Zumo 550

[brutus]

As I promised in the for sale thread where I sold my Zumo 450 I will post my impressions of the 550 I replaced it with.

First of all the 550 comes with a car mount which is cool since I don't have to move my bike mount to my Jeep. The car mount installed in like 5 minutes including time to get the package open. The 550 paired with my cell phone quickly and easily. The next thing however wasn't expected. I went to Best Buy to price bluetooth headsets, I assume that I would need one since the pairing with the Zumo would take over the microphone. After perusing them I decided to check online before dropping $100 for a decent headset plus I wanted to get the loudest one possible so I figure I needed to find some reviews. When I got back in my Jeep the Zumo paired with my phone and a call came in. I immediately got flustered because I couldn't figure out how to unpair the phone to take the call. I accidentally answered the call and the callers voice came over the Jeep speakers, and like a standard crazy person I was talking to myself "dang it how do I get this thing to work!" and the person on the other end said "get what thing to work", me "you can hear me?". Yep. So the Zumo just worked as an in car hands free, the person on the other end said they couldn't tell I was on a hands free. Even more amazing I could actually have a conversation in my Jeep Wrangler with no top on it. I didn't expect any of that.

Next the integration of the phone into the GPS is really cool. When you search for something like a restaurant you can call them directly from the GPS. When calls come in the number appears on the GPS screen. This is great because I know who is calling and if I need to stop and take it. The only negative at the moment isn't Zumo related, I need to get a cable for the Autocom which will connect the microphone to the Zumo. It's a three pole connector which splits to work specifically for the 550. It's also an $85 cable :eek2: Once I get that I can finally make the fabled phone call while riding my motorcycle. Another awesome thing about the Zumo as a phone/GPS/MP3 source is that when a phone call comes in it automatically mutes the music and GPS during the phone call. No scrambling to turn down the radio while answering the phone, it's all nice an seemless.

The 550 comes with an AC adapter, 12V in car adapter, automobile cradle and the standard motorcycle mounting equipement. The auto cradle costs an additional $75 so part of the price difference is made up there.

But other than that the 550 does what the 450 did fantastically, the addition of the cell phone functionality is excellent. Another thing that the 550 also does is say the street names like "turn right in 500 feet on Plano Road" instead of "turn right in 500 feet". So far a minor difference but I could see where it would make a difference at some point.

So if you are looking for the phone functionality the 550 is excellent, but if you are not the 450 is perfect.

[Realshelby]

I have been using the 550 for about a year now. I am using the "Edsets" cable and microphone to interface with the Zumo. I have the XM add on for the Zumo. I did convert the in-helmet speakers to Shure SE 210 earbuds, I just could not hear the phone well with the speakers. Now I can take and make phone calls at highway speeds. Comments, especially from customers, are fun to hear. They cannot believe I am on a motorcycle! I liked the bluetooth capabilities so much that Santa is bringing me a C550 to leave in the truck full time. They are about the same price as the better hands free phone installations and you have the GPS navigation also.

[brutus]

Where did you get the Edsets cable? How much did that cost you? The Autocom is awesome for music and based on what I hear in the side tones when I talk I think the audio quaiity will be very good.

What's a C550?

[Realshelby]

Brutus, just go to www.edsets.com

I am not too interested in bike to bike or passenger communications so the Autocomm route did not make sense for me. The sound quality of the microphone is outstanding. The in helmet speakers just were not loud enough for me so I cut them off and made a jack to plug in my earbuds. The cable simply plugs into the Zumo motorcycle mount. You don't even have to remove them when taking the Zumo off to put in something else. The cable to helmet connection has worked perfectly for me also.

The c550 is the Garmin navigation unit that looks sort of like a Zumo. It is not waterproof, or vibration proof. It does have the same bluetooth capabilities of the Zumo. It can be bought for well under $400. Perfect to leave in the vehicle!

[WoodButcher]

Where did you get the Edsets cable? How much did that cost you? The Autocom is awesome for music and based on what I hear in the side tones when I talk I think the audio quaiity will be very good.

What's a C550?

Edsets Full Face Helmet Version (http://www.edsets.com/sonic_n-vader) including the Zumo cable - $172. Cheaper for you to get the Autocomm cable.

C550 - I'm guessing a typo.

