New Garmin Zumo... 590LM

[graler]

As we are partially discussing traffic have any of you tried an app called Waze? It is a social network GPS. Other drivers report traffic, they also report items on the road as well as stopped vehicles. One particularly useful feature is the location of LE. This is very useful if they are parked and looking for speeders. Not so useful if they are moving along with traffic. At least you know they are in the area. On a bike I am afraid it would be difficult to update and become an active participant. It is even risky being in a cage. Wonderful information and if drivers are participating - very accurate.

 

[Fred W]

Waze...

Yeah I loaded it, tried it, ended up deleting it. I did not see the value (and it was free). YMMV

 

[RiderX]

Waze does rock in metro areas with plenty-o-wazers. I haven't found a very good way to use on motorcycle. But just having it up as a tertiary pointing out actual user speeds and giving the best SOCAL arrival times in good in addition to parked LEOs shooting LASER. Waze interface to the 590 would be sweet.

 

[Air4ce76]

I was reading about the Garmin 590LM and clicked on the tab "In the Box" and was wondering about the motorcycle mount and hardware that is included. Does anyone know what type or what it looks like?

• zūmo 590LM
• Lifetime maps (indicated by “LM” after model number on the box)
  
• Battery pack
• Motorcycle mount and hardware
• Motorcycle power cable
• Automotive suction cup mount
• Automotive power cable
• USB cable
• Quick start manual

 

[Tanker]

I was reading about the Garmin 590LM and clicked on the tab "In the Box" and was wondering about the motorcycle mount and hardware that is included. Does anyone know what type or what it looks like?

• zūmo 590LM
• Lifetime maps (indicated by “LM” after model number on the box)
  
• Battery pack
• Motorcycle mount and hardware
• Motorcycle power cable
• Automotive suction cup mount
• Automotive power cable
• USB cable
• Quick start manual

See post #8 above.

Looks to be similar to the 660/665 mount.

 

[Fred W]

You can see the bike and car mounts if you click on the Accessories tab on the web site. then expand the "Mounts" in the list.

 

[NormKern]

As we are partially discussing traffic have any of you tried an app called Waze? It is a social network GPS. Other drivers report traffic, they also report items on the road as well as stopped vehicles. One particularly useful feature is the location of LE. This is very useful if they are parked and looking for speeders. Not so useful if they are moving along with traffic. At least you know they are in the area. On a bike I am afraid it would be difficult to update and become an active participant. It is even risky being in a cage. Wonderful information and if drivers are participating - very accurate.

Have used Waze for over a year. Sometimes very useful, somtimes not (rural areas, off-interstate). Saved my bacon a number of times, both on traffic tie-ups & speed traps. Not a cure-all.

I'm on AT&T data and coverage is very spotty, but Waze can show an up-to-date detailed map even when I'm out of data range most of the time. Compare that to Google Maps GPS on my Android, which can't find its butt with both hands most of the time.

I use a RAM X-mount on my RH handlebar, powering my HTC One S with a cigarette lighter cable, put it away when it rains. Use a Zumo 660 on LH handlebar for navigation, mp3s etc.

 

[Air4ce76]

You can see the bike and car mounts if you click on the Accessories tab on the web site. then expand the "Mounts" in the list.

I was reading about the Garmin 590LM and clicked on the tab "In the Box" and was wondering about the motorcycle mount and hardware that is included. Does anyone know what type or what it looks like?

• zūmo 590LM
• Lifetime maps (indicated by “LM” after model number on the box)
  
• Battery pack
• Motorcycle mount and hardware
• Motorcycle power cable
• Automotive suction cup mount
• Automotive power cable
• USB cable
• Quick start manual

See post #8 above.

Looks to be similar to the 660/665 mount.

Thanks for the input, I was trying to figure how it connects to the bike. Is there a 1 inch ball on the backside or do you attach the mount to a plate that has the ball. Excuse my ignorance this is my first time adding a GPS. I'm just gathering info at this point. Dave

 

[RichDoyle]

The plate with ball does not appear to be provided in the kit, so (assuming using RAM hardware) you'll need one of those, plus an arm and a ball attached to the bike somewhere.

Popular (but by no means the only) options are:

1 Use a 1" threaded Ball that mounts in unused mirror socket in the clutch handle mount.

2 Use a mount that replaces the stem steering nut with an adapter and 1" ball (various sources - Motorcycle Larry is but one).

3 If you are considering handlebar adapters (Motorrad, Helibars, e.g.) many have a tapped hole for mounting a threaded 1" ball in their hardware.

Pay attention: The threaded ball that fits in the clutch is metric threads. For unknown reasons some of the providers of tapped holes use a different ball, with US dimensions (3/8-16). These are different part numbers and incompatible threads.

 

[Fred W]

The plate with ball does not appear to be provided in the kit, so (assuming using RAM hardware) you'll need one of those, plus an arm and a ball attached to the bike somewhere.

I disagree.

Though the web site doesn't show it (yet, it's still pretty sparse at this point) all zumos have previously come complete with the RAM mounting hardware required to mount the GPS on your handlebar, or the back of the lever perches.

