What is Garmin's story

[dreamaker]

Does anybody know what the deal is with Garmin mind set.  I have the Zumo 550  which I have had for about 4 yrs and like it.  I had an issue and they came through and replaced it.  For a couple of years I have suggested two things to incorporate if possible in our Zumo's. One was a speed warning beep because sometimes we don't realize what we are doing on the throttle. The second is speed control volume which is very common item, which helps us not look like a jurk at stop lights.  Which they never responded to. There answer is I guess is come out with two more models that I thought were pricey. I didn't think for the price they offered anything great on the new units. I did noticed that the base prices seemed to climb on all the units.

 One of the guys at work asked me about a cheap GPS and I found a throw away, I call them because they are so cheap. When he got it to my surprise it had features I wanted in my Zumo and feature that the Zumo don't have. Also I went with my friend to a HD dealer and noticed on the counter a Zumo 550. It was all black with a Harley Davidson logo on it and a mount for HD's. I'm not saying the Zumo is bad, I just think they charge allot of cash and not give allot for it.

Dan

[Wizzard]

Starting to sound like corporate Honda! Act like you listen to your customers but you don't
I too have a zumo 550 and really like it but there are things I would change if they would listen. IMHO

[..]

Does anybody know what the deal is with Garmin mind set.  I have the Zumo 550  which I have had for about 4 yrs and like it.  I had an issue and they came through and replaced it.  For a couple of years I have suggested two things to incorporate if possible in our Zumo's. One was a speed warning beep because sometimes we don't realize what we are doing on the throttle. The second is speed control volume which is very common item, which helps us not look like a jurk at stop lights.  Which they never responded to. There answer is I guess is come out with two more models that I thought were pricey. I didn't think for the price they offered anything great on the new units. I did noticed that the base prices seemed to climb on all the units.

 One of the guys at work asked me about a cheap GPS and I found a throw away, I call them because they are so cheap. When he got it to my surprise it had features I wanted in my Zumo and feature that the Zumo don't have. Also I went with my friend to a HD dealer and noticed on the counter a Zumo 550. It was all black with a Harley Davidson logo on it and a mount for HD's. I'm not saying the Zumo is bad, I just think they charge allot of cash and not give allot for it.

Dan

What was the make of Gps with the features?

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Does anybody know what the deal is with Garmin mind set.  I have the Zumo 550  which I have had for about 4 yrs and like it.  I had an issue and they came through and replaced it.  For a couple of years I have suggested two things to incorporate if possible in our Zumo's. One was a speed warning beep because sometimes we don't realize what we are doing on the throttle. The second is speed control volume which is very common item, which helps us not look like a jurk at stop lights.  Which they never responded to. There answer is I guess is come out with two more models that I thought were pricey. I didn't think for the price they offered anything great on the new units. I did noticed that the base prices seemed to climb on all the units.

 One of the guys at work asked me about a cheap GPS and I found a throw away, I call them because they are so cheap. When he got it to my surprise it had features I wanted in my Zumo and feature that the Zumo don't have. Also I went with my friend to a HD dealer and noticed on the counter a Zumo 550. It was all black with a Harley Davidson logo on it and a mount for HD's. I'm not saying the Zumo is bad, I just think they charge allot of cash and not give allot for it.

Dan

What was the make of Gps with the features?

Yeah, inquiring minds need to know. 

[dreamaker]

If you are referring to the cheap GPS I don't recall the brand name.  It was something like Novatek, it was a off brand and I think he paid $69 for it. I find them on www.dodtracker.com ( Deal of the day tracker) I have seen them as low as $49, but there not on there everyday. You have to keep checking.

Dan

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

If you are referring to the cheap GPS I don't recall the brand name.  It was something like Novatek, it was a off brand and I think he paid $69 for it. I find them on www.dodtracker.com ( Deal of the day tracker) I have seen them as low as $49, but there not on there everyday. You have to keep checking.

Dan

Thanks 

[Scott in Ok]

Does anybody know what the deal is with Garmin mind set.  I have the Zumo 550  which I have had for about 4 yrs and like it.  I had an issue and they came through and replaced it.  For a couple of years I have suggested two things to incorporate if possible in our Zumo's. One was a speed warning beep because sometimes we don't realize what we are doing on the throttle. The second is speed control volume which is very common item, which helps us not look like a jurk at stop lights.  Which they never responded to. There answer is I guess is come out with two more models that I thought were pricey. I didn't think for the price they offered anything great on the new units. I did noticed that the base prices seemed to climb on all the units.

 One of the guys at work asked me about a cheap GPS and I found a throw away, I call them because they are so cheap. When he got it to my surprise it had features I wanted in my Zumo and feature that the Zumo don't have. Also I went with my friend to a HD dealer and noticed on the counter a Zumo 550. It was all black with a Harley Davidson logo on it and a mount for HD's. I'm not saying the Zumo is bad, I just think they charge allot of cash and not give allot for it.

Dan

My guess is they are making products for a very broad market.  What appeals to you might not appeal to the mass market in general.  I own a Zumo 550 that I bought when they first came out.  Never had a single problem with it.  As an example of that broad market, I have no use for the features you described.  They would be added fluff, to an already overfluffed GPS.  Different strokes for different folks I suppose.

-Scott

[Trynt]

I'm with Dreamaker on this one.  I run my stereo via my Zumo's mp3 player and XM radio.  I'm constantly adjusting the volume to compensate for my speed.  This is not only annoying but it redirects my attention from the things on which I should be focused.  And we all know how important focus is as it pertains to riding a motorcycle safely. For me it would be single biggest improvement Garmin could make.

[BonS]

One more thing that Garmin doesn't do: I'm surprised to learn that the $$$$ Zumo 550, 660 and 665 don't have an UNWIRED mount for motorcycles even though they have bluetooth for wireless audio and plenty of battery power. Their motorcycle mount also mutes the built-in speaker unlike the automotive mount. I'd sure like to be able to quickly attach my GPS to another bike or onto a rental bike without having to have a hardwired, dedicated, mount. Just my 2 cents.