This is not a comparison of the Zumo to the iWay, but I'll offer my observations compared to all of the units. If all you want is glowing observations, click the 'Back' button on your browser now.
I need some road time with it, but my initial reaction is that it might not be a bad first unit, but if you're migrating you may miss some existing features. The lack of map manipulation and customization would be enough to exclude it for me.
- M/C Cradle:[list:14bjfmgn]The power/audio connections for the GPS come from spring-loaded pins that mate with the contacts on the Zumo. The pins are covered by a rubber cap when not in use - very nice and probably a better design than the socket/plug assembly used in the SkyFi XM radios.
The power connector plugs into cradle and is secured in place with two small screws. Once this is installed, you have to pry it out - there's no way to grip it. (this will make it harder if you planned on leaving the power cable attached to the bike and removing the cradle when the GPS is not needed)
Right below the power connector is the USB socket for the XM antenna - this socket is covered by a weather boot as well.
The weak point for this cradle is the security screw. The 26/27 & 28-series cradle has a locking screw to secure the unit in place, but they used a mini-Torx style screw head. The Zumo cradle uses a small spanner-style screw and it's much harder to keep the driver engaged with the screw during the full lock/unlock process.
(The screw itself is out-of-focus in this picture)
It pops out often enough that it would probably eventually deter me from using it. It pops out easy enough that this would probably be my security deterrent - simply remove it and drop it in my jacket or the RH pocket. Unlike the StreetPilot cradle, the Zumo cradle is usable without tightening the securing screw.
- It appears to be the same resolution/colors as the 2720/2730/2820 style units. It is not as crisp and clear as the GPSMap units (276-478) - they have the best daylight-viewable screens (IMHO). I've included comparison pictures below to my iWay - I'll try to do some comparisons to a 2720 next week.
Here you can see the two units mounted on my bike - I didn't enhance or modify the image so you could see it in their actual conditions. Both units were set to maximum brightness.
Closeups of each unit, both set to the same zoom scale (the iWay defaults to 200' zoom at low speeds)
You can see the difference in useable map area.
The map display is not customizable at all - no data tab changes, etc. What you get is what Garmin gives you.
When you're routing, you get the upcoming turn text across the top of the map, speed in the lower left tab, next turn distance in the lower right tab and the arrival time in the center above the 'menu' button in the middle.
When not routing, the next turn distance changes to a direction heading.
The screen is touch-sensitive, but you can't touch the screen and drag the map. Trying this brings up a dialog box that asks if you want to save your current location as a favorite.
This is a big deal (IMHO) - you cannot easily use the GPS screen to preview the map screen, upcoming roads, even your current route. You can pan the screen when in the route-planning mode, just not in general navigation use.
The usable map screen area is 2 3/4"W x 1 5/16"H -> 3.6 sq. inches (the data tabs and text box are not transparent and reduce the map space).
There is no 'auto zoom' control feature feature. The zoom scale appears to be related to related to your default distance to turn. This will need further investigation
- Garmin's gone cheap and doesn't include a printed manual with this unit.
It takes six screen presses to change the map display from Track up to North up or 3D (just an FYI)
Garmin's done the right thing and there's a button on the trip log page to 'Save As Route'. There is no 'TrackBac' or reverse feature and there's no way to show your track info on the map.
There's only one trip log available, so you'll have to remember to save your data each day (or logical break points).
When you connect your USB cable to the unit, it automatically creates a GPX file with any routes, waypoints and trip log (track files) in it.
The unit handles data card operation very well. When you insert a card that has files that it recogizes, it will ask you if you want to manage the data on the card. Very easy to use.
The MP3 player doesn't care where your music files are located and will find them all and automatically group them by genre, artist, or album, if the data is included with the files. I didn't see anywhere where I could specify a playlist or custom folder (I have a folder called 'road tunes' that includes some of my favorite riding songs). To do this I could probably specify a custom 'album title' for all of the songs in that folder before transferring them to the card.
When connected, the unit shows up as a 1.2GB removable drive with app. 120MB free space (the unit includes an MP3 folder with a few sample songs on it).
There are two folders in the root: Garmin & MP3. The Garmin folder includes all of the system files and folders for the voice, text, icons, 'remoteSW' and GPX files. This is where it automatically stores the current user data as a 'Current.GPX' file.
All of the units' files are available for prodding, poking and accidently deleting once the unit is connected to the computer. Pretty dangerous and scary... I would probably back up the complete structure to the computer, JIC.
When the USB cable is connected to the unit, the GPS is completely disabled (no Garmin Ximage use on this device) They included a nice 'screen capture' system that when enabled, places a small camera icon on each screen and saves an image of each screen in a 'SCRN' folder on the unit. This is pretty handy and I use it all the time when taking screen shots of the iWay.
I need some road time with it, but my initial reaction is that it might not be a bad first unit, but if you're migrating you may miss some existing features. The lack of map manipulation and customization would be enough to exclude it for me.