Here's an alternative headset. Better price. Starcom thread on Zumo Forums: http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?topic=701.0 This is what I suspect I will end up with. And may remove the speakers and wire in earbuds depending on how it works.

[Hood Ornament]

Edsets Full Face Helmet Version (http://www.edsets.com/sonic_n-vader) including the Zumo cable - $172. Cheaper for you to get the Autocomm cable.

C550 - I'm guessing a typo.

Here's an alternative headset. Better price. Starcom thread on Zumo Forums: http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?topic=701.0 This is what I suspect I will end up with. And may remove the speakers and wire in earbuds depending on how it works.


You should be able to order the Starcom headset with the earbud connector instead of the speakers.

[brutus]

The edsets would have been a cool idea before the Autocomm, but the Autocomm is a pretty sweet system. I can't wait to get the GMRS radio and probably an XM reciever. That's a complete audio/communication system, downside is I will have about $1600 in all the components! But that's why it's so good...

[sherob]

The 550 rocks! I have it integrated into the Wing's intercom system, also with the XM add on :clap: The Bluetooth feature is nice to have when Zumo'ing down the road and the cell goes off :doh:

The car mount saved me when I moved up here... would have never found my way around the Denver area without it :lol2: Would never have found food :lol2: Ended up buying the wife a Nuvi so I could get my Zumo back from her :eek2:

[WoodButcher]

You should be able to order the Starcom headset with the earbud connector instead of the speakers.

Really? I'm thinking if the speakers are loud enough I'll go with them. I've been using earbuds and the sound is good and so is the noise blocking, but they are a pain to keep in my ears when I put the helmet on. Plus I get a little extra pressure on them from the helmet. I'm debating about a headset or higher quality earbuds at this point.

In any case, I really like the 550. Had it just over a year. It's even taken a couple of knocks offroad and survived.

[Realshelby]

If you are having trouble with the ear buds falling loose try one of the silk or cotton helmet liners. There is also a big difference in brands of ear buds. I can wear mine all day with no pressure points at all. They stay in better than others because of the way you can fit the different size earpieces onto the earbud.

[gilagringo]

Does anyone out there know how to import an excel file of coordinates into a Garmin Zumo 550?

[WoodButcher]

Does anyone out there know how to import an excel file of coordinates into a Garmin Zumo 550?

You mean to use the a POI's (points of interest)? Or as favorites/waypoints?

As POI's, save as a .csv (comma separated value) format file. I don't remember the order, but it is latitude, longitude, name, optional description (or swap lat and long). Then use the POIloader to load them. Better description on POI Factory (http://www.poi-factory.com)

Seems like same format can be used with gpsbabel (free on the internet) and converted to gpx and then read directly by Mapsource.

[valkman]

I would like to use the shure se 210 earbuds on my J@M cb radio with xm

does anyone know if you can do that?

[gilagringo]

Rusy,
Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try tonight. I'm trying to use three columns in excel (lat, long, name) and save them as favorites. I couldn't get past the first step in POI loader because it wanted a Garmin format for the import data.

I would also like to create subfolders in favorites. Is that possible?
Tod

[WoodButcher]

Rusy,
Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try tonight. I'm trying to use three columns in excel (lat, long, name) and save them as favorites. I couldn't get past the first step in POI loader because it wanted a Garmin format for the import data.

I would also like to create subfolders in favorites. Is that possible?
Tod

In custom POI's you can create subfolders. What I do is make a POI folder on my PC, then have folders under that. Right now mine has a three files and six folders under POI. Arizona, Texas, Parks, Cameras, Coffee and "Food, Beer and Wine". The files are Austin area, Cycle Gear and RestAreas.

I usually save mine in gpx format. I use a tool called GeePeeExEditor to read csv files and I add dialable phone numbers to the POI's. I forgot that is can be used to read a .csv and save as gpx. That's a way to load them as favorites with Mapsource.

Favorites cannot have sub folders, btw. Just POI's

[ceddec]

Semi highjack: I think I might like this:
Google, Garmin link up for GPS trip info
The link between online mapping services and global positioning devices is growing stronger.

Starting Tuesday, people using Google Maps to plan trips will be able to send location data to their Garmin GPS systems, the companies announced on Monday. The feature, called "Send-to-Garmin", will eliminate the need to re-key route information into GPS devices.

