Don’t you hate it when you explore unknown roads, but the GPS on your cell phone just won’t load. Nobody likes getting stuck in a strange city, especially not all by yourself.
Today we are going to review the Garmin Zumo 395LM, I am using it for more than a year, and now I can say what are the good things about this and what are the bad things. And can give you suggestions whether to go with this or not.
Garmin Zumo 350LM comes with a 4.3-inch screen but it would be great if it will be more visible in daylight, in bright sun it is almost unreadable. The unit is built tough but doesn’t come with internal storage. It is easy to use, comes with waterproofing ratings but it is discontinued.
| Display Size | 4.3 inches WQVGA color TFT |
| Screen Resolution | 480 x 272 pixels |
| Battery Backup | up to 7 hours |
| Weight | 9.5 ounces (270 g) |
| Dimensions | 3.7 x 1.18 x 5.12 inches |
| Waterproofing Rating | IPX7 |
We have reviewed other similar products, that you can go with instead of this like Garmin Zumo 395LM GPS Guide (it is an affordable option), Garmin Zumo 595LM GPS Guide (it has slightly more features than 395LM but is expensive as well)
Imagine going on a road trip with your missus, getting lost, and then hearing her talk about how it’s all your mistake for two long hours! This is where the concept of the GPS Guide comes into the picture.
Garmin and its range of GPS guides are leading the market with innovative and practical features. If you thought the perfect partner for your long road trip doesn’t exist, Garmin just proved you wrong!
Its GPS guide offers navigation to roadways and alerts the rider about various situations to make the journey hella smooth and adventurous!
You will no longer face network-related issues or the difficulty in manually unfolding a paper map! Let’s know more about the buzz around the 350LM by Garmin!
Table of Contents
Garmin Zumo 350LM GPS Guide Review
We all know Garmin has a loyal base of consumers. But do you know why? It’s simply because they care about the users and provide nothing but the best navigation systems. The Garmin Zumo 350LM is the perfect example for the same.
If you ask us to use one line to describe their products, we will say only this- it is built tough for bikers, by bikers. Well, that obviously means that the manufacturers know just what we want. You will not settle for the Zumo 350LM; you will choose it!
The body of the 350LM is rugged, stylish, and waterproof. It can withstand any accidental exposure to 1m of water for close to 30 minutes. And believe us, we went on a long ride in heavy rainfalls with the Zumo 350LM right with us!
It functioned correctly, and we must say, we were surprised! Their durable body is resistant to shock, UV rays, and fuel spills, so no amount of vibrations can cause damage.
It has a 4.3” screen that offers excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. The touchscreen has a glove-friendly interface, so you don’t have to take off your riding gloves every now and then to tap on the screen.
The data is easy to read and presented in an accessible manner. Garmin provides a fuel gauge on the Zumo 350LM that alerts you when the fuel runs low and suggests when you need a refill.
The LM in its name signifies lifetime free map updates so that you can get accurate information everywhere you travel.
You can connect the 350LM to Garmin’s BaseCamp software. There, you can plan out every little detail of the trip; you can simply create the routes on the desktop and transfer them to your device.
The TrackBack feature of the device records all routes and lets you go back to the initial point following the same route! There is also a Track Draw feature that follows elevation changes or planned routes to evaluate the difficulty of the ride.
It has a preloaded database of points of interest, and exit services show ways to gas stations, parks, restaurants, etc.
We have nothing to complain about the GPS reception of the Zumo 250LM and found that we got reception even indoors near windows. It also offers lane assist with junction view that guides users to the correct lane in an unfamiliar junction or intersection.
Automotive navigation also allows you to avoid certain roads or routes; you just have to select custom avoidances in the settings and choose the road you wish to avoid. In all future waypoints, the Zumo will avoid that road.
Garmin includes a motorcycle mount as well as a car mount with the Zumo 350LM. We found that the Garmin GPS is easy to install and has an intuitive interface.
You can charge the Zumo 350LM by connecting it to a vehicle power cable or to a computer via the USB cable provided by Garmin.
The battery of the 350LM lasts for about seven long hours! You can easily connect this GPS Guide to a Bluetooth mobile headset to listen to the voice prompts about directions.
The Service History Log feature of the 350LM records the date, mileage, and any maintenance service performed on your motorcycle.
So, if you add new spark plugs, change the tires, or clean the chains of your beast (the motorcycle, of course), the Zumo will keep track of it! So, even if you don’t remember to take care of your motorcycle, the 350LM will!
Key Features
- 4.3-inch touchscreen is intuitive and visible under sunlight
- Free lifetime maps
- Bluetooth wireless technology
PROs & CONs
PROs
- Durable body, waterproof and resistant to fuel spills, UV rays
- A glove-friendly screen allows you to keep your riding gloves on throughout the ride
- Fuel gauge sends alerts when the fuel runs low
CONs
- Expensive
- Discontinued
Our take on the product: A GPS guide will make you comfortable on unknown roads. Garmin’s Zumo 350LM is one such automobile navigation system that makes adventures safe and fun!
We tried this on a long road trip and found that the 4.3” screen was glove-friendly and featured a user-friendly interface. The bright screen is clearly visible under sunlight.
Although expensive, the Zumo series has many features which make this GPS guide stand apart from its competitors. The Bluetooth wireless technology enables you to hear voice prompts for navigation.
