ZUMO550 - Sharing
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
Please help a non-techie who is ready to pull the trigger and get a Zumo 550.
I've searched and it appears I can get audible directions by patching between the 550 and the radio on my '07 FLHTC. I don't care to listen to the radio or CDs. Does or can the patch between the unit and the stereo system mute the radio except for directions?
I plan on wiring the gps to the spare spade connector on the headlight circuit and ground it to the radio ground. Is there an easy way to install battery tender style connectors so that I could swap it from one bike to another? The other bike doesn't have a cigarette lighter or a radio.
I'm not into blue tooth, talking on a cell phone while going down the road or listening to an MP3 player or whatever. I'm getting the 550 because of its other features especially the accessories necessary to use it in the truck also.
I've searched and it appears I can get audible directions by patching between the 550 and the radio on my '07 FLHTC. I don't care to listen to the radio or CDs. Does or can the patch between the unit and the stereo system mute the radio except for directions?
I plan on wiring the gps to the spare spade connector on the headlight circuit and ground it to the radio ground. Is there an easy way to install battery tender style connectors so that I could swap it from one bike to another? The other bike doesn't have a cigarette lighter or a radio.
I'm not into blue tooth, talking on a cell phone while going down the road or listening to an MP3 player or whatever. I'm getting the 550 because of its other features especially the accessories necessary to use it in the truck also.
If you are looking at the 550, but are not interested in the bluetooth or street naming feature which are about the only 2 major differences between the 450 and 550 then I suggest you go with the 450 for much less money. I did and then just bought the car speaker cradle and power cord. My total cost came to around $440.00 and now my Zumo is used on my scoot and in my truck. The 450 will give you audible turn by turn directions just like the 550 only it doesn't say street names. Why pay for additional features that you won't use?
Last edited by soos; Feb 5, 2009 at 10:11 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 832
Likes: 6
From: Vermont
Hey Woodchuck,
If you are looking at the 550, but are not interested in the bluetooth or street naming feature which are about the only 2 major differences between the 450 and 550 then I suggest you go with the 450 for much less money. I did and then just bought the car speaker cradle and power cord. My total cost came to around $440.00 and now my Zumo is used on my scoot and in my truck. The 450 will give you audible turn by turn directions just like the 550 only it doesn't say street names. Why pay for additional features that you won't use?
If you are looking at the 550, but are not interested in the bluetooth or street naming feature which are about the only 2 major differences between the 450 and 550 then I suggest you go with the 450 for much less money. I did and then just bought the car speaker cradle and power cord. My total cost came to around $440.00 and now my Zumo is used on my scoot and in my truck. The 450 will give you audible turn by turn directions just like the 550 only it doesn't say street names. Why pay for additional features that you won't use?
With the 660s coming out, I should be able to get a good deal on a 450 (or 550). Can I buy a vehicle cradle and power cord through an electronics store when and if I order a 450, or do I have to get it through Garmin?
Sorry about the stupid questions. I just started using a cell phone last year and got a vague idea what bluetooth was about a month ago!!! It gets better. I'm buying for a buddy who thinks I'm a technowhiz because I have a computer. We're both getting the same model so I can teach him how to use it. Bwa-ha-ha!!!
I downloaded the 550 Owner's manual and have studied it. Looks like it's easy to use.
One more question for anyone who is still reading. My car gps has the option of choosing a route not using toll roads, ferries, or limited access roads. Does the "Avoidances" option on the Zumo force it to map a route on secondary roads if they are available? Most of our motorcycling touring is secondary roads. I break out the road atlas in the motel room and give the Ms a piece of paper with a list of roads we're taking the next day and she's been a great back seat navigator.
This forum and this thread has been a great help. I'm getting a gps...but I will remain always, Woodchuck.
Last edited by Woodchuck; Feb 5, 2009 at 11:30 PM. Reason: clarity
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
Hope this helps.
I hear ya. I'm now reloading before I pull the trigger. I just learned that I can "patch" between the Zumo and the radio to get audible turn prompts thanks to rochkes and Wecroft. I thought I would need bluetooth and a helmet speaker to have that feature. Also, I was thinking I would get the whole shabang in one package.
Yes, you just need a double ended male jack for audible thru your HD radio.
