Garmin zumo 400

Garmin has quietly slipped out word of the zumo 400. The GPS unit is targeted at motorcyclists who need a basic mapping unit toughened against the shocks and splashes more prevalent in open-air riding. The 3.5-inch touchscreen is deliberately treated for visibility in direct sunlight and has interface touches that help riders keep an eye on the road, such as a virtual fuel gauge that can remind a driver to refuel during an especially long trip. Akin to other GPS units in the class, the zumo 400 relies on SD cards both for maps and as a drag-and-drop media player for JPEG photos and MP3 tracks. A replaceable lithium-ion battery lets the receiver operate free of motorcycle power for three hours.

In spite of these detailed specifications, pricing and exact availability remain unknown. A launch is promised for April in South Africa, where the device will come with an SD card containing local maps; however, the device is otherwise unavailable elsewhere and has not seen a formal introduction. The 400 may be a region-specific version of the zumo 450 announced last month for the US, which shares almost every feature. Garmin has set the price of the 450 at $857. [via NaviGadget]

By Electronista Staff