Up until now, we haven't seen that many GPS navigation solutions being announced in conjunction with this year's International CES, but it would seem that Garmin has decided to break the ice and got official with its brand new zumo 665 model, designed specifically for those users who prefer riding a motorcycle to driving a car.

Featuring a 4.3-inch touchscreen color display, the zumo 665 also comes equipped with a glove-friendly intuitive interface and is preloaded with detailed, street-level maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico with over six million points of interest. Similar to most other navigation solutions, the zumo 665 speaks street names and will deliver turn-by-turn, voice prompted directions via the built-in speaker headphone jack or through a compatible Bluetooth helmet or headset.

And since we're on this issue, it's also interesting to note that the GPS navigator comes equipped with Bluetooth Wireless Technology with A2DP support for streaming audio in high quality stereo sound, and makes it possible to receive and place phone calls as well as receive navigation directions wirelessly to Bluetooth-enabled headsets or helmets.

This motorcycle-friendly navigator also comes equipped with advanced routing capabilities such as lane assist with junction view that 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. While riding, it’s also easy to access trip information directly from the zumo’s trip information page like speed, heading, altitude, and a customizable fuel gage that can be modified to the motorcycle’s maximum fuel range.

However, the most important novelty brought about by this motorcycle-friendly PND is the built-in GXM 40 XM antenna, which, coupled with an optional XM subscription, offers immediate access to real-time XM Satellite Radio.

“For entertainment or information, the zumo 665 makes every road trip more enjoyable and stress-free,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “From back roads to rallies, you can listen to the radio, check the weather and move ahead of traffic as you travel down the road.”

The new zumo 665 by Garmin is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2010, but the price tag will be a very high one, the MSRP being set at around $999.99.


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