Garmin on sale

[NautiBrit]

If anyone is looking for a Garmin for their Valk, this may be of interest.

https://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-z...GPS-P5565.aspx

[Alberta Patriot]

That is a smokin' deal.

[scooperhsd]

I've never seen it at that low of a price...

[MarkT]

Not bad - that's $150 less than MSRP.  Checking specs, it's not better than my ZUMO 665LM though.  So I'll continue to wait for future models.

[vanavyman]

I've always liked the Zumo line of GPS.  Ran a 550 for years and currently running a 665 between my 2 Valkyrie's and added a 595 to my Goldwing. Really like the brighter screen on the 595.  If anyone is looking for a way to lock your Zumo GPS to your bike we have used Touratech locking mounts for several years and have one on each of our bikes.  They are specific to each model.  When added with a locking RAM locking bolt gives a nice way to secure the GPS.  Could still be stolen but takes a lot more effort.  Little expensive but we like it a lot better than removing the GPS every time and locking in the trunk.
Dan

[scooperhsd]

I just had to spring for it - OUTSTANDING deal.

[Gary]

For the gps non-tech savvy (as in me, never had one other than Google maps), does this have storage capacity for your mp3 tunes?

[Serk]

For the gps non-tech savvy (as in me, never had one other than Google maps), does this have storage capacity for your mp3 tunes?

Yes, I looked up the spec sheet and verified it can take a memory card and has music playing capabilities.

[Gary]

For the gps non-tech savvy (as in me, never had one other than Google maps), does this have storage capacity for your mp3 tunes?

Yes, I looked up the spec sheet and verified it can take a memory card and has music playing capabilities.

Thanks Serk, I just found the reviews section elsewhere and several commented on the mp3 option, not so favorable for the I-tuners. MP3 is good for me and my bargain files.

[the bull]

I purchased the 595 a couple of years ago and I absolutely love it.

[scooperhsd]

For the gps non-tech savvy (as in me, never had one other than Google maps), does this have storage capacity for your mp3 tunes?

Yes, I looked up the spec sheet and verified it can take a memory card and has music playing capabilities.

I knew it can take the memory card (up to 64GB), have to check about a built in MP3 player to be sure. The other literature I've read says it can relay Pandora and maybe play MP3s from your phone. You will definately get turn by turn on your bluetooth audio device (headphones / headsets, maybe a BT speaker for auto use ? )

Baldo - what's your feelings about it so far ?

[f6gal]

Just curious... is $249 the sale price or is the sale over?

[scooperhsd]

Just curious... is $249 the sale price or is the sale over?

That is the on-sale price. Full price is usually around $400 no matter where you look, so this $250 sale is one heck of a smoking deal.

Be aware - all that comes in the box with the GPS is the motorcycle mount and power cable, a USB to connect it to your computer, and a starter manual. An automotive mount / cable is an extra $44 .

[baldo]

For the gps non-tech savvy (as in me, never had one other than Google maps), does this have storage capacity for your mp3 tunes?

Yes, I looked up the spec sheet and verified it can take a memory card and has music playing capabilities.

I knew it can take the memory card (up to 64GB), have to check about a built in MP3 player to be sure. The other literature I've read says it can relay Pandora and maybe play MP3s from your phone. You will definately get turn by turn on your bluetooth audio device (headphones / headsets, maybe a BT speaker for auto use ? )

Baldo - what's your feelings about it so far ?

Unfortunately I haven't hooked it up yet.

I was really torn between the 396 and the 595 ( larger screen). I k ow about the wifi on the 396. Are there any major differences between the two?

I'm sorely tempted to return it and go for the big boy.

[scooperhsd]

For the gps non-tech savvy (as in me, never had one other than Google maps), does this have storage capacity for your mp3 tunes?

Yes, I looked up the spec sheet and verified it can take a memory card and has music playing capabilities.

I knew it can take the memory card (up to 64GB), have to check about a built in MP3 player to be sure. The other literature I've read says it can relay Pandora and maybe play MP3s from your phone. You will definately get turn by turn on your bluetooth audio device (headphones / headsets, maybe a BT speaker for auto use ? )

Baldo - what's your feelings about it so far ?