This would include a RAM B-347U ball,

RAM B-201UA short arm,

and the RAM B-309-7U combination handlebar or brake/clutch mount

If you want to mount it elsewhere (RamBone, stem mount, or other) there are lots of possible solutions, but I'm pretty confident the zumo will come with the basic RAM mounting parts above as they always have.

 

[RichDoyle]

Fred, it's also my recollection as well that my previous Zumos came with the RAM mounting stuff. But Garmin doesn't list it in the "in the box" page for this new model, so caveat emptor.

Correction - it does say hardware, so you shouldn't have to buy any additional mounting hardware unless you want to mount it differently.

 

[Air4ce76]

Thanks everyone for the input/info. Dave

 

[Geezer]

I agree that the price is very high.

I have had a bunch of different Garmins over the years and every one of them has had some sort of problem with either the hardware or the software. That said, I still think it's the best GPS available and I am dependent on using one in all of my vehicles.

I currently use a Montana on the FJR and after I had to send it back once for a hardware issue the reconditioned one they replaced it with seems to be OK. I'll use that for a few more years until the price of the 590 drops to about half and then I might be interested.

I do have lifetime maps on the Garmin in one of my cars, and that is a nice feature for people like me who tend to keep a device for a long time.

 

[Iris]

I have an ancient 2610 which I loved but it has been causing me much grief lately.

I had been on the phone with Garmin trying to help us through some issues with that unit and Jim's 2730.

Anyway after much pondering, we decided to buy two 590LM's. The Garmin guy gave us 20% off both units. I was really ready for a new unit. Also because Jim''s maps were a different version than mine, I would always have to recalculate the routes for his unit so that his routes matched mine (yes, I am the designated route maker/IT person in the house).

So far I am thrilled with this new GPS. I am interested to see how the curvy road option works.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I have an ancient 2610 which I loved but it has been causing me much grief lately.I had been on the phone with Garmin trying to help us through some issues with that unit and Jim's 2730.

Anyway after much pondering, we decided to buy two 590LM's. The Garmin guy gave us 20% off both units. I was really ready for a new unit. Also because Jim''s maps were a different version than mine, I would always have to recalculate the routes for his unit so that his routes matched mine (yes, I am the designated route maker/IT person in the house).

So far I am thrilled with this new GPS. I am interested to see how the curvy road option works.

Please post how well the screen shows up (or doesn't) in direct sunlight. Its supposed to be better...Tks..

 

[TomInPA]

I have an ancient 2610 which I loved but it has been causing me much grief lately.I had been on the phone with Garmin trying to help us through some issues with that unit and Jim's 2730.

Anyway after much pondering, we decided to buy two 590LM's. The Garmin guy gave us 20% off both units. I was really ready for a new unit. Also because Jim''s maps were a different version than mine, I would always have to recalculate the routes for his unit so that his routes matched mine (yes, I am the designated route maker/IT person in the house).

So far I am thrilled with this new GPS. I am interested to see how the curvy road option works.

Wait a minute, I gotta figure out what story get 20% off. that's $160!

 

[Geezer]

I have an ancient 2610 which I loved but it has been causing me much grief lately.I had been on the phone with Garmin trying to help us through some issues with that unit and Jim's 2730.

Anyway after much pondering, we decided to buy two 590LM's. The Garmin guy gave us 20% off both units. I was really ready for a new unit. Also because Jim''s maps were a different version than mine, I would always have to recalculate the routes for his unit so that his routes matched mine (yes, I am the designated route maker/IT person in the house).

So far I am thrilled with this new GPS. I am interested to see how the curvy road option works.

Well, I think those shiny new red FJRs really should have new GPSs on them.

How are you planning to mount them to the new bikes?

 

[Iris]

Yeah, call Garmin. They have incentives for those people who would like to upgrade AND they told me to keep my old GPS's!

I plan on mounting them to the tech mount stem stand that is currently on the bike. They do provide ram mounts, but I would prefer my stem stand.

I was concerned about the screen brightness. I need to look at it in extreme sunlight and see how well it's lit. It's cloudy this morning. Maybe later today the clouds will disappear and I can test it. I will post pics.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Yeah, call Garmin. They have incentives for those people who would like to upgrade AND they told me to keep my old GPS's!
I plan on mounting them to the tech mount stem stand that is currently on the bike. They do provide ram mounts, but I would prefer my stem stand.

I was concerned about the screen brightness. I need to look at it in extreme sunlight and see how well it's lit. It's cloudy this morning. Maybe later today the clouds will disappear and I can test it. I will post pics.

Thank you for the update and pic's would be great. That's the only thing holding me back. I don't need another GPS I can't see in the daylight.

 

[Fred W]

@Iris - First off congrats on the new zumos. I can't wait to hear more of your opinions on how they are working for you as I really feel like this is the upgrade for my old 550.

As for the screen brightness, the best way to assess it is directly compare to your old streetpilot (and any other GPS screens you can get ahold of). If you can get them all powered up at the same time, just do side by side comparisons in varying light conditions. I did that with my zumo 550, zumo 660 and nuvi 765T and the screens when digitally photographed were pretty easy to compare.