Zumo 550 - trouble with bike mount?

[mrsroynie]

I think I've seen this info posted before in response to other questions about lack of power, charging etc., but someone might find it useful ...

Roynie has been having non-stop problems with a second-hand Zumo 550 unit that he was given, with both a car and a bike mount, by an American friend. It would work in the car, but would only charge intermittently on the bike. Often he would just have to charge the unit from the mains overnight and hope that he had enough juice to keep it going for as long as it was needed the following day.

He posted a question on the Triumph forum and got a response telling him to take the battery out for a few minutes and then put the unit on charge overnight (to ensure that the inaccessible internal battery also charges).

If taking the battery out doesn't remedy the problem, call Garmin on 0808 2380000 (UK users).

Now here's the good part ... there is a known issue with the 550 mount, in that it is not very waterproof and is prone to corrosion. Assuming that the unit is out of guarantee, Garmin would normally charge £110 to replace it with a refurbished Zumo 550. However, because they are currently out of 550's, they are sending out brand new Zumo 660 units (with new bike and car mounts) for the same price!

If you've been having problems for a while, now would seem a good moment to call Garmin

 

[hatzyian]

While in Europe last month, the + button on my 550 fell out and dissapeared. As the screen had occasionaly been doing its own thing, I sent the unit back to Garmin for a NOH unit.

Posted 550 to Garmin from the UK on Thursday, left for Cyprus on Saturday, and on Tuesday a courrier delivered a package. Thats big for the Zumo I thought. Opened it up, a complete 660 package. First thought was that they had made a mistake, but the packing note said--- Upgrade to 660 as 550 out of stock.

People moan about Garmin support, never again from me

 

[Oldrat]

I've had Garmins for years. Very little trouble, but always sterling customer service when something does go wrong.

 

[RAM-man]

If taking the battery out doesn't remedy the problem, call Garmin on 0808 2380000 (UK users).

on call xchange. select #2 for product support and avoid sales line

 

[Beemerman59]

I just had one of my 550 cradles fail after 3 years. I took it apart and there's corrosion on some of the very small pins on a flat ribbon cable connector which lead to the power input area of the PCB. So I had a look at my other cradle and that one is "brand new" inside. The interesting thing (to me anyway) is that the failed cradle was powered directly from the battery on one of the bikes for about 18 months when I first had it but since then both have been on switched power supplies. Therefore for a period of time it was always "live". I have had similar problems with other electrical items where power pins are very close together and always live such as a USB power socket also on the bike. I'm thinking there may be a connection somehow.

Anyway, I just ordered a new cradle off Amazon for £38 and will keep it on switched power from now on.

 

[chas820]

Beemerman59 you were on about upgrading to the 660,it might be worth phoning Garmin as per MrsRoynies post above.What a cheap upgrade

 

[Beemerman59]

Beemerman59 you were on about upgrading to the 660,it might be worth phoning Garmin as per MrsRoynies post above.What a cheap upgrade

I know I was (and still might) but the cost to change on two bikes is still a lot more expensive than buying a new cradle when everything is taken into account. Plus Christmas has been kinda expensive this year for a number of reasons.