Zumo 500 or 550?

[kebabtomten]

Hi

Is there really any significnt differens between 500 and 550 as the 550 is almost £140 cheaper

 

[John Armstrong]

Hi

Is there really any significnt differens between 500 and 550 as the 550 is almost £140 cheaper

The extras which are with the 550 worked out at more than the price you paid for the 500 plus bits when I looked. Best have a look yourself on the Garmin site to see if you need the extra bits.

 

[Ragnar]

If you don't want the additional car stuff, best to get yourself a 500 and a 2Gb SD card if you want all of Europe on the unit. That's what I have and I'm v. happy.

If you need a car mount or you're not comfortable using a PC to manage your maps it may be worth buying the 550.

 

[kebabtomten]

Thanks

I think I ll get the 550

 

[grez]

I have had the 550 for a year or so now and it has been great. Just remember that when in places like Norway when it tells you that you are 20 km from a petrol station, that is as the crow flies and it might be 50 km on the road. Also, as I found out in France running on fumes, when you get there the petrol station might have been abandoned for a few years. Still it makes the travelling more interesting.

 

[Jaws100]

Thanks

I think I ll get the 550

The best choice by far

 

[kebabtomten]

Have any of you any problems with the Zuo provided RAM mouting kit? or should I get a different one ? if yes which mount should I get

 

[Ragnar]

IMO, the supplied RAM mount is great. It took a while before I settled on the right place for my Zumo (search this site for a few ideas) but I've had not issues at all apart from the silly "security screw" that I removed.

 

[Bumpkin]

I've had not issues at all apart from the silly "security screw" that I removed.

That screw is a PITA to undo every time you want to remove your GPS from the mount. However, I felt uncomfortable discarding it as it provided a 2nd line of defence to prevent my SteetPilot 2720 from bouncing down the road (uses a similar screw to the Zumo mount). Someone here pointed me in the direction of the Zumo Forum where there's a user who makes stainless steel replacements to the screw with a knurled section that you can undo by hand. Removes the security (in respect of theft) but retains the safety aspect of the original.

http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?topic=1153.0

 

[John Armstrong]

Someone here pointed me in the direction of the Zumo Forum where there's a user who makes stainless steel replacements to the screw with a knurled section that you can undo by hand. Removes the security (in respect of theft) but retains the safety aspect of the original.

Like this: http://www.migsel.com/store/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=20

 

[ECM]

The security screw on zumoforums is actualy the original made by Marco Boelis, a Dutch guy. Sold and shipped from the Netherlands.
Here is his direct website http://www.boelis.nl/index_bestanden/SecurityscrewEN.htm

The one sold by Migsel is nothing then a copycat item.

Personaly I am using the new security lever that is again an improvement over the screw.
Info on the lever (usa sold over the zumo forums, but this is a UK seller! , registration on zumoforums required)
http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?topic=4944.0

ps: I am aware of the fact that I started several intl postings on the screw, but I have no business associations with any of these manufacturers.

 

[JoeC]

Halfords are selling the 550 for £399 - online order only.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...1_catalogId_10151_categoryId_165564_langId_-1

 

[Monsieur]

Does the 500 come with bike mounting gear and wiring?
Also, is it just a case of have the mainland europe maps on an sd card?

 

[David Lee]

Just back from Amsterdam yesterday evening and the 550 was great, door to door, no problems.Both ways.

My mates older Garmin gave up going around the Antwerp ring road but mine was perfect, problem free and easy to follow,

Got the security screw from Holland too and it's well worth it,

Dave