[thelastosirus]

So while I was doing some research trying to decide on a TT Rider 2 or the Garmin Zumo 550, I found the Zumo 660 listed on Garmin's website. They give all the details about it, except for the release date.

Here's a link to the webpage:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=&pID=15000#

In a nutshell what I found the differences are : A 4.3" screen vs. 3.5". AND smaller dimentions(height and depth) except for .5" wider. Lighter. Longer batt life (5H vs. 4H). Stereo Bluetooth. MicroSD slot. Speaks street names. geotagged pic navigation. Lane guidence. And probably the best feature... $200 lower MSRP then the 550.

Anybody know anything else (ie-availability)..? Any comments?

[thelastosirus]

Here are the pics...

[Destructo]

Well it certainly looks pretty cool.....

However I have a Zumo 550 which I am not overly impressed with - it locked up twice yesterday when using it in my car, for example.

It also failed on me last year, the 1 and only time I used it in the rain on my bike - despite supposedly being waterproof! The cradle somehow broke due to the rain - Garmin replaced it for free which was good, but still it shouldnt have happened. One of the reasons I went for the Zumo over a TomTom was that it claims to be waterproof!

I don't know what the improvements are on the 660, maybe they are better. There are also several VERY satisfied users of the Zumo - there's a dedicated forum for them!

Although I have no plans to replace the Zumo, when the time comes I will certainly look for an alternative to Garmin.

In fact, Becker have recently announced a motorcycle system so it's not only TomTom/Garmin now - no idea what it's like but seems to offer 3D mapping which looks pretty cool (unless you live in the Netherlands...... )

[thelastosirus]

Originally Posted by Destructo

Well it certainly looks pretty cool.....

However I have a Zumo 550 which I am not overly impressed with - it locked up twice yesterday when using it in my car, for example.

It alsi failed on me last year, the 1 and only time I used it in the rain on my bike - despite supposedly being waterproof! The cradle somehow broke due to the rain - Garmin replaced it for free which was good, but still it shouldnt have happened. One of the reasons I went for the Zumo over a TomTom was that it claims to be waterproof!

I don't know what the improvements are on the 660, maybe they are better. There are also several VERY satisfied users of the Zumo - there's a dedicated forum for them!

Although I have no plans to replace the Zumo, when the time comes I will certainly look for an alternative to Garmin.

In fact, Becker have recently announced a motorcycle system so it's not only TomTom/Garmin now - no idea what it's like but seems to offer 3D mapping which looks pretty cool (unless you live in the Netherlands...... )

...What's with the Netherlands?

I did read reports about problems on both systems, and just scratched my head till I found out you can't really operate the TomTom while moving. Worthless IMO. I often have to re-route or change something with my TT Go while driving. I'll look into the Becker system. Although German engineering is usually high quality and dependable, it also usually lacks innovation.

[Destructo]

Originally Posted by thelastosirus

...What's with the Netherlands?

Just a joke... it's famous for being very flat over there, therefore no need for 3D mapping!

I looked at the TT Rider and Zumo as well, read some reports and decided on the Zumo - seemed to be the better one of the 2. It's just that I am a little disappointed with mine - I at least expected it to work reliably!

[-Z-]

I've got a Zumo 550, and have had for a few weeks now. I can't complain really because it works very well so far and I got it for a super SUPER low price and it hasn't frozen up on me once yet. Mine's working just fine in the rain so far. But I am a little annoyed that almost immediately after I got what is supposed to be Garmin's best system, they're now coming out with something even better! Oh well, that's the price of progress, I suppose.

[bjay51d]

I just bought a megellan roadmate 2200t for $80. Its waterproof and has txt to voice, mp3,touchscreen and a few other goodies.Its a refurbished unit but for the price...Im turning into the refurbished King, I just got 20"HP monitor for $100 also.