GPS - 60csx vs Zumo 550

[Karson]

Yesterday I about sealed the deal on a Zumo 665 off craigslist for $700 shipped (XMRAD puck, etc..), but ultimately passed on it, just because it was a bit out of my comfort range of cash for a GPS at this point. I come from a KLR, remember

Anyway, it looks like used 550's are much more in my budget at this point in the game. I've got a 60csx that I had mounted on a touratech mount on my KLR - good unit for all that it is. However, I'm a little concerned I won't be able to see it mounted on the touratech windshield bracket up front.

I'm not necessarily looking for pros/cons, although if someone has both and chose one over the other on their S10, I'm all ears! What I'm looking for is are there any surprises on the 550's that I should be weary of? Bad screens, routing inaccuracies, etc...

Thanks in advance,
Karson

 

[Brntrt]

I have a Delorme 30, a Garmin 60 clone, on mine and I have no issues at all seeing it. It came off a KLR so the price was right.

 

[markjenn]

I've had a 60CSx for five or six years now. Great unit. But I ride lots of my friends' bikes and most are using Zumos or Nuvis of one flavor or another.

It really is a apples-oranges kind of comparison. The Zumos have a much bigger screen, are easier to read, and the touch-screen interface can be a lot easier for many operations. OTOH, they pretty much require that they be hard-wired to the bike. And I find the interface and information they provide to be "dumbed down" to appeal to a more casual user. I very much value the ability to swap the unit quickly and easily between five different bikes, to be able to throw it in a tank bag when I leave the bike, and the ability to use it when hiking, biking, etc.

If you've climbed the learning curve of the 60-series and can make it do what you want, I'd just continue to use it and leave the cash in your pocket. I mount mine on the left mirror mount with a RAM bracket and it is close enough that I can read it fine, although I do have to be wearing bi-focal sunglasses with reading lenses for my 59-yo eyes. (I like Coyotes for this.)

- Mark

 

[Karson]

I ended up grabbing a 665 off craigslist with the 40 series XM puck. Will most definitely be keeping the tried and true 60CS for off-bike adventures, but I'm planning on getting the touratech lockable gps mount and probably leaving it on the bike moreso than not.

Thanks for the advice!