Garmin ZUMO 550!!!
Well, you say you've had your StreetPilot for "seven years," so right off the bat you already know that Garmin makes a sterling and premier product. By themselves they sell more than 1/2 of all consumer GPS units in the United States alone. You just can't go wrong with a Garmin.
Conversely, you yourself have questioned the reliability of the Lowrence Iway 500c -- even "razwrld" above admits he's on his 4th unit. Of course he said he'd buy it again so here you have a GPS that some are fiercely loyal to yet has a fairly well-documented predisposition to break down. I hate to say it but the Iway may very well be fast becoming the Harley of GPSs. Maybe this model is not for you...
Pointing you in a positive direction, here are some general thoughts: These days there are TONS of wonderful units out there and choices galore. You really have to understand and identify what features are available, which of those would be a true help to you, which would give you true enjoyment, and which you could live without.
I myself have used a StreetPilot III for about 4 years and, although my trusty SPIII has never let me down, I've pretty much been pining for some newer technology for the last year or so. So what with all the above in mind and after having researched for months I've found there is only one GPS that in
one single package, gives you the following:
- Motorcycle-friendliness -- The operation of the unit itself is ergonomically designed to provide you the most convenient way to input or manipulate data -- even while riding and with gloves on (c'mon, we ALL do it, so it may as well be as easy as it can be). Buttons are placed on the left side of the unit to facilitate this (in conjunction with touch screen selections). Honestly, I was sold on the Zumo for this alone; let alone [continuing]....
UV-resistant display (the first GPS to specifically claim this).
Sunlight readable screen -- My SPIII is often hard to read -- even with a sunscreen attached; this is the newest generation of screen and was built specifically to be as bright and discernible as possible (somebody who was at the recent Laguna Seca unveiling already said it was BRIGHT).
Flash Memory for Maps and Data (instead of a hard drive) -- This -- along with it being specifically vibration-tested -- ensures this GPS will withstand and hold up to continuous operation on a motorcycle and not fail such as one with a hard drive is more susceptible to do. Remember your GPS is on a motorcycle and not a cruiseship...
MP3 Player -- Pop in a 4GB SD card and you'll have access to over 1,200 of your favorite tunes (if you can manage with "only" 100 CD's of music). There's more room on the internal/base memory too!
XM Radio -- With purchase of the GXM-30 receiver (such as I bought).
Bluetooth or wireless operation (cell phone, GPS directions and mono MP3) as an option -- Otherwise you may certainly utilize the 3.5mm jack in the mount and traditional wired headsets to hear your directions and all music (XM radio and/or MP3) in full stereo.
Complete hardware to physically mount to both your car AND bike (i.e., hardwiring) all included. Nothing else to buy.
JPEG Picture Viewer -- I know ostensibly this doesn't sound like much, but if you're on the road and somebody asks you about your wife, kids, home, other bike or whatever, you can just whip out your Zumo and show them any photo you've placed on it! Kinda cool actually and I'd think a great icebreaker.
All United States maps are fully loaded in the Zumo. You may optionally and supplementally acquire a set for Europe.
Screen Size -- At 5.88 square inches, the Zumo's screen is more than 96% that of Garmin's old flagship model, the SPIII (6.12" sq. in.) and LARGER than any of Garmin's 26xx, 27xx and 28xx series (all are 5.61 sq. in.). These are all traditionally and very adequately-sized screens successfully used and enjoyed by the majority of the GPS-buying public.
Overall Size -- Would you want something unobtrusive or modest on your bike, or something akin to an Etch-A-Sketch? Of course the nice thing for us non-Wingers is that with the latter, we don't have to buy a separate windshield.... But seriously, many GPSs would have to be stowed in your saddlebags, but you could fit the Zumo (about the size of a thick double-CD package) in a large-ish jacket pocket for a little extra peace of mind; compared to the previous generation Garmins mentioned above which are more like, well, blocks of cheese. Of course you wouldn't BE carrying around the 26xx, 27xx and 28xx series Garmins because unlike the Zumo, THEY don't give you....:
Battery Operation -- You may optionally power the Zumo by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery should you want to say, take it into your lodgings and listen to some MP3s with headphones, look up and map out some places of interest (e.g., restaurants, attractions, etc.) for the next day or show some buds at the bar a few jpg pictures of your bike, kids, wife or mistress with the picture viewer all portably courtesy of your Zumo's battery. Of course you can do all that too by plugging it into the wall/AC, but that's what taking advantage of this self-contained battery convenience is all about -- being untethered to an external power source. Hell, you can review your trip on your Zumo the next morning while you're taking a shower! Oh yeah, it's IPX7 compliant so it's virtually waterproof!
Multiple Routes-- Download, edit and change for optimal order multiple custom routes. I can't tell you what this means to me. :wink: :roll:
Pedestrian Mode -- One of about a dozen available. Don't know where Pat O'Brien's is in New Orleans, McSorley's Ale House in New York, or the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco (hey, I like bars, so sue me!)? Put the Zumo in pedestrian mode and have it navigate you there.... ON FOOT! If you get the optional European map set, they can do this for you in Rome, Florence or Paris too.... not THAT's handy.
Automatic Routing to the Nearest Gas Station when your custom-set mileage input advises you are running low on fuel. This is certainly not necessary but nice for me because my VTX doesn't have a dedicated fuel gage.
(High-sensitivity) SiRF III Chip-set/Receiver -- The cutting edge of GPS technology that ensures your signals are not disrupted in "urban" and natural canyons and provides you extremely fast recovery (re-routing) times. Cost a little more... if you think you're worth it!
Easily snaps out of a locking cradle -- no wire disconnections necessary.
"Garmin-Lock" anti-theft locking feature. If you elect to utilize a 4-digit code, the Zumo will lock out from use all that do not know what it is. Sure they can steal it, but at least you'll know the bastards can't use it....
Lastly, the Garmin Zumo 550 is pretty damn CUTE!! (Don't EVEN get me started on the custom end caps...!) :wink:
Accordingly, my personal choice for the best GPS unequivocally goes to and is, the
Garmin ZUMO 550
(Otherwise I have no particular opinion either way. hehe)
