Zumo repairs

[Craig67]

The power dot under the unit has worn away so can't power the unit in the cradle and as the unit then thinks it is stand alone because it works on the battery won't talk to me or do the music/ petrol thingy stuff.

Any recommendations on who to send for repair or if you can just get the block and I can fit it myself. Cradle is ok.

[Redeye]

Garmin will replace it for ?111.00. Usually with complete new boxed unit. I got my 550 swapped out for a 660 the other week because they had no 550's in stock. Result!!!

[Craig67]

The garmin site I looked at was American, have you a link to the UK one?

[Big Dave]

try this,

http://www.garmin.com/uk/

You will need to contact them and get a reference number before you send it off.

Garmin Europe
Liberty House
Housdown
Southampton
SO4 9LR

Big Dave

[Craig67]

Well after over an hour on hold ( good job it was freephone) I eventually got through to them. They no longer give support or repair the 400/450 unit. although the hardwear is the same as the 500/550 and that is what has let me down they wont even entertain looking at it. All they do is recommend I look on the internet for someone who does independent repairs. 

[Mark H]

Craig, can you send me a photo of the bit that has worn and I'll ask the electronics guys at my works if they can sort it.

[hondapaneuro]

Same thing happened to my Zumo 550 - burnt the power contact away - I reckon this was due to the way I had it wired. The power pin on the cradle was always live so that I could program the unit when the bike was off and when I turned off the bike the Zumo stayed on. I think what happened each time I put the Zumo in the cradle it arced a tiny amount and eventually burnt it away. I tried a blob of filed down solder on what remained of the contact but it wouldn't take well enough and fell off. Next, I took it apart to see if a small piece of wire could be soldered in - no chance, the contacts are fed by a ribbon cable through a waterproof silicone bed.
I put a post up on the international Zumo forum re this problem and with a stroke of luck a guy (who I'd spoke to one day in Portrush about his Africa Twin completely unrelated) responded by offering me his broken Zumo 400. So with a bit of fiddling I put all my 550 internals into the 400 and all was/is well.
So, you might try looking for a 400 or similar with a dud screen etc.
I have since rewired the cradle so power only comes on with ignition (anyone else using a 'live' cradle - you have been warned). Also I use Contralube (from Maplins) to ensure good electrical connection between the cradle and Zumo.

[LazyRider]

I have a Garmin 2610 that cost me some ?650.00 7/8 years ago.  It has worked well, but now the maps are well out of date.   So, I bought a Garmin Nuvi for some ?100.00 + a waterproof case ? for use on the bike.   The Nuvi has good maps but the new PC route planning programme is not as good as the one with the 2610.     Also the Nuvi was slow in noticing that I was 'off route' and made a song and dance about re-routing.   I was not happy with it.

Whist 'thumbing' through ebay I came across a 5? GPS unit from China.  I bid ?40.00 for it, but lost out to a bid of ?45.00.   Then I got a message saying that I had a second chance and the seller was willing to let me have a unit for ?40.00.   So I sent of my money via PayPal.

Some 2 weeks later the GPS unit arrived along with a ball joint mount and a cigar lighter charger.  A mains charger and a UBS cable.
 
I did a google search and found some specifications and various instructions ? mostly on American sites and Ytube

I found that the mapping was iGO 8.   Whilst there was no PC programme to allow pre-planning before entering the routes on the Unit, with the built in battery it was fairly simple to enter routes with the Unit off the bike.  The Unit also had a plug for earphones ? something the Garmin has not got.

I used the two units together ? in the car ? on a trip to my son in Uckfield.  Both units came up with the same route.  But as I never leave home as any GPS ever suggests, straight away they were having to re-route.  The Chinese unit almost instantly noticed the detour and said 're-routing', which it did instantaneously ? and continued to do so for the next 2/3 miles until I was on the A12.
The Nuvi said the usual 'off route' and continued to say 'off route' ? without making any suggestions ? until I had been on the A12 for about 4 miles.  Both units then behaved themselves until I got to Tonbridge Wells, when another detour confused the Garmin.   I got so fed up with it, I turned it off!

The Chinese unit continued to take my detour in its stride, almost reading my mind as to the route I intended to take.

The iGO display, mapping and directions are far superior to the Garmin.   Satellite reception is better ? I have no problem in picking up satellites whilst sitting indoors, by a window.

As a bonus, more appreciated by my grandchildren than me, is that with 4GB of internal memory and a 8GB mini card, I can download Android games, photos, music and all sorts of Apps.  The internal battery can keep small minds entertained whilst others enjoy a pub lunch.

I have been so impressed with It, I lashed out another ?40.00 to buy and Android Pad from the same people.   This did come with an instruction manual, but again more information was gathered from a Google search.  It picks up my own and my daughters Broadband signal with no problem.  Surfing the web and emails are all OK ? once the Grandchildren had sorted it out for me!

My second grandson ? 11 years old ? was so impressed he ordered one within half an hour of playing with mine ? in his own house.    For this years Christmas presents I allowed each of my seven grandchildren to use my ebay account to buy up to ?50.00 of goods.   If the plan is to be repeated will depend upon their parents reaction to some of their purchases ? if they find out!

[Craig67]

Craig, can you send me a photo of the bit that has worn and I'll ask the electronics guys at my works if they can sort it.

I sent it off on Monday to a independent place in London. ?57.99  for the repair.

[Craig67]

When I get the unit back I will have to change the wiring as I too have the live fed from the battery and is always live. I will put it on to the ignition system so is only on when the bike is on.

[tomhowe]

I have been so impressed with It, I lashed out another ?40.00 to buy and Android Pad from the same people.   This did come with an instruction manual, but again more information was gathered from a Google search.  It picks up my own and my daughters Broadband signal with no problem.  Surfing the web and emails are all OK ? once the Grandchildren had sorted it out for me!

Lazyrider - Do you have a link to the Android Pad seller?

[gingerchin]

hi Craig ive been watchin this thread as the same happened to my 550 (always live) have you the details address off the repairer your using ,

cheers GC
   

[Craig67]

These are the guys i used

www.satnavrepairservice.com