Garmin Zumo 660 Satellite Navigation For Motorbikes
Posted by Notcot on Apr 23, 2010 in In-Car Technology |
- Motorcycle GPS system
- Full maps of Europe
- Bluetooth
- 4.3″ touchscreen LDC
- LaneAssist
Notcot
Gizmos, Gadgets, Noir and Steampunk
5 CommentsReply |
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This is an excellent sat nav unit which is specifically aimed at motorcycle users and have to say I am very impressed with its use so far.
The kit comes with two mounting kits – One for motorcycles and one for car use.
Both use the RAM Mount (ball and socket type) system and with regard to motorcycle use, comes with a kind of universal mounting kit which can either clamp direct to your brake or clutch lever mount bracket, or via an included U bolt around the handlebars or other suitable location. The adjustable cradle houses the necessary wiring loom which is long enough to route to most battery locations, but personally, since I have more than one bike, I have chosen to fit a 12v cigar plug so I can transfer the unit between bikes. RAM mounts are relatively cheap (around £10 UK at time of this review) whilst the cradle is around £60 UK.
The other mount option is a car cradle that uses a suction cup for the windscreen, again with a suitable wiring loom that is pre-fitted with a 12v plug as standard, so also easy to transfer between cars.
Interestingly enough, the Zumo knows which cradle is in use and changes the little icon between car and motorcycle as required – an even nicer touch is that these icons can be changed for different ones that can be downloaded free from Garmins website.
The Zumo has a built in battery pack and should give around 4-5 hours use on its own which means the unit can also be used while walking or cycling if thats what takes your fancy.
The Garmin “GUI” is very similar to thier handheld units (Etrex) and so using it straight from the box was very easy without having to resort to the manual (included on the map software DVD). This also means that any tracks or waypoints created by an Etrex (possibly other units too?) can be easily transferred into the Zumo to aid later navigations to old haunts.
Car use is straight forward just like any other Sat Nav unit, but motorcycle use is enhanced by the fact that the motorcycle wiring loom also contains extra leads so that you can connect headphones to listen to the instructions whilst wearing a crash helmet and also a lead for a microphone as the unit can also be used with Bluetooth(tm) phones to make and recieve calls whilst on the move.
Alternatively, there are Bluetooth headsets that can be bought for fitting into crash helmets, but currently very expensive.
BTW, The Zumo also acts as a Bluetooth handsfree phone kit when in car mode.
Another nice feature, esp for motorcycle use, is that MicroSD cards can be used with the Zumo and filled with your favourite MP3 tracks which the Zumo will play as you ride along. There are separate volume settings for MP3 and traffic instructions which means your shouldnt miss that all important time to turn while listening to your MP3s.
Maps seem pretty good so far with free 60 day updates, and cover most European countries, altho I only intend to use mine for UK use so not worried about the extras at the moment.
Screen, at 4.3″ is also excellent and quite easy to view even when riding in sunshine (altho in the UK, that isnt going to happen too often now is it???).
The additional software DVD is also great and fairly easy to use and allows you to pre-plan a route and when happy, you can download this direct to the Zumo via the included USB lead and its ready for your next ride out.
If there is one downside, then it has to be price which is quite steep at £440 when I bought my unit. However, when researching sat navs suitable for motorcycle use (and remember this is waterproof which is why it costs more), then this comes out way ahead of the TomTom Biker sat nav which appears not to be of the same quality standard as the wonderful Zumo.
So would I buy another in a few years time? Defintely, but then I love all my GPS units anyway!
Would I recommend this unit to any one? Again, yes, altho cant really defend its high price compared with comparable car only units.
Now, stop reading this and go and buy your own >:*)
Rating: 5 / 5
I agonized for many weeks over this purchase and considered the relative merits of the Garmin Zumo 660 vs the Tom Tom Rider V2.
The main reason I decided on the Garmin was because I wanted to plan my bike rides on the computer and then upload them into my Sat Nav. The Garmin software that comes in the box is really simple and I was quickly planning weekend ride-outs and a 12 day trip through Spain.
The routing software is really good, recalculates very quickly and I especially like that it tells you the street names, rather than turn left in 100 metres, turn right in 200 metres etc.
The second factor in choosing the Garmin was the MP3 player and I am really pleased with the functionality and sound quality. I’ve managed to load 200+ tracks into the units in-built memory and haven’t felt the need to buy an additional memory card just yet.
This unit also comes with a car mounting kit and the Garmin recognises whether it is in the car or on my bike (with different routing preferences automatically selected with either cradle). This was an added bonus that I wasn’t expecting and I have found it really useful.
Overall, I am delighted with this purchase and think it is worth every penny.
