The Zumo is a great motorcycle GPS but it does have its flaws.
The first thing you'll notice is that the Zumo doesn't come with a printed users guide. Garmin expects you to download the PDF version. It was easy to find on-line and this approach is fine since we're all supposed to be going green. What ships in box is a quick start guide. The web site says "installation instructions" are included but this is not accurate. The only installation information is contained in the quick start guide. It's pretty basic but more than adequate unless you want to attempt installing the wiring harness. If you plan on using the wiring harness you need to know how to tap into the electrical on your bike and handle all of the cable routing yourself or take it to a pro for assistance. (One note on the wiring harness: the cable doesn't include anything to cover the USB/power connector so if you install the harness and don't have the GPS unit plugged in the end of the power adapter is fully exposed to the elements.)
The second thing you'll notice is the device doesn't come with a wall charger. There is the permanent wiring harness and a car charger but they didn't include a wall charger. With a battery life of almost 8 hours I planned on just charging the unit at night and skipping the wiring harness since nearly all of my rides are under 8 hours. For the cost of the unit I was disappointed that I had to scavenge to find a power charger.
The battery life provided on Garmin's website states "up to 8 hours". I think this is a bit of a stretch. If you turn the volume off, turn the screen brightness down to under 50% (the default), and turn off Bluetooth you can get close to 8 hours. When riding with voice prompts, screen brightness at 80 to 90 (on a sunny day) and Bluetooth enabled I was able to get just over 5 hours of battery life. Still very respectable and more than most motorcyclists need for a single day.
One of the nicest features of the Zumo 220 is the ability to plan your routes on your PC and load them on to the GPS unit using Garmin City Navigator. It's easy to install but the unlock code, which is needed to use the maps, comes on a non descript yellow sheet that looks like something you should simply ignore or throw away. You need this special yellow sheet so be careful or you'll be explaining to your wife why you're digging through the garbage! Once installed and unlocked City Navigator is great. It's easy to use and simple to transfer routes to and from the GPS unit.
The GPS unit itself is a nice size but a little thick. If you're thinking you'll just throw this unit into your back pocket you can but there are two issues. First the unit is thicker than you expect and you will be aware of the bulge in your back pocket it's not a petite unit. Second there is no power lock and it's very easy to turn the unit on when inserting the unit into your pocket or when moving around. It would have been better to have some sort of power button lock. I've resorted to removing the battery from its waterproof compartment, which is easy and quick to do.
The user interface is very intuitive and most of the data fields presented on main page can be customized, even when in motion. The keyboard is easy to use and has two modes that basically change the size of the buttons on the screen to make it easier to use when wearing gloves.
One nice feature is the fuel tank alert. Just enter the total mileage you expect to get from a tank of fuel and how many miles before empty that you want warnings and the unit keeps track of everything. Interesting note: the unit has multiple modes like driving, motorcycling, scooter etc. The only mode that fuel tank alerts work is when in motorcycle mode.
Another solid feature of the unit is if you do switch between a motorcycle and a car the Zumo 220 remembers your preferences for the route types of each mode. This makes it nice not having to reprogram anything when going between modes.
I have encountered a few issues with custom voices downloaded from the Garmin Garage. On at least one of the custom voices the unit seems to get confused and reboots on occasion. Changing back to the preinstalled voices seems to have fixed this quirky problem.
I have a big v-twin and my bike has a healthy dose of vibrations, especially when accelerating or using engine braking. The Zumo 220 is rugged enough to handle the vibrations with ease and the RAM mounts that came with the unit work great. One note on the u-bar attachment for the handlebar: If you have larger handlebars than 1 inch you're going to need to run out to your local hardware store to get a larger u-bar. If you've got a 7/8" 1", like most people, you'll be fine.
Overall the Zumo 220 is a high quality unit that's easy to use, rugged and ready to hit the road. Just plan on doing a little extra shopping for things that Garmin should have included, especially given the high price point of this unit.
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I bought this to replace a Zumo 450 that was badly flawed from the day I got it. I annoyed me to have to spend so much money to replace something a year and half old, but I needed it desperately.
Cons
--The screen is really small
--Unlike previous generations, the controls are all touch screen. I liked the real buttons on the 450
--There is only one view in the trip computer. I liked the old one with the speed displayed largely in the middle
--MapSource is still pathetic. Transferring routes to the device is very slow and difficult. You have to cross check every route at large detail to find out if you did something like put a waypoint on the wrong side of a multiple lane road (which will lead MapSource to route you off the interstate at the next exit and go back to pick up that waypoint, then get you back on your desired route). Also, it is vital to set the route recalculation on manual or MapSource will occasionally decide to play practical jokes like routing you on dirt logging roads.
--Getting from menu to menu is more complex. There were times I had to hit "back" 3 or 4 times to return to the map
Pros
--Much faster to react and calculate than the 450
--Instant on
--The display, while small, is sharp
--Like the speed limit display on the side of the map
--You are able to decide which information shows at the bottom corner of the map from about 10 different things (arrival time, distance to destination, average speed, etc)
--The 220 comes with a car mount and charger and these were additional with the 450
Unlike the 450, the 220 does not have a locking screw to connect it to the RAM mount. I miss this because I used to feel comfortable running in for a coffee break with the device left mounted. The 220 is removed with only a flip lever, so I have to disconnect it and put it in my sidebags or pockets every time I leave the bike.
Unlike the 450, the 220 comes with bluetooth but that is sort of irrelevant to me.
