RIDE magazine have recently had a Zumo 350LM on test, they said there were some nice improvements over previous models. Plus it comes with Lifetime map updates (Thats what the LM stands for). Thats worth £50 to £70 on its own. I have a Zumo 220 find it to be good, but like all sat navs does some things better than others. The original software "Mapsource" was a bit dated and took a bit of getting used to, but I have just upgraded to "Base Camp" on the advice of a Garmin Tech, they no longer support Mapsource. I haven't used Base Camp as much but it is a bit better and a bit more intuative but still not as easy as google maps or Tyre. But now it is easy to convert routes from other sources so gives loads of options.
We'll I have just bought a 350LM and downloaded Base Camp ready to use. Good news that it is easy to convert between programs so what route planning software would be recommended?
Dont think so, I think it is just an addition to the range. I think the other models are still available they are still on the Garmin web site. 220 esential series, 350LM Advanced series and 660LM Premium series. So the 350LM is a mid range model.
Why would you buy the 350 for £420 when you can have the 660 for £345?? Garmin Zumo 660 UK and Europe Motorcycle Sat Nav
Why would you buy a 660 at £345 when you can buy a 220 for £269? Garmin Zumo 220 3.5" Sat Nav for Motorcycles with UK and Full Europe Maps and Bluetooth: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics
I see that and raise you this.. 220 for £228 :tongue: garmin zumo 220 or rhe zumo 660t reviews for this product
I wonder if we can find one under 200 quid? :biggrin: Seriously though the 220 is all you need IMO. The more expensive ones are nice but can you justify that sort of money, I'm sure some people can, the 350 does look more rugged. What I dont understand is why can they produce car sat navs and sell them for around £99? Surely it doesnt cost nearly £300 to water proof them? Another case of ripping off bikers!
I might waste 30 minutes trying find it :biggrin: But yes there's a big difference in price I guess waterproofing and ruggerising will add some £££
I opted for the 350 because it feels much more rugged than the 660 and I will be using it on all my bikes including my TTR250 for green-lanes and off-road (where I tend to fall off every now and again!) I'll report once I've used it a bit - taking it on hols to Mallorca next week :smile:
Asked this question in another thread but no real answer. What are you gaining by using a specialist motorbike sat nav? Why not just buy an ordinary one and wrap in cling film to waterproof. Big saving and I can not see a problem. Done this but only in fine weather.
Can't say I've investigated in detail but the sales pitch is that bike specific ones are more rugged and user friendly when wearing gloves etc.
I went to Spain on the bike last year, and it was baking hot. I took a Tom Tom Rider, and also my Garmin 705 that I use for cycling. The Tom Tom screen was rubbish in bright sunlight and the battery has a short life. The Garmin 705 was superb. Inconspicuous on the handlebars, I had the hotel locations mapped on as waypoints before leaving uk. Great. The screen was excellent in bright sunlight. Tom Tom Rider is vastly overpriced and doesn't do the job. No experience of Garmin Zumo... but at those prices.. I ain't dunna find out!
I've been using the Zumo 350LM in the car here in Mallorca for the last few days and I'm impressed. The screen is big, clear and the brightness control goes up plenty far enough for ultra bright sunshine. The lane-assist function is very good indeed and I like the way the route map scales depending on your speed and the distance to the next turn. The only bad point so far is that finding points of interest in the database isn't easy - Soller Railway Station didn't seem to be in there at all and Western Water Park (excellent day out for the kids) was listed as Western Park so I couldn't be sure they were the same place so I plugged in the GPS co-ordinates from their website instead. I was planning to hire a bike for a few days next week but I forgot to bring the handlebar mounting kit with me so I may not be able to use it - doh