Likewise, Garmin has inked a deal with Mapquest to send mapping information from that online service to Garmin's GPS products. The service is expected to launch in April. Mapquest already lets people send mapping information to mobile phones.

Roughly one year ago, Garmin and Mapquest launched application programming interfaces intended to encourage developers to write applications linking GPS systems to online services.

[gilagringo]

Thanks for everyone's help with my new Garmin. I think I'm up and running getting the Custom POI's to load.

I'm messing around with loading mpeg music files now. The problem so far is that when you view the files, the artist and album name is "unknown" so all of the files just get lumped together. I'm sure there's a way to get the Garmin to recognize the artist and/or album but don't know where I'm going wrong.

Any ideas?

[FirstMan]

I have another question. I can download Mexico maps in a .img format that should be compatible with Garmin hardware.

Just uploading it into the zumo didn't seem to work, is there something else I need to do? Is there a nifty web page that will detail this for me. I am new to the GPS thing.

[sherob]

Checkout http://www.zumoforums.com/ ;-)

[WoodButcher]

I have another question. I can download Mexico maps in a .img format that should be compatible with Garmin hardware.

Just uploading it into the zumo didn't seem to work, is there something else I need to do? Is there a nifty web page that will detail this for me. I am new to the GPS thing.

I believe you have to add the map to Mapsource, then use the map tool and create a mapset to download to the Zumo. Well, I'm positive on the last part. I'm just not sure how you add it to Mapsource. The Bicimaps sample I downloaded had an installer that added it to Mapsource so it shows in the pulldown of installed maps/products. Then it was easy to send it to the Zumo.

Where did you get the maps?

[FirstMan]

Check out this site (http://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com/catalogue.php) It has quite a few maps.

[WoodButcher]

Check out this site (http://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com/catalogue.php) It has quite a few maps.

I forgot that I've been to that site before. Couldn't find anything in the FAQ there, but saw a link with one of the recently uploaded images for the U.S. It had install instructions with seemed a little complex, but the key seemed to be this program: http://cypherman1.googlepages.com/ It seems to create some index files and adds it to Mapsource. I've got a lot of projects running at this moment so I won't be able to experiment until next week. I'm moderately competent wandering through the Windows registry and it looks like that would be a good skill for doing this.

If you figure it out, please post up.

[FirstMan]

I think I am one step from getting that program to work, the TBD part is what is getting me. I shall actually read his directions later.

[KTMandu]

Who has the best prices for the Zumo 550 & accessories?

[FirstMan]

Who has the best prices for the Zumo 550 & accessories?


If you do not mind used, zumoforums.com has a for sale section ;-)

Other than that, we did an internet search when we bought mine.

[CBAT]

Any of you Zumo experts know how to delete favorites from a previous trip to clean up the list? I had several routes loaded from a trip to New England and now the list is populated with all the points I used to do the routes. I've loaded the next map/route for the trip I am currently on and have a lot of clutter to page through to find what I want. I've only had this thing for a month but I already love it.

[WoodButcher]

Any of you Zumo experts know how to delete favorites from a previous trip to clean up the list? I had several routes loaded from a trip to New England and now the list is populated with all the points I used to do the routes. I've loaded the next map/route for the trip I am currently on and have a lot of clutter to page through to find what I want. I've only had this thing for a month but I already love it.

Yep, I'm working from memory, but this should be close. Select one favorite, then a menu will come up. There will be a delete button at the bottom. click on that and it will bring up a list of all the favorites. You can scroll to the top and select all or just go up and down the list and select which ones to delete. Then hit the delete button and they are gone. There is a chance you select, then hit edit and get the list. That's were I'm a bit fuzzy.

[CBAT]

Thanks Rusty,
Sounds easy enough. Why can't they put that in the instructions? :shrug: I'll let you know if it works for me later when I go back out.

[Todd]

Thanks for the DELETE "how to", Woodbutcher. I was wondering how to do that.