Unfortunately I haven't hooked it up yet.

I was really torn between the 396 and the 595 ( larger screen). I k ow about the wifi on the 396. Are there any major differences between the two?

I'm sorely tempted to return it and go for the big boy.

Quoting from Amazon -
 The Garmin zumo 595LM is expensive, has a disappointingly dim display, and a battery connector problem. And with that said, it is still well worth the money to me, for finding and recording (logging) destinations and fun roads. I own and use a cell phone extensively, but not with the zumo. My helmets are equipped with Sena Bluetooth headsets, which are paired with my phone (for calls, txt msgs, and music, and paired with the zumo for spoken driving directions (it too can be used to play your music files). The zumo 595 has a big 5" touch screen that works with gloves (my phone does not). It comes with a special wiring harness for motorcycles, and another for use in cars.
I suggest carefuly reading the seller's description here, and the descriptions at Garmin.com to learn the many features included, not all of which will be useful to all riders. I'm not exactly in love with mine, due to the high price and numerous shortcomings. But if I lost the one I have, I'd order another one immediately. It is the best motorcycle specific GPS unit I have ever seen
End quote

The Wifi and the displays are the biggest differences.

[george223]

Thanks for posting this. I've been wanting to get a motorcycle compatible GPS for quite awhile. I also ordered a topo map for the west coast for when I go off road. I was trying to be frugal but when I saw this sale, it seemed too good to pass up. I checked ebay and other sites to compare and the cheapest I found was $339. I considered the 595 but decided that the 396 would do what I need it to do.

I haven't been on this forum in quite awhile. It's nice to see fellow valkyrie owners still active. I don't see many valks out here in socal.

[MarkT]

I'm not clear it plays mp3's from the sd card.  The 665 does, and is limited to 2000 files.  The display description is identical to that of the 665 which is too dim for direct sunlight use.  I put a shade over mine.  Also it uses Bluetooth (so does my Zumo) but apparently does not support satellite radio, weather or traffic from them but claims that support via your phone.  That means cell tower connectivity which doesn't exit in much of the boonies including mountain valleys.  My 665 uses XM for that.  This sale Zumo supports automatic downloads of map updates with wifi connection but that's not a big deal.  I have a computer and can do that myself.  Has a couple features the 665 doesn't but is missing important ones to me.  Also it's a lot cheaper and there's reason for that.  However I paid $400 some (also a good deal) for my 665 but I got all the accessories - XM antenna, car & bike mount and all cables.  That wifi connection only needs a firmware update to violate your privacy if it's not already hidden in there.

I would like a brighter screen, more internal memory, support for more tunes - 8816 mp3's in my 4runner thumb drive now; it supports 9999.  Not sure I want wifi connection as w/o I can control when and what's loaded in it and for sure my privacy is protected.  Don't trust these companies like Google and car makers.  eg., "Your On Star just reported your accident, the police have been called."  Yeah right.  "You forgot your car payment, the repo man has been called and we know where you are."  Or whatever.  Too creepy for me.  "Trust us, we won't abuse the technology."  No thanks.  Trust?  "We're from the government and we're here to help."

[Serk]

Doesn't say how many files it can handle, but:



Source: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=OMoGwnCYrY9jxl00OfYZi7

[MarkT]

Serk I downloaded the 396 manual and can't find anything about playing mp3's.  In fact "mp3" does not appear in the manual.   I think that page you found is a blanket page that covers some Zumo's but doesn't apply to all - specifically the 396. Also I went to find your page as linked to the 396 and can't find that either. I'm still digging but I have doubts it plays mp3's directly within it's memory or sd cards.  Or at least the docs suck.

OK I found a mention of it playing music files.  Still digging...

OK it mentions the "Media Player" on pg 18.  Not much info but looks like it plays mp3's.  Might be like my 665 on that.  Can't find any docs on quantity yet.  As I said the 665 uses the "magic number" of 2000.  The 550 Zumo's limit is 1000.  Maybe they have increased it in this model?  Or maybe stopped using "magic numbers"?

Used to be you could find a lot of useful info on the Zumo wiki forum.  Haven't seen that for awhile - thought it folded.

