Bear in mind that prior to buying the Zumo, I've had numerous TomTom satnavs including the TomTom Rider. Moving to a Garmin was forced upon me by the unavailability of the Rider in the stores and the fact that they flatly refused to admit that they had stopped manufacturing the Rider because a new one was due out.

Anyway, I had previously looked at the Zumo and thought it was a major marketing error not including a BlueTooth headset device similar to the one that TT include with theirs. Basically, out of the box it is a "silent" navigator and I suspect that  that will put a lot of people off. Admittedly, I often used my TTR without the headset anyway, but at least I had a choice!  As it turns out, this glaring omission suited me perfectly because it meant that by purchasing a BlueTooth helmet, I could be completely wireless and that had to be worth something!

When it comes to installing the Zumo, it really couldn't be easier. There's a variety of fixing methods available to you and probably the most convenient is the one which attaches via the clutch-reservoir bolts. Needless to say, if you don't have hydraulic clutch, you'll need to use one of the other fixing methods - probably the U-Clamp.

The unit is best wired to a switched 12v supply to avoid having to keep recharging the Zumo batteries. A nice feature is that the unit activates itself when the bike's ignition is switched on and it also powers down when the ignition is switched off (after asking you to confirm). To find a suitable 12v switched supply for accessories on the Guzzi Griso, click here.

Once the cradle was installed, I plugged in the Zumo (a process which is abit more fiddly than the TTR) and secured it with the latch at the top. For added security, you can actually lock the latch down using a tiny tool which can be kept on your keyring. That's a great idea for when you can't be bothered taking it off the cradle every time you stop for a cuppa tea and a burger (which is often in my case).  It'll certainly foil the opportunist scrote from snatching it and running while your back's turned. Other security features include the option of activating a password so that the unit is useless to anyone else. I also installed a "REWARD IF FOUND" splashscreen.

Operationally, the Zumo isn't a great deal different to the TTRider. You tell it where Home is and then you tell it where you want to go by entering a street-address, a town/city, a postcode, LON/LAT co-ordinates, motorway junction or simply by browsing the map and pointing! There's also the usual "Favourites" and "Routes". A route is either something you previously planned on the PC or a route which you previously rode and saved at the end of the journey. The PC Software is a HUGE advantage over the TomTom Rider. It's great being able to plan a good rideout on the PC using very high resolution mapping software and simple point and click techniques. Once you've got your dream ride planned, you simply download it to the Zumo. I tried a couple of 100 mile runs and it worked an absolute treat out in the field. No doubt TomTom are planning to include something similar with their next release (or they'd better for their own good). Another bonus, is that you can share these routes with friends.

If you stumble across a great place while out riding, it is extremely simple to save it to memory. All you need to do is touch the bike-symbol on screen and it will ask you if you wish to save current location.  A nice, simple implementation of a valuable feature. POI's are organised into sensible categories and it's very handy, for example, to be able to find a hotel on the screen and then to be able to ring that hotel at the touch of a button!

Another thing I like is the fact that the Zumo camera warnings are much more "intelligent" than those on the TTRider. Not only do you get a warning, but you are also informed of the legal speed limit on that stretch of the road. And if you are below the speed limit, the audible warnings in the headset stop bleating. That's cool!

In addition to the navigation side of the device, there's also the entertainment value. There's a photo-viewer and an MP3 Player built-in. I fitted a 2Gb ultra-fast SD card to my Zumo to accommodate the music files and although I realise that I'm very critical when it comes to music listening devices, I have no hesitation in informing you that the sound quality from the MP3 player is truly shite!!!  It's just not worth listening to.  I don't know why, because the audio from the spoken nav-guidance is perfectly clear. It's a mystery and I'll have to see if something can be done about it when I have more time.

As for the navigation side of the Zumo, I have to admit that I'm still on a bit of a learning curve and some of the routes it chooses to known destinations are perplexing! Unlike the TTRider, there is no button to say "Avoid Motorways" so you have to opt for more minor roads and this is probably where I'm going wrong because It wants to take me on some very weird journeys. I'll have to play more (and read the damned manual probably) to get things sorted.

