The Garmin Zumo 550 is only the second motorcycle-specific GPS device on the market today. What does it offer bikers and how does it stack up to the competition? Read our review to find out and check out photos of the sleek system here.
Measuring 4.8 inches wide, 3.9 inches high, and 1.6 inches deep and weighing 10.6 ounces, the Garmin Zumo 550 is sleeker and sexier than the TomTom Rider. The unit also has removable caps on the top and bottom of the unit, so you can swap it out with snazzier designs.
All maps are preloaded on the Zumo 550's hard drive, but there is an SD expansion slot on the bottom of the unit if you want to carry music files on an SD card.
If you're using the dashboard mount, make sure you get the placement right because once you peel off the adhesive, it's not going anywhere. Bonus: the car mount has an integrated speaker.
If you don't plan on using the Zumo 550 while driving, you can turn off the GPS radio. Garmin also a lock feature where you can set a personal PIN number for security.
There is also a handy trip information page that displays your direction, speed, maximum speed, and a fuel gauge. The last feature will only show when the unit is connected to the motorcycle mount, however.
Unfortunately, the compass only works if you're in Off-road mode. Otherwise, the Zumo simply tells you on the map-view screen which direction you are traveling in.
From the phone menu, you are presented with five icons: Phone Book, POIs, Dial (takes you the keypad menu), Call History (last dialed, last received, missed), and Call Home.
Once your phone is connected, your phone book should be synced to the Zumo. However, we had some difficulties getting our Treo 650's address book to sync with the Zumo.