I do have a comment to add about the ZUMO 550. I just returned from a 5500 mile trip from Alaska on my(our) KLR(s) and wanted to use the ZUMO's Bluetooth capabilities to listen to music (MP3 an XM Radio) without ANY cords going between the bike and helmet. Well, first, the ZUMO will only transmit MP3 (via Bluetooth) in mono - not that big of a deal. But the ZUMO will not transmit any XM Radio (via Bluetooth) - nothing, nanda, zippo in XM Radio. I mean dead silence. What a surprise!!!! I had to buy a stereo dongle and plug it into the headset OUT jack to get it to work (just as though the ZUMO 550 was not Bluetooth capable). However, then that screws with the voice directions (via Bluetooth) directly from the ZUMO to my Bluetooth headset (Collet). Its not a 'show stopper' since Jill's voice commands will be tranmitted via the dongle (if its plugged in). It took me a while to figure this out becasue I quit using the XM Radio (or more correctly, the dongle) after entering Alaska becasue the sattelite signal won't reach that far north (Canada has XM Radio ground towers in major metropoitan areas). It'll work, but there's one more battery to charge every night (the dongle's). There is also a background hiss from the dongle, but its unnoticable once underway (drowned out by the motorcycle noises).

So, depending on what your'e looking for, you may be quite surprised by the ZUMO 550. I still love the ZUMO over my GPS V, but it is a bit quirky when it come to the Bluetooth.


Todd

[WoodButcher]

I've found that I just use bluetooth for the phone connection. I use earbuds to get sound to my ears. Otherwise I just use earplugs, so the earbuds give some sound protection. Eventually I will get a mic, but that's a low priority. I just want to know when the phone rings, not necessarily to talk while I ride.

[CBAT]

Rusty, Do you get a notice on the screen when you get a phone call? I wasn't interested in the blue tooth function but that might be nice if it'll pass the caller ID from the phone onto the screen so you can stop if needed to return the call. I knew the bluetooth was only mono so have been always intending to stay wired to the helmet for better sound. XM is cool.

[WoodButcher]

Yes, it puts up a red banner with the person's name (if in your phone book) and the phone number. Since I don't have a mic, but had the earbuds, I considered trying to work out a system with my wife so that I could answer the phone and she could just start talking, with the assumption that since I answered I could hear. There were two problems with that idea. First is that I wouldn't be able to get in a response and second is that she isn't good with "systems" so she might never get it right. Glad she doesn't get on here :lol2:

But anyway, it is nice just to know the phone rang and who it was. You can also hit a couple of buttons and see the call history if you barely saw the screen flash. That function is a little dependent on the phone you use. Also some phones it will support voice dialing. And I use mine occasionally as a hands free phone in the truck since that mount has a built in mic and speaker.

[CBAT]

The Zumo is really an amazing device for it's size. Very cool.

[WoodButcher]

On the deleting of favorites, I was just downstairs grabbing a coke and saw my zumo so I thought I'd check for sure. The steps are from main screen, Where to, Favorites, click on a favorite to delete, click edit in lower right corner, scroll down to delete (just off the screen), click delete and it will bring up a list of all favorites, with the current one selected. Go to top of list and there is a select all button.

My previous instructions were probably good enough to get you there though.

This also works the same for deleting routes.

[Quick-Silver]

I have it integrated into the Wing's intercom system, :eek2:

How difficult is this to do?

You can PM me so as not to hi-jack this thread.

Thanks

[CBAT]

Perfect, I did the same with mine just now. Yep, it works. Thanks Rusty. Now I can plot my route to Golden Gate Park and find it more easily. :clap:

[tjbrandt50]

FYI Some Best Buys have put the ZUMO 550 on "closeout" at $538. They aren't available through the web at that price, and not at all stores (e.g. Houston Galleria was still $799). Don't know if a new model is coming out, or it it's just not a fast enough mover for Best Buy, but I finally picked one up down at the Lake Jackson store.

[kurt]

How difficult is this to do?

You can PM me so as not to hi-jack this thread.

Thanks

The GL1800 comes with a plug. I bought a longer one and ran it to the zumo on the handlebar.

[Quick-Silver]

The GL1800 comes with a plug. I bought a longer one and ran it to the zumo on the handlebar.

Is that the plug in the left side glove box that I use for my MP3 player?

[sherob]

Is that the plug in the left side glove box that I use for my MP3 player?

Yes.

[kurt]

Is that the plug in the left side glove box that I use for my MP3 player?