The DeLuxe version (which I bought) comes with UK and European maps and a very nice carry-case.

CONNECTIVITY

My mobile phone (SPV C600) connected to the Zumo with absolutely no problems whatsoever so it was time to connect a BlueTooth helmet.  I chose a Nolan Classic Flip with N-Com. The helmet comes as a regular lid but has the option to fit a headset (very neatly) and a BlueTooth module (equally neatly). It ain't cheap and it certainly won't suit everyone's wallet, but it is a good setup.

Once you've installed the Basic Kit headset and the BlueTooth Module, you need to introduce the helmet to the Zumo and once the process is complete, the Zumo will automatically connect to the helmet everytime it's switched on. Through the helmet's speakers, you can now hear the navigation directions, the MP3 songs (terrible audio), camera warnings and (of course) the mobile phone. The directions and phone audio are spot-on, so it is very puzzling to me why the MP3 side should be so incredibly poor. I'll have to search the forums and see what's happening.

In addition to using BlueTooth devices with this helmet, you can also make a direct-connection to the helmet using a multimedia cable, allowing you to plug in an Ipod or Autocom or Starcom, etc.  You can also order a lead for your PMR (bike-to-bike) radio. I'm still waiting for mine to arrive from www.customlids.co.uk so that I can use my Alan 456R radio.  It may seem a bit daft to connect a radio to the helmet using a cable when you've lashed out on a BlueTooth facility, but to my knowledge, there isn't a BlueTooth communication receiver on the market yet.  I guess that you could try installing an Autocom system with a BlueTooth option, but where do you stop??? At that rate, you'd soon be bankrupt!!

So, overall, I'm quite pleased with the SatNav / Helmet combo and would recommend it to anyone who hates wires. It all works faultlessly and all you need to do is remember to recharge your helmet when you get home. Compared to my Shoei Syncrotec II helmet, the Nolan Classic is far noisier and feels much less streamlined when travelling at speed, but it's far more comfortable around the ears because all the headset gubbins is a much better fit inside. The Nolan also benefits from a full-size Pinlock as opposed to the Shoei's Pinlock which only covers about 80% of the visor and leaves edges in plain view.  The Nolan also has a built-in sun-visor which is fitted to the outside of the helmet and flips up and down easily (surprisingly with no added wind noise). The only negative side to the sun-visor is the fact that larger insects (ie, bees) sometimes get trapped between the visor and the sun-visor. Grrrr!

As I get used to the setup, I'll come back and update this page.

9 April 07

UPDATE July 07: Received my lead for the helmet-to-radio after 3 months wait!!!  Contacting Nolan UK made no difference whatsoever. They really are a poor bunch and considering the noise from this helmet, I would no longer recommend it.  Worse still, there's been a number of occasions where the flip-front just refused to lock down. I find myself picking up my Shoei all the time these days - the Nolan was basically a waste of money. Grrrrr!

The satnav continues to work exactly as it should and I strongly recommend the Zumo.

OFFICIAL BLURB.....Garmin Zumo 500 DeLuxe
 

• Glove-friendly touch screen with left-handed controls makes it easy to operate
• High bright sunlight-readable, UV-resistant display makes it easy to view your screen
• Motorcycle console for trip information, including fuel gauge to warn you when its time to fill up
• Motorcycle mount with universal mounting hardware so you can mount it anywhere
• Included motorcycle mount and automotive mount (with integrated speaker) for riding or driving
• Custom caps, available in a variety of colours, to reflect your style
• Vibration-tested, waterproof and built with fuel-resistant plastics to withstand the elements
   

BUILT-IN MP3 PLAYER
 

NOLAN Flip      or      NOLAN Open

 

Various Screens
   

  

   

 

