Garmin Zumo 665 model - looking to purchase

[lljjmm]

Has anybody recently purchased a Zumo 665, found one on Amazon for $764, any better deals out there?
Has anybody had problems with Amazon purchases?

[RonW]

no problem with Amazon purchases, so far. Their shipping rates are about the lowest among online retailers, often free.

[PhredValk]

Pretty pricey for a GPS, in my opinion. I bought a Tom-tom for half price and ordered a waterproof handlebar mount for $30. I have a stereo on the I/S and an IPod for out of town riding. $700. for an item I'll use a handful of times a year? If you use it all the time, it could be worth it. I don't know your riding style, so sorry if I sound brash here.
Fred.

[Ken Tarver]

i went with a nuvi last time.....lot's cheaper than motorcycle specific

[fordmano]

No disrespect to anyone at all, But do you really need a GPS?

I have 2 a very old E-Trek and the one on my phone,, used the E-Trek on time when I went hunting and have used the one on the phone maybe 2-3 times but only as a map not a turn by turn GPS...

I did consider one of the Garmins a few years ago but decied that reading a map is a skill that I need to keep just incase Armegedon happens and I get the chance to make a run for it. LOL

[Disco]

Not a 665, but I bought a 660 (no XM/Sirius) last June and love it.  After much shopping, I found the best deal at 17th Street Photo, 33 W.17th Street, New York, New York, 10001, 800-664-1971, 212-366-5248, E-mail: orders@17photo.com.  No affiliation, just a satisfied customer.  I got it for $639.00 and Garmin was running a $100 rebate at the time.  I just checked their site, and 550 ($649), 660 (still $639), and 665 ($999) are backordered.  http://www.17photo.com/

You might check http://www.zumoforums.com/

Pricey?  Yes.  Feature rich?  Yes.  Do you really need a GPS?  Maybe, maybe not.  It depends on how far you stray from home and how far off the beaten path you wander.  I have 16GB of music in mine and it's integrated through my J&M CB.  Bluetooth phone calls while riding are pretty cool. 

[GJS]

No disrespect to anyone at all, But do you really need a GPS?

Well, I think the answer to that question depends on what kind of person you are.

Me? I love my Garmin 550! I use it mostly on the bike, but it came with the car adapter as well.
Where I have found it invaluable is on the road. I love setting up a trip with destination points pre-entered. I can then wander about wherever I want and when I am ready to head to the final destination, I select the 'waypoint' and follow the directions.
New GPSs are great for locating Hotels, Food and attractions. Many do Blue-Tooth, mine does.
I can take and make calls while riding through voice commands. (extra hardware required)

I don't use the GPS often, but when I go for a 3 week ride into the great unknown, it is a great travel buddy. It also looks cool!


So... I am the kind of person who reads the manual (once completely frustrated) , asks for directions (especially we she is staring/glaring at me) and on occasion, can admit I am wrong (really, it happened back in 1985!).

In the 21st Century, 'Real Men' use what ever they need to get the job done.

I mean 'REALLY' do we actually NEED any of this stuff? 

 
Best regards,

Glenn

[Ken Tarver]

I use mine a lot. MP3 player. bluetooth, uh oh yes directions too! Went to AK last summer, may have looked at a map 2 or 3 times, same when went to NY, CA, WA.....well everywhere ~ don't have to be stopping all the time to "look at the map again", or write down all the turns on index cards. Do I make wrong turns sometimes? oh yeah occassionaly, but it is my fault most of time for not paying attention, but I'm very good at U-turns. By the way, just in case the electronically gremlins eat something inside the box, I carry an atlas on big trips.
Ken, my $.02

Nuvi 765T 

[Ken Tarver]

oh yeah, zip lock bags / waterproofing

[PhredValk]

The GPS I got from Canadian Tire during Christmas sales, Tom-tom XL 340 S for $88.00. The mount was $29.88 from

http://www.mountguys.com/category_s/2754.htm
Irem;
Motorcycle / Bike WATERPROOF Handlebar Mount
but they have a wide selection.

Solid looking plastic mount, easy to install/remove in a minute (thumbscrew) to take it into the hotel overnight. Heavy backed zipper closure, with foam pads (3 thicknesses) to put behind the GPS to make it snug enough to finger-control inside the enclosure.
Fred.

[PhredValk]

I actually prefer maps, and always have one in the clear top of the tank bag when on the hi-way. I can find Niagara Falls on the map, easily, but my buddy Jack's house? A specific Motel or coffee shop for a meet?
In traffic, with only time for quick glances a GPS is a lot easier than a map any day.
Just sayin', Fred.

[BonS]

I became hooked on the weather radar overlay of the Garmin 665 Zumo. It would be hard to go back now.

[Disco]

the weather radar overlay of the Garmin 665 Zumo

Roger that.  I don't regret not having the XM/Sirius, but I would like to have the weather radar.  

[hubcapsc]

Has anybody recently purchased a Zumo 665, found one on Amazon for $764, any better deals out there?
Has anybody had problems with Amazon purchases?

I don't know anything about GPS, but I use Amazon a lot. I have always found them to
have excellent customer service.

Usually I just mash the button and the item arrives and that's the end of it. As a recent example of
needing customer service, I replaced my beat up old camera with a new one. I picked one
that seemed good, but when I got it, I found it to be no where near the camera I was replacing.
A few clicks at amazon.com and I was able to print out a return label, send back the el-cheapo on
their dime, and get a quick refund. It was my fault for picking the el-cheapo in the first place,
but Amazon didn't make it my problem...

Actually, I do use Amazon for my GPSs... 

http://www.amazon.com/DELORME-WEST-VIRGINIA-ATLAS-GAZETTEER/dp/B002H03EU4/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1297604675&sr=8-14

-Mike