Yup. but you'll need a longer one.

http://www.wingstuff.com/pgroup_detail/318_Radio_Mounts/3613_GL1800_Audio_Accessories_6_Foot_Audio_Extensi on/?goto=%2Fpgroup_list%2Fgl1800%2F318_goldwing_Radio _Mounts%2Fdes%2F

[Quick-Silver]

Yup. but you'll need a longer one.

http://www.wingstuff.com/pgroup_detail/318_Radio_Mounts/3613_GL1800_Audio_Accessories_6_Foot_Audio_Extensi on/?goto=%2Fpgroup_list%2Fgl1800%2F318_goldwing_Radio _Mounts%2Fdes%2F

Thank You,Thank You,Thank You

Uh, :) Did you run the wire from the glove box or just work it out someplace from the fairing? Do you by chance have any pictures of the Zumo on the Wing and also ones showing where the wire comes out of the fairing.

I wish I had turned around to look at your bike when we were in the Davis Mountains. When I remembered, I was way down the road.:doh:

I know the Zumo comes with the ball-joint mounting post thing, but I am not sure if it comes with the actual bracket and/or clamps that connect the mount to the handlebars. Is that something I will need and where can I buy it?

You guys who use the Zumo on multiple bikes do you have one of the ball-joint things on each bike or do you move the entire mount between bikes?

[WoodButcher]

I have one of the RAM mounts (ball joint thingy) on the bars of both bikes. I move the mount back and forth. I just don't screw the power cable into the mount so I can get it off. Actually, I don't have a power cable on the WR so the zumo runs on its battery. Some folks set up the power cable with a SAE (battery tender type) connector so they can move it from bike to bike with the mount. Something I ought to consider.

[kurt]

Thank You,Thank You,Thank You

Uh, :) Did you run the wire from the glove box or just work it out someplace from the fairing?

It runs from the white plug, under the glove box, through an opening in the fairing to a wiring harness going thru the handlebars to the zumo mounted on the left bar clamp for the clutch lever. The excess is wire-tied to a harness beside the glove box.

[Kevin Graulty]

I've put a Zumo 550 in service, with the Carlo Scala-Rider Q-2 headsets. The Q-2 was $180-ish each, and I had to buy two Q-2 sets to have passenger intercom capability. I'm a GPS-BlueTooth-Cell-Phone neophyte, but it's coming along. The Ram Mounting systems handle Zumo's attachment to my BMW Boxercup, and the Goldwing. I'm still trying to figure a mounting scheme for the Ducati Paul Smart -- ideas from anyone?

[MissMez]

One of the things we discovered using the Scala headsets is that the primary headset/mic will automatically turn itself on when the primary starts talking, but the secondary does not. (This is after the mics automatically shut off after 30 seconds of silence. Yes, sometimes I am quiet that long.) However, it is easy to hit the control button (I think that's the name anyway) to get it back on. We also found that if you have the Zumo giving audible directions, the secondary does not hear them AND it prevents the secondary from being able to speak to the primary without doing the button pushing thing. All in all, though, it is a great setup!

[pkiser]

One of the things we discovered using the Scala headsets is that the primary headset/mic will automatically turn itself on when the primary starts talking, but the secondary does not. (This is after the mics automatically shut off after 30 seconds of silence. Yes, sometimes I am quiet that long.) However, it is easy to hit the control button (I think that's the name anyway) to get it back on. We also found that if you have the Zumo giving audible directions, the secondary does not hear them AND it prevents the secondary from being able to speak to the primary without doing the button pushing thing. All in all, though, it is a great setup!

Back seat drivers...:doh:

[Tourmeister]

I'm still trying to figure a mounting scheme for the Ducati Paul Smart -- ideas from anyone?

Surely there is a Ram-Mount setup that will work with it? :shrug:

[valkman]

garmin has proprietary software. and they make you pay for it

i would think you need to buy the mexico maps from garmin

[buck000]

Who has the best prices for the Zumo 550 & accessories?

I got mine from tvnav.com (http://tvnav.com/zumo550.htm).

I enjoyed it on my recent longish trip (although, in truth, my buddy did all the routing on his GPS). I like the turn-by-turn-by-name, and the MP3 playback. Plus, it was pretty current on lodging and whatnot.

