Garmin Zumo 550

I've just got my hands on one of these and, for a change, I'm actually reading through the instruction manuals while I work out how to use it properly for FLASH.

I know some of you lot use them, so are there any hints, tips or tricks I should know which aren't necessarily covered in the manual? What about websites for free downloads?

TakItWithMe - TakItWithMe - Google MyMaps Converter for downloading routes straight from google

phoo found a 'shortcut' tutorial I think (I certainly didn't have the patience), will give him a nudge

http://www.bestbikingroads.com/usefu..._Tutorial1.pdf

and

Things I now know about the Zumo..... - ::. UKGSer.com .::

hth.

Could try here. You'll have to register but it's a bit of a goldmine of info on the zumos.

Just use it. It's pretty intuitive.

Question on route planning (500 not a 550 but they're the same).

If I plan a route between start A and finish B, will it automatically reverse the planned route B to A or do I have to re-plan and import the return leg as a seperate route?

Originally Posted by mrlongbeard

Question on route planning (500 not a 550 but they're the same).

If I plan a route between start A and finish B, will it automatically reverse the planned route B to A or do I have to re-plan and import the return leg as a seperate route?

The latter.
Thats the biggest let down of the Zumo. You can't reverse a stored route.
It's dead simple to reverse them and save both on mapsource tho, just remember to rename the reverse route.

Ta.
I'll not ask

I'm really struggling with this, not helped by a missing software product key and a bug on garmin.com
I've been farting around with this for a few days now and I still can't work out how to plot maps on my PC then download them. Using the link to GoogleMaps above I managed to download the maps posted by Sunny and RB, but they changed by the time they reached the Zumo and it had put a handful of variations in.

I'm going to bite the bullet and read the instructions in the idiot's guide above somewhere.

I just can't work these complicated electronic thingummybobs any more.
I've turned into my dad.

Originally Posted by Adam

The latter.
Thats the biggest let down of the Zumo. You can't reverse a stored route.
It's dead simple to reverse them and save both on mapsource tho, just remember to rename the reverse route.

For me the biggest omission is not being able to prioritize certains roads...telling it you want the shortest can mean a maze of tiny B roads.....fastest takes everywhere by M'way.

I'd like to be able to tweak the plotting so it'll take a motorway section if it's easy, but the sonner it can get you back on to A roads, the better.

Originally Posted by Foxile

For me the biggest omission is not being able to prioritize certains roads...telling it you want the shortest can mean a maze of tiny B roads.....fastest takes everywhere by M'way.

I'd like to be able to tweak the plotting so it'll take a motorway section if it's easy, but the sonner it can get you back on to A roads, the better.

I don't find that an issue as I don't use it to tell me what route to go. I tell it what route I want to take and then it gives me directions to stay on it.

Long shot I know but, If any one has a spare or broken cap that goes over the pins on the cradle I'd happily take it of your hands

Garmin told me to take a running jump (out of warrenty) replacement mount is 50 odd quid and the cap alone is over 21 quid once the place I know has it in stock

Originally Posted by Muzzychuck

I still can't work out how to plot maps on my PC then download them.

I take it you have mapsource up and running?
Just use the "route tool" to plot the route, "selection tool" to alter it, then the "Send to device" button to er, well.....

Originally Posted by Adam

I take it you have mapsource up and running?
Just use the "route tool" to plot the route, "selection tool" to alter it, then the "Send to device" button to er, well.....

Thanks. I've managed to work as much out in the time since my last post, so I seem to be picking it up now that I've started concentrating on it
I'm finding it a big drawback that I've got no Bluetooth headset to go with it yet, but our Interphone FF Duo set should be here by the end of the week
That's what you use, isn't it?