Zumo 660LM vs Zumo 350LM

[vet2roux]

..and the two finalists for me are Garmin's Zumo 660LM and 350LM...to be mounted onto a 1200GS. The Zumo 660 has been around for a few years and I am wondering when it's production will end. I currently have a 660 on my wife's bike and don't want to purchase another 660 (especially at full list price) at the end of it's production cycle. Obviously Garmin won't say when this model will be discontinued but history suggests they may be getting close.

I understand the Zumo 350 is a newer model and I have compared each device's specifications on GPSCity and Garmin sites. My problem is that I like some features of both units. Perhaps my question boils down to personal preference but the Lifetime Maps is tied to the lifetime of the device and when a model is ultimately discontinued, so goes the "lifetime" map upgrades.

I would like to hear any opinions (+/-) regarding these two Garmin devices. I believe either would be great and maybe that's all I need to hear from the forum. Thanks!

[Emoto]

I believe that the 660 can display tracks (that you create or get from others) but the 350 cannot. Sort of important if you intend to navigate off-road by following a track that you have drawn in BaseCamp or that someone has supplied to you. Tracks are drawn over areas that have no routable roads. Not so important if you are a pure street rider.

[Albie]

I guess it comes down to which features you want the most. I don't see a clear winner really other then the 660 is cheaper.

[Albie]

Originally Posted by Emoto

I believe that the 660 can display tracks (that you create or get from others) but the 350 cannot. Sort of important if you intend to navigate off-road by following a track that you have drawn in BaseCamp or that someone has supplied to you. Tracks are drawn over areas that have no routable roads. Not so important if you are a pure street rider.

Doesn't the 660 just convert the track to a route like the 550 does? Kinda sucks the 350 won't do that.

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by Albie

Doesn't the 660 just convert the track to a route like the 550 does? Kinda sucks the 350 won't do that.

Not sure. I own a 350, so can speak with certainty about that one, but we need a 660 owner to chime in on the track issue.

However, in the 660 owners manual posted on the Garmin site, it says:

TOOLS > MY DATA > MANAGE TRIP LOGS then select the one you want to view. You can choose from "current" or a saved one.

I believe that Garmin calls a track a trip log, so that's how you do it.

[Emoto]

Thought of something else that may or may not be important to you. The 660 has only a basic detour feature. While navigating, you tell it to detour, and it does, but from what I have been able to gather, there is no way to tell it specifics; it just does something. On the 350, you can have "Advanced Detour" which lets you set a distance or a particular road to avoid. I've used it when following a route and encountered a road with a bridge out, and it worked well. We would need someone with firsthand 660 experience to comment on how well that one works.

[Mudcat]

Originally Posted by Emoto

I believe that Garmin calls a track a trip log, so that's how you do it.

You likely have an option there to Show your trip log too. This will show your tracks on the screen which I imagine you will be able to save as routes also.
My Zumo 450 does this

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by Mudcat

You likely have an option there to Show your trip log too. This will show your tracks on the screen which I imagine you will be able to save as routes also.
My Zumo 450 does this

On the 350, you have 2 track options:

1. Track Back
2. Where I've been

Track back shows the most recent track so you can follow your path back over where you just rode.

Where I've been lets you scroll back by date and pick any date that has activity. It will then display the track from that date. If there is a way to put something in there that you get from someone else or make yourself with a mapping app, I have yet to discover it.

[Albie]

Originally Posted by Emoto

On the 350, you have 2 track options:

1. Track Back
2. Where I've been

Track back shows the most recent track so you can follow your path back over where you just rode.

Where I've been lets you scroll back by date and pick any date that has activity. It will then display the track from that date. If there is a way to put something in there that you get from someone else or make yourself with a mapping app, I have yet to discover it.

You may be able to display a shared DL'd track if you name it as it's your active log. I know that's the only way to display it on a ZUMO 550.

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by Albie

You may be able to display a shared DL'd track if you name it as it's your active log. I know that's the only way to display it on a ZUMO 550.

Interesting that you say that.