:thumb:

[WoodButcher]

garmin has proprietary software. and they make you pay for it

i would think you need to buy the mexico maps from garmin

The Bicimapas maps load just like Garmin mapsets and are probably the best for Mexico. I saw probably because I know they are better than the garmin ones, but I just saw something about another company putting out Mexico maps for the garmin units that claims to be better than the Bici ones. I didn't save the link though :doh:

[MissMez]

Back seat drivers...:doh:

Crushed, I tell ya...:tears:

I would never presume...:angel:

[tschreck]

Best Buy liquidated the Zumo 550 selling most of them for around $539.00 since they decided to discontinue this item. One store in Louisana sold the unit for $450.00. Wow! Anyway I tried my best but it was just to late buying from this business. I got this other solution to buy from Office Depot. What do you all think?

Ok all! I've got the solution to buying this unit (Zumo 550) for under $500. Here's the deal. Office Depot has a price match policy after you buy it from them within 7 days you can bring in a ad from either a retail store or website. They will refund the difference in accordance with their policy. It's true. Read up. As for the scammers or bait and switch websites you can print out their ads and take it direct to the store manager which they will look up the site and possibly call in to confirm the item is in stock but I seriously doubt they will research the feedback on the bait and switch hassles these companies cause the public.

http://www.wilddigital.com/viewproduct.aspx?ID=3575067&l=DigitalSaver ($489.00) Wow. Print this and take it over to Office Depot.

How Does the Office Depot® Low Price Guarantee Work for online and catalog purchases?

At Office Depot we offer a low price guarantee! If you find a lower advertised price than our net price on a new, identical product, at a Competitor or Web Competitor (see below) within 7 days of making your purchase on our website or through our catalog, we will match that price! Simply call us at 1-800-Go-Depot and we will match the price. Please remember to have proof of the low price available to fax or email when you call.



Does the Office Depot® Low Price Guarantee work for in-store purchases?

Yes. If you made your purchase at an Office Depot store and see a lower price than our net price at a Competitor's Store (see below) within 7 days of your Office Depot purchase, we will match that price. Simply visit the store where you made your purchase, and please remember to have proof of the low price available to provide to us. If you placed an order online for in-store pick up, we will only match a Competitor's online price if the product is available from the Competitor for pick up at a retail store location within the same market area. Please call or visit a local Office Depot store for further details.



Office Depot reserves the right to reject any price match that cannot be verified by proof acceptable to Office Depot in its sole discretion.



Which companies' prices does Office Depot match?

The qualifying competitors ("Competitors") are: Staples, Office Max, Best Buy, Circuit City, Reliable, Quill, Sears, Target, K Mart, Costco, Sam's Club and Comp USA. The qualifying web competitors ("Web Competitors") are: Staples.com, OfficeMax.com, BestBuy.com, CircuitCity.com, Reliable.com, Quill.com, Sears.com, Target.com, KMart.com, Costco.com, SamsClub.com, CDW.com, Tigerdirect.com, Outpost.com and Frys.com. If you find a lower price at a U.S. company not listed above which has similar channels of distribution (stores, catalogs, Internet) that you would like us to match, we reserve the right to review your request and match that price in our sole discretion. http://www.officedepot.com/specialLinks.do?file=/customerservice/lowPrice.jsp&template=customerService



__________________
Tony
2008 Kawasaki Concours

[Rcdd]

I'm not sure, but I bet they won't honor that price match.....

But heck, it's worth a try......let us know what happens.....and if it goes through, post the receipt so I can use it as ammo on the local Office Depot......:pirate:


Yeah I missed out on the Bestbuy clearance as well.....

[dsilver]

Just an FYI, but if you do a search on wilddigital customer satisfaction levels, you'll find that most have found them to be a bait and switch operation with more than questionable ethics. Don't know if that will have an effect on low price guarantees, but just wanted to issue that heads up. I've decided on a Garmin 2730. Has everything I want except for bluetooth. Refurb price is around $180 and it comes with a year's warranty. Anyone out there have any experience with this device?

[tschreck]

If you interest in another model then the Zumo 450 is not that bad. Just no XM feature or BlueTooth.

GARMIN 010-00567-05 Zumo 450 GPS Receiver
$375.59 - - In Stock
Condition: new
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC

[Rcdd]

Just an FYI, but if you do a search on wilddigital customer satisfaction levels, you'll find that most have found them to be a bait and switch operation with more than questionable ethics. Don't know if that will have an effect on low price guarantees, but just wanted to issue that heads up. I've decided on a Garmin 2730. Has everything I want except for bluetooth. Refurb price is around $180 and it comes with a year's warranty. Anyone out there have any experience with this device?

