New GPS?

[Shredder]

Hi,

I currently have a Zumo 550 which is generally great, however there are a few minor niggles. The first niggle is while I used to just plug in the unit for updates and away it went, for the last few years now I have to download UK and Ireland and then manually select the maps I want onto an SD card.
The next little niggle is the music and calls are mono and not stereo (I have the unit plugged into Starcom Digital and iPhone on bluetooth).

I am considering upgrading and wondered what unit to go for? I have seen the Zumo 660 and Zumo 590, would the map updates go straight into these devices without messing around? Are they any good? Which would you recommend for my set up?

Interested in hearing peoples views and recommendations.

It would be great if Garmin would upgrade the memory and or audio output in my 550 for a price but I bet they don't.

Shredder

 

[iand46]

Depends what you want to pay.

The 590 will be the best. More features & bigger memory.

The 660 is good value for money but still needs an SD card for all Europe. Using Garmin Express it will update all maps in one go without having to select separate regions. It's stereo as well.

Have you considered the BMW Nav V with its 3 year warranty?

 

[Shredder]

Land46,

No I hadn't considered the Nav V I just assumed it is the same as the 590, however BMW seem to be offering interest free on all accessories so it might make sense. Much as I would love to upgrade my 2010 to a 2014 TE I can't afford it at the moment so the joy of using the jog wheel to control the satnav will have to wait.

I take it as the maps of Europe keep getting bigger and more detailed all the Sat Nav's will have to use an SD card to upload eventually. How much bigger is the memory in the 590/ Nav V? I currently use an SD card in my 550 but the unit doesn't seem to us it very well. I am currently using a high speed 32GB card and Europe only just seems to fit weirdly if the card is plugged into the 550 while uploading.

 

[iand46]

The 590 & Nav V are very different devices, I believe they both have 8GB memory (660 only has 4) The 590 comes with bike & car mounts but the car mount is extra for the Nav V. Check the BMW interest free deal, minimum spend might be £750?

 

[Shredder]

Cheers, I'll look into the interest free. I didn't realise the Nav v and 590 were different. I'll have a look.

 

[iand46]

Don't forget the 590 won't have the links mentioned that work with the new 2014 TE if you upgrade your bike later.

 

[Popell]

Hi,

I currently have a Zumo 550 which is generally great, however there are a few minor niggles. The first niggle is while I used to just plug in the unit for updates and away it went, for the last few years now I have to download UK and Ireland and then manually select the maps I want onto an SD card.
The next little niggle is the music and calls are mono and not stereo (I have the unit plugged into Starcom Digital and iPhone on bluetooth).

I am considering upgrading and wondered what unit to go for? I have seen the Zumo 660 and Zumo 590, would the map updates go straight into these devices without messing around? Are they any good? Which would you recommend for my set up?

Interested in hearing peoples views and recommendations.

It would be great if Garmin would upgrade the memory and or audio output in my 550 for a price but I bet they don't.

Shredder

Are you sure it is a 550?, you are describing functions of the 500, mono etc and limited space.

 

[Shredder]

I am 99.99% it's the 550. I've had it since new and it's registered with Garmin as a 550 on their updates site. is the 550 mean't to play MP3 sound in stereo then?

 

[iand46]

I'm sure the 550 transmits mp3's in mono via Bluetooth as standard.

 

[iand46]

It goes without saying If Garmin think it's a 550 by checking its serial number online then that's what it is.

 

[Shredder]

The unit is hard wired to the starcom and seems to play music and give directions in mono. I have a vague recollection that when I first fitted the starcom it was in stereo, but I may be kidding myself. However having wired an iPod up to the stardom that comes out in stereo, so I think the 550 must be mono. I will check with Garmin when I return back to the UK just to make sure.

 

[Popell]

Well that makes me feel even happier that I have the 'lesser' version, the 500 - I've always thought I was missing out.
The music reproduction from the Zumo is woeful though! Great from the iPhone to my SMH10.