Civinfo - View Single Post

Miggins · 5th August 2007, 12:00

Used and owned several Garmin Satnavs - looked at others and never as impressed. Garmin aren't perfect but the Zumo 550 which I have owned for just over a month - (thanks to the scrote who stole my bag and Garmin Quest!!!) is a quality piece of kit. Designed for bikes it may be but the clear touch sensitive screen and easy to use menus make it ideal for the car as well. (.......erm as well as on the move)

The announced street names and POI (inc custom entered) is very helpful but the speed camera database is a pain in the proverbial as it has the wrong speed limits set and is not very accurate (squawks 40mph speed camera when in a 60 and 1/2 mile away from a 40mph zone) Need to update/change the database.

The mounts used for the bike are by RAM (American firm) and high quality (lucky if you can use these on your average sports bike though - I tapped and screwed a RAM ball mount to the top yoke!) The windscreen mount is far better than any I have tried before - inc Garmin but it is that bit too far away in the Civ. Might look for an alternative - RAM have an extensive selection of mounting solutions that hold all types of equipment so I'm sure you will also find a quality solution for the car. (GPSWarehouse).

The ability to store a detailed map of virtually all of Europe on one 1Gb SD card means I don't need to take a laptop with me on my travels (but will!)

The integration with my Nokia N80 is excellent - no need for a supplemental mike. Crystal clear and easy to use - stores both call history and numbers against poi's - custom and default database. It has saved me paying out for a separate phone system. Bluetooth headset works as expected.

Don't know about integrating with the radio - Garmin tend to limit what you can do and have removed various bits of functionality over the years that was included on what are now obsolete units but made the Zumo a very good all round package.

It gets a fix very quickly and recalculates within a few seconds of going off route (even for 800mile routes). Haven't fathomed the detour function yet - seems you cant choose the detour it just proffers several solutions. It doesn't need an external aerial as some units do even when behind a heated screen.

Wish they had put a belt loop on the included case and although some protection has been included for the screen I would't be confident of an impact to a corner. Still at least they have included a lot more in this package than previously.

I deliberated for some time before forking out £420 (ebuyer) but have not been disappointed and definately worth the extra over the 500 (lees of the 'essential' functionality as well as maps).

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (and I don't work for them either!!!)

5th August 2007, 12:00	#18 (permalink)
Miggins Enthusiastic Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 25th August 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 537 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	My Zumo 550 Used and owned several Garmin Satnavs - looked at others and never as impressed. Garmin aren't perfect but the Zumo 550 which I have owned for just over a month - (thanks to the scrote who stole my bag and Garmin Quest!!!) is a quality piece of kit. Designed for bikes it may be but the clear touch sensitive screen and easy to use menus make it ideal for the car as well. (.......erm as well as on the move) The announced street names and POI (inc custom entered) is very helpful but the speed camera database is a pain in the proverbial as it has the wrong speed limits set and is not very accurate (squawks 40mph speed camera when in a 60 and 1/2 mile away from a 40mph zone) Need to update/change the database. The mounts used for the bike are by RAM (American firm) and high quality (lucky if you can use these on your average sports bike though - I tapped and screwed a RAM ball mount to the top yoke!) The windscreen mount is far better than any I have tried before - inc Garmin but it is that bit too far away in the Civ. Might look for an alternative - RAM have an extensive selection of mounting solutions that hold all types of equipment so I'm sure you will also find a quality solution for the car. (GPSWarehouse). The ability to store a detailed map of virtually all of Europe on one 1Gb SD card means I don't need to take a laptop with me on my travels (but will!) The integration with my Nokia N80 is excellent - no need for a supplemental mike. Crystal clear and easy to use - stores both call history and numbers against poi's - custom and default database. It has saved me paying out for a separate phone system. Bluetooth headset works as expected. Don't know about integrating with the radio - Garmin tend to limit what you can do and have removed various bits of functionality over the years that was included on what are now obsolete units but made the Zumo a very good all round package. It gets a fix very quickly and recalculates within a few seconds of going off route (even for 800mile routes). Haven't fathomed the detour function yet - seems you cant choose the detour it just proffers several solutions. It doesn't need an external aerial as some units do even when behind a heated screen. Wish they had put a belt loop on the included case and although some protection has been included for the screen I would't be confident of an impact to a corner. Still at least they have included a lot more in this package than previously. I deliberated for some time before forking out £420 (ebuyer) but have not been disappointed and definately worth the extra over the 500 (lees of the 'essential' functionality as well as maps). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (and I don't work for them either!!!) Last edited by Miggins; 5th August 2007 at 12:08.