Garmin should send their document writers to learn from Toyota's document writers.  Best user docs I've ever seen, I think.  Very detailed and well written and apparently accurate. They cover this very subject in detail - exactly what you need to know to set up your mp3 media including thumb drive format, directory format depth levels and quantities and what bit rates, variable or fixed and exact mp3 formats. I hate it when companies mod their products and don't keep the docs in sync or provide the info you need to use them.

Back in the day when I was in AT&T PC Tech Support, we used to get really tired of users calling us for tech help on subjects that were covered in their manuals.  We called them (internally) RYFMs.  They started reading them when we raised the cost for TS to phone-sex rates - $2/min.  Maybe tech writers trained them to call with badly written tech docs.

[scooperhsd]

Most any device / program that can play MP3's can play anything  - CBR, VBR, bit rates to 320Kbps, etc. My personal preference now is to rip them at 320kbps. There was a time when I had a program that could rip with VBR - I did a number of albums to 256Kbps VBR - most of the tracks averaged down around 200 kbps. VBR fools the player programs on time left for a track.

[The Walrus]

Thanks for the heads up. I ordered one on Friday and it arrives tomorrow from The GPS Store! 

[scooperhsd]

Mine got here today. Doesn't need map update yet, but I'm expecting all of them to need one after the 1st of june.


0700 next morning - well - I get to eat my words. When I got it hooked up to Garmin Express for registration etc., needed both software and map updates

[Kep]

When I click the link it say's they are 339.95

[Kep]

Called the company and spoke with Nick...said the sale expired...he got permission to honor the sale price !! So I bought one !

[scooperhsd]

I knew the sale wasn't going to be very long , so I jumped on it friday morning..
the $339 price isn't too bad, you can find that easily enough. The $250 price was a smoking deal on it.

Now if I could just figure out how to get to see my external memory card with 2800 MP3s in 9.5 GB to play through my bluetooth headset. I did get the phone and audio turn-by-turn working with my Sena 10H.

That Zumo 396 is far and away the fastest GPS at computing new routes than the automotive units I already have (DriveSmart 51, Nuvi 2597, and Nuvi 50).

[scooperhsd]

Got to take my first decent (sunny) weather ride with the new Zumo -

Likes - even at 70% - the screen is bright enough to see on a sunny day - even without the sunshade.
Screaming fast on routing updates if you decide to change your route while driving / riding.
TripPlanner (on the GPS) is the bomb (my 2 most recent auto GPS's also have it) - I setup my loops that I use locally and no issues what so ever.

Issues - while I got my Sena SMH10 bluetooth headset to pair up, I have not figured out how to get tunes in the headset. I can get turn by turn audio and phone calls reliably.
Having problems getting a microSD card to be recognized reliably.
THe info on using the Media player is rather incomplete. Best I can figure is that you need to save the MP3's in the storage builtin and not on an SD card.

[MarkT]

Issues - while I got my Sena SMH10 bluetooth headset to pair up, I have not figured out how to get tunes in the headset. I can get turn by turn audio and phone calls reliably.
Having problems getting a microSD card to be recognized reliably.
THe info on using the Media player is rather incomplete. Best I can figure is that you need to save the MP3's in the storage builtin and not on an SD card.

On my Zumo 665 I can get Bluetooth to pair up with my phone.  Meaning it RECEIVES media like Pandora tunes, then can send it through the wired connection to the amp and the speakers.  Cannot get it to SEND to a device but haven't tried a bluetooth headset.  It indicates if a call comes in and apparently the call can be managed with the GPS but I never take calls while riding so I have no experience with it.

Both my Zumos (first was the 550) play MP3's on the external SD card.  The 550 was limited to 1,000 on the card, while the 665 is 2,000.  Of course you can change cards if you want another set orf tunes.  BTW the limit on my 4Runner is 9999.  Similar high limit on Mazda CX5 and I think recent Honda's too.  Both Zumo's will read and start playing faster if you keep ea directory small.  Like 25 tunes per.  I have not seen a limit to directory depth.  You are better off setting up the card on your computer writer, or an external unit.  WAY slow to write to it while the card is in the GPS.