Garmin zūmo 660, Designed by Bikers for Bikers
January 7, 2009
LAS VEGAS/January 7, 2009/Business Wire — Garmin International Inc., a unit of
Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, announced
today the zūmo 660, a new motorcycle device that integrates the slim and sleek
design of the nüvi with specific features made exclusively for motorcyclists.
The zūmo 660 was announced in conjunction with the 2009 International Consumer
Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas (Garmin booth, South Hall 4, #35832).
“The zūmo can change your entire experience of touring or everyday rides
because it helps you find amazing places to explore,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s
vice president of worldwide sales. “Whether you’re charting your own course or
you plan your trip from your computer and download the route to your GPS
beforehand, your ride will be more enjoyable and stress-free because you’ll have
peace of mind knowing the zūmo will help you find your way home.”
Ideal for a weekday ride or weeklong trip, the zūmo 660 has features motorcyclists
will appreciate like a 4.3” sunlight readable and customizable touchscreen
display, glove-friendly design with left handed controls and oversized
touchscreen buttons. The ruggedized and waterproof (IEC 529 IPX-7 standards)
device comes loaded with detailed, street-level maps of the United States,
Canada and Puerto Rico that have over six million points of interest including
gas stations, lodging, restaurants, attractions and more. The zūmo 660 speaks
street names so riders will receive turn-by-turn, voice prompted directions,
such as “turn right on Main Street,” via the built-in speaker or through a
compatible Bluetooth helmet or headset.
The zūmo 660 also comes equipped
with advanced routing capabilities. Lane assist with junction view guides riders
to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, and realistically displays
road signs and junctions on the route along with arrows that indicate the proper
lane for navigation. In some major metropolitan areas, surrounding buildings are
displayed in a 3D transparent view. A new multiple routing feature customers can
see a map preview of the proposed fastest route, shortest route and off road
route prior to choosing to navigate it. This capability gives riders additional
situational awareness before they begin their journey.
The zūmo 660 also
has enhanced Bluetooth Wireless Technology (A2DP) that amplifies audio for a
crisp sound, and makes it possible to receive and place phone calls as well as
receive navigational cues wirelessly to Bluetooth enabled headsets or helmets.
The zūmo supports over 200 Bluetooth enabled phones so riders can retrieve and
dial numbers using a supported phone’s contact list or from the phone’s call
history log. A user can also make calls from zūmo’s huge points of interest
database.
While riding, it is easy to access trip information directly
from the zūmo’s trip information page like speed, heading, altitude, and a
customizable fuel gauge that can be modified to the motorcycle’s maximum fuel
range. If a rider wants to leave the pavement for the trail, the zūmo accepts
Garmin’s MapSource U.S. Topo maps for off-road navigation. Sharing rides with
others or keeping a detailed log of trips is also easy thanks to zūmo Connect,
an online community of routes and riders. Zūmo owners can also plan routes
online through Google or MapQuest and send the routes or points of interest to
the zūmo before they begin their journey. In addition, riders can swap routes
and waypoints with other zūmo owners via the unit’s microSD card slot.
Like other members of the zūmo family, the zūmo 660 has many security features.
The mount is designed to withstand the severe vibration environment commonly
experienced in motorcycle riding. The zūmo also includes Garmin Lock, a unique
theft prevention system that disables the zūmo from performing any functions
until the user types in a specific 4-digit PIN or takes the unit to a
predetermined secure location. If the user does not know the PIN or secure
location, the zūmo will be inoperative.
The zūmo 660 is expected to be
available in the first quarter of 2009 at $799.99.
