree that the Zumo should at least be included with a cable headset for that price.

I also found some things in the 2 weeks that I have it now what is not that positive:
- The Zumo cannot be charged if it is connected to the PC
- You cannot scroll/move the map on the Zumo as on the 2610, this is a very big BUG I think
- I really do not understand why they build in XM radio which is even not available in Europe instead of old fashion FM/AM radio, wouldn't it be great to listen to the same radio stations as you do in the car, hear traffic announcements, news and of course listen to good music while cruising along?

The price which is listed in the review is high, it is offered for under 850 euro at several places (in normal and web shops).

Also a new Zumo is announced on the Garmin website, the Zumo 450
This model has the same specifications as the Zumo 550 but now without BT, XM and car mount. The price is 200 dollar less as the Zumo 550.

Here in the Benelux we also have the Zumo500, maybe some users what this version.
The Zumo 500 cost less as the 550, it is sold for 750 euro
The Zumo 500 specifications are the same as the Zumo550 on 2 thing:
- No car mount
- less internal map memory, you do get the same maps as the 550 but you only can save (in our case the Benelux) a part on the Zumo.
- The 500 also has BT, XM, card reader and is further 100% identical to the Zumo 550

I hope this extra info helps those who want to buy a Zumo, it is really the best GPS available at the moment for the motorcycle and wins on all points of the TTR!

[GJS]

Not positive but I beleive the Zumo 500 also does not have MP3 capability, compared to the 550.

I disagree with those that find the lack of a BT headset included in the package "unacceptable". The headset provided in the box with the rider is useless above 100km/hr. Good audio on a motorcycle is a difficult thing and is addressed by equipment like starcom, autocom and scala. At least with the Zumo you know you need to buy extra kit to get audio and can choses what you want. As mentioned the Zumo has the option for a hard wired heaset which you can get for a few euros/dollars. You also do not need a BT adaptor for your starcom/autocom (about 100 euros). With BT only on the Rider, you have the headset options of expensive and crap or very expensive and good.

It's unfortunate that the review did not include any audio testing on a motorcycle as I would like to know if the Zumo can be connected directly to a starcom or autocom headset (with wired connection) and be heard at all speeds. There is also no mention of speed sensitive volume or auto zooming of the map so I assume neither of these are included on the Zumo.

[B3rt]

@GJS:
The Zumo 500 is identical to the Zumo 550 except the internal memory and car mount.
The Zumo 500 can play MP3 and does exactly the same as the Zumo 550, I compared both devices before I bought my Zumo 550!
Also you can plug in your intercom system, the Zumo has a 3.5mm stereo jack for sound (and a separate jack for a microphone) on the mount.
The volume is as far as I noticed not speed related, I did not test that much on the bike yet due too bad wetter.

[GJS]

OK, thanks b3rt. Can you tell me what audio solution you are using on the bike?

[B3rt]

A stereo wired helmet of 25 euro, works perfectly.

This post has been edited by B3rt: Jan 9 2007, 02:42

[Rikki]

Garmin will soon offer software upgrade wich is big news for the Zümo.

Stay tuned with Whats New at Garmin or use Garmin Web Updater.

A lot of improvments have been made from version 2.20 to the version now available, 2.50.

Next version will include:
You can now browse from the main map
The vehicle now highlights as you drag over it to indicate that it can be touched.
Touching vehicle brings up enhanced dialog with current coordinates and elevation.

Compass page is available at all times
Additional Fields were added to the compass page including Elevation, Distance to
Destination, and Time of Day.

Trip Computer page adds Fuel odometer and trip timer fields.

Audible books are now supported.

Tracks can now be displayed on the map

Alleys and unpaved roads are now drawn differently.

You can now select which audio sources are routed to the Bluetooth headset.

SDHC format is now supported (4GB+ SD cards).

MP3 limit bumped to 1000 songs

Picture Import/Share is done directly from JPEG viewer page without checklist page.

Bug Fixes:
Last Trip log segment is now always written to current.gpx

Using "Insert as Via Point" with multiple vias will no longer cause unit to shutdown.

JPEG viewer will no longer activate the button row when drag image over buttons.

After search for city using Spell, the search method is now properly set back to nearest.

User data facts:
Waypoint memory: 500
Route memory: 50 routes with up to 254 via points per route
Track memory: 10.000 trackpoints.

For those who don't know what Track is, it is kind of a software that creates a bread crumble of where you have been. If you select in the MapSetup (in next version) to be able to see the track on the map, you see where you have been on the map when you scroll around with your finger.

