It could be argued that when you reach the level of thee Zumo 595, you have ascended to the top of the mountain and reached the pinnacle in terms of GPS technology for motorcycles. Very few who have used this model would disagree with that assessment. Garmin continue to thrive at the top of the motorcycle GPS industry thanks to their supreme quality products, from our recently reviewed 590LM and more budget but still fantastic 395LM. Now we reach the flagship model among the Zumo range to date. It does not disappoint as we will find out in this in-depth review.

In the Spotlight

The first thing that will catch the eye of most riders is the sharp and highly-defined 5” screen display. This is as high resolution as you can see on any GPS device and immediately stands above the crowd.

Like all of the Garmin Zumo range, it is built for endurance and will have no problem standing up to the harshest of conditions, whether it is water, uneven surfaces causing brain rattling vibrations or damage from fuel vapors, the 595LM is more than a match for any rival.

On the entertainment front, you can easily sync your smartphone device. This gives you not only access to stream your music direct to your helmet, but also to live, up to the minute information about traffic and weather- vital to the planning and successful execution of any excursion.

A True Partner

Pinpoint navigation accuracy is provided with automatically updating maps keeping you informed about every small route alteration. Combine this with Four Square integration that this model has and herein lies a recipe for success. The 595LM not only keeps you on the correct route track, but also makes you aware of any interesting things to see along the way. A true companion.

Possessing an extremely reactive and easy to use touchscreen means that regardless of the situation, you can always rely on the Zumo to be both accessible and get the job done in all conditions. Its large screen make it very convenient to respond to text messages and Bluetooth ensures that you never have to miss any calls- even when listening to your favorite music.

Another innovative feature of the 595LM is “Live Track”. This allows you to keep a designated list of contacts informed about your location. This feature can help set the minds of family and friends at ease, especially if you are riding a particularly difficult route, on a strict time deadline or conditions have taken a turn for the worse. Peace of mind is indeed priceless.

Ride on the Wild Side

One of the grand slam features in this already packed machine which puts Garmin one step ahead of the game with its Zumo series is “Adventurous Routing”. This feature allows you to avoid the most common routes wherever possible, in favor or a more exciting, off the beaten track route. This is an awesome feature which ensures you will experience the full joy and thrill of your motorcycle. The route is likely to include many twists, turns and elevation changes.

To counter-balance the increased level of risk associated with riding slightly off the regular path, Garmin have included a very helpful, rider alert feature. This feature helps to keep you well informed about any upcoming hazards such as sharp turns, red lights, elevation changes and speed cameras. This is of great assistance and necessity when using the adventurous routing feature to help increase your awareness of surroundings. This feature will even warn you of certain law changes as you cross state lines.

As if that weren’t enough, there are even more features. These include the very handy fuel stop feature which maps out exactly where you can refill along the way. This may seem like a frivolous addition, however as anyone who has been on the road knows, it is really easy to get taken away by the ride and scenery. This is especially true if you are engaging the adventurous route feature! So using the fuel stop feature now means you have absolutely no excuse to miss that gas station.

Other Features

One of the most exciting features we have yet to mention is the ability to connect your device to a Garmin VIRB action camera. This ultimately means that you can shoot unforgettable action videos as you enjoy your ride. What a fantastic way to remember all of you experiences on the road and never miss a moment. Not only that, but the thrill of the ride itself will be increased in the knowledge that you action camera is recording every aspect.

Miscellaneous features include the service history log, ensuring that everything is kept up to scratch on your bike at all times and that regular service date never slips your mind. It is also good peace of mind for any future owner who may be interested in purchasing your bike.

Also available is the tire pressure monitor system sensor, very useful for keeping a close eye on the all-important tire pressure and noticing any changes which could point to a problem. This is however, sold separately.

Final Thought

Overall, the 595LM is undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive GPS devices available on the market for your motorcycle. It is truly overflowing with useful features and can really add to your positive riding experience. That said, it is really best recommended to the avid biker in the sense that to achieve true value, you really should spend a long time on your bike.

Understandably, this model sets a benchmark against which all other devices are judged, even Garmin models. The superlative quality of this model means that its pricing point may be slightly higher. But given the wealth of features it allows you to indulge in, it is truly worth every cent. You will struggle to find a better all-round device anywhere.

