New Zumo 340/350 GPS discussion

[AZJohn]

If all you want is a basic GPS to keep you from getting lost or find the nearest gas station, I’ve been happy with the Nuvi 500. It’s waterproof, sturdy, works with gloves, battery lasts all day, and the cost is about a third of a Zumo. It's nothing fancy, and there are tradeoffs for that price: smaller screen, no Bluetooth, etc. However, for a basic, cost-effective GPS, it works well.

[Emoto]

So, it appears that unlike the 66X units, we 350 users cannot import an externally created track (like an offroader might make in BaseCamp for navigating in areas with no mapped roads) and then view it on screen. This would be a really handy feature, and since they already have the code for it for the 66X units, I cannot imagine that it would be difficult/costly to add it to the 350. I can understand the 350 not having non-navigational features like playing MP3, but in my view there is no excuse for removing navigational features from their top motorcycle GPS.

I humbly suggest that anyone reading this go here (if you have a 350): https://support.garmin.com/support/s...calateForm.htm

or here (if you do not have a 350): http://www8.garmin.com/contactUs/ideas/#container-form

And respectfully request that they add this feature to the 350. Perhaps if enough people ask for it, they will do it. At any rate, it does not hurt to try.

Thanks for reading!

[DirtFarmer]

Do these two units share the same mounts and power cords? I have the 550 hard wired to 4 bikes and have a couple of mounts for the 550.

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by DirtFarmer

Do these two units share the same mounts and power cords? I have the 550 hard wired to 4 bikes and have a couple of mounts for the 550.

They do not.

As I have several different GPS units, I did something to make it easier to swap out the wiring. I added insulated crimp-on spade connectors to the GPS power cords and to the wires on the bike that I connect them to. Now, all I have to do is pop off the side panel to access them and disconnect or connect the one I want.

Hardware and auto part stores carry these things along with the crimping pliers if you need them. Lowe's had a really good price on small boxes of them the last time I needed some.

Like this: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...0214&ppt=C0189

[mmod]

So now that the zumo 350 has been out for a while what do the people that have them think.
Was going to get the Nuvi 550 until I found out the screen was smaller (old eyes). I probably will not use a lot of the options it has but large screen and sunlight readable are big pluses for me.

[Emoto]

Well... it is sooo close, but still needs a few fixes. In my opinion, it needs to 1) handle tracks, and 2) it needs to have the dashboard fields much more configurable, or the ability to turn them off, so you can see more of the screen. More like the Montana.


I like my 350, but I don't like it as much as my Montana. If they would just fix those 2 things...

[mmod]

Thanks,
Is the screen on the Montana as good in the sunlight as the zumo 350?
How do the two compare in screen size?
My use for the GPS would be the basic stuff that the cagers would use and the option to load gpx files from others.
Also I'm not a tech guy so the easier to use the better.

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by mmod

Thanks,
Is the screen on the Montana as good in the sunlight as the zumo 350?
How do the two compare in screen size?
My use for the GPS would be the basic stuff that the cagers would use and the option to load gpx files from others.
Also I'm not a tech guy so the easier to use the better.

I haven't had my Montana long enough to have a strong opinion on how it is in sunlight, but it has seemed fine so far. The 350 screen is a little bigger than the Montana, and the 660/665 screen is a little bigger than the 350. Let me see if I can use the garmin compare feature to get a chart...

http://www.gpscity.com/compare/zumo6...350lm&mont650t

660 350 Montana

Display size, WxH:

3.81W x 2.25H in (9.7 x 5.7 cm); 4.3 diag in (10.9 cm)

3.7W x 2.2H in (9.4 x 5.6 cm); 4.3 in diag (10.9 cm)

2inW x 3.5inH (5.06 x 8.93 cm); 4in diag (10.2 cm)

On a practical level, I can turn off the dashboard fields on my Montana and end up seeing more map than on the 350 even though the screen is smaller. Have not personally used a 660/665.

[mmod]

Thanks much,
Great info

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by Emoto

I haven't had my Montana long enough to have a strong opinion on how it is in sunlight, but it has seemed fine so far. The 350 screen is a little bigger than the Montana, and the 660/665 screen is a little bigger than the 350. Let me see if I can use the garmin compare feature to get a chart...

http://www.gpscity.com/compare/zumo6...350lm&mont650t.

It's interesting to see that all three are listed as 480 X 272 pixels in resolution, even though the Montana is slightly smaller. The real advantage of the Montana is that it can be used in Portrait or Landscape mode.

Here's an example of both.

[Mudcat]

Originally Posted by Emmbeedee

It's interesting to see that all three are listed as 480 X 272 pixels in resolution,

What does the aquamarine line signify?

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by Mudcat

What does the aquamarine line signify?

My track.

[Mudcat]

Originally Posted by Emmbeedee

My track.

After I asked that question it occurred to me, it must be his Track. So, I went back and looked. It says your heading is west,

Is the map City Navigator?

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by Mudcat

After I asked that question it occurred to me, it must be his Track. So, I went back and looked. It says your heading is west,

Is the map City Navigator?

Either City Navigator or the Canada Enhanced Basemap.

[Mudcat]

Originally Posted by Emmbeedee

Either City Navigator or the Canada Enhanced Basemap.

I am surprised I don’t see any road names but I do use my copy of City Navigator at the highest detail level.

Sorry for al my inane questions, the Montana interest me and may be my next GPS unit but I am leery of it too.

You have your Montana in the Nuvi configuration; can you move Next Turn down to the lower right hand field?

Next Turn is generally all I care about when I am riding and I can see it better in that position in bright sun then in the upper left-hand corner.