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| Garmin StreetPilot c530 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator | 
 enlarge | Brand: Garmin
Category: CE
List Price: $363.79
Buy New: $199.99
You Save: $163.80 (45%)
New (5) Used (2) from $120.69
Avg. Customer Rating:  258 reviews
Sales Rank: 2627
Media: Electronics
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Native Resolution: 320 x 240
Display Size: 3.5
Includes MP3 Player: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.4
Dimensions (in): 7 x 7 x 7
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: 010-00521-00
Model: 010-00521-00
UPC: 753759054472
EAN: 0753759054472
ASIN: B000FCSXBQ
Release Date: July 10, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Meets all my expectations January 3, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
In selecting a GPS, I made a decision that I was not going to spend a penny over $400. With GPS really entering the main stream this Christmas season (Gamin, Tom Tom and Magellan commercials are everywhere) I felt it would be wise to stick to the budget. I think GPS units are going to follow the lead of digital cameras and have big price drops in the next few years.
At the last minute, I did a 180. I was seriously looking at the new Magellan Roadmate 2200T. It had all the features I needed, was solid state and waterproof. However, I kept on reading less than glowing user reviews. It is not uncommon for the units to lock up or crash and the routing it chooses is not the best.
Based on that,I ordered a Gamin c530. Of the 50 or so user reviews I read, only 1 was negative. The other 49 gave it their highest rating. They raved about the units accuracy in route selection. It also have a wonderful screen that is bright and does not wash out in direct sunlight and uses flash memory. As is the case in life, there were trade offs to consider.
1. The c530 is not waterproof. However, I do not ride my morotcycle much when it rains. On the few occasions I do ride in the rain I will stick to major roads and a map should work just fine. I am not going to explore the back roads in bad weather. Plus, I will use it a lot more in the car than on the motorcycle.
2. The c530 does not have text to speech. That would have been nice, but it does tell you when to turn and the street name is prominently displayed on the screen. I felt the superior accuracy of the Gamin was more important than the text to speech the Magellan offered.
3. The Gamin will not save multiple destination trips. I rarely do long cross country motorcycle trips so this feature was more of a luxury than a necessity for me.
In the three weeks I have had the c530 it has worked flawlessly. Although it does not have a couple features I was hoping for, that is more than offset by the 530's accuracy and ease of use. Another positive is that I was albe to make the purchase well under my budgeted amount. I figure in two years prices will be lower and I will buy a new unit for the motorcycle and give the c530 to my wife to keep in her car. The Magellan 2200T has wonderful features, but it does not seem to be accurