If You Enjoy To Ride A Motorcycle A Garmin Zumo Is A Must Have Accessory.

| Wednesday, January 25, 2012
By Bernie Bair


Garmin Zumo offers many different models of their GPS systems. Although alike in quality and style, there are some differences to know about as well. While I will not be able to sufficiently do a complete product review on all the models here, I will be able to hit the top ones and you make a good buying decision when it is time to purchase. The essential factor to consider is not weather to buy a Garmin Zumo, it is which model best fits your specific needs.

The Zumo product line-up consists of a Garmin 220, 550, 660, and 665. The Zumo 665 being the top of the line model and the 220 being a high quality entry level nav system. After doing some preliminary research and have determined that the 550 is the favorite GPS for Motorcyclists. I have studied the product reviews on-line, have talked with many cycle riders and have personally used a few different models.

All the Zumo device are waterproof, all come with mounting hardware and can be used right out of the box. They are all pre-loaded with thousands of points-of-interest and map hardware. All the Garmin Zumo's offer turn-by-turn assistance and are Bluetooth friendly. All units offer color display screens and they were all created to be used while riding down the road wearing gloves. All models have been especially designed to stand up to the rigors of motorcycling from the rugged off roader to the cross country excursion.

Here are some differences starting with the size of the screens, the amount of customizing to the units and the mapping software. While the 220 is small enough to comfortably slip into your coat pocket at the end of the ride, the 665 has a screen size a full inch larger and it weighs a couple ounces heavier. This may not sound like much, but trust me, it definately makes a difference. The 220 has the possability to add a few custom routes while the Garmin Zumo 665 has the ability to add 20 custom routes. Not only that, for a fee, you can upgrade and get real-time weather alerts, XM radio, and traffic alerts just to name a few.

The Zumo 550 is a impressive middle of the road GPS that accepts a SD card so you can upload your own personalized maps you create while sitting at office on your laptop. It gives the ability change the face on the GPS to match your preferances or scooter. You can listen to your MP3 player and still hear turn-by-turn directions through your headset or bluetooth enabled helmet. The 550 also has a JPEg Picture viewer which lets you to share your favorite road trips with friends or family.

The differences and similarities are very subtle and yet very important depending on the degree of sophistication you are as a rider. If you ride a some miles back and forth to work then the Zumo 220 might be ideal and if you are an avid cross country rider, I would heartily suggest a top-end unit like the Garmin 665. The customization is limitless. This is truly a sophisticated GPS. I am somewhere in the middle of these two types of riders, as well as most other enthusiasts I know. While we love taking a weekend and head off to the hills for some wind in our faces, we usually find ourselves cruising on rides around town and back and forth to dinner. The 550 is our favorite nav system and will never let us down, nor allow us to get lost.




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