Question for Anybody w/ the Zumo 550:

[Fishbein]

I would think most folks hook it up to the battery or an accessory block. The Zumo comes with a m/c mount that has all the necessary wiring. I hooked mine direct to the battery. It only draws power if the gps unit is in the mount.

. Excellent! Thyanks

 

[Fishbein]

I was about to order the Garmin Zumo 550 GPS for my Touring, but I just read the battery only lasts a few hours. I envisioned getting XM Radio and being able to cruise all day long, or on long trips, with access to some good tunes, in addition to the street mapping. Does the battery last longer than this, or has anyone hooked it up to the bike battery? Fish 8)

I don't know how long the battery life is, but I have used mine on a bike and in my truck with no problem. You can also order an additional battery from Garmin, but you need a screw driver to change it out.

And yes, the Zumo 550 does include a mounting cradle for both motorcycle and car/truck, which includes a wiring harness to connect to vehicle battery. So unless you're wandering around in the woods and get lost, I wouldn't worry.

That said, I love my Zumo 550. I'd be lost without it.

. Cool- I should have a screwdriver laying around somewhere. :lol:

 

[Fishbein]

The battery life is not great but the bike mount comes with a wiring harness tha tyou can wire stright to the battery.

. Thanks buddy good seeing you on fB. Sounds like that's the way to go. Wire it up.-

 

[Fishbein]

The few times I've run it on battery, it doesn't last too long.

Here's how I mounted mine....

. That's what I was worried about but since you guys have wired it ill get it and plan on that so I can listen to hendrix and zeppelin all day. Like your mount on the left- was thinking it might also work in the middle no? I assume nobody puts it by the throttle or there's too little room with the fluid.

 

[Captain Rich]

I have mine mounted on a center bolt from the windshield frame and run the cable straight through to the battery...chose NOT to put on in a circuit that is switched from the ignition: I leave it on alot when I stop for lunch, etc. because it takes so @#$% long to boot up when you have a 4gb chip full of music.

Also, beware: The XM Radio will only pass through to a hardwired set-up of either powered speakers or helmet speakers - it will not send the XM signal to a Bluetooth headset.

 

[owl]

http://www.zumoforums.com

Great forum for Zumo information. Almost as good as this forum.

Wash your mouth out, Nitebell, and go straight to bed without any supper.

 

[xhdskip]

I too ended up with lots of stuff to wire so I installed an 8 outlet accessory fuse panel to wire all the essentials to..that way you only have to connect it to the battery and then everything else into your new fuse panel...very handy...

Jeff,
Got a pic of that fuse panel, or a link or somethin?
Thanks,
skip

 

[Fishbein]

I have mine mounted on a center bolt from the windshield frame and run the cable straight through to the battery...chose NOT to put on in a circuit that is switched from the ignition: I leave it on alot when I stop for lunch, etc. because it takes so @#$% long to boot up when you have a 4gb chip full of music.

Also, beware: The XM Radio will only pass through to a hardwired set-up of either powered speakers or helmet speakers - it will not send the XM signal to a Bluetooth headset.

. I was planning on using regular old ipod headphones for the xmradio. Will that work?

 

[Fishbein]

http://www.zumoforums.com

Great forum for Zumo information. Almost as good as this forum.

. Thanks bud! Owl I just noticed your eyes change colors on my backbeery. Nice dude.

 

[GPMAZ]

I was planning on using regular old ipod headphones for the xmradio. Will that work?

At the risk of sounding too preachy, a custom made set of ear plugs with built in speakers would be much better. Not only would the sound be superior but you'd get the much needed ear protection. Speaking from personal experience once your hearing starts to deteriorate you can't get it back. Sorry for the mini sermon.