+10000.....DON'T order from wilddigital......bait and switch artists......

If this pricematch works, just use them as the ammo to get Office Depot to give it to ya cheap....:rider:

[dsilver]

If you interest in another model then the Zumo 450 is not that bad. Just no XM feature or BlueTooth.

GARMIN 010-00567-05 Zumo 450 GPS Receiver
$375.59 - - In Stock
Condition: new
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC

Well, for the $180 price difference, the 2730 does the trick for me. It does have XM compatibility as well as their traffic alerts. It gives me an mp3/audible book reader as well as text to speech. With the 1 year warranty, its really hard to pass up.

[CBAT]

Let me start by saying I'm not the smartest when it comes to technology.. Especially new stuff. Question: I read in the manual that data can be imported from the SD card. I've tried copying and pasting a .gpx file on the SD card along with the MP3 files and when I go to the import data screen it says "no data available". What am I doing wrong? I am wanting to keep a backup route file on the card. Is that doable?

[WoodButcher]

Yep. It's possible. I'm trying to remember what the trick is though. I need to pull some tracks off anyway, so later on I'll get on the computer with Mapsource and figure it out for you.

There is a chance it is as simple as putting in a directory named GPX.

[FJR Bandit]

First you must have all of the updates. Then you must same the file to the GPX folder on the SD card before you can manage it.

[CBAT]

So, when I save the mapsource file as a .gpx, I save it to a GPX folder on the SD card. Is that a file I create on the card or is that a file in the GARMIN folder?

[WoodButcher]

You create the gpx folder at the top level. You probably have a mp3 folder on the sd card already. And yes, you save it from Mapsource as a .gpx file. I'm on the good computer now and double checking.

[WoodButcher]

Okay, upon further review, it needs to be in the Garmin folder. So, Garmin at the top level, then a gpx folder, then the gpx files go in that folder.

I tested by putting 3 files on the SD card, on by itself (like you did), one in a gpx folder and one in Garmin/gpx. The only one found was the Garmin/gpx.

[CBAT]

Thanks Rusty. That's the folder where the track logs live, right? That's in internal memory IIRC. Isn't that where Mapsource sends the route to when it's transfered to the device? I guess there isn't a way to get a .gpx file from the SD card into the GPX folder in the device. So, is the SD card for MP3, photos, and audio books only? If I have other maps like TOPO or Roads and Rec what space do they occupy? And can I switch from one to another?

[WoodButcher]

Yes, there is a Garmin/gpx folder on the internal memory, but you need to create those folders on the SD card. Then you can store .gpx files on the sd card for importing later.

[CBAT]

OK. Now I have two folders on my SD card: GPX and MP3. I have a gpx file saved from Mapsource into the GPX folder. I went to the import data tool and all that's there is the route I already have loaded. :shrug: I can see the file on the SD card when I open it. What am I missing?

[WoodButcher]

It needs to be a gpx folder inside a Garmin folder on the SD card. Sorry if that wasn't clear. That's what I meant with Garmin/gpx.

[CBAT]

It needs to be a gpx folder inside a Garmin folder on the SD card. Sorry if that wasn't clear. That's what I meant with Garmin/gpx.

That got it! :clap: Now when I go to the import data tool it sees the .gpx file on the SD Card. Thanks a bunch for sticking with me on this Rusty.

[WoodButcher]

NP. Richard has asked me to do some sort of a GPS presentation at the TAR next year. I'm keeping notes of common issues and questions to cover. This is the sort of thing I want to include.

Next I need to get my hands on some units that I haven't had much hands on time with. Specially other brands.

[CBAT]

Anyone know what is the maximum file size from Mapsource that can be transferred to the 550? How many waypoints, routes, etc.? I'm planning a ride for next summer and at first attempt it was unable to import. I'm going through deleting unnecessary waypoints and that is making the file smaller. How small do I need to go before I have to start breaking it up into separate files and loading onto the data card?

[WoodButcher]

I've been on vacation too many days and can't remember. I'll look it up. As I remember 250 or 200 points in a route (shaping type). Actually length of route or file size isn't a problem, just the number of points. Waypoints (favorites) are counted separately from shaping points, if I remember correctly.

