Garmin Zumo 550/660, question on security.

[sc00by]

Hi,

I'm considering buying this for a 3 week european trip. My question is, how easy is it to remove it from the cradle? Is there any kind of locking mechanism on it?

I'm riding solo, and when I go in to petrol stations I don't want to leave it on the bike even for 30 seconds unless it's secured.

Thanks

[littleoldman2]

There is a method to secure the Zumo 500 I have using a screw. I don't use it as its so easy to remove from the cradle and slip in your pocket. Also stays paired to your other bluetooth devices that you have on you when in your pocket. Also why tempt the dishonest and encourage them to approach the bike.
Great bit of kit by the way.

[sc00by]

Yeah good point. If is it just a case of slipping it into pocket, that's a no brainer. I think my stoppage routine is going to be lengthy so I'm looking for ways of securing things sensibly.

Even with the bike in sight, it'd be rather simple for someone to grab things and leg it if I'm grabbing a coffee etc.

[MisterTommyH]

Don't know about the 550 but the 660 is easy.


Just push the button you can see in this pic.
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/Yonkyo/P5050017.jpg

[Specialone]

IMO, I think you'd have to be bloody unlucky for someone to nick the satnav and get away while your in a petrol station which you can probably see from the shop.

I never took mine off in France tbh, less thieving gits there than here.

If I was away from the bike for a while and out of view of it I would remove it.

[STRAMASHER]

I never leave it anywhere. Expensive bit of kit. Stick it in your pocket.

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

I got a lockable cradle that has to have a ket to get the sat-nav out and a key to adjust the position of the sat-nav so they can't nick it by undoing that "wheel" either.

Was from Touratech

[sc00by]

@Tommy thanks for the pic, is there the option of screwing the 660 on to secure it, don't really see one? It was the 660 I was after

@specialone I'm not an unlucky person, but I AM slow at running in my boots! Decisions decisions!

[sc00by]

I got a lockable cradle that has to have a ket to get the sat-nav out and a key to adjust the position of the sat-nav so they can't nick it by undoing that "wheel" either.

Was from Touratech

Exactly what I was thinking! I'll take a look at Touratech thanks

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

Et voila

http://www.touratech.com/shops/008/product_info.php?products_id=7754

[sc00by]

Excellent, what's another 92 when I'm already spending £ass-loads

This better last years!

[MisterTommyH]

I wouldn't want to screw / secure it.

It would make it too much hassle to take off which would mean I'd be more inclinded to leave it - just because it's locked on doesn't stop scrotes trying to nick it and doing damage.

I've only had it drop out once and that was because I hadn't checked it was in correctly - it's easy to tell and was my own fault.

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

Excellent, what's another 92 when I'm already spending £ass-loads

This better last years!

Well, mine was a gift from a freind who had used it for 3 years and I have had it nearly 18 months, so, the answer to that is "yes"

[embee]

The 550 cradle is very different to the 600 series.

You fit the unit in the cradle, locating the bottom where the contacts are, then hold it firmly into the cradle and close the top lever down which engages a couple of pins. The lever has a small security screw to ensure it can't lift open inadvertently (and throw a few hundred quids worth of satnav down the road), and a special small screwdriver is supplied for it. This is a total PITA.

Most people get an aftermarket knurled thumbscrew to replace the std item so you simply use your fingers. Some argue that anyone could undo it, but everyone else argues that you're mad to leave it on the bike unattended at any time, and the thumbscrew means it takes a couple of seconds to simply pop it off and into your pocket. Even if the proper security screw was used, any tea-leaf would simply have the whole thing away in seconds, cradle and all, or break it in the attempt.

When you take the unit off the cradle (so lose power from the bike) it asks if you want to continue on internal battery power, click yes and it keeps running until you put it back in the cradle so you don't lose any info or route etc, and you don't have to wait for it to fire up again.

All your Zumo answers are at http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php