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Regardless if you are on four wheels or two, it is always important to know where you are going or how to get there. Far from being only for cars, there are many top quality GPS systems available for motorbike riders alike. Of those, many come from Garmin which is a powerhouse in the navigation industry on a whole, but most certainly in terms of motorcycle GPS devices.

A more moderate choice in comparison to the other flagship models from Garmin, the 590LM and 595LM, this one still packs a hefty bang for its buck with an abundance of great features to keep you on the right track in style.

A Tough Competitor

An upgraded follow on from the successful 390LM, this model provides the same, reliable, hardwearing exterior which not only look and feels the part in its hardy matte black, it also acts the part. The 395LM is largely weather resistant, enduring all conditions and most liquids thrown at it by an average biker. This includes water of course. The 395LM is certainly made of stern stuff. What else could we expect from the market leaders in motorcycle GPS.

The tough and ready casing is home to a sleek 4.3” viewing screen which stands out in all conditions thanks to its high level of definition and glare resistance for those hotter than hot days out on the road. The slightly smaller screen size of the 395LM also need not be a drawback. It is all the easier carried when leaving your bike. The screen is also big enough that it can be easily interacted with, even when wearing cumbersome gloves.

Very Connected

Unlike its loftier Garmin counterparts, this model is not compatible with the smartphone link app. However, don’t sweat. You can still establish a fantastic connection with your mobile devices using Bluetooth. This is a more than adequate option which means you will still be able to catch up on calls and listen to your favorite songs on-demand. This connection can also be used to receive communication from the “spoken directions” feature on the 395LM. This is highly convenient to avoid distractions while on the road and can also save you valuable time, presuming you have the correctly equipped helmet.

A cornerstone feature of all the latest in the Zumo range is Adventurous Routing. This allows you to throw off the shackles that bind and let your hair down while accelerating into the distance. More specifically, this feature allows you to choose the exact type of route you want. This can be elevated, twisting, turning, whatever you feel like to help you have an exhilarating ride. The feature will then guide you on the best possible route to fit you desires. All the while, the system will also keep you fully informed of any impending dangers such as traffic lights, speed cameras or sharp turns. Using this feature is an experience that can impress even the most veteran of riders. Hence why it has become a key element within the Garmin Zumo range.

Never Miss a Beat

The awesome dynamic fuel stop feature is another which greatly impresses users. This takes basically all of the worries right out of your mind and allows you to concentrate on taking in all of your surrounding and feel of the ride without having to be distracted. The feature tracks your fuel levels and consumption, mapping out and informing you of the most appropriate time and location for a fuel stop. All of this directly communicated your helmet with the correct accessories. It certainly shows that the 395LM and the Zumo range as a whole are much more than simple GPS systems, they are dynamic devices in their own right.

A Great Protector

There is yet more. With the rider alerts feature, you can be warned of upcoming hazards and even of helmet regulation changes as you coast from state to state. This helps to eliminate any confusion and ultimately bad breaks which could otherwise lead to a penalty on your license. This is a real lifesaver to those long distance riders who just want to focus on the open road ahead.

The service history log feature will also track the maintenance history of your bike. Not only will this feature help jog your memory about what has or needs to be taken care of on your machine, it can also serve as handy back-up to reinforce a future sale with an inquisitive buyer.

A tire pressure monitoring feature is also available to help you keep a close check on tire condition and know when it is time to pull over or even identify any issues which may arise with slow punctures or other minor hiccups.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the LM395 may not be the flagship, star-studded model of the range, it is however, still a fantastic piece of kit. Like all the others in the range, it comes jam packed with not only useful but innovative and groundbreaking features. With its steely and battle-ready exterior, knowledgeable and insightful features which will enhance your ride no end, this model is certainly no black sheep of the range. It stands confidently shoulder to shoulder with its awesome Garmin counterparts and still a good head and shoulders above many of the competitors.

In terms of price, the 395LM also performs really well, coming in at a more moderate level than some of the other models, yet still keeping you pinned firmly in the right direction.

