GARMIN Zumo 450 3.5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Customer Rating:




Total Reviews: 51
Best Offer: $349.99
By Supplier: Electronica Direct
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days




functional but the software inferface could be better
I am going to write a quick review. I first would like to mention that I have seen many Nav systems over the years. Way back when I was part of developing the portable Nav systems for in the car. This unit is nice and functions as described. The POIs are great and routes well ... but ... the user interface is not good. They don't display importan information and the menu system is hard to navigate through. They strongly lack in this area, I would recommend you try one in a local store first or consider some of the other models such as Mio Technology, iNav Corp, etc.
Sorry the review is so short but I hope this helps you in making your decision ... the point consider trying the interface or be aware there are better ones out there. All in all its a little over prices for what you get.
2008-11-04




when it works, it works.....usually......
Had the Zumo for 2 weeks now. Took a trip in the car ( I spliced a cigarette lighter adapter to end of power cord), everything worked for 2 days, 3rd nite Zumo told me to drive a 2 mile loop to head back to where I started before actually getting me on my way to a hotel it found. After that, no weird stuff for another day......then it runs me down 3 miles of gravel backroads to get to a winery that is less than 1/4 mile from an Interstate off-ramp (Interstate was part of route, too!). Get home, Zumo sits for a week, then it won't power up. Plug in pc cable to charge it (didn't think it should need it), nothing. Nothing in the owners manual about removing battery to "reset" device, found that on Garmin tech site. It worked, wish I had that handy tip a little sooner. 2 days later, all ok. This is my first GPS, don't know if the nav quirks are typical. POI's are pretty handy, found food and motels along the way. Curious what will happpen when I go for a cycle trip and don't have laptop w/ wifi for back-up. 2008-10-25




Garmin Zumo 450
I love this GPS unit. It is the first one I have owned and I am most impressed with how easy Garmin made everything about it.
I installed it on my bike in 20 minutes using only the tools included in my bikes tool kit. After that it was guiding me to my destination, never having read the manual.
You can use it without having to take your gloves off while riding if you need to find fuel, food, etc. (Although, for safety and liability reasons, the manual recommends you don't.) I haven't had a problem with it in the rain and the screen is easily viewed even in bright sunlight.
The included RAM mount holds it securely and can even be locked for those time you want to walk away from your bike and not completely disassemble it.
It is easy to navigate and find points of interest. The included software is out of date but the update is available for free by logging onto the Garmin website.
I would recommend the 450 to all my biker friends.
2008-10-15




Motorcycle GPS
Very pleased with this item. Does exactly as it describes and is all in one. Perfect for motorcycles. Some initial issues with the software freezing, but latest updates seems to have fixed that. 2008-10-13




GPS for motorcycles
Garmin Zumo 450 Portable GPS Motorcycle Navigator
A friend of mine has the Zumo 550, but I didn't want the XM Radio so I picked the Zumo 450. I have used it for over 7000 miles and am very glad that I have it. I take pictures on the road and being able to import them into the Zumo and then to a seperate SD card is a real plus. I don't have speakers hooked up to this Zumo yet so I don't know what the sound is like, but you can play MP3's through it. The screen is viewable in all but the most intense sunlight, the buttons on screen are large enough so that when you are riding and want to type on the screen to find something it is very simple.
The low gas feature is very nice also. You set the mileage that you can go on a tank of gas and it warns you 30 miles prior to that mileage. When you do get that warning, you just touch the fuel pump icon and the GPS gives you a list of the closest gas stations. The key to this is that you must have it on all the time when you are riding. I found that the speedo on my bike was off by 3-7 MPH, so I go by the speed shown on the GPS.
Installation was a 5 minute job. The longest part of the installation was lifting the gas tank up to run the wire to the battery.
The lock device leaves a little to be desired, but it works. I won't go into detail on that here, because it is a mechanical type lock and I don't want some thief to find out how to steal them. The good part about the theft deterent is that you can set a security point that the GPS will recognize as your home location so that if you forget your lock code, you can take it to your home location and it will unlock.
If your Zumo is stolen and the theif doesn't know the code or your home location they will have to send the unit to Garmin to be unlocked and it will be sent back to you.
2008-10-09