Which GPS to get???

[bramfrank]

Thanks for all the info...I'm pretty much a GPS virgin so...how I understand it is I can install a memory card and it will remember the route I took and keep it in memory...? Do you know if the 550 has better mapping for they're base map or are you saying most if not all the base maps are basically the same unless you purchase the (City Navigator NA NT series) which it seems as though you may not think is worth it for back road adventures...? Thanks for your help. I'm also trying to decide on which GPS too purchase before our trip to TN and NC. The 550 is pretty damn pricey for sure...

We have to clarify some things.

The only units that have 'base maps' in them are units that do not come preloaded with full mapping of North America - the base maps provide 'fill' for those places you don't have in your memory card. The 276, the Quest and the older 2600 series, Streetpilot and so on are examples of this type of unit.

Nuvi and Zumo have full mapping on board, so there's no base map, because there's no need for a base map. And those maps are the same maps that you download into the memory chips in the 276 or to the memory of a Quest and so on . . . so in the end, the downloaded maps provide detail, routing information and have Points Of Interest (POIs) that are sent to the downloadable device.

Just to complicate things, Garmin does offer some units with full mapping of the US AND Europe on board - and you thought Zumo cost a lot of money!!

All Garmin CNNA maps from the present year are the same, have the same POI data and will route the same as a consequence.

 

[bramfrank]

[SIZE=14pt]does everyone use the battery power......or how do most people power the gps units?[/SIZE]

OK, so you don't know about HTML tags either - I fixed it for the reply.

No, most people use their navigators wired into the electrical system.

However if you head in to a restaurant, you want battery power to let you review the tracklog (assuming your unit has a tracklog), to perhaps plan new routes or to query the POI database.

 

[gasportrider]

gsozz,

I also have a Zumo 550. In addition, I have three 8Gb SDHC cards purchased at about $25 each. Each card allows me to have 1,000 songs, countless photos, and numerous downloads of routes that can be uploaded at any time to internal memory. Routes can also be exchanged on the road when you meet another garmin owner. Further, there is the wonderful world of POI's or point of interest data bases that can be an adjunct to your travels. For example, I have campgrounds, Yamaha and Honda dealers stored.

Before you spend your money, spend a little time on www.zumoforums. There is a lot to learn about any GPS system and I know of no way to learn other than to dig in and do it.

Try to narrow your initial search to 3 or fewer units and then start reading in each vendor's forum database. Writing a check to a specific vendor will be a waste of money if you aren't happy in your choice.

I became confident that the Zumo had the best set of features for motorcycling currently available backed up by an active forum of very smart users. Also, Garmin customer service seems to be quite good.

You might also try www.avrider.com for good info on gps systems.

Welcome to the wonderful world of GPS Navigation

 

[gsozz]

gsozz,
I also have a Zumo 550. In addition, I have three 8Gb SDHC cards purchased at about $25 each. Each card allows me to have 1,000 songs, countless photos, and numerous downloads of routes that can be uploaded at any time to internal memory. Routes can also be exchanged on the road when you meet another garmin owner. Further, there is the wonderful world of POI's or point of interest data bases that can be an adjunct to your travels. For example, I have campgrounds, Yamaha and Honda dealers stored.

Before you spend your money, spend a little time on www.zumoforums. There is a lot to learn about any GPS system and I know of no way to learn other than to dig in and do it.

Try to narrow your initial search to 3 or fewer units and then start reading in each vendor's forum database. Writing a check to a specific vendor will be a waste of money if you aren't happy in your choice.

I became confident that the Zumo had the best set of features for motorcycling currently available backed up by an active forum of very smart users. Also, Garmin customer service seems to be quite good.

You might also try www.avrider.com for good info on gps systems.

Welcome to the wonderful world of GPS Navigation

Thanks for the great info. I have been drawn more to the 550 the more that I read from users.

gsozz

 

[ShawnKing]

does everyone use the battery power......or how do most people power the gps units?

My Zumo 550 is my first GPS unit that had internal battery power. It would last, if I was lucky, 3.5 hrs. I power it now directly off the bike's battery.

 

[bramfrank]

Thanks for the great info. I have been drawn more to the 550 the more that I read from users.gsozz

Since someone commented that I was being anal, I'll be anal and ask the question, tongue in cheek. Even if the answer is obvious;

The C550, the Nuvi 550 or the Zumo 550?

I comment to illustrate that it is not the number alone that defines the device. In fact calling it a Zumo means a lot more than calling it a 550. Calling it a Zumo 550 defines the device, because the are/have been 4 members of the Zumo family, 29 different Nuvis and eight in the C series.