With the 660s coming out, I should be able to get a good deal on a 450 (or 550). Can I buy a vehicle cradle and power cord through an electronics store when and if I order a 450, or do I have to get it through Garmin?
I doubled checked the garmin site for the compatible accessories to move my 450 into my truck. I then found them on Amazon.com for the absolute lowest prices. I got the speaker car cradle (Garmin #010-10860-00) and 12 volt power cord (Garmin #010-10747-03) along with the Zumo 450 from Amazon.
Sorry about the stupid questions. I just started using a cell phone last year and got a vague idea what bluetooth was about a month ago!!! It gets better. I'm buying for a buddy who thinks I'm a technowhiz because I have a computer. We're both getting the same model so I can teach him how to use it. Bwa-ha-ha!!!
I downloaded the 550 Owner's manual and have studied it. Looks like it's easy to use.
One more question for anyone who is still reading. My car gps has the option of choosing a route not using toll roads, ferries, or limited access roads. Does the "Avoidances" option on the Zumo force it to map a route on secondary roads if they are available? Most of our motorcycling touring is secondary roads. I break out the road atlas in the motel room and give the Ms a piece of paper with a list of roads we're taking the next day and she's been a great back seat navigator.
The Zumo 450 will avoid U-Turns, Highways, Interstates, Toll Roads, Traffic, Ferries, Carpool Lanes, Unpaved Roads and of course it will detour at the touch of a button.
This forum and this thread has been a great help. I'm getting a gps...but I will remain always, Woodchuck.
Yes, you just need a double ended male jack for audible thru your HD radio.
With the 660s coming out, I should be able to get a good deal on a 450 (or 550). Can I buy a vehicle cradle and power cord through an electronics store when and if I order a 450, or do I have to get it through Garmin?
I doubled checked the garmin site for the compatible accessories to move my 450 into my truck. I then found them on Amazon.com for the absolute lowest prices. I got the speaker car cradle (Garmin #010-10860-00) and 12 volt power cord (Garmin #010-10747-03) along with the Zumo 450 from Amazon.
Sorry about the stupid questions. I just started using a cell phone last year and got a vague idea what bluetooth was about a month ago!!! It gets better. I'm buying for a buddy who thinks I'm a technowhiz because I have a computer. We're both getting the same model so I can teach him how to use it. Bwa-ha-ha!!!
I downloaded the 550 Owner's manual and have studied it. Looks like it's easy to use.
One more question for anyone who is still reading. My car gps has the option of choosing a route not using toll roads, ferries, or limited access roads. Does the "Avoidances" option on the Zumo force it to map a route on secondary roads if they are available? Most of our motorcycling touring is secondary roads. I break out the road atlas in the motel room and give the Ms a piece of paper with a list of roads we're taking the next day and she's been a great back seat navigator.
The Zumo 450 will avoid U-Turns, Highways, Interstates, Toll Roads, Traffic, Ferries, Carpool Lanes, Unpaved Roads and of course it will detour at the touch of a button.
This forum and this thread has been a great help. I'm getting a gps...but I will remain always, Woodchuck.
Last edited by soos; Feb 6, 2009 at 08:17 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 7
From: Michigan
Woodchuck, in avoidances you can choose to avoid toll roads, Highways, and interstates, as well as unpaved roads, and that basically leaves only secondary roads. If you avoid interstates, you will definately find alot of nice 2 lane highways out there.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
I just wanted to add another thing. The way I like to use my zumo and get music as well as navigation prompts through my stereo is by playing mp3s through the zumo.
I have every song I own loaded in an sd card in the zumo. The patch cord connects to the aux port on the stereo. I play whatever music I want from my sd card and the music mutes to give navigation prompts and comes back on after the prompt.
It would be nice if it did it the same way while listening to fm radio, but I usually prefer listening to my mp3s anyway.
Dennis
I have every song I own loaded in an sd card in the zumo. The patch cord connects to the aux port on the stereo. I play whatever music I want from my sd card and the music mutes to give navigation prompts and comes back on after the prompt.
It would be nice if it did it the same way while listening to fm radio, but I usually prefer listening to my mp3s anyway.
Dennis
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
The last time I looked there were quite a few of these on Ebay for about $60.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
