Check out this GPS
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
Is this like the one a lot of you are using?
Garmin Nuvi 550 GPS
$269.00
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...179&CatId=3421
Garmin Nuvi 550 GPS
$269.00
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...179&CatId=3421
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 854
Likes: 275
From: COLD Country Connecticut
Beware the Nuvi and the Zumo arent the same by any means. Totally different animals. Believe it or not Garmin's customer service either before or after the sale is simply fantastic!! I have NEVER found a company that good. Even if you just want to compare call them and they can help easily. And the website has a compare option too. ANY Garmin product and you cant go wrong
Last edited by jgreg65; Aug 20, 2010 at 05:28 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From:
Gps
I have the Garmin 205 it is the same as the 550 just not waterproof. Got mine from Tigerdirect.com for $90 refurbished. Unit is like new when they refurb them. With full warranty. Works like a champ. Keep a ziplock bag in my windshield bag for when it rains. Got my mount from themountguys for like 12 bucks.
Supporter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 10
From: Shenandoah, TX
I have a nuvi 550 that I bought off ebay a couple months back for 208. and free shipping. There are better deals out there, just look around some more.
I know its not a zumo, but if someone wants it more than I, it want hunt near as bad.
I bought it as a back up for my streetpilot. It works great, but they have been discontinued for a while now. So, when it dies, its dead.
I know its not a zumo, but if someone wants it more than I, it want hunt near as bad.
I bought it as a back up for my streetpilot. It works great, but they have been discontinued for a while now. So, when it dies, its dead.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,310
Likes: 1,079
Is this like the one a lot of you are using?
Garmin Nuvi 550 GPS
$269.00
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...179&CatId=3421
Garmin Nuvi 550 GPS
$269.00
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...179&CatId=3421
No. I think you'll be disappointed if you go with a Nuvi 550. It's not waterproof. It's not designed for left-handed use. It's not designed for use with gloves.
For these reasons you want a Garmin Zumo 550 not a Nuvi 550.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 7
From: North Georgia
The Zumo 550 is brighter than the Nuvi (I have both), and is weather-proof. That 550 atop a RamMount and I am good to go.
Near home I go out of my way to get lost. Then the "home" feature is always capable to get me back. On trips it is good to see closest gas stations, food stops, etc.
Just got my money's worth on a trip to Sturgis and back (from Atlanta area). It worked perfect to give alternate routes (detours) when we got jammed with traffic crossing big cites (St. Louis, Kansas City, etc.).
Near home I go out of my way to get lost. Then the "home" feature is always capable to get me back. On trips it is good to see closest gas stations, food stops, etc.
Just got my money's worth on a trip to Sturgis and back (from Atlanta area). It worked perfect to give alternate routes (detours) when we got jammed with traffic crossing big cites (St. Louis, Kansas City, etc.).
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Northern VT
I can't tell you how many times in the past few years the GPS saved my butt. Yes we have maps that we bring along...but just finding roads never traveled (not shown on normal maps)...finding restaurants, hotels etc.....using the GPS for just seeing roads is old school....they are so much more then that. Like most of here...once you have one you'll wonder what you did without it before.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX - Some call it heaven.
My Zumo is about three years old now, and I couldn't imaging touring without it. The ability to find the nearest gas or lodging saved my butt many times. Having 1000 songs on an SD card is sweet, and I really like the bluetooth connection with my phone so I can see when someone is trying to call me. There are devices which allow you to actually take the call through your HD headset, but I just pull over and call back if it's important.
If it had traffic and weather radar overlays on the maps, it would be perfect. Maybe someday...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
From: Western Wisconsin
I had said in an earlier post that I wasn't on the GPS bandwagon....but I've been getting the itch.
I'll look into the Zumo 550 for sure.
one quick story....we were at the big parking lot on the top of iron mountain hwy.
We all agreed to head back down and get a brew at Keystone.
Everyone knows that going back down the pigtails you take a right out of the parking lot.
Our leader took a left. We went up iron mountain a little more and right on Playhouse road.
Playhouse road took us down the mountain (less the pigtails) and brought us in the backway into Keystone.
I was just baffled....none of us in 30 years have ever taken that road.
He said his GPS said that was the quickest way to Keystone......amazing.
I'll look into the Zumo 550 for sure.
one quick story....we were at the big parking lot on the top of iron mountain hwy.
We all agreed to head back down and get a brew at Keystone.
Everyone knows that going back down the pigtails you take a right out of the parking lot.
Our leader took a left. We went up iron mountain a little more and right on Playhouse road.
Playhouse road took us down the mountain (less the pigtails) and brought us in the backway into Keystone.
I was just baffled....none of us in 30 years have ever taken that road.
He said his GPS said that was the quickest way to Keystone......amazing.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg, VA
I have the Nuvi 550 that I just purchased prior to Sturgis... despite an earlier comment here this is advertised as having a waterproof exterior
Description from web (Perfect for crossing over the threshold from city to backcountry, the Garmin nüvi 550 provides a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with turn-by-turn navigation in a ruggedized, waterproof exterior that you can use while hiking, biking, or boating.)
I was caught in multiple rainstorms during the run to Sturgis and this unit performed flawlessly.
Also, had it mounted on left handlebar and operated it just fine with both summer weight and heavy weight gloves.
This unit also allows me to create routes on my pc using Microsoft Streets and Trips, then download the file into the GPS.
Description from web (Perfect for crossing over the threshold from city to backcountry, the Garmin nüvi 550 provides a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with turn-by-turn navigation in a ruggedized, waterproof exterior that you can use while hiking, biking, or boating.)
I was caught in multiple rainstorms during the run to Sturgis and this unit performed flawlessly.
Also, had it mounted on left handlebar and operated it just fine with both summer weight and heavy weight gloves.
This unit also allows me to create routes on my pc using Microsoft Streets and Trips, then download the file into the GPS.