TomTom V2 Vs Garmin Zuma 550

[Gweeks]

I am thinking of getting a sat nav for the bike and am undecided out of the TomTom V2 UK (Latest Version) and the Garmin Zuma 550 which one to get?

I have read endless reviews of both and still can't make up my mind!

Has anyone got any views as to which one to go for or past experience good or bad about these products. I know there have been problems with the TomTom V1 but the latest model seems to have sorted out a lot of the problems, is this the case?
What is the Scala headset like? Can you pair it to another Scala headset i.e. the teamset or Q2? for rider to pillion use. Will the headset pair with TomTom and a phone at the same time?

The TomTom is cheaper than the Garmin but are you getting what you pay for?

Any views and advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
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Smoke On!!

[Bendy]

I was reading up on the very same decision last night.

I'm swaying toward the Garmin cos of the mapping software on your PC (I like taking my time looking for waypoints, choosing routes etc at my comfy desk rather than arsing about on the unit itself) and because it comes with a car mount which doesn't require dicking around with a bluetooth speaker - I definitely want to use it in the car as well as on the bike.

[Gweeks]

Thanks for you thoughts.

I thought the TomTom came with a car dock which has an internal speaker now and have software for the pc to plan routes?

I have read so much about the two, am i getting it confused!
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Smoke On!!

[Bendy]

[Phoenix]

I tried out a lot of satnavs with my last company and always found Garmin (albeit the Nuvi) to be by far the nicest to use and better at tracking even with the same sirfstar3 chipset that others had, never liked the tom tom interface or display.

[veeeffarr]

Fuck me, the Zumo is shite, I've almost thrown it out of the window/off of the bike about twenty times, it's horribly jerky, and impossible to understand on complex bits of road.

Hilariously overpriced, I'm considering selling mine.

T

[divuk83]

Old street pilots can be had cheap. I have a 2620 I got off ebay for 160 squid(new). The mapping was from 2004 and the firmware was out of date but garmin supply these for free so I now have the 2008 maps, mapsource on DVD and the latest firmware. Its waterproof and you can use cheap earpieces that cost about 4 squid off ebay instead of having to pay silly prices for a bluetooth one.

Dave

[reu]

My mom got the garmin and has no trouble attal with it on the other hand the tom tom thats another story make the right option get the garmin
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125cc Pitbike <sold> Aprilla Mx50 <current>

[panrider_uk]

I've got the Tomtom V2 and am very pleased with it.

I've used Tomtom since software version 3 on my PDA so am used to it and didn't bother looking at any alternatives to the Rider.

I've not bothered fitting the headset yet. I just glance at the display.

The mount is very solid and you do get a tether should it ever manage to come off it. Mine's stayed solidly attached, even over very bumpy roads.

The car kit is an optional extra. You get the windscreen mount and car charger. The windscreen mount has a builtin speaker. A good piece of kit, solid and plenty loud enough.

Mark
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[Pernig]

[scoobdoo]

I have the zumo 550, I can tell you what I dont like about it, but I have not used the new tom tom rider, so I cant compare it, but I have used tom tom in the past and found it very easy to use.
The zumo car kit loudspeaker is crap, the instructions are VERY quiet, barely hear them in a van.
The zumo warns of speedcameras, mobile traps etc, the trouble is you cant seem to be able to turn the warnings off, I have the scala headset and every two minutes its beeping in your ears telling you there might be a mobile speed trap up the road, the trouble is that it goes off all the bloody time!
Also its not at all clear giving directions in citys and dense road junctions, I think its more USA based, I say this because sometimes when you come to a roundabout it presents it on screen and in the headset as if its a junction, with no roundabout there.
Its very difficult to avoid routes, on my old tomtom you could just press avoid road and it would come up with a list of options, not an option on the zumo.
The map source software for the computer is also very clunky, it wont find certain places when you do a search, but move to where they are on the map and zoom in and they will be listed.

Its all a bit Harry Tate really.

I think I am going to sell mine shortly and buy the tomtom rider 2, If its worse than the zumo I will be mighty pi**ed off!

[Naggedalot]

Why bother buying a "bike specific" satnav unit when you can buy one of the cheaper and just as good car satnavs and mount it on ur handlebars? I know its not waterproof but you can slip a clear food bag over it and secure it with a lacci band. Ive just been all over scotland using one and it never missed a beat.
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`80 GP100, `79 KH100, `82 CX500, `82 CB250, `o7 Aprillia SR factory-R 50cc, `08 GSF650

[theopj]

I used a TomTom One when I went touring round europe and it was fine directions wise, but it did develop a fault as the charger connector in the device developed a loose connection so would only charge intermittently when on the bike (even when cable tying the charger lead up to hold it in position). It was also a bit of pain to charge it at night in the hotel as would have to position it just right. I was able to fix it easily when I got home but didn't have the tools to fix it on the road. Something to watch out for.

The One also only has a two hour battery rather than the 4-5 hours of the battery in the Rider. I've just bought another Rider V1 off ebay for £65 - it was a refurb with no extra's, but I had everything else I needed, so was a pretty good deal.
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Suzuki Bandit SA 1250 & Honda CB750F2T

[Bendy]

I've just bought the Zumo - haven't GPS'd anywhere with it yet but I'm adoring the mp3 player. Just having play/stop, track skip and volume controls where I can easily reach them is worth it's weight in gold to me (ever tried controlling an ipod nano with gloves on?).

Gonna test it over the next couple of weekends to see how the GPS side goes.

[veeeffarr]

[Skudd]

I picked up the Zumo 400 ( Like the 550 but without bluetooth) from halfords a month ago for £209. I haven't got bluetooth so it didn't matter not having it on the satnav. I do have autocome and it wires in very nicely. just been around Scotland with it. Brilliant. Mp3 player was great on it.
The gatso finder can be switched off, you just need to read the instructions, but I have left it on. I'm still getting used to using it as I think you need to learn how to use them properly to get the full benefit out of them. the bar mounting is good. the unit is very glove friendly and it is waterproof. like I said I'm still learning how to use it and amazed on what it does or can do. I especially like the fuel gauge on it and the icon that comes up on the screen when you are low telling you where the next petrol station is. Mine does need updating on the website. ( I was able to do this for free for the first month but didn't know how to and missed the window) but all the things I want it for are there and more besides.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[veeeffarr]

[Bendy]

[Peirre oBollox]