GPS choices
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Re: GPS choices
Be careful of some of these online electronics stores. They advertise these great prices but when you try and actually get the product it's ..oops sorry out of stock or some other BS. Since most electronics have a 40% to 50% margin it's pretty hard to sell an item under cost and stay in bussiness. I was quite happy with getting my Zumo 450 for $429.00 from Amazon ( list price is $799.00) I know that with Amazon I'm dealing with an honest retailer and that they are an authorized Garmin dealer.
Re: GPS choices
Yes.AllanCook wrote:With all due respect, am I the only rider left on the planet who doesn't have GPS and who doesn't care about it? I guess it's cool and all, but my map-reading skills have done me just fine so far. And that's pretty far, I'm happy to say.
Re: GPS choices
"With all due respect, am I the only rider left on the planet who doesn't have GPS and who doesn't care about it? I guess it's cool and all, but my map-reading skills have done me just fine so far. And that's pretty far, I'm happy to say."
I was quite happy without a GPS but got one from my lovely wife for Christmas and now feel obliged to try and like it. It seems to loose it's memory during trips which makes me crazy.
Mark
I was quite happy without a GPS but got one from my lovely wife for Christmas and now feel obliged to try and like it. It seems to loose it's memory during trips which makes me crazy.
Mark
What is happening to my skin?
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
Where is that protection that I needed?
Air can hurt you too
Re: GPS choices
Re Techon Digital: I just found a website with about 200 complaints about these people (and none defending them). For example:
"Techon advertises the lowest prices, but has NO intention of honoring the order unless one also buys absurdly priced accessories. The accessories are priced two to three or more times what they sell for elsewhere. After placing the order on line, I received a phone call purportedly to verify my order. The person tried to sell me a battery claiming the one supplied by the manufacturer only lasted a few minuts. Then he tried to sell me wide angle and telephoto lenses. More than a week later, I called to ask why I had not received the camera, I was left listening to music. Called back three times and after giving the reason for my call was allways put on permanent hold without a word."
Oh well...
"Techon advertises the lowest prices, but has NO intention of honoring the order unless one also buys absurdly priced accessories. The accessories are priced two to three or more times what they sell for elsewhere. After placing the order on line, I received a phone call purportedly to verify my order. The person tried to sell me a battery claiming the one supplied by the manufacturer only lasted a few minuts. Then he tried to sell me wide angle and telephoto lenses. More than a week later, I called to ask why I had not received the camera, I was left listening to music. Called back three times and after giving the reason for my call was allways put on permanent hold without a word."
Oh well...
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Dr. Strangelove
- Double Lifer
- Posts: 1996
- Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2005 2:40 pm
- Location: #488Livin' in a Poor Man's Shangri.La
Re: GPS choices
re the zumo--there is an issue with some units sometimes not going on and requiring removal and replacement of the battery to fire up.
go to zumoforums.com and search "my zumo died."
I don't know what % of the units are involved, but mine is, and it did not go on this morning. This happens at least once a week.
This is NOT an uncommon problem and it is possibly battery related or firmware related. This is not an issue that I would consider a dealbreaker, but you need to know this. Most people say that Garmin customer service is very good, but a fix for this problem has not been forthcoming, though recognized.
JOhn
go to zumoforums.com and search "my zumo died."
I don't know what % of the units are involved, but mine is, and it did not go on this morning. This happens at least once a week.
This is NOT an uncommon problem and it is possibly battery related or firmware related. This is not an issue that I would consider a dealbreaker, but you need to know this. Most people say that Garmin customer service is very good, but a fix for this problem has not been forthcoming, though recognized.
JOhn
'09 Schwarze Blanche DuBois
Well, don't do that-Hippocrates
Well, don't do that-Hippocrates
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Dr. Strangelove
- Double Lifer
- Posts: 1996
- Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2005 2:40 pm
- Location: #488Livin' in a Poor Man's Shangri.La
Re: GPS choices
some followup
It died again this morning and when I tried to remove the battery, the 2mm hex screw was stripped. Can't get the damn battery out. Great!
I searched the zumoforums and , sure enough, this has happened to people also. Some have replaced the hex with a 3mm philips head screw. The tech rep said that would void the warranty. Again, great!
I called Garmin and am now sending the unit back to them. I tried to get them to cross ship and they wouldn't even though I would give them my credit card number. They said they had a low inventory.
Definitely keep looking around. You might end up with a zumo in the end, but there are issues with them. This will be my third unit since Christmas. The first one fell from the cradle, and, yes, that is also reported on the forums. That however is NOT covered by warranty and is a $200 flat fee.
John
It died again this morning and when I tried to remove the battery, the 2mm hex screw was stripped. Can't get the damn battery out. Great!
I searched the zumoforums and , sure enough, this has happened to people also. Some have replaced the hex with a 3mm philips head screw. The tech rep said that would void the warranty. Again, great!
I called Garmin and am now sending the unit back to them. I tried to get them to cross ship and they wouldn't even though I would give them my credit card number. They said they had a low inventory.
Definitely keep looking around. You might end up with a zumo in the end, but there are issues with them. This will be my third unit since Christmas. The first one fell from the cradle, and, yes, that is also reported on the forums. That however is NOT covered by warranty and is a $200 flat fee.
John
'09 Schwarze Blanche DuBois
Well, don't do that-Hippocrates
Well, don't do that-Hippocrates
Re: GPS choices
Amazon.com now has the Zumo 450 on sale for $400. That's the best price I've seen from a reputable source. I just ordered one.
Re: GPS choices
I'm using the TomTom Rider 2 and am quite happy with it ... over 10,000 kms now, with lots of rain, and no problems.NeilS wrote:Since there seems to be a bit of GPS discussion going on about now, it's time to ask again about options.
First, this seems to be a Garmin-oriented crowd. Anyone have any experience with the TomTom Rider (2)? Is it worth considering vs. a Zumo?
Second, I don't wear a headset while riding, so I don't care about spoken directions, Bluetooth, or XM radio. And I carry an iPod (soon to be iPhone), so I don't need MP3 in the GPS for off-bike music. So is there any reason to consider a Zumo 550 instead of a 450? Aside from (maybe) resale value, I can't think of one.
Howard