Features

• High-sensitivity GPS receiver
• Display: 2.8” W x 2.1” H (3.5” diag.), 320 x 240 pixels; high bright sunlight-readable, UV-resistant, touch screen display
• Unit dimensions: 4.8" W x 3.9" H x 1.6" D
• Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Removable lithium-ion battery; up to four hours of use
• Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling and navigation audio prompts
• Supports optional FM TMC traffic alerts
• Supports optional XM NavTraffic with XM weather, and XM Satellite Radio
• Preloaded maps - UK and Ireland
   
• Voice announces streets by name
• Look up addresses and points of interest
• Choose 2D or 3D map perspective
• Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones and safety cameras
• Built-in MP3 player and JPEG Picture Viewer
• SD card expansion makes it easy for storage and route sharing
• Export and review your travels in Google™ Earth with a free account from MotionBased.com
• Glove-friendly touch screen with left-handed controls makes it easy to operate
• Sunlight-readable, UV-resistant display makes it easy to view your screen
• Motorcycle console for trip information, including fuel gauge to warn you when its time to fill up
• Motorcycle mount with standard 4-hole AMPS pattern so you can mount it anywhere
• Includes Garmin Lock™, an anti-theft feature
• Custom caps, available in a variety of colours, to reflect your style
• Waterproof: IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 min.)

Technical Specifications

Navigation features

• Routes: Automatically calculated with turn-by-turn instructions; automatic off-route recalc shows how to get back on track if you miss a turn or exit; a detour function enables routing around traffic problems or road construction
• Voice: Navigation instructions and warnings with TTS (text-to-speech) — unit prompts you to “turn right on Main street”
• Traffic: Alerts for traffic, road construction and weather-related tie-ups. The Zumo uses data to suggest alternate routes before problems are encountered
• Waypoints: 500 with name and graphic symbol
• Trip computer: Resettable odometer, timers, average and maximum speeds

Moving map features

• Storage: Pre-programmed with City Navigator® NT, providing street-level detail and addresses, plus listings of restaurants, hotels, ATMs, etc. throughout UK and Ireland.
• Map Scale: Screen-width scale 640 feet to 4,000 miles
   

Theft deterrent

• Garmin™ Lock: When enabled, user must input PIN number to use device. Backup feature allows user to associate a security location, which will unlock unit when within 50 meters of that location

Calling options

• Hands-free calling: When paired with Bluetooth®-enabled cell phones, users can simply touch the Zumo screen to answer or disconnect a call
• Phone book: Stores contact numbers from paired phones
• Dialling: One-touch dialling for stored contacts, points of interest (POI dial) or home. Phones that support voice tags allow handsfree (voice recognition) dialling

Download options

• Location-based content: Garmin Travel Guide,™ SaversGuide® and custom points of interest (POIs). Preloaded safety camera database for Europe
• Others: Customized vehicle icons for moving map
   

GPS Performance

• Receiver: SiRFstarIII™ high-sensitivity GPS receiver
• Interfaces: USB 2.0 full-speed
• Antenna: Built-in patch; MCX-type connector for optional external GPS antenna connection
   

Physical

• Size: 4.4"W x 3.2"H x 2.87"D (11.3 x 8.2 x 7.2 cm)
• Weight: 0.59 pounds (269 g)
• Display: 2.8"W x 2.1"H (7.2 x 5.4 cm); 320 x 240 pixels; bright, 16-bit LCD, with white backlight and touch screen
• Case: IPX7 waterproof
• Temp. range: 32°F to 140°F (0°C to 60°C)
   

Power

• Input: 12/24v DC
• Usage: 15w max. @ 13.8v DC
• Battery life: up to 4 hours
   

Package contents

• Garmin Zumo 500
• Preloaded City Navigator® UK and Ireland
• Motorcycle mount with RAM mounting hardware
• Dashboard disk
• Carrying case
• AC charger
• Vehicle power cable
• Motorcycle power cable
• USB interface cable
• Security screwdriver
• Custom caps (silver and black)
• Garmin stickers
• Owner's manual on Disk
• Quick reference guide