GPS - OEM vs. Zumo

[kudzu]

Somewhere online I got the impression that the latest BMW GPS for the R1200R is a rebadged Garmin zūmo. When I last checked BMW's US website, however, the GPS's I found were the equivalent of older model Garmins. After searching several other BMW and Garmin websites, I am more confused than ever - sometimes too much information can be a problem.

Your thoughts on the most desireable GPS solutions for an R1200R would be appreciated.

If the BMW unit provides functionality that others do not offer, I am willing to pay the premium for the OEM item. OTOH, if the BMW unit is functionally similar to the Garmin equivalent, I don't need the BMW logo.

Thanks!

Ernie
'04 RT, '05 F650GS, '05 ST4s

[Lost Rider]

Welcome the the boards Ernie!



The BMW gps is a garmin. The "BMW" zumo is rebadged, not sure of the differences, but it looks the same to me. The other one is a Garmin streetpilot (2820??) with a few extra buttons... not necessary IMO. You can download the BMW software from garmin for free and install it into any streetpilot, giving you the BMW logo in the search menu, and anytime you're in the area of a dealer the BMW logo shows on the moving map just the same. I good buddy of mine just bought a k1200r with the BMW streetpilot, and paid 3 times as much as i did for my ebay refurb - with the BMW software installed they are the same minus the logo and a few extra buttons. I've never had a problem using my 2820 with gloves on...
Save yourself some cash and buy a intercom, or bluetooth helmet instead...

You will want to get the Garmin motorcycle kit to wire it in, and have the mount needed. You'll also need some kind of RAM mount that connects to the garmin motorcycle mount which you can mount on your handlebars.
Sounds like you're not too concerned about price, but if you're not going to use bluetooth and/or XM radio you can save even more cash and buy a Garmin 2610... basically the same thing without the extra features. Check out ADVrider GPS forum for everything you want to know about motorcycles and GPS.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37


you can get the Garmin BMW software here:
http://www8.garmin.com/support/collecti ... 0-00517-00

The Streepilot has more functions, better graphics, a larger screen and is better than the zumo, at least for me... I tried them both. As a matter of fact I love the streetpilot enough that it sits on top of the $2100 BMW GPS unit built into my car...

[MrChicken]

Hey Ernie, welcome ...

The Garmin-BMW look-a-like is yet to make it here to Oz, but I own the Garmin Zumo 550 which I thought was the near equivalent of the BMW version. My dealer here says they sell very few BMW badged GPS units because of the price premium (which I understand is close to 100%).

In my opinion, the Zumo 550 is a superb unit, and while it's at the premium end, it's still great value compared to the BMW version. I had mine professionally wired to the R12R and it works a treat. There's a bunch of different mounts available, but I simply use a couple of clamps to mount the unit low on the handlebars. Garmin also has regular updates to their software which are a breeze to download - not sure if it's as easy with the BMW branded version.

My personal view is to go with the Garmin product rather than the BMW kit. It's easy to transfer sometime down the track as well.

Geoff

[famousperson]

I don't care what features the BMW-branded GPS has, it isn't worth 2 -3 times what the equivalent Garmin costs. My Zumo is perfect for my needs, and the 2820 I use in my cars is better than the $2000 system in my truck. In fact, they both have features I'll never use. On my bike, I use the Ram-like handlebar mount that came with the Zumo, and it works perfectly. You can get a RAM mount for the 2820 from CycleGadgets. I believe the 2820 is discontinued but I recently saw one on eBay for a bargain price.

[deilenberger]

While it's rare Joe and I disagree.. I'll comment here:

The other one is a Garmin streetpilot (2820??) with a few extra buttons... not necessary IMO.

Actually - closer to the 2720, but with BlueTooth and the proprietary buttons and BMW's "compass" screen (of marginal use to me.. but apparently off-roaders find it useful..)

The extra buttons are the reason I lusted after a Navigator-III (finally found one on Ebay - new - for a bargain price)..

I have the 2720, and the Navigator-III from BMW. The buttons to me are really a GOOD THING. If you've ever used a 2720 (or 2610 or 2820) on a bike, you'll rather quickly find the on-screen use of the zoom feature while riding to be VERY frustrating. It doesn't work well with gloves. That's the reason BMW added the buttons on the cradle - the "+" and "-" (zoom) on mine get used ALL the time. They work with gloved fingers.

The BMW NAV-III also has Bluetooth, which works wonderfully with a Jabra bluetooth dongle I bought and a set of Eytemotic er6i's earbuds. No more walking away from the bike and getting the earbuds painfully yanked out of my ears.

The BMW Nav-III doesn't have the capabilities for MP3's, radio or traffic that the 2820 has, but I don't really miss these fetures. What I would miss is the buttons.. once you have them, you don't want to go without them.

And no - the BMW cradle won't work with anything except a Navigator GPS from BMW..

[Lost Rider]

While it's rare Joe and I disagree.. I'll comment here:

The other one is a Garmin streetpilot (2820??) with a few extra buttons... not necessary IMO.

Actually - closer to the 2720, but with BlueTooth and the proprietary buttons and BMW's "compass" screen (of marginal use to me.. but apparently off-roaders find it useful..)

The extra buttons are the reason I lusted after a Navigator-III (finally found one on Ebay - new - for a bargain price)..

I have the 2720, and the Navigator-III from BMW. The buttons to me are really a GOOD THING. If you've ever used a 2720 (or 2610 or 2820) on a bike, you'll rather quickly find the on-screen use of the zoom feature while riding to be VERY frustrating. It doesn't work well with gloves. That's the reason BMW added the buttons on the cradle - the "+" and "-" (zoom) on mine get used ALL the time. They work with gloved fingers.

The BMW NAV-III also has Bluetooth, which works wonderfully with a Jabra bluetooth dongle I bought and a set of Eytemotic er6i's earbuds. No more walking away from the bike and getting the earbuds painfully yanked out of my ears.

The BMW Nav-III doesn't have the capabilities for MP3's, radio or traffic that the 2820 has, but I don't really miss these fetures. What I would miss is the buttons.. once you have them, you don't want to go without them.

And no - the BMW cradle won't work with anything except a Navigator GPS from BMW..

Different strokes for different folk's.
I guess something the OP will have to decide...
I don't find it hard to get around with the 2820 with gloves, and I love the MP3, radio, and traffic. I'll load up some music or an audiobook before a trip so I don't have to use an ipod (allowing me to control the tracks somewhat safely while riding), or listen to XM.( if you listen to it enough, no matter the channel they repeat songs)


So how good does the Jabra bluetooth dongle work? is it in stereo? not having to plug in would be cool, I just wouldn't want to give up ANY quality or volume.

[deilenberger]

So how good does the Jabra bluetooth dongle work? is it in stereo? not having to plug in would be cool, I just wouldn't want to give up ANY quality or volume.

IF the bluetooth source is stereo - it's stereo. The NAV-III is mono - no reason for stereo since there isn't any music. Sound is great - I have to run the volume all the way down.. and it just sits in my 'stich pocket and connects when I get within about 10 feet of the GPS. I can track down the model# if you want. Cost was > $50. It has media player buttons on it (FF, FR, track) but since it's in my pocket chances are slim to none that I'd ever use them. It also has a built in microphone for phone use - ditto on that. I don't talk on cell phones when in motion, I'd get dizzy and fall down (also can't pat head and rub stomach while twirling my great toe on my left foot..)