Since that last post, I connected the 350 to the PC and began browsing the files. There is a GPX folder that has within it:

Current.gpx
Temp.gpx
Archive (which is a folder)

Within Archive are:

1.gpx
2.gpx
3.gpx
4.gpx
5.gpx
6.gpx

If I view a file with notepad, it appears to be a list of times and track points: (this is justr a small piece)

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no" ?><gpx xmlns="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1" xmlns:gpxx="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v3" xmlns:gpxtpx="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TrackPointExtension/v2" xmlns="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TripExtensions/v1" creator="zūmo 350" version="1.1" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1/gpx.xsd http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v3 http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensionsv3.xsd http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TrackPointExtension/v2 http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/Tra...xtensionv2.xsd http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TripExtensions/v1 http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TripExtensionsv1.xsd"><metadata><link href="http://www.garmin.com"><text>Garmin International</text></link><time>2012-10-12T15:35:13Z</time></metadata><trk><name>Active Log: 14 SEP 2012 18:20</name><trkseg><trkpt lat="42.087577" lon="-70.856438"><ele>65.03</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:20:36Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:course>0.00</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087577" lon="-70.856438"><ele>65.03</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:21:03Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:course>0.00</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087368" lon="-70.856429"><ele>63.58</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:21:09Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:speed>4.12</gpxtpx:speed><gpxtpx:course>134.12</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087371" lon="-70.856414"><ele>63.10</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:21:10Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:speed>2.75</gpxtpx:speed><gpxtpx:course>141.18</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087373" lon="-70.856407"><ele>62.62</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:21:11Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:speed>2.75</gpxtpx:speed><gpxtpx:course>139.76</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087374" lon="-70.856402"><ele>60.70</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:21:23Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:course>139.76</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087376" lon="-70.856388"><ele>60.70</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:21:33Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:speed>4.12</gpxtpx:speed><gpxtpx:course>96.00</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087388" lon="-70.856330"><ele>60.70</ele><time>2012-09-

Apologies to the OP for the thread drift here.

It appears that the 350, as it lets me scroll back through a list of dates, manages to access these gpx files. I wonder if I made a track and then saved it as a gpx, then took notepad and added it to one of the existing 350 gpx files, if that would work. I also wonder if there is any validation to the date field or if I could just put something weird in it, to make it stick out on the list for me to select.

[vet2roux]

All good comments so far. I've posted my original Q with Garmin and will forward accordingly. In the meantime I'm starting to think that although the clock is ticking on the 660, it also has been around long enough to warrant some respect. I really don't think the 350 is a replacement for the 660. I suspect Garmin has shaved off some features such as MP3 and photos which IMO don't really belong on a GPS.

Originally Posted by Emoto

Interesting that you say that.

Since that last post, I connected the 350 to the PC and began browsing the files. There is a GPX folder that has within it:

Current.gpx
Temp.gpx
Archive (which is a folder)

Within Archive are:

1.gpx
2.gpx
3.gpx
4.gpx
5.gpx
6.gpx

If I view a file with notepad, it appears to be a list of times and track points: (this is justr a small piece)

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no" ?><gpx xmlns="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1" xmlns:gpxx="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v3" xmlns:gpxtpx="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TrackPointExtension/v2" xmlns="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TripExtensions/v1" creator="zūmo 350" version="1.1" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1/gpx.xsd http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v3 http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensionsv3.xsd http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TrackPointExtension/v2 http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/Tra...xtensionv2.xsd http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TripExtensions/v1 http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TripExtensionsv1.xsd"><metadata><link href="http://www.garmin.com"><text>Garmin International</text></link><time>2012-10-12T15:35:13Z</time></metadata><trk><name>Active Log: 14 SEP 2012 18:20</name><trkseg><trkpt lat="42.087577" lon="-70.856438"><ele>65.03</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:20:36Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:course>0.00</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087577" lon="-70.856438"><ele>65.03</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:21:03Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:course>0.00</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087368" lon="-70.856429"><ele>63.58</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:21:09Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:speed>4.12</gpxtpx:speed><gpxtpx:course>134.12</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087371" lon="-70.856414"><ele>63.10</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:21:10Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:speed>2.75</gpxtpx:speed><gpxtpx:course>141.18</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087373" lon="-70.856407"><ele>62.62</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:21:11Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:speed>2.75</gpxtpx:speed><gpxtpx:course>139.76</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087374" lon="-70.856402"><ele>60.70</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:21:23Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:course>139.76</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087376" lon="-70.856388"><ele>60.70</ele><time>2012-09-14T22:21:33Z</time><extensions><gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension><gpxt px:speed>4.12</gpxtpx:speed><gpxtpx:course>96.00</gpxtpx:course></gpxtpx:TrackPointExtension></extensions></trkpt><trkpt lat="42.087388" lon="-70.856330"><ele>60.70</ele><time>2012-09-

Apologies to the OP for the thread drift here.

