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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Edgewater, MD on 1/25/2010
Comments about GARMIN Nuvi 550 GPS Navigation System:
I bought this unit to make navigation on my F800GS motorcycle easier, which it definitely does. Gone are the days of checking and rechecking MapQuest directions through the map pocket on a tank bag, trouble seeing my directions in the dark, and having to keep backup directions in case it rains. Unfortunately, the unit has trouble staying connected to its power cable; at first I thought this was related to vibration on the bike, but the same thing happened on a recent 3300 mile trip in the truck. With somewhat over 10K miles using this unit since early December, I have found that it is great for getting you where you want to go, but that it doesn't do a good job of routing you there - this is solely a limitation of the route preferences - there aren't enough preference categories. For example, on last weekend's trip to Chisasibi,Quebec, the 550 routed us through downtown Ottowa on both the north and southbound legs of the trip. MapQuest and GoogleMaps' directions, with the advantage of more "avoids", suggested an all highway route that was far more time efficient. (Yes, the 550 was set for fastest route.) I've noticed similar issues with routing in our area. Personally, I think for $180, the 550 was a good investment, but there is no way I would leave on a trip without taking a paper atlas, and without running MapQuest/GoogleMaps to make sure the 550 is making sense. On another note, I think that having to buy extra cables, etc. to update the GPS is bull - it should come with everything you need to update it [...]
from North Babylon, NY on 1/7/2010
Comments about GARMIN Nuvi 550 GPS Navigation System:
This product is great and we have been using it constantly. I love all of the features especially when I go home and I have someone telling me how to go home. Can't get enough of it! Would buy it again in a second.
from De Soto, KS on 1/5/2010
Comments about GARMIN Nuvi 550 GPS Navigation System:
I bought this GPS mainly for use on a motorcycle. The main attraction was that it is waterproof like the Garmin Zumo line. It is a great alternative at a much lower cost. I've also used it in my car to do several trips and been very pleased.
Ease of use, clear, crisp screen, included maps and great volume are some of the best features of this gps.
from Michigan on 1/4/2010
Comments about GARMIN Nuvi 550 GPS Navigation System:
Purchased this Nuvi 550, which is waterproof, at the best price on Abe's of Maine website.
Purchased a Ram motorcycle mount to mount it to a snowmobile (this is why waterproof was needed). Will also use on ATV in the summer. Purchased a supplemental cord from another vendor to hardwire the Nuvi to the snowmobile battery.
Purchased (from a separate vendor) snowmobile and ORV maps for Michigan and downloaded them to the Garmin Nuvi 550. It was a little confusing to do...you have to download MapSource software from Garmin first. But once I did, the maps worked great. They were very accurate and when our snowmobile broke down, we used the GPS city navigator (which is the standard Garmin sofware) to find a hardware store (telephone number included in software) we could access from the trail. We bought parts, fixed the sled on the trail, and were on our way. Fantastic use of a GPS!!
Would highly recommend this product.
Remember to purchase a supplemental Micro SD card to hold maps you may wish to download!