NEW GPS for motorcycle from Garmin Again

[Fred H.]

DELETED

 

[SkooterG]

Popcorn. Where's the popcorn?

:jerry:

 

[Geezer]

I agree with Fred. I want a GPS, but I don't NEED one. I will do my research and decide which one is best for me and look for the best price for the features I want. If I don't find a price I like i simply won't buy.

 

[04FJR4ME]

On the other side of the coin, when retailers ban together and request a manufacture institute a new price policy just so they can make more money then they deserve to go out of business.
This is exactly what has happened. And since these retailers purchase more units from the manufacturer than anyone else, the manufacture (Garmin) has to comply if they want to continue to stay in business.

This is unfair trade practices and price fixing if I ever heard it, I don't care how you slice it.

Competition is the nature of doing business and is what free enterprise and capitalism is all about. The internet has just added another layer of competition to the market, and businesses are just going to have to get better and streamline costs or offer more services to compete. Price fixing is not the answer, and is also illegal.

Fred,

Best of luck to you and hope you get the lowest price for what you are looking for! And I hope if you work for someone that they will find a lower price employee replacment to fill your position also, and if you own your own business, well, I guess you are either one of those work out of your garage with no insurance and happy to make $5 a unit because you don't have rent or employees to support, and you are happy making $50 a day or you are one of those business that get paid by the goverment.

Sorry, you have your rights and we have ours! When our path cross, is best we don't talk business. So have a great time buying from the cheapest internet GPS dealer you can find! in fact, there are a few that are selling below dealer cost, those are you best deals and you should buy a few to celebrate your savings. Read these low life reviews and you will find most customers hate dealing with them and they don't get what they ordered.

The old saying goes, you get what you pay for and sometimes the cheapest thing you get is not what you really want or need. Like an open box return, reman units that are sold as new, new units that are sold with missing accessories and worst yet, you don't get your unit after paying for it. But all those are none issues to a guy like you!

Have a great life

 

[Blueliner]

On the other side of the coin, when retailers ban together and request a manufacture institute a new price policy just so they can make more money then they deserve to go out of business.
This is exactly what has happened. And since these retailers purchase more units from the manufacturer than anyone else, the manufacture (Garmin) has to comply if they want to continue to stay in business.

This is unfair trade practices and price fixing if I ever heard it, I don't care how you slice it.

Competition is the nature of doing business and is what free enterprise and capitalism is all about. The internet has just added another layer of competition to the market, and businesses are just going to have to get better and streamline costs or offer more services to compete. Price fixing is not the answer, and is also illegal.

Micro-economics 101

MRP is not price fixing, it is price setting. A manufacturer builds a product and sets a price to sell it at. They can sell it for whatever price they want, it is THEIR product. If distributors do not want to sell it for that price, they do not have to sell that product, if they want to break the rules the manufacturer has laid down, they run the risk of that company no longer letting them distribute their product. This IS the free market. In the case of this GPS, if Garmin does not sell many at $999, they will reduce the price or get rid of the MRP requirement. That is the free market determining the price. If you buy this GPS from a distributor that is not sticking with Garmin's rules, Garmin's sales will be higher and the price will stay at $999. YOU will be (inadvertently) helping Garmin sell the Zumo for more money, and costing consumers in general, more money to buy them. YOU and others like you will help to keep it unaffordable for many others. Should you look for the best possible value? Of course! That too is the free market. But you also have to remember that its the guys like James that give you "real" value. He employs people, leases store space, pays utilities and taxes on his business. He is a net tax payer, not net tax receiver. He gives deals to forum members at cost when he can, he gives out advice and not just press releases, real info on GPS in general and in specific. If you have a problem with your new Zumo, he can go to bat for you with Garmin because he doesn't break their policies. Try getting the internet business that sold it to you under dealer cost what they are going to do for you if you have a problem. They didn't make one dollar off that sale, do you think they are going to help you much. Thats how it works in real life, not in the pseudo-socialist, "please subsidise me" market economy.

BTW, I have never spoken to James nor patronized his store. That said, thank you James, for your support of this forum. I am sure that many of the members appreciate it very much.

 

[quicksilver]

Maybe this is a given, but does it take a 12V input?

The spec sheet only talks about a battery.

3 hours between overnight plugin seems pretty useless.

 

[04FJR4ME]

Maybe this is a given, but does it take a 12V input?
The spec sheet only talks about a battery.

3 hours between overnight plugin seems pretty useless.

Yes, it will accept the 12 volt input!

Mike,

Thank you for your support!

James

04FJR4ME

 

[Fencer]

In a quicky review I don't see the diff in this or the 2820. What am I missing? what is the price diff in the 2?

