Zumo 450 - Text-To-Speech Needed?

xshelton · 03-08-2007, 04:52 PM

lookin at the zumo as my next purchase.

And I'm not sure I'd miss the bluetooth as I like to go wired.

Other than that I see that the 550 also offers Text-To-Speech. Garmin.com doesn't have a manual up for the 450 yet so I'm not sure this feature is something I'd want. Can someone elaborate? I read that the 450 does indeed give turn by turn voice commands but how does this differ from Text-To-Speech?

Also, can someone confirm if the 450 has an audio out jack like the 500/550?

Thanks for your time!

sachiwilson · 03-08-2007, 05:59 PM

I have a 550 and I'm deaf. I thought I would want to fabricate something that would at least change the audio signals to a light that I could see as a warning to check the screen, but I've found it unnecessary. The Zumo has a fairly easy-to-read "announcer" on the screen that lets you know when the next turn on your route is coming up. So, I just look over at it every so often and I'm golden.

If I had known the 450 was in the works, I may have waited for it instead of getting the 550. However, I don't regret my purchase.

xlcr · 03-08-2007, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xshelton

lookin at the zumo as my next purchase.

And I'm not sure I'd miss the bluetooth as I like to go wired.

Other than that I see that the 550 also offers Text-To-Speech. Garmin.com doesn't have a manual up for the 450 yet so I'm not sure this feature is something I'd want. Can someone elaborate? I read that the 450 does indeed give turn by turn voice commands but how does this differ from Text-To-Speech?

Also, can someone confirm if the 450 has an audio out jack like the 500/550?

Thanks for your time!

The text-to-speach attempts to pronounce street and waypoint names. The voice commands just string pre-recorded voice clips together to give general directions. ("turn right in 500 feet")

xshelton · 03-08-2007, 07:52 PM

OK so what I'm hearing is the 450 will give audible warnings of upcoming turns. So it must have an audio out jack because it doesn't have a speaker?

And the 500/550 goes one step further and would try to pronounce let's say an upcoming waypoint that you entered. Is that about it?

xlcr · 03-08-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xshelton

OK so what I'm hearing is the 450 will give audible warnings of upcoming turns. So it must have an audio out jack because it doesn't have a speaker?

Most likely. But it wouldn't hurt to check the specifications before ordering one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xshelton

And the 500/550 goes one step further and would try to pronounce let's say an upcoming waypoint that you entered. Is that about it?

Only if you select a TTS voice from the menu. Otherwise it's the pre-recorded clips.

S/W · 03-10-2007, 09:56 PM

I have a 3200 and a c330. they will tell you to take a right or left, but, not the name of the street. This seems fine and I bought the c330 because I realized that I didn't need the voice text or other features that the Zumo 450 has. The c330 is very cheap now and has all the maps built in, and voice directions, thats all you really need.

xshelton · 03-11-2007, 07:54 AM

We'll I went ahead and bought the Zumo 550. Because it's been out longer the discounts are greater on it which was only a difference of abou $60 more. I figure I might use the xm radio at the least. Later on after the 450 drops in price it may make more sense to get that one over the 550 if you don't think you'll use it's features but right now you might as well go whole-hog!

xlcr · 03-11-2007, 12:44 PM

Sometimes the TTS can be a PITA. With normal voice prompts, it tells you , "turn right in 500 feet". TTS says, "turn right on main street". So you end up having to search for the named street or look at the Zumo to get the distance. With poorly marked cross streets, it can get annoying.

03-08-2007, 04:52 PM	#1
xshelton ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jul 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Oddometer: 37	Zumo 450 - Text-To-Speech Needed? lookin at the zumo as my next purchase. And I'm not sure I'd miss the bluetooth as I like to go wired. Other than that I see that the 550 also offers Text-To-Speech. Garmin.com doesn't have a manual up for the 450 yet so I'm not sure this feature is something I'd want. Can someone elaborate? I read that the 450 does indeed give turn by turn voice commands but how does this differ from Text-To-Speech? Also, can someone confirm if the 450 has an audio out jack like the 500/550? Thanks for your time!

03-08-2007, 05:59 PM	#2
sachiwilson Studly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Sandy Eggo Oddometer: 782	I have a 550 and I'm deaf. I thought I would want to fabricate something that would at least change the audio signals to a light that I could see as a warning to check the screen, but I've found it unnecessary. The Zumo has a fairly easy-to-read "announcer" on the screen that lets you know when the next turn on your route is coming up. So, I just look over at it every so often and I'm golden. If I had known the 450 was in the works, I may have waited for it instead of getting the 550. However, I don't regret my purchase. __________________ Lucky in Love http://www.yearroundriders.com

03-10-2007, 09:56 PM	#6
S/W Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Massachusetts Oddometer: 306	voice text I have a 3200 and a c330. they will tell you to take a right or left, but, not the name of the street. This seems fine and I bought the c330 because I realized that I didn't need the voice text or other features that the Zumo 450 has. The c330 is very cheap now and has all the maps built in, and voice directions, thats all you really need.

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03-08-2007, 07:52 PM	#4
xshelton ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jul 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Oddometer: 37	OK so what I'm hearing is the 450 will give audible warnings of upcoming turns. So it must have an audio out jack because it doesn't have a speaker? And the 500/550 goes one step further and would try to pronounce let's say an upcoming waypoint that you entered. Is that about it?

03-11-2007, 07:54 AM	#7
xshelton ^OP Adventurer Joined: Jul 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Oddometer: 37	We'll I went ahead and bought the Zumo 550. Because it's been out longer the discounts are greater on it which was only a difference of abou $60 more. I figure I might use the xm radio at the least. Later on after the 450 drops in price it may make more sense to get that one over the 550 if you don't think you'll use it's features but right now you might as well go whole-hog!

03-11-2007, 12:44 PM	#8
xlcr Stop being a dick, dick. Joined: Feb 2004 Location: SoCal Oddometer: 4,895	Sometimes the TTS can be a PITA. With normal voice prompts, it tells you , "turn right in 500 feet". TTS says, "turn right on main street". So you end up having to search for the named street or look at the Zumo to get the distance. With poorly marked cross streets, it can get annoying.