Rating: 5 / 5
I struggled between the buying a TomTom Rider and the Garmin Zumo for quite a while, and finally decided to go for the Garmin Zumo based on the feedback about good support with Garmin versus my own terrible experience with TomTom support (I also have TomTom Navigator on my PDA), I also liked the wide screen look and traffic support without the cost of using my mobile phone.
It is fair to say I have had a few problems with the Zumo since it was released but now that the firmware is up to version 3.30 and I have managed to find all of the features I was used to using with TomTom Navigator I have a happy user. I have been able to use the Zumo to connect to a bluetooth receiver (Sony Ericsson HBH-DS220) which allows me to listen to the directions using either helmet speakers or ear buds which is a cheaper way than buying a headset.
The Zumo unit seems to be well built and fits well to my 2007 Honda Fireblade after I managed to track down a 3rd party (www.telferizer.com) RAM mount. I powered my Zumo on my bike by connecting it to the existing connector for my Optimate batter charger so it only takes a few seconds to connect when I want to use it.
The car kit and optional traffic/charger work great (although I have noticed that sometimes the traffic fails to work until you cancel and re-enter the route).
The map software you get with the unit is great and allows you to upload the track log so you can see exactly where you went (and how fast) and it is very easy to upload custom POIs (like speed camera databases).
Rating: 4 / 5
I have been using the Garmin 2610 mostly on my motorbike tours but occasionally in my car, for about 4 years.
I am familiar with how the Garmin units work and am well practised in compiling routes in Mapsource for download to the GPS unit.
The Zumo 660 was a significant enough purchase over the 550, which has been available for some time, to make me take the plunge and purchase.
The motorcycle mount appears less secure and sturdy than the old mount supplied with the 2610. There is no locking mechanism to keep it attached to the bike mount, unlike the old version which used a screw key. It is simply removed by pushing a plastic button which compresses the plastic locking lug. Not really military ruggedness in my view. After market kits are available from other suppliers and so this may not be too much of a downside for prospective purchasers.
I like the Zumo 660 very much. The software is basically the same as what has gone before but its newer, sweeter and has some very nice touches.
I only propose to discuss look and feel rather than go into great detail. The unit is a slippery little devil and I have already dropped it once removing it from the bike mount. It bounced off the tank and landed on the tarmac, a fall of about 1.3 metres. The unit now has scuff marks but is working perfectly. Whilst I don’t recommend dropping it on hard surfaces, its comforting to know it has some degree of resilience.
The menu systems are intuitive and the unit is fast to redraw and respond to activation.
I find it an excellent tool for navigating countryside and cities, and would now not contemplate motorcycle touring without one.
At the end of the day when you’re tired and trying to find your hotel/destination, it’s an absolute boon to be taken straight there.
The 660 has facilities to play music, (mp3s, podcasts, or talking books previously loaded by you), to you whilst travelling, this interrupts when voice directions are given, it also allows the blue-tooth connection to your mobile, or to a wireless helmet headset attachment. I decided to stick with cable connection as it’s just the kind of person I am
The unit has its own battery which is recharged by the connection to bike or car, by USB connection to computer, or to mains adaptor. A wide choice there.
This allows its use whilst walking and also down in the hotel lobby exchanging information with fellow tourers and planning the next days routes if you’ve not already done so before leaving home. Simple customisation is possible by downloading new icons and vehicle images for those who are so inclined. Its easily and effectively implemented if you wish to bother. Phonetic speach in a variety of accents are also possible. Personally I prefer not to use one of those voices as continental phonetic speech of road names is off putting when you know how they should be pronounced. If however, you have a lasting wish to be directed by celebrities such as Sean Connery or other voices of note, then go right ahead
Normal voices have been updated, (over the 2610s anyway), and I find the choices pleasant and effective.
If I broke it what would I do ?
I would go out and buy the self same model. Straight away. That’s probably the best recommendation I can give.
Garmin Zumo 660 Satellite Navigation For Motorbikes
Rating: 5 / 5
I recently purchased the Zumo 660 with the China Map. As I live in Beijing and ride bikes it seemed an ideal solution. Despite the Garmin Map compatibility system on their website clearly stating the map and the unit were compatible, when I arrived in Beijing it was obvious that they were not. There is a constant shift of +/-200m that makes the SatNav operation useless. Following my complaints, Garmin have removed the Zumo 660 from the list of compatible units (fortunately I took a screenshot before they did) but are refusing to provide any support. If you are buying this system (or any other Garmin system) with the intent of using a map outside your home country I strongly suggest you obtain written confirmation of compatibility. Garmin have told me that their Web terms allow them to tell lies without any liability on their behalf. Don’t expect much in the way of support from this company! It gets two stars because the unit itself worked well in the UK before I came back to China. If you’re staying in Europe the unit gets about four stars. The company gets zero!
Rating: 2 / 5