 

[04FJR4ME]

In a quicky review I don't see the diff in this or the 2820. What am I missing? what is the price diff in the 2?

I posted this on another part of this forum but here is my answer to you in bold for the major differences

I think the Zumo 550 is going to be a very hot seller this 4th quarter. It is actually priced exactly the same as the STP 2720 and lower than the STP 2820 but packed full with a lot of exciting NEW AND UNIQUE biker usable features.

Zumo 550/STP 2720 STP 2820

List $1,076.91 $1,184.60

MRP/MAP $999.99 $1,099.99

The major improvements that will sell this unit would be:

1) Sirf GPS receiver (not available in any other waterproof StreetPilots)

2) Glove-friendly touch screen with left-handed controls

3) Optional custom caps, available in a variety of styles to personalize zumo to match bike's color & attitude

4) Includes locking motorcycle mount as well as an automotive mount

5) Bluetooth wireless for sending voice-guidance audio prompts to compatible helmets. (in addition to the Bluetooth hands-free calling feature.)

6) Removalbe lithium-ion battery (not available in any other waterproof StreetPilots)

7) SD card expansion slot (not available in any other waterproof StreetPilots)

8) Motorcycle Console for trip information - includes resetable fuel gauge

9) Export and review routes in Google Earth, with a free account from www.Motionbase.com (Motionbase was a bay area company that got bought out by Garmin.)

10) Can be used with MotionBased for online route sharing, track viewing and to enable online communities of riders. (this could become a really big feature for these various riding communities.)

11) Compatible with the optional Travel Guide, Language Guide and SaversGuide. (not avail. in any other waterproof STPs)

12) High bright sunlight-readable, UV-resistant touch screen display

13) Offers option to go with either FM TMC Traffic or with XM Satellite Radio/Traffic/Weather service.

14) Carrying Case, Motorcycle and vehicle power cables included.

This Zumo is definately will be a hot item this Christmas and I think Garmin has been paying attention to what the motorcycle community have been saying and wishing in an ideal motorcycle product. Garmin even have STURGIS in a Sample Screnshots so I guess they are after the Harley Davidson riding community also.

04FJR4ME

 

[bramfrank]

Essentially Zumo is a waterproof Nuvi optimised for left handed bike use and waterproofed.

 

[KCFJR]

Check out this price!!

www.starmarinedepot.com/Garmin+zumo+550.html

and then this price

www.roguewavemarine.com/store/product.php?productid=4749

 

[bramfrank]

I wouldn't preorder them, especially from smallfry vendors who may not even have access to the product!

 

[mdisher]

Wow, this thing is pretty sweet.

$200 ~ $250 for an external XM antenna? WTF? That's not even funny. Why even advertise that as a feature. The latest Roady's are $59 all you can carry. Sure weather would be nice, but I don't want to plug this thing in to listen to XM in my house, or on the treadmill or what ever.

I understand the woes of the small/individual business man, but $1k is too damn much for a GPS.

Hey, how come all of Fred's posts are DELETED.

 

[04FJR4ME]

Wow, this thing is pretty sweet.
$200 ~ $250 for an external XM antenna? WTF? That's not even funny. Why even advertise that as a feature. The latest Roady's are $59 all you can carry. Sure weather would be nice, but I don't want to plug this thing in to listen to XM in my house, or on the treadmill or what ever.

I understand the woes of the small/individual business man, but $1k is too damn much for a GPS.

Hey, how come all of Fred's posts are DELETED.

BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF POP-CORNS and Fred understands! :yahoo:

You can buy a $.25 cents compass instead of a real GPS system taht is water tight, but it really is not the same is it? We use to sell a bunch of GPS systems at $3,200 and now there is going to be a bunch for $399 but not the ones you will be proud to own! I guess it is all a matter of what you can afford and what you like to be seen with that counts. You normally get what you pay for, and the most expensive thing you can buy is a cheap GPS that you don't use! Trust me on that one!

By the way, the ZUMO is a great unit for motorcycle and it can be use in your car and bike. This unit is much more than a NUVI since it is build to withstand much more vibration and abuse than the NUVI at a price that is less than the 2820.

I think it is a great deal and for those that thinks it cost to much, you can always buy a Garmin 2610 to start with, you can find those for pretty cheap, end of life stuff normally are.

Good luck

 

[mdisher]

04FJRME, you must have misunderstood my sarcasm.

I do understand and appreciate your need to earn a buck. But I am saying $1k is too damn much. (for me)

I'll wait until the price comes down a bit.

If it came XM ready for that price with antanea and all then that's fine but we're talking $1350 to get it really the way it should be.

I understand all to well you get what you pay for. I have a Quest 1 now and am pretty happy with it until I ride out of the range I can load in it at one time and don't want to carry a laptop with me, then I'm not so happy with it.

But it is what it is.

-MD

 

[Metric]

MRP is quickly becoming a standard in a lot of areas. I know that as I pick up new items, I see it more and more. Before long the days of good buys for brand new items on ebay will be ending. Internet sales has hurt a lot of manufacturers and they specifically state in there contracts that you can not sell below list. I have signed off on agreements three times this last month for that specifically. It was nice while it lasted, but the internet 'competition' is either going to conform or disappear.

 

[mdisher]

MRP is quickly becoming a standard in a lot of areas. I know that as I pick up new items, I see it more and more. Before long the days of good buys for brand new items on ebay will be ending. Internet sales has hurt a lot of manufacturers and they specifically state in there contracts that you can not sell below list. I have signed off on agreements three times this last month for that specifically.

-->>

It was nice while it lasted, but the internet 'competition' is either going to conform or disappear.

I don't want to get off-topic too far... But nothing could be farther from the truth.

Manufacturers, distributors, etc, they may all throw their weight around and trying to enforce MAP and MRP and even force 'some' people to not to by making examples of some. Joe Rocket and others did this a couple years ago, and now what do you have to do to get pricing? email and ask for it, they just can't advertise it.

Today's margins are thin, nobody knows that more than computer manufacturers in a lot of areas. Apple defends its MAP and MRP very, very aggressively, but you can still find them cheaper if you know where to look. You can still buy for less than MRP if you know where to go.

MAP and MRP won't affect the Internets economics in your or my lifetime. It makes it harder for honest guys like you to make a buck, I fully understand that. But there will always be someone out there willing to buy and sell for less. That hasn't changed. It was like that before the Internet too. No matter what business you are in, there will always be someone willing to do it for less so you better have something of value to justify your price.

Just like in racing, there will always be someone faster, or smoother. Doesn't mean you can't improve. But there will always be competition.

-MD

 

[04FJR4ME]

For those that are interested in the Zumo 550,please place order before Nov 25, 2006.

Thank you.

James 04FJR4ME

MRP is quickly becoming a standard in a lot of areas. I know that as I pick up new items, I see it more and more. Before long the days of good buys for brand new items on ebay will be ending. Internet sales has hurt a lot of manufacturers and they specifically state in there contracts that you can not sell below list. I have signed off on agreements three times this last month for that specifically.

-->>

It was nice while it lasted, but the internet 'competition' is either going to conform or disappear.

I don't want to get off-topic too far... But nothing could be farther from the truth.

Manufacturers, distributors, etc, they may all throw their weight around and trying to enforce MAP and MRP and even force 'some' people to not to by making examples of some. Joe Rocket and others did this a couple years ago, and now what do you have to do to get pricing? email and ask for it, they just can't advertise it.

Today's margins are thin, nobody knows that more than computer manufacturers in a lot of areas. Apple defends its MAP and MRP very, very aggressively, but you can still find them cheaper if you know where to look. You can still buy for less than MRP if you know where to go.

MAP and MRP won't affect the Internets economics in your or my lifetime. It makes it harder for honest guys like you to make a buck, I fully understand that. But there will always be someone out there willing to buy and sell for less. That hasn't changed. It was like that before the Internet too. No matter what business you are in, there will always be someone willing to do it for less so you better have something of value to justify your price.

Just like in racing, there will always be someone faster, or smoother. Doesn't mean you can't improve. But there will always be competition.

-MD

I fully support customers to buy from their local brick and mortar AUTHORIZED GPS dealers, for the rest of you that is buying on the internet, buyer beware! please make sure you are getting the latest version mapping software and firmware when you order the unit, make them put it in writting when ordering.

As I understand when there is an unpdate and if the Garmin GPS unit is purchased from an unauthorized dealer, you are on your own and you have to pay for the map update.

Just make sure that when spending the lease amount for a GPS unit that you are using someone you know and trust. A store front that you can visit will help also since if they don't take care of you, you have a live person to talk to.

Also, test the company by asking technical questions and support questions, see how they treat you if they think you puchased a unit already, are they going to support you?

Like I said, the most expensive GPS you can buy is one that does not work for you.

Good Luck

James

04FJR4ME

 

[Barabus]

Any update on the release date for the zumo 550?

 

[FJRski]

Maybe this is a given, but does it take a 12V input?

The spec sheet only talks about a battery.

3 hours between overnight plugin seems pretty useless.

Yes, it will accept the 12 volt input!

Mike,

Thank you for your support!

James

04FJR4ME

Assuming that is true, I am ready to buy if it has an audio line out as well.