It suggested nearby restaurants and gas stations, making our journey convenient and safe. It offers free lifetime maps that you can upgrade and update to make the best use of the GPS. You can download these maps via the internet and transfer them to the Zumo through a USB cable.
We find the 350LM absolutely easy to install and detach. The BaseCamp software by Garmin allows users to plan their trip with immense detail and has a friendly interface.
Like us, most buyers can’t seem to stop boasting about the rugged build of the device that lets you use the GPS guide in all seasons. The highway lane assist proves to be helpful in ways you don’t even realize.
It is also suitable for off-road travel; we were pleased to go on a hilly adventure and had no problems with the navigation.
Important Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying a GPS Tracker
- Size and Sensitivity of Screen: It will be challenging to read small texts or icons on a small screen while riding. It calls for a hazard! It is always better to go for large screens as you can easily read the text while you are driving without losing sight of the road.
Additionally, the touchscreen display should be accessible even with gloves on. Most motorcycle riders wear gloves, and removing them each time you want to touch the screen makes it pointless.
- Durability: Well, all adventure lovers know how much the motorcycle trembles in off-road terrains or hilly regions. A flimsy GPS guide will be prone to damage soon enough, so always remember to buy those navigation systems that are weatherproof, UV-resistant, and robust.
A waterproof GPS guide is highly recommended because come on; nothing matches a long trip in the rain!
- Mount: If you own multiple vehicles, you do not want to purchase a separate navigation system for the other vehicle. Go for those GPS trackers that have a universal mount to use the same tracker in all other vehicles. This will save money and make more sense.
- Anti-glare Properties: If you want to view the screen clearly under sunlight, make sure that the screen does not create glares. It becomes vital to consider anti-glare properties, especially when you have sensitive eyes and a smaller screen.
You wouldn’t be able to see anything that the screen displays, thus, distracting you from the ride completely.
- Points of Interests: POI are all those popular locations that become crucial during a ride. For, e.g., hospitals, service stations, gas stations, airports, restaurants, etc.
An excellent guide will suggest all places of interest or other necessary locations closest to you. This way, if you want to eat or use the washroom during the ride, you can rely on the GPS to suggest the nearest place.
- Map Options: Go for those GPS guides that include maps to all the places that you wish to travel. Most manufacturers keep updating the maps as new places keep opening up.
A few of the GPS guides have LM after their name, suggesting that you get lifetime access to free maps. Hooray!
- Bluetooth Compatibility: When the GPS guide has Bluetooth compatibility, it can easily connect to your mobile phone, Bluetooth-enabled headphone, etc. This makes it easy for you to attend hands-free calls and control the music.
I mean, do you want to abruptly stop amidst your ride just to hear your boss rant? Hands-free calling allows you to continue your call as you enjoy the ride!
Final Thought
We can easily say that the Garmin Zumo 350LM is among the best GPS guides out there! It has various commendable features like a fuel gauge that alerts users when the gas runs low.
The points of interest suggest various gas stations and restaurants along the way to provide convenience and ensure that it is easy for you to explore new roads.
It has a TrackBack feature that automatically navigates back the same path that you came from. The Track Draw feature traces the chosen route and elevated changes to evaluate the difficulty level of your ride. You can also avoid certain roads or routes by customizing avoidances in the settings menu.
The Garmin Zumo 350LM has a 4.3” touchscreen display that is bright enough to be visible under direct sunlight. The intuitive screen is glove-friendly and lets you continue navigation without taking off your beloved riding gloves.
The case of the GPS guide is rugged and durable. It is waterproof so that you can enjoy long rides in rainy weather. You don’t have to worry about fuel spills or UV rays because the 350LM is resistant to those.
The Service History Log that records the date and mileage of any maintenance service performed on your car like tire changes, chain cleaning, etc.
GPS navigation on the device is bang on! It receives signals even indoors, near windows, or in basements. So, you should face no trouble navigating through the remotest areas!
FAQs
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Is the Garmin Zumo 350LM waterproof?
Yes, the Zumo 350LM is waterproof and can successfully withstand accidental exposure to 1m of water for thirty minutes. We all love exploring new roads and routes during the rainy season, with the heavy wind accompanying us.
And the Garmin GPS Guide wants us to enjoy the ride and ensures that we do not get lost. The GPS guide navigates the way in all seasons to ensure that you can go on an adventure whenever you feel like going! Garmin ensures that there is nothing to stop you!
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How to maintain the GPS Guide?
No device takes care of its own. To make the best use of all features of a GPS Guide, you must ensure that it is durable. What will you do with the outstanding features if the navigation system can’t last long enough?
Garmin advises against dropping the device on the ground and asks you not to store the device in extreme temperatures. Additionally, ensure that you do not use a sharp object on the touchscreen display of the Zumo 350LM. To clean the screen, use a lint-free cloth and gently wipe the screen.
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Can you import your own routes?
Yes, you can import your own routes via Garmin’s BaseCamp software. Plot and save routes on the desktop and transfer them to your Zumo device via USB cable. You can then use these routes for navigation.
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How long does the charge of the 350LM last?
On average, the 350LM lasts for about 7 hours on a single charge. So, you can enjoy a long trip before the lithium-ion battery dies. You can charge this Garmin GPS via vehicle power cable or through a computer via USB.