GPS models with 3.5 audio out recommendations wanted

[Arizona_oldguy]

The street pilot is getting pretty old, and I would like to upgrade,

 

I am looking for models that have a 3.5 stereo (mono will work) output and adapter to run with both 12 and 110 volts I would prefer a wide screen and fair degree of water resistant, rated for motorcycles.

 

I have been very happy with the street pilot 2720.

 

I would be especially interested in used or reconditioned units

 

Glenn

[TF1200RT]

Zumo 550...

[Haynes]

As stated, a Zumo 550 is good. I have a Zumo 660. It has a 3.5 audio outlet and the power adapter uses the USB input.

[dirtrider]

Morning Glenn

 

The Zumo 550 would be a good choice as it comes with the output you need as well as the 12 volt option through either a motorcycle mount or a car mount.

 

I currently have & use the Zumo 550. Nice unit but also getting long in the tooth.

 

The only problems I see with the Zumo 550 is like your 2720 it is becoming obsolete. Garmin is really not supporting the 550 to any extent anymore. It won’t be long before there will no support for the Zumo 450/550 series.

Also- If you are used to using tracks for routing inputs the Zumo 550 is pretty dumbed down in that area & isn’t good at importing & using other’s tracks. Same with traded routes, if your friends or riding group furnishes pre-made routes but from a different map set you can run into issues unless you have access to MapSource to correct the route for use on your Zumo’s internal mapping. Not a real big deal but annoying & time consuming.

 

The Zumo 660 seems to be the current replacement and at least Garmin is supporting that unit with new features and some (meaningful) updates.

 

Both the 550 & 660 are bright, have large screens, and work well on motorcycles. Both are fairly water resistant (the 550’s mount really isn’t that waterproof though).

 

[hopz]

The zumo 550 was the first really good GPS designed for the motorcyclist.

 

If you want support... Garmin will help you, very likely, for a while, but no matter.

 

Go to zumoforums and, like this site, you will all the support you ever need.

 

http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?action=forum

[dirtrider]

Morning Hopz

 

Unfortunately it seems that Garmin has quit working on any hardware or software updates for the Zumo 450/550 so what you have now is about all you will ever get from them. No forthcoming fixes for the still prevalent bugs.

 

Zumo forums has lots of “advice” but they can’t offer firmware or other mechanical updates to either the 450 or 550.

 

Don’t get me wrong as the Zumo 450/550 is still a great GPS for motorcyclists but it is nearing it’s end of support life just like the other older GPS units like 2720 have.

 

[Arizona_oldguy]

Lots of useful information here, thanks. I get the feeling that Garmin isn't listening very hard to the motorcycling community. John in Tuscon recommend the 276C, which is a marine unit. Unfortunately it too like so many of the reasonably affordable units with a really satisfying interface and useful features is no longer available. Bluetooth is nice, but then you need a bluetooth headset.3.5 audio is such an easy way to directly plug in your earbuds, or connect to your Autocom.

 

I was hoping, when I first posted, to get a list of lower end units that might have 3.5 audio even though it is not easily found in the specs. Guess not.

 

Glenn

[dirtrider]

Evening Glenn

 

If you are a MapSource user that plans out motorcycle trips on the computer at home you might also add that type of interface into your requirement list.

 

Some of cheaper auto type units don’t have that ability.

 

 

[Arizona_oldguy]

good point, I am

 

thanks, Glenn

[George Brown]

Zumo 550...

+1

[Deek]

The street pilot is getting pretty old, and I would like to upgrade,

 

I am looking for models that have a 3.5 stereo (mono will work) output and adapter to run with both 12 and 110 volts I would prefer a wide screen and fair degree of water resistant, rated for motorcycles.

 

I have been very happy with the street pilot 2720.

 

I would be especially interested in used or reconditioned units

 

Glenn

 

You might contact Garmin customer service and see what they'd charge. I've sent it a couple of StreetPilots for various ailments and they've returned a refurbed unit in each case for under $150 or so. If you like the 2720 I'm sure there are still plenty in their inventory.

[rdwalker]

+1 on that.

 

I use a 2820 and still love it. I had a Zumo 550 on a rental and felt that the 2820 was a better device, in terms of navigating and routing.

 

Meaning, if it is indeed true that 2720s are still available, you may want to go for that.

 

I actually think that the 2xxx series was one of Garmin's best motorcycling products. I still have my old 2610 as a backup and over the years went through the 2620, 2720, 2730 and am up to the 2820. I do not have any experiences with the new "rectangular" generation of Zumo's, but outside of those, I'd stay with what you have.

 

[RedMac]

Honestly, if your 2720 still works well, I wouldn't bother.

 

You can have Garmin refurb it for $99.00

 

http://www8.garmin.com/support/outofwarranty.html

 

I went from a 2610, 2720, 2720, zumo 550 to a zumo 660. Personally, once I left the street pilot units, I just felt more and more disappointed. The quality of software that Garmin has been writing for these units is getting worse with each generation of release. Total crap basically. the Zumo 660 is up to version 4.2 yet still ridden with easily found bugs.

 

I'm sorry I sold my 2730. I've actually been on the hunt for a good used 2730 or 2820.

 

There are a few benefits to the newer units for sure, but for actual GPS use, the 2720/30/2820 can't be beat. Most of the LD riders I know wouldn't part with their Street pilot units.