Zumo 350LM or 660

[BRD]

I've been reading the various threads but don't understand why the 660 is the default choice.

A 350 with LM is about the same price and is a newer unit so is there a benefit in going for this?

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

[Bumpkin]

Both models still current though the 350 is more recent. The 660 has a broader range of features such as MP3 player, phone interoperability etc. The 350 has greater internal capacity for mapping data and will comfortably load all of Europe with plenty of room to spare, the 660 will only hold part of the European data without a lot of techno wrangling... The 350 has some extra bells and whistles as well, depends if you'd find these useful in the real world.

Comparison here.

 

[araspitfire]

I'm personally waiting on the 660 upgrade... it's over 3 years old now...

I have use for the 'premium' features of the higher level GPS.

If you don't, then the 350 is the one to go for for sure.

I'm using an old hiking GPS, and my iPhone untill such time as Garmin grace us with a newer unit.

Al...

 

[Sleepy]

I use the MP3 player on my 660, but not on the bike.. unlike my previous 550, the player on the 660 can be used when not in the cradle, decent heaphones, and I use it when in my tent or sitting by the pool...

 

[BRD]

I'm personally waiting on the 660 upgrade... it's over 3 years old now...

I have use for the 'premium' features of the higher level GPS.

If you don't, then the 350 is the one to go for for sure.

I'm using an old hiking GPS, and my iPhone untill such time as Garmin grace us with a newer unit.

Al...

Looking at the specs the biggest difference is the MP3 player, the rest seems to be the same - or am I missing something?

 

[Bumpkin]

Looking at the specs the biggest difference is the MP3 player, the rest seems to be the same - or am I missing something?

The Bluetrooth on the 350 is outbound only so useful for connecting with a Bluetooth headset for audio directions from the GPS. As mentioned in my first post the 350 lacks any phone interoperability.

Conversely the 660 does the above and also has two channel A2DP Bluetooth which means that not only can it output stereo to a Bluetooth headset it can also connect with your Bluetooth enabled phone to display your phone-book, incoming calls and, I think texts, on screen. You can make and receive calls via your headset and through the Zumo.

Using a phone whilst riding isn't for everyone though. In fact it's potentially dangerous and distracting. Having said that I do have mine hooked up via my Autocom (not my 660) for emergency or business related incoming calls. Usually I answer "I'm on the bike, I'll ring you back in a few minutes" and pull over to return the call.

 

[Sleepy]

I don't think the 660 displays text messages when hooked up via blue tooth, which is a shame, 'cos when abroad that's my main source of communication.

 

[Bumpkin]

I don't think the 660 displays text messages when hooked up via blue tooth, which is a shame, 'cos when abroad that's my main source of communication.

Must have been wishful thinking on my part then

Would be nice though. However, I gave up trying to connect my phone though my 660 and then onto the Autocom (this is due to a combination of how the Zumo and Autocom handle audio, should work fine with a Bluetooth headset such as a Senna). Now have my phone direct to the Autocom via one of their old Bluetooth dongles which works well. No phone-book, caller ID or anything like that but for my use that's fine.

 

[Mr K]

I recently bought a 350LM and don't want it to do anything except be a sat-nav.. can't fault it so far..

 

[BRD]

I don't think I need the phone connection.
Never had sat nav before so no idea about other functions, just fed up with trying to remember routes or look at notes .

 

[Andy B]

I've looked at whether to change from a 660 to a 350 and it's a close run thing! It's down to personal preference really but for what it's worth - my penny's worth:

The 660 drives me nuts when I'm loading maps or generally have it plugged into my PC because you have to take the back cover off to get at the USB socket. You can't check anything you've done until you've unplugged it, put the cover back on, and booted it up again. The 550 and the 350 with an external USB socket seem very appealling!

In a day and age when every phone has an MP3 player that will either link by cable or bluetooth, do you really need a satnav with one that's also going to need updating every time you change your music collection (which in my case is every week!)?