It appears that the 350, as it lets me scroll back through a list of dates, manages to access these gpx files. I wonder if I made a track and then saved it as a gpx, then took notepad and added it to one of the existing 350 gpx files, if that would work. I also wonder if there is any validation to the date field or if I could just put something weird in it, to make it stick out on the list for me to select.

[vet2roux]

Here's GPS City's reply to me:

"It is not that we can not tell you if a unit is at the end of its life. We do not know until Garmin announces it to everyone.

A1. The zumo 350LM is a lower end motorcycle GPS unit in my mind and I would not consider it a replacement for the zumo 660 because it has less functionality. The zumo 350LM is a little nicer looking than the 600. I think the zumo 350LM is more of a replacement for the zumo 220.

A2. Lifetime map updates are available at this time until your unit dies(lifetime of the device) or Garmin ends the program. The unit being discontinued will not end the lifetime maps on you. People buy lifetime maps for units that have been discontinued for many years with no problems".

Originally Posted by vet2roux

All good comments so far. I've posted my original Q with Garmin and will forward accordingly. In the meantime I'm starting to think that although the clock is ticking on the 660, it also has been around long enough to warrant some respect. I really don't think the 350 is a replacement for the 660. I suspect Garmin has shaved off some features such as MP3 and photos which IMO don't really belong on a GPS.

[Mudcat]

Originally Posted by vet2roux

Here's GPS City's reply to me:

A1. The zumo 350LM is a lower end motorcycle GPS unit in my mind and I would not consider it a replacement for the zumo 660 because it has less functionality. The zumo 350LM is a little nicer looking than the 600. I think the zumo 350LM is more of a replacement for the zumo 220.

Pay more and get less, huh? Garmin really is infuriating.

I bought a Zumo 220 when my Zumo 450 broke down. The 220 was very disappointing after having used a 450

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by Mudcat

Pay more and get less, huh? Garmin really is infuriating.

I bought a Zumo 220 when my Zumo 450 broke down. The 220 was very disappointing after having used a 450

In some ways less, but look at the comparison: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare....eProduct=15000

I mean, ok if you want an MP3 or Audio book player, then the 350 does lack those. But I view those as silly extras, like the maintenance log the 350 has, that the 660 does not. I would never use either. I have an iPod for all things audio.

To me the biggest thing is viewing tracks, which the 350 does not offer, although maybe the trick someone posted above would work, I haven't tried it. OTOH, I have not yet needed to view a track in many years of GPS use because I am not much of an offroad rider. Who knows, maybe that'll change.

The 350 does have advanced detours, allowing you to set a distance or a road to avoid, and the 660 does not.

The 350 holds 100 routes, the 660 holds 20.

The 350 has a map layer called "exit services" which is nice if you take the interstate a lot.

The 350 has a 7hr battery life, the 660 only 5.

[Mudcat]

Originally Posted by Emoto

The 350 holds 100 routes, the 660 holds 20.
.

Is that 20 routes total or 20 one thousand point routes?

My Zumo 220 does a lot more then my 450 but it doesn’t do anything as well IMO. Auto routing was the big one; I could not trust the 220. Luckily I was able to fix the 450 thanks to the Digitizer thread here. I was really missing the 450

I like being able to see my tracks, I do get off the map occasionally but only once have I needed to use them. And of course, sometimes I save my tracks as routes. But that’s rare; I am really not a fan of dedicated routes.

I like auto routing, I pick the roads as I go and the GPS unit just lets me know if I can get to my target by the road I have chosen. I find riding like that a lot of fun. It’s more work though then just making up a route and downloading into the GPS unit.

If I had to buy a new GPS today, it would probably be a Montana but I am not looking forward to it

I wasn’t criticizing the 350 really, though I don’t want one, I was reacting to what the guys at GPS city said about it.