GPS decisions
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock, GA
I've had a Zumo 550, a Zumo 665 and am currently using a Nuvi 205W.
The 550 was great until the screen died. I should have just replaced the screen myself, but didn't and bought the 665. I was using the 550 for XM radio as well as navigation, and wanted to do the same with the 665. However, I had nothing but grief with the XM the entire time I had the 665 (about 2 years).
The 665 getting destroyed in an accident that should have killed me was the only silver lining in that cloud. I replaced the 665 with the Nuvi 205W and just bit the bullet and bought the XM module for the radio. If there is a next bike, I'll just transfer the XM module or sell it.
The 205 screen is definitely not as bright as either of the Zumos. If you tilt it at the right angle, it's acceptable but not great. It doesn't work with Mapsource, but I always hated Mapsource. You can import Google maps.
At well under $100, I consider the Nuvi almost "disposable." It's gotten showered on a few times with no ill effects, but I do stash it in the tour pak in any kind of heavy rain.
If I had to do it all over, I'd go with the Nuvi again, but the Zumo 220 does look interesting.
The 550 was great until the screen died. I should have just replaced the screen myself, but didn't and bought the 665. I was using the 550 for XM radio as well as navigation, and wanted to do the same with the 665. However, I had nothing but grief with the XM the entire time I had the 665 (about 2 years).
The 665 getting destroyed in an accident that should have killed me was the only silver lining in that cloud. I replaced the 665 with the Nuvi 205W and just bit the bullet and bought the XM module for the radio. If there is a next bike, I'll just transfer the XM module or sell it.
The 205 screen is definitely not as bright as either of the Zumos. If you tilt it at the right angle, it's acceptable but not great. It doesn't work with Mapsource, but I always hated Mapsource. You can import Google maps.
At well under $100, I consider the Nuvi almost "disposable." It's gotten showered on a few times with no ill effects, but I do stash it in the tour pak in any kind of heavy rain.
If I had to do it all over, I'd go with the Nuvi again, but the Zumo 220 does look interesting.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
I don't know about Mapsource but it works with Garmin's free Basecamp. In any case planning and loading routes is exasperating for my old sick non-computer brain????
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
I bought a Zumo 450 in '09 and it went south this past February, a victim of a bad screen digitizer. Considering that I only use this occasionally from March to Thanksgiving, a total of 9 months a season (27 mo. of occasional use to date), the return on this unit was not very good. It is also a discontinued unit and not replaceable. It doesn't say much for Garmins product reliability.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 275
From: Milton, Delaware
I've had a Nuvi 760 for 3 years now. Never had a problem with it, until recently.
On our 8 day trip a couple of weeks ago it lost the route I had previously loaded. Fortunately, I had also put in individual destinations as well. So, I could still use it even though it would also not let me enter new addresses.
When we got home I went on the Garmin site and downloaded the newest map update and all is well. I don't know what caused it, it very well could have been my fumbling with it while wearing gloves.
But as I said: I've never had any other problems with it. I carry a zip lock bag in case it rains so I can protect it.
I've never used Mapsource, but I have uploaded several routes and destinations from Map Quest with no problem.
On our 8 day trip a couple of weeks ago it lost the route I had previously loaded. Fortunately, I had also put in individual destinations as well. So, I could still use it even though it would also not let me enter new addresses.
When we got home I went on the Garmin site and downloaded the newest map update and all is well. I don't know what caused it, it very well could have been my fumbling with it while wearing gloves.
But as I said: I've never had any other problems with it. I carry a zip lock bag in case it rains so I can protect it.
I've never used Mapsource, but I have uploaded several routes and destinations from Map Quest with no problem.
Last edited by Deucedog; Nov 5, 2012 at 09:00 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 2
From: Melissa, TX
I've actually found the Ride Planner on Harley's website more useful than BaseCamp. It even downloads directly to my Nuvi760, but will also export to a few different formats (.GPL for Garmin specifically, or .GPX which is the standard waypoint XML format).
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
Once you know the little secrets to plotting perfect waypoints, it works great.
Plotted a backroad 2700 mile trip this summer and it didn't miss a single turn. And didn't touch a single "superslab"
Back to the original subject.................. $20,000 motorcycle and $100 GPS? DUH?
This is my 660
Last edited by shooter5074; Nov 6, 2012 at 02:12 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 2
From: Melissa, TX
Only takes once, and you'll never make that mistake again.