[CBAT]

How does one differentiate between a shaping type point and a waypoint(favorite)? When I attempted to export to the device it was showing every routing point as a favorite.

[WoodButcher]

When you are tweaking a route (adding points to force it to go the way you want), you can place them on a road, an address, or an intersection. A road without an address or an intersection is considered by mapsource as a shaping point. A point with an address is still used to shape, but is considered a favorite and is announced as you ride and I believe is counted like a favorite.

The more I think about it, I think it is 250 shaping points and 50 favorites per route.

For multiday routes, many people will break it up by days. I think that forces you to do that route each day. I think it is better to break it up by different points of interest along the route. Home to Natchez Trace, Trace to Memphis, Memphis to DC. Kind of like that. Then you just switch to the next route when you reach the end of the previous. That way you just ride at the pace you want that day instead of push to complete the plan.

[CBAT]

That's how I've done it before. But this is a huge file that has 44 routes and a total of 859 waypoints. It appears I will have to break it up by states and see if I can manage that using the SD card to store the state not being used.

Edit: By breaking them up like this I'm getting the file size down to the 300-320 kb range in mapsource. That should work. I can store them on the SD card then import them as needed.

[StarSapphire]

Partial hijack (my apologies) - how do you hide the power cable wire on a cruiser? I am totally not ready to take off the tank on my V-Star but I'm pretty sure the wiring is under my seat... How do I feed it along the tank so it doesn't look fugly and doesn't stick out or catch the wind? Maybe I'm overthinking this but I am hoping to connect everything tomorrow so I can test it out Saturday. J got me the 450 for Chanukkah/Christmas and I can't wait to use it!!! :sun:

[CBAT]

My Intruder had an extra power point inside the headlight for the auxilary light bar. Might check in there since you only need a couple amps.

[STScott]

When you play MP3 files on the 550 does it have an option to play them randomly or does it play them in order?

[Squeaky]

The 450 plays them in shuffle or 'regular' mode. I'm almost certain the 550 would be the same (but someone should chime in soon).

What I don't like is that even if I set up folders of songs, I can't choose which folder(s) to include so it plays everything on the SD card. To make playlists, I basically have to have separate cards for each.

[WoodButcher]

I create the playlists in Media Monkey and can select them. You just have to sync them separately. Yes, you can shuffle on a 550.

[CBAT]

Rusty,
When creating routes in Mapsource, there is an option to select the maps around the route. What does this do when the file is transferred to the Zumo?

[Squeaky]

Rusty,
When creating routes in Mapsource, there is an option to select the maps around the route. What does this do when the file is transferred to the Zumo?

AFAIK that's for units (like my Quest) that need the map areas loaded as you need them and is not necessary/used for units like the Zumo that already have the entire country stored internally.

[CBAT]

Makes sense. Thanks Rebecca

[WoodButcher]

Bingo. Useful for the Zumo if you are using another mapset, like Topo, but not with City Navigator since the maps are already on the unit.

[sloan]

Bingo. Useful for the Zumo if you are using another mapset, like Topo, but not with City Navigator since the maps are already on the unit. Before I realized this, I loaded a map on my Zumo, and now I can't figure out how to delete it from the unit. Any ideas?

[WoodButcher]

Before I realized this, I loaded a map on my Zumo, and now I can't figure out how to delete it from the unit. Any ideas?

Look in the Garmin directory on the unit for the map file with "sup" in the name. That it a supplemental mapset that is loaded in addition to the preloaded set. If you delete it then you will remove any extra maps you loaded. Or select a small map segement for something other than City Navigator and transfer it. It will replace what you sent before.

[sloan]

Look in the Garmin directory on the unit for the map file with "sup" in the name. That it a supplemental mapset that is loaded in addition to the preloaded set. If you delete it then you will remove any extra maps you loaded. Or select a small map segement for something other than City Navigator and transfer it. It will replace what you sent before.
Perfect. Thanks!

[SK-Bandit]

I did some reads over at Zumoforums and there seems to be a high percentage of 550's that fail within 2yrs. :eek2: What is everyones thoughts here?

[WoodButcher]

I think the people with problems complain and the rest don't.

[nightrider]

I have had mine for several years now and no problems at all so far other than cannot find the Garmin TOPO maps I downloaded lol