Then you can upload the track to MapSource and view it on your PC or load it to GoogleEarth from MapSource or using MotionBased, where you can save your trips and replay them on Google Maps or Sat images.

With best regards,

Garmin Lover...

[TeaMan]

I have been looking for a GPS made for motorcycles for a long time. I have wanted the TTR for a couple years, but was put off by the cost. Finally I found a place that had it at a more reasonable price online and I ordered one. It was almost $400 less than retail. After it shipped, I saw the Zumo on their site for an ever lower price. I sent the TTR back without even opening the box, and ordered the Zumo. I'll tell you why.

I thoroughly researched both units. The price of the Zumo finally got me to order the TTR in the first place. I ride a fully dressed touring bike, the Yamaha Midnight Royal Star Venture. It has a built in sound system with a very nice left hand control. It also includes intercom from the passenger to the driver and a built in CB radio for communication with other riders in your group. This requires sterio speakers to be installed in the helmet which means both sides. The TTR only comes with a BlueTooth headset which means it needs to be installed in the helmet too. Guess what, no room for another speaker. I was however willing to try get a small earpiece to try getting around this to see how it worked. I wrote TomTom and asked about a way to hook this up to my built in system, and there was none. They didn't seem to care in my opinion. This will be a problem on any full dresser that has a built in sound system. Since these bikes like the Yamaha RSV and Goldwing spend a lot of time on the road, which is what they are made for, they have really missed the boat so to speak in my mind. I have not researched the big BMW, but assume it has the same kind of system.

The Zumo, on the other had had the sterio output plug on the motorcycle mount. This isn't the perfect solution, but I do have a sterio input on my built in cassette player that takes an input on my AUX channel. I would prefer for it to plug into one of the systems inputs and have it's own control, but this will definitely be better for me. Now I can tune to the AUX channel and get GPS directions when I want them, and go to something else when I don't want to listen to them. How I would have liked to see it would be similar to how the CB works. You turn it on and tune it to the channel you want, then when someone comes on that channel, whatever you are listening to mutes be able to hear the CB over it. This works the same way with my NAV system in my Corvette. You can listen to what ever you want and when there is voice guidance, it mutes what you are listening to and you can hear the guidance. This would be the "perfect" solution. I will make this suggestion to Garmin, and hopefully some day they will do something like this.

The second reason I went with the Zumo, was the MP3 player capability. I have a 6 CD changer in my back trunk, but you have to be on a pretty smooth road to play it effectively. Hard bumps that are normal on our highways, and even interstate highways seem to skip the cd's. Also it does not play MP3's on the CD's which does reduce your selection, even with 6 CD's. With this MP3 capibility I may remove the CD player and use the trunk space for something else. I am hoping since I don't have the unit yet, that it does allow some sort of segregation of the MP3's, rather than one huge file of 1000 MP3's.

The last reason, I did like the capability of planning routes on a PC. It will be fun to map some routes while there is still snow on the ground. It will also be better than picking a spot from an Atlas, then placing it on the GPS.

I can't wait to get it and actually open the box this time.

TeaMan

This post has been edited by TeaMan: Jan 20 2007, 20:04

[FLHTRIDER]

There is a serious flaw with the Zumo regarding the Mapsource interface. Please check the details here: http://www.yournav.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8876

[B3rt]

There is a serious flaw with the Zumo regarding the Mapsource interface. Please check the details here: http://www.yournav.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=8876

That is not a flaw but a choice what Garmin made when they develop the Zumo.
It was already discussed on chets website/blog before the Zumo even was released, also it was announced that Garmin would maybe consider too change this option in an future firmware update.

[FLHTRIDER]

I consider not having Mapsource custom route reacalculate control a serious flaw.

There is little point in going to the trouble of creating custom Mapsource routes only to have Zumo recalculate them when you load them into Zumo and then futher recalculate them when you go off route.

You can't have an appreciation for the problem until you plan a multi-day trip using daily custom routes only to find that Zumo has recalculated all your routes directing you to places you don't want to go.

Most of Garmin's recent premium units e.g. 26XX, 27XX and 2830, included user route recalculate yes/no control.

It is my opinion that any Garmin unit that supports Mapsource custom routes should also include user route recalculate control.

There is a good discussion regarding this problem here: http://razorbiker.com/zumo/viewtopic.php?t...31fddd2da0c429f

Hopefully Garmin is listening.

This post has been edited by FLHTRIDER: Feb 4 2007, 00:58

[Hawkstone]

For wired earphones that should fit nicely into a helmet, I found these. I've ordered them, so I'll let you know how they operate when I have them.

http://www.pjbox.co.uk/MicroBuds.htm