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Nobody likes to think that their vehicle is at risk of theft. However, the unfortunate reality is that unauthorized use, joyriding or even theft are an ever present risk. This can be heightened even further in the case of motorcycles. They may often be viewed as an easier target which can be both easier to conceal and more difficult to identify if the worst should happen.

To help reduce those risk he best you can, motorcycle GPS trackers are becoming an ever more popular purchase. For a variable amount, you can help secure your prized motor cycle in the best way possible and track it all the way in the event of unauthorized use. Here we will review some of the best motorcycle GPS trackers on the market so you can always know where your bike is.

Vectu Portable Vehicle Tracker

The Vectu portable vehicle tracker is the first model we will take a deeper look at. It comes with a pre-installed sim card straight out of the box. This means that it will work worldwide with the only exceptions being the Korean peninsula and Japan. Its live tracking feature provides real-time, up to the second updates on your vehicle location. This can update every 60 seconds when your vehicle is moving and within cellular reception range. Ultimately this ensures you will never lose track of your motorcycle when it is on the move.

The Vectu has the ability to enable a preset geofence, meaning that once your vehicle leaves a certain pre-designated area, an alert is issued to you. This feature means that you will never be too far behind in the event of unauthorized usage. Speed alerts can also be automatically issued in the event of breaking a speed limit.

The Vectu possesses a 5v USB power supply with a decent battery life and can be shared among multiple users. This makes it both very family friendly and informative in the case of trouble. It also allows for multiple devices to be viewed on one map, meaning you can keep a close eye on your other vehicles or those of close family members simultaneously.

It is an easy to set up and use model from the very start and comes in a sleek silver tone. In terms of value, it also performs excellently.

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Coban GPS Real Time Tracker TK103A

The next product up in our review is the Coban TK103A, which is the most compact of the trackers in our review but certainly punches well above its weight in terms of features and performance. Despite its small size, it still manages to geo-fencing and an anti-theft alarm as well as great functionality with google maps. These features alone mean that your beloved motorcycle will be going nowhere fast without your awareness.

Again it provides up to the minute reporting about your vehicle location whilst on the move along with the ability to remotely disable the engine via text message. This alone is a game changing feature for those of us in the unfortunate position of having our pride and joy stolen.

The Coban has inputs for several sensors such as doors, fuel level, ignition switch and even a microphone. Furthermore, it can output which can connect to the vehicle horn, another excellent hindrance to any potential mischief. It comes with a high quality, durable battery for its size. This can last for up to four hours when activated.

If you are on the hunt for top-level performance combined with compact and convenient size, the Coban may well be for you. It would be wrong however to look negatively on its size. It packs a heavy punch alongside its larger rivals and all at a fantastic value price.

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SpyTec STI-GL300 Mini GPS Tracker

This is another very compact model which can be easily and discreetly placed on your motorcycle to help keep it tracked and protected at all times. Despite its size, it is also tough and highly durable which in itself is a vital feature of any tracker, especially on a motorcycle, given that it may be exposed to increased vibration and rough surfaces.

While there is no availability of a standalone SpyTec app, you can access and monitor from both your home computer and cell phone using the mobile site. This offers a more than sufficient alternative when keeping track.

The coordinates can also be transferred to and monitored from google maps. This will allow you to easily see in real time the direction of your motorcycle.  Geo-fencing can also be enabled to ensure you are alerted as soon as the device leaves a designated zone. This is imperative to quickly solving any problems which may arise.

The battery life of this Spytec model stacks up really well against other similar products, it has a long endurance time which can be vital when tracking a moving device. It is also highly accurate – the tracking accuracy is almost pinpoint. This means it absolutely comes into its own in a crowded urban space where it may otherwise be hard to locate specific targets.

At a mid-range price point, the GL300 also represents great value in the market, considering its convenient size and availability of top quality features, it definitely represents a secure purchase to secure your motorcycle.

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Conclusion

Whatever your budget, it is certainly true the saying, better safe than sorry. The peace of mind alone that you can gain from implementing a GPS tracking device will be worth the price. Added to that, the fact that these featured models are all relatively compact, feature-filled and within an excellent value price range really make the decision a no brainer. Don’t worry for one more moment about the location or use of your motorcycle with one of these cutting edge devices on your team.