Zumo 665

[Sideoftheroad]

Anyone have one? What do you like about it? What don't you like? Issues? Did you switch from a 550 to 665? If so do you like the 550 or 665 better and why? Is the only difference between 660 and 665 is XM?

[OldBear]

May I suggest you also consider a NUVI 500 or 550? While not as "gee whiz cool" as the zumo's, they are (1) waterproof (2) have a looonng battery life (8 hours), and (3) they are a TON cheaper to buy than a Zumo. I looked around a bit before I bought, went with the Nuvi and am very happy with it. Got it for less than $200. Worth considering...

[Freebird]

I do think the only difference between the 660 and the 665 is the XM. I am one that upgraded from the Zumo 550 to the 665. I really do like the XM so did not consider the 600.

 

Was the upgrade worth it? To me, it was not. I think that If I didn't have a GPS at all and was considering a first purchase, I would recommend the 665. It has a few features that I do like as opposed to the 550. Lane change guidance is nice, it holds more MP3 songs, it has the wider screen.

 

A couple of things that I DON'T like as opposed to the 550. Volume output on the 665 seems to be lower. The placements of the XM antenna is more critical. If you place it right next to the GPS, it will not work. I had an integrated mount where the XM puck mounted on the same bracket as the GPS and that worked great for the 550 but the 665 did not work at all that way. I had to move the antenna to the other side of the bike. One other thing is the the 550 remembered that I had the XM on when I stopped and turned everything off. The radio would come back on when I started up again. The 665 doesn't do that. You have to turn the music back on every time after you have turned it off.

 

So if I had it to do over again, I would just keep my 550. If I were starting from scratch, I would still go with the 665 I think.

[Hummingbird]

I've had more than several Garmins, all in the car and truck and have a Garmin 550 w/xm on the bike. I'm totally happy with the 550 and if it died I'd probably try to find a re-built one somewhere.

[rumboogy]

Like several others on here (including FreeBird), I have had several Garmin units and have helped numerous buddies install Garmin units on their bikes. The units ranged from the Zumo 665 all the way down to the cheapest Garmin available and even some OLD Garmin units (I had the 2610 on my bike at one point a few years ago).

 

Anyway, I also had the Zumo 550 and now have the Zumo 665. Of all the ones I have owned, the Zumo 665 is the best, but then it should be since it is latest "motorcycle" GPS Garmin has out there.

 

Let me just say that when an GPS (computer) is geared towards a single niche (like motorcycles)...it will do somethings well and other things not so well. In other words, there are complaints that the zumo line of GPS's still have a "bug" or two. Your level of annoyance with these "bugs" is proportional to the features you use.

 

I really like my zumo 665 (coming from the zumo 665 which I also liked a lot). I like the form factor, I like that it is water resistant (although I still baggie mine in the rain), I like that it has XM radio, and I have even grown to like the wiring harness better than the zumo 550. The latching mechanism for the zumo 665 is weak, but a quick little mod for that makes that a no count.

 

I have not had any problems with the antenna placement for the zumo 665, but I started with my placement on the opposite side of the bike. The lane assist is nice, the tour guides (although primitive) are also fun to have. Admittedly, I am not a power user, although I do use the unit EVERY TIME I RIDE.

 

The zumo 550 is also an excellent unit. I think they had more battery problems than they have with other units, but overall it is a proven GPS.

 

As for the guy that mentioned the Nuvi line of GPS. HECK YEAH. The things you give up are moderate to minor conveniences that are either not needed or can be overcome. And for most of the Nuvi line of GPS's, you can find adapters, mounts and power cables for motorcycle installs.

[KeithR]

Hey Wally

 

"The latching mechanism for the zumo 665 is weak, but a quick little mod for that makes that a no count."

 

I would like to hear what mod you have done ? I haven't had any problem (I have a 660) but ya never know!

 

Tks

 

Keith

[rumboogy]

Pretty simple really. There were some complaints that the locking mechanism would occasionally give way and there have been "reports" of the Zumo flying off and shattering on the road.

 

Just in case this has happened...I came up with this (something similar to what I had seen someone else do)...and now I have PEACE OF MIND when I am not only riding, but also just removing the GPS from the mount...to me that is when there is the greatest chance of dropping it.

 

Very simple...very effective. Hope you can use it.

 

Wally

[KeithR]

Looks good Wally .....Thanks!

 

 

Sorry Sideoftheroad didn't mean to hijack your thread!

 

 

Keith

[Prairiehammer]

...reports of the Zumo flying off...Is that why they called it a Zoom-o?

[rumboogy]

Keith...not really a hijack...more of a SLIGHT detour. This little insignificant mod can be used on all kinds of GPS's and just might save someone $200-$1000.

 

Wally

[JerryT]

So far I am happy with my 665. I am a big xm fan on the bike and also really like the weather map feature when on trips. For me this works very well.

Not sure on antenna, I have mine mounted on the mounting bracket right by the unit and it works well for me. At first I mounted the antenna inside the fairing on top of the cassette player which also worked pretty well. Issue here was the xm code is in the puck, so if I wanted to put it in my car, had to split the fairing to get it out which was a big of a pain.

[Sideoftheroad]

Thanks for the tip on the Nuvi's. I will check those out too. I was w/ some buddies today and 1 person pointed out that the 550 has the navigation buttons while the 660 series is touchscreen only. He pointed out (no pun intended) that touchscreen only can be a pain w/ gloves while you can still navigate the buttons w/ gloves.

 

Thoughts?

[XV1100SE]

As for the guy that mentioned the Nuvi line of GPS. HECK YEAH. The things you give up are moderate to minor conveniences that are either not needed or can be overcome. And for most of the Nuvi line of GPS's, you can find adapters, mounts and power cables for motorcycle installs.

 

If the Nuvi 550 played mp3's and had an audio out jack I'd go for it. Just doesn't seem be be in inexpensive unit similar to the Nuvi 550 with these two features.

 

.. or FM transmitter and waterproof?

[b2dad]

My GPS quit on me while Pat and I were traveling this past week (again!) so Pat convinced me to get a Zumo. We found this post and then researched all the zumo's.

 

Since I don't care about XM, I decided on the 660. Not only that...my previous GPS came from Best Buy and they gave me my money back AND put the refund towards the new Zumo 660. Very happy with Best Buy right now!

 

So now I have a question..who makes the hook up that goes from the Zumo to the intercom system? I think this is what I need..??? Anyone know what I am talking about? LOL!

 

Don (actually Pat did this post for me)

[Freebird]

Are you talking about the cable that allows you to use your cellphone through your headsets? That's the only thing that I know of and BuddyRich makes it.

[b2dad]

Yes, Don, I think that's what I mean. I just PM'd Buddy about the cable cause I thought that;s who it was. I told him the only electrical thing I know how to do is plug in a lamp. LOL

 

Thanks for the quick reply tho. I can't wait for my new zumo to get here.

[Sleeperhawk]

The one thing I like about XM (besides music) is the weather maps and traffic maps. Yep, more subscription money, but when going through large cities like Atlanta we knew where the delays were and could go around them. The weather gave us warnings about tornadoes and such along our route.