The 220 uses a micro SD card instead of a regular one. These tiny little boogers are hard to install.
Of course, the big question is whether a Zumo is worth twice the cost of a Nuvi with similar features. I rode 920 miles in the two days after my Zumo arrived and hit some rain, so it was really nice to not have to stop and put a baggie over it.
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1> I sold my Nuvi 500 and bought the Zumo 220 so that I could have bluetooth audio.
The problem is that the GPS connects as a BT Cell Phone and not a BT Audio device. This means I can't connect my bluetooth cell phone to my Cardo Scala Rider G4 headset and make phone calls if the headset is paired to the GPS. My confirmation of the GPS's connection type was made by connecting the GPS to my Sony bluetooth radio; no sound plays if I have the radio set for BT Audio, only for BT Cell Ph.
Cardo weighed in on the matter and said:
When using the Garmin Zumo 220 with our headsets you will not be able to have any other bluetooth connections paired to the G4 or you will contunue to have connection issues. This GPS will not allow a headset and phone to have parallel connections that will allow all devices to communicate.
2> I wanted to use the GTM 25 FM Traffic adapter with the unit and use the GTM 25's USB plug instead of the hardwired plug that came with the cradle.
You can't do this because the GTM 25's USB plug is longer. The design of the cradle is such that there is a pocket to press on the end of the USB connector, holding this in. The standard one fits; the traffic one does not. So, you have a motorcycle GPS which supports traffic, but not on a motorcycle. I may try one of my Nuvi 500 holders which have an opening for the USB connector.
3> I bought this GPS because it has large letters for typing names.
You select which portion of the alphabet you want to see and you get a handful of large letters. The problem is the erase button in the upper right corner. It is not large. Good luck trying to press it with large gloves on. No typos allowed.
Honest reviews on Garmin zumo 220 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Motorcycle GPS Navigator
You get a lot for the Money. Comes with the Motorcycle Mount and the Automobile windshield Mount and the wiring to hard wire it into your motorcycle. A USB wire to connect to Computer. Does not come with a household wall plug charger. Also comes with a Car cigarette lighter plug to charge it and enable you to use it while driving down the road. Battery only last about 8 hrs otherwise. Just snaps out of the Motorcycle Cradle and snaps right into the Car windshield suction cup cradle. Has a large screen and an easy touch screen to manuever around. I like the on/off button on the top. Does all the things you now expect from a GPS.
Gives data fields such as odometer, Speed, heading, elevation, time to turn, arrival distance, arrival time, via distance, via arrival time, time to Via, stopped time, moving time, total time, and a few worthless fields such as sunrise, sunset, moving average speed, overall average speed, and maximum speed, and has a compass for walking, Very user friendly. Has a calculator, worthless world clock, worthless Unit Converter. Shows 2 data fields and zoom number and time when viewing the map and with a quick touch you can access all the data fields which I like to see.
All the screen Icons are Really large and the touch screen works really well. Talks to you very clearly and names the streets you are going to turn on. Has lane assist to make sure your in the proper lane to make the correct turn ahead. Sound mute if you don't want to hear anything and One of my favorites, You can shut the recalculating feature off.
Can tap into the bluetooth for your phone only. Got to have special set up for that too. Doesn't play bluetooth Music. They can probably cut the cost down eliminating that feature account most motorcycle riders can't hear anything anyway while moving 50-100 mph down the road. I see that as a worthless option.
You can put Pictures on it if you want. I don't see me using that feature. I guess you can use it to identify land marks you want to route to such as the space needle or something, or your pets picture for something to drool on while you driving/riding.
If you have 3 or 4 routes made up on you computer and want to transfer them to the Zumo you can only do one at a time not all at once. Then you have to go to another step "My Data" and import the route. Kinda a 2 step process that should only be one step.
DVD Software goes on the Computer realitively easy. Had a little trouble with some of the unlock process of the Map Source City Navigator North America NT. Called Garmin, got somebody immediatley, which blew me away, and within a couple minutes I was off the phone and enjoying my new Zumo 220.
OK so after all that I would highly recommend this Zumo 220. Everything is large and easily accessable and extremely user friendly. The price is a little steep and probably has some features you ain't gonna use. But if you buy one your not going to be sorry. It is a rugged unit and I love it. Go buy one for yourself!
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Aside from the slow performance of the software, and the expensive updates, there is an even bigger problem with Garmin. If you need parts or service, you will be severely disappointed.
I dropped my unit and cracked a part of the frame. The part that cracked came off the unit, but you can easily see that a replacement part would just snap into place. Problem is, they do not offer any parts for sale and have no way of obtaining them since they are manufactured in Korea. Since my unit is just beyond warranty, it would cost me $120 (minimum) to send the unit in and have them replace it with a refurbished one.
Oh, and I forgot to mention that I was on the phone for 40 minutes before I was able to even get this level of non-service.
No more Garmin for me. Ever.
***UPDATE: MAY 2012****
After updating the maps on my Garmin device last week, it stopped working. I phoned their support (again, I had to wait over 40 minutes before speaking to a human), and after 15 minutes of troubleshooting, the rep on the phone finally found out that the latest map update was known to render my particular device useless. Can you believe this? I was told I had to return my unit, and then they would send me a new (or reconditioned) one.
I just checked the status of my case, and guess what? They are BACKORDERED on my device.
DO NOT PURCHASE ANY GARMIN PRODUCTS UNDER ANY CONDITION! Their service and support is NOT ACCEPTABLE. I thought I was supporting a domestic company, but I was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.