Same point goes for connecting a phone really. If you want to use a phone on the move it's easy enough to bluetooth it to your Autocom or your bluetooth headset - which is more than can be said about connecting your phone to a 660 if comments elsewhere on this forum are anything to go by. Seems to be one of the most common problems people have.

In a day and age when everything demands more and more memory, (and again the lack of it on the 660 is commented on regularly) doesn't it make sense to go with the latest technology and the most memory? I do acknowledge you can top the 660 with a micro SD card though.

If I hadn't got a 660 already I'd definitely go for the 350.

 

[araspitfire]

My read of it puts the 350 very close to the 660 for sure..

But since my Scala Rider doesn't talk to both, I need Phone interoperability. Getting separated when riding in groups is a very easy fix when you can hear a text come in or take a call while riding. Stereo music, out of my phone into my headset is nice too. (as long as I don't loose GPS directions)

My point about waiting is this:

They upgraded the Zumo 220 and made it almost like a 660... What will they upgrade the 660 to have?

I'm guessing they were waiting for TomTom to go public and soonish they will release the 770 (or whatever) so we'll not be distracted by the other side.

I had a 2820, and up to now, none of the Zumo's have attracted me.. As I've lost the 2820, I'm really hoping they bring out something worth having.

Al...

 

[BRD]

Thanks for all the input, I appreciate it.

I'm leaning towards the 350, simply because it is a newer unit.

 

[Bonzo]

Halfords are doing a £20 off deal on the 350LM at the moment, bringing the price to £338.21

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_900569_langId_-1_categoryId_165564

 

[M0nkeyb0y]

I got that deal and fitted gps to my bike last week. It's working for me

 

[spm0912]

If all you want is a simple GPS function to get from A to B and you already have a smart phone why not use that. There are plenty of free apps, or you can now buy both Tom Tom and Garmin apps which IMHO are far superior in quality than the stand alone GPS's.

Add a charging cable and a waterproof case and mount (about £25) and you're good to go. Bluetooth or cable direct to in ear monitors.

Yes there are some disadvantages, the touch screen doesn't work with gloves but I have a stylus clipped on to my mount. Complicated route planning is problematic as you only have 4 way points and can't plan at the PC a la Basecamp but again if all you want is to go from A to B. Tom Tom now has winding roads which often throws up some interesting routes.

I still use my 550, but only when I need to plan a complicated route and I want to make sure I ride certain roads, at all other times the Tom Tom app on my iPhone is the default GPS. If you don't need/want the extra features of the 660 and you have a smartphone you probably don't need the 350 at All!! IMHO of course

 

[Mr K]

If all you want is a simple GPS function to get from A to B and you already have a smart phone why not use that. There are plenty of free apps, or you can now buy both Tom Tom and Garmin apps which IMHO are far superior in quality than the stand alone GPS's.

Add a charging cable and a waterproof case and mount (about £25) and you're good to go. Bluetooth or cable direct to in ear monitors.

Yes there are some disadvantages, .......

....... IMHO of course

....and they don't work where there's no phone signal?

 

[spm0912]

....and they don't work where there's no phone signal?

Not true I'm afraid. Most smartphones have their own GPS chip. I suspect the one in my iPhone 5 is probably faster and more accurate than any of the Zumo's.

I've used the Tom Tom app all over Europe (including off road in the Pyrenees) with no problems getting a signal. (And that's with data roaming turned off).

I really do wish Garmin and Tom Tom would up their game with stand alone sat navs but I suspect they are loathe to invest in improvements as they see sales dwindle due to more people using smart phone apps

 

[kevingrahambutler]

Save your money get a good old map

 

[Mr K]

Not true I'm afraid. Most smartphones have their own GPS chip. I suspect the one in my iPhone 5 is probably faster and more accurate than any of the Zumo's.

I've used the Tom Tom app all over Europe (including off road in the Pyrenees) with no problems getting a signal. (And that's with data roaming turned off).

I really do wish Garmin and Tom Tom would up their game with stand alone sat navs but I suspect they are loathe to invest in improvements as they see sales dwindle due to more people using smart phone apps

My (work) iphone 4s lags behind and I miss junctions quite a lot. It seems to just stop when there's no signal.