The Garmin zumo 550, 500, 450 and 400 are specialized GPS navigators for motorcycles built to be durable, vibration tolerant, waterproof. The plastics they are constructed from are able to withstand fuel spills and continuous exposure to the elements. The 3.5 inch, 320 x 240 pixel resolution, UV-resistant display is bright enough to be read in direct sunlight. Thinking of the user, Garmin have designed the navigation interface with icons large enough for operation with a gloved hand.

Garmin Zumo Use in the Car

With practical flexibility, the Garmin zumo can also be shifted to your car (mount included) and used as a automotive navigation device. The zumo car mount features an integrated speaker. Note that the zumo must be plugged into the cigarette lighter socket to use the speaker. There’s an audio output jack and microphone output jack on both the automotive and motorcycle mounts or you can use Bluetooth on the 550 and 500 models.

Navigating with the Garmin zumo

All the Garmin zumo models come ready to use out of the box preloaded with City Navigator NT street maps. Preloaded maps available vary with the model as detailed below.

The zumo uses a combination of the touch screen and five buttons (one right and four left). Some are for basic functions like on/off, trip counter and volume while the others are for menu browsing or map zooming. One popular feature is a compass screen – if you just want to know what direction you’re headed in.

Also preloaded with the Garmin zumo, is a sizable Points of Interest (POI) database which can be used to search for and navigate to motels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and other categories of POI. It’s possible to add your own custom points of interest to the database.

Further navigation enhancement is available with the addition of an optional XM antenna and XM subscription (USA only). They make it possible to check weather forecasts, traffic conditions along route and listen to the radio. With optional TMC traffic alerts (some cities) and a traffic receiver it’s possible to have the zumo recalculate your route around traffic delays.

Garmin zumo Entertainment

All the Garmin zumo models will play mp3 files, have an Audio book player and a picture viewer. Images and mp3 files can be loaded by dragging and dropping while connected to your PC or with an optional SD card)

Planning Your Rides with Garmin’s MapSource Software

Motorcycling tends to be a more social activity than car driving with touring being a popular pastime. Garmin’s free MapSource software allows zumo owners to plan their trips and share their routes with others. It’s a case of mapping out your route and picking your stops (POI) on a PC with MapSource and downloading it to your zumo unit before you leave. Optional SD expansion cards or the Internet (Garmin zumo Connect) can be used to share your favourite routes. Garmin has various tour routes available for download through an association with MAD MAPS Inc.

Garmin Zumo Model Comparison

All the Zumo models have the same specification apart from the following differences including preloaded maps.

Zumo 550

Speaks street names
Hands-free calling with Bluetooth wireless technology
XM Navtraffic (includes basic weather) and Radio (for U.S.) compatible (add optional GXM 30 antenna)
Maps: North America, North America (English/French language interface), Australia, Europe, New Zealand

Zumo 500

Hands-free calling with Bluetooth wireless technology
XM Navtraffic (includes basic weather) and Radio for U.S. compatible
Maps: UK&Ireland, Nordics, Benelux, France, Italy and Greece, Spain and Portugal

Zumo 450

Maps: North America

Zumo 400

Maps: (regional maps) UK&Ireland, Alps, Benelux, DACH + CZ, France, Italy and Greece, Nordics, Spain + Portugal

Bluetooth Wireless Enabled (zumo 550 and 500 models)

Both the zumo 550 and 500 models are Bluetooth wireless enabled to allow phone calls without helmet or glove removal. A Bluetooth enabled headset/helmet or earpiece is required (not included) to make or receive phone calls or listen to navigation voice prompts. In fact, two Bluetooth connections can be made at the same time to cater for a phone and earpiece at the same time.

In the Box – What’s Included

The range of items that come with a Garmin Zumo is impressive

• zumo navigator
• Preloaded City Navigator NT map
• MapSource City Navigator North America NT DVD or City Navigator Europe NT DVD (full unlock)
• Motorcycle mount with mounting hardware
• Vehicle suction cup mount with integrated speaker
• Dashboard disk
• Carrying case
• AC charger
• Vehicle power cable
• Motorcycle power cable
• USB cable
• Security screwdriver
• Custom caps (silver and black)
• Garmin stickers
• Owner’s manual on disk
• Quick reference guide

Resources

Owner’s Manual zumo 450 (PDF 2.74MB)

Quick Reference Guide zumo 450 (PDF 604KB)

Owner’s Manual zumo 550 (PDF 3.23MB)

Quick Reference Guide zumo 550 (PDF 595KB)

What Do zumo User’s Think?

A couple of places on the Web you can check out how Zumo owners like their units are;

• Zumo Forums
• Garmin Zumo 550 at Amazon has customer reviews - ranking 4.5/5.0
• Netrider forum
• Bike Chat Forums

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Specification for Garmin zumo 400, 500, 450 and 550 Motorcycle GPS Navigators