Not if it's raining!
TomTom Rider 550 vs. Garmin Zumo XT?
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burridge01
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Re: TomTom Rider 550 vs. Garmin Zumo XT?
And may I ask,what are your credentialsSteve398 wrote: Fri Feb 13, 2026 10:40 am Tomtom here too…. and I haven’t felt the need to do an IBR either![]()
- Doctor T
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Re: TomTom Rider 550 vs. Garmin Zumo XT?
I've used TomTom all over Europe. Been good, but it will send you on a TomTom mystery detour every now and then. The best one was coming back from Dorset, and for some unknown reason, it sent me via a layby set behind trees, then directly back on the same road. It's OK, as there was a mobile cafe there, but it seemed very strange to send me for a cuppa and a wee without being asked to.
Perhaps it was a TomTom dogging spot?
My car's GPS runs from Google. Once, going to my son's house in Southampton, it sent me to the ferry terminal and out to sea for 250 yards. My son's house is nowhere near the ferry. There is a totally different PO number, and no road names are the same in Southampton.
Old enough to remember when a basic GPS came out. It was a little black box that gave directions like a Beeline. Point-to-point mileage would change day to day. It would send you via Scotland to get to Northampton. I found and still do find a good old map better.
My car's GPS runs from Google. Once, going to my son's house in Southampton, it sent me to the ferry terminal and out to sea for 250 yards. My son's house is nowhere near the ferry. There is a totally different PO number, and no road names are the same in Southampton.
Old enough to remember when a basic GPS came out. It was a little black box that gave directions like a Beeline. Point-to-point mileage would change day to day. It would send you via Scotland to get to Northampton. I found and still do find a good old map better.
Trust me I am a retired Doctor and lecturer at Oxford University of Structural and Mechanical/Electrical engineering.
May the shaft be with you
May the shaft be with you
- Ed Harley
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Re: TomTom Rider 550 vs. Garmin Zumo XT?
Thanks for comments and recommendations.
I finally chose TomTom Rider 550. It was available locally and was fifty or so euros cheaper than Garmin XT. XT2 was too big and even more expensive.
Wishing for early season start.
I finally chose TomTom Rider 550. It was available locally and was fifty or so euros cheaper than Garmin XT. XT2 was too big and even more expensive.
Wishing for early season start.
Bono estente!
1983 GS1000G | 1984 GSX1100EF | 1997 FLHR | 1998 FLSTS | 1999 R1100RT
1983 GS1000G | 1984 GSX1100EF | 1997 FLHR | 1998 FLSTS | 1999 R1100RT
Re: TomTom Rider 550 vs. Garmin Zumo XT?
The thing I like about my 550 is I can keep it secure on the bike and as soon as I am home it picks up the house WiFi and tells me I have updates. All downloaded and installed whilst the unit stays on the bike. Also updates the plan site online.

