Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted September 15, 2008 09:09 AM
Garmin Zumo 450 or 550?
Hi guys! I have a few quick questions for ya! I have been reading a lot of the posts on GPS and their mounts on this site which have been very informative. I have decided it will be between the Garmin Zumo 450 and the 550. The 550 at buydig.com sells for $623 and the 450 for $388 which is a HUGE price difference!
Anyway, there was nothing said regarding the 450 but here is what I have discovered on CNET about the 550: "The Garmin Zumo 550's points of interest database is outdated and occasionally gave us wrong street names or no street at all for some side streets. Also, automatic route recalculation is a bit on the slow side. The compass only works in off-road mode and there is not altimeter."
1. This was written back in the beginning of 2007, have any of these problems been corrected in any firmware updates?
2. I am not looking to use my GPS for a cell phone, a MP3 player, or for XM radio but would like to be able to hear the direction voice through my helmet so will the 450 suffice? Any other reason other than those mentioned that might make spending the extra money worthwhile?
You guys are great! Thanks for your advice!
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Smurfslayer
Novice Class
Posts: 37
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posted September 15, 2008 09:57 AM
It's up to you really...
If all you want is voice navigation and the street names being voiced ( a 550 only feature ) is not that important, and as you describe you're not looking for any bluetooth, mp3's etc. then yes, the 450 will do.
I have the 550, and right now I couldn't conceive of a time that I would take a phone call with my helmet on. That said, I do find that tunes adds to the equation.
I think what separates the 2 models is that the 550 will play mp3's, announce street names, the FM/XM options including traffic and you get the cage mount as well.
As for the POI d/b, etc. that will be consistent across both models. I've found that the US roads d/b is a little more accurate than the Europe mapsource. At least 10 times in Ireland we were on an M route and the GPS would have us way off the actual route, meaning the map showed the road going one place, the GPS a totally different place. Navigation continued but sometimes it will try to reroute you.
HERE is where the announced street names helps. For example if you are approaching an upcoming turn and there are several streets in that direction, or you are headed to a roundabout and the exits are fairly close together the announced street name helps.
I've had the 550 in Europ 2x this year and used in too many times to count here in the states. I think it is the bee's knees of gps...
HTH
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Dave
www.usrkba.org
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted September 15, 2008 10:38 AM
Thanks a lot Smurfslayer (love the name). I think having the streets announced to me is nicer than having to look down to see when to turn especially when the roads are close together like you said, but I am still not sure if that feature is worth and additional $235.
Can you tell me if the 550 has an altimeter and compass on it now? Those are two features I would really like.
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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Smurfslayer
Novice Class
Posts: 37
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posted September 15, 2008 02:00 PM
quote:
Thanks a lot Smurfslayer (love the name). I think having the streets announced to me is nicer than having to look down to see when to turn especially when the roads are close together like you said, but I am still not sure if that feature is worth and additional $235.
Can you tell me if the 550 has an altimeter and compass on it now? Those are two features I would really like.
Yes, it does, & if I remember my zumo-fu you have to select it off the main map screen. On the bottom right, press the direction button &that + the accuracy comes up.
You can also fact check me @www.zumoforums.com
NTH
Dave
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Dave
www.usrkba.org
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted September 15, 2008 03:03 PM
Hey, thanks so much! That's great info!
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted September 15, 2008 06:35 PM
550 all the way. I especially like the fact it becomes my phone screen/phone touch pad via bluetooth, I use a lot of the features in the car.
I don't know the date on the CNET article, but the "maps 2008" database for the 550 is awesome. I travel for work all the time and the zumo is spot on.
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ZX14 gone!
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted September 16, 2008 09:22 AM
Thanks Steve! I see in your pictures that you have it on almost all the time so I know you are getting great use out of it. Do you have it set so you can hear it in your helmet?
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted September 17, 2008 07:10 AM
No, my arai and shoei both have so much windnoise I don't fool with it in my helmet. but I have its set up on the roadie bicycle (for 25+ mile workouts) and in the car. Functions with my bluetooth headset and becomes the cell phone screen.
It works unbelievably well, and you never have to touch the phone. Caller ID, keypad and all works on the ZUMO screen
also the battery lasts 5+ hours, I never even wired it to my Yamaha nor my prior ZX14 bike.
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted September 17, 2008 07:17 AM
there's a few pics of mine on my old ZX14 in this deal's gap thread: http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=8&TID=35917&set_time=1219169852
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted September 17, 2008 08:39 AM
Man oh man that looked like a great ride! One of those pictures would have answered the altimeter and compass questions for me. I like the set-up you have there.
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted September 17, 2008 06:59 PM
I was informed since the sign is more accurate at elevation than the GPS according to what a reliable source told me
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted September 17, 2008 08:26 PM
That's okay, your Garmin was not that far off. I read somewhere that the voice on the 550 is REAL quiet? Is that true? I heard a Magellan and a Garmen at Best Buy and they BOTH were pretty loud. Unfortuinately no stores around here have the 550 so I can play with it and listen to it.
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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Gunner
Needs a life
Posts: 5778
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posted September 17, 2008 08:36 PM
Get ahold of Fastestbusaaround STEVE...... He's the Garman man... I have the 550
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted September 18, 2008 04:24 PM
+1 FBA told me about the 2008 map upgrade which is awesome (new one will come with it)
I've been downloading custom points of interest into the 550 lately - that is just awesome stuff right there.
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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