Zumo 665 installation Woes!

[afulldeck]

Emmbeedee, I would welcome a SAE or SAE like connection directly to the device.

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by afulldeck

Emmbeedee, I would welcome a SAE or SAE like connection directly to the device.

There's nothing stopping you from putting the SAE connector on the bare wires of the power cable.

[RealOldDualSportGuy]

We upgraded from a 550, with the thoughts of utilizing the Powerlet Handle Bar Power mount (which we used with the 550) and a short Powerlet cable to the Power outlet mounted on the bars.

Unfortunately as the OP has pointed out, it does not work.

The Garmin Bundle of Snakes Motorcycle mount is too busy and has way more connections than we want or need.

And yes the OP is correct in that there is no Quick Disconnect for the 660/665 (like there was/is for the 550).

Again the OP in our opininon is correct when he says the lack of engineering on the part of Garmin has made this unit less user friendly.

And as for the "crack" about doing advanced research, how would you suggest that be done? You buy from reputable vendors and expect a quality well designed piece. Especially for something that is specifically esigned for use on a motorcycle.

Enjoy

[afulldeck]

The OP says thank you....

[FatChance]

Originally Posted by RealOldDualSportGuy

And as for the "crack" about doing advanced research, how would you suggest that be done?

Really? This is a sub-forum about getting informed advice about various GPS units that would work "for me". Besides putting a single post into this sub-forum or others elsewhere and asking existing motorcycle riders who are also device owners about the connections and capabilities or simply their satisfactions and dissatisfactions with the device one is considering before spending $1K on a new GPS one is not familiar with? I think I read several hundred posts about the Montana I ended up buying to replace my 276C and posted several additional requests for information before only spending about $600 total and buying one. It lives up to my informed expectations completely! Other than that, there are only one or two other options that spring to mind...

Enjoy!

[Emmbeedee]

Originally Posted by FatChance

Really? This is a sub-forum about getting informed advice about various GPS units that would work "for me". Besides putting a single post into this sub-forum or others elsewhere and asking existing motorcycle riders who are also device owners about the connections and capabilities or simply their satisfactions and dissatisfactions with the device one is considering before spending $1K on a new GPS one is not familiar with? I think I read several hundred posts about the Montana I ended up buying to replace my 276C and posted several additional requests for information before only spending about $600 total and buying one. It lives up to my informed expectations completely! Other than that, there are only one or two other options that spring to mind...

Enjoy!

+1

We volunteer to help people make decisions, preferably before they make what they might consider in retrospect a bad purchase. We're hardly likely to agree that any piece of equipment is badly designed simply because it doesn't meet someone's expectations.

[blakrj]

Originally Posted by Emmbeedee

+1

We volunteer to help people make decisions, preferably before they make what they might consider in retrospect a bad purchase. We're hardly likely to agree that any piece of equipment is badly designed simply because it doesn't meet someone's expectations.

+1

To the OP - Don't really see this as a Garmin issue, but a lack of research to start with. A very simple check would be to have taken a look at the manual before dropping a grand. The mount remains installed on the bike - USB does not make sense. Want to talk standards, just check the different specs on USB alone. However, a bike battery and regulated power is 12V DC. Plain and simple. As for not wanting all the wires - you can buy a modified mount from various sources that only have power, or easily modify it yourself. On the other hand, best of luck finding an alternative with all the same functionality, that does connect to a USB.

[jimmyvr65]

Originally Posted by afulldeck

Not sure where to start, since after spending nearly 1k on the Zumo 665 and excited to get it. I bought it to be used with my scala rider G9. Bluetooth instructions! Unfortunately out of the box, I was disappointed, no I was extremely disappointed. Its disheartening to feel this way after spending that amount of cash. Worse yet, I haven't even begun to use it.

Here are the issues I've encountered already:

1) When I read the specs for 655, I understood I could charge and provide power to the 655 through a USB port. Indeed, even the quick start manual said, you could power the 665 through a USB port. So naturally, I thought I could power it up and plug into a USB power source and begin to use the 655. Nope. It doesn't work that way. I can plug it into a PC for map updates only. Now I suppose that might be okay for some users, but unfortunately my bike has been fitted with all weather UBS ports. Meaning I could provide power to all my electronic devices through USB ports including: my blackberry, my ipod, my old gps. Any other device that could handle USB to USB, USB to mini-USB, or USB to micro-USB. Why not the zumo 665?

2) The Unit did come with a automotive adapter, great for my car. But I don't have automotive sockets installed on my bike and I avoid them like the plague. They are big and awkward for a motorcycle. That technology is too old. So, does any one know where I can get an "automotive adapter like cable" that has a USB end instead of the huge male end for the 665?

3) Finally, motorcycle cradle with the main power cable is an issue. Why isn't there an option to unplug the headphone jack, microphone jack, and xm mini-USB from this cable? The last thing I want is dangling unused cables under my frame. Even if I tape them up, the fact that they are there 'dangling' and will never be used is going to just annoy me. Yes, I am a perfectionist.

If there is a positive answer to number 2, I would use the car cradle on the bike instead of the one provide.

I'm so disappointed.

Hello afulldeck,
For Item #1 above, have you tried to use using a Mini USB adapter from powerlet (www.powerlet.com) part number PPC-024?
I had a very similar issue with one of my Garmins... This device works well and is cheap
It also allows you to charge your Garmin when plugged into a PC.

I hope this helps you out on at least one of your problems.

Jim

[acejones]

There will never be a standard on GPS connectors. All you have to do is look at the absurd variety of batteries out there to understand that. The manufacturers don't want a standard.

[Jooka]

+1

To the OP - Don't really see this as a Garmin issue, but a lack of research to start with.

If you aren't looking for what you are buying in exact specs to what you want, you will never have an excuse in mind.

[advNZer?]

i dont own a gps but i cant imagine NOT having some sort of mount or cradle to mount it near your normal feild of view whilst riding the bike.Sitting in the top of a tank bag would not be my idea of user freindly

[dholaday]

I got a little lost in all the back-and-forth over the OP's original post. But if the crux of the problem is the power cable connection maybe this will help [altho it's for a 660, IIRC it also works for the 665].

http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/3...ick-Disconnect

[millsan1]

I have the same issue, but knew about it before purchase.

I too have weatherproof USB connectors on my bike for phone and GPS. Much cleaner than SAE or cigarette or powerlette, IMHO.

But, I knew the USB would not work for the 665 and planned on and will make a connection to the power on the bike directly. NBD in my case, I will just tap into the wires for one of my USB adapters. Will take 5 minutes. But I do hear him about the giant jumble of wires. Just ugly.

[74C5]

If you try to use a Scala G4 with that 665 for music and a intercom with pillion or riding buddy, you'll really have something to bitch about. There is a firmware incompatibility between the two.

[lhendrik]

Oh man, maybe the OP should have asked for advice on his planned install before spending $1000 on stuff he was doomed to not like. This cannot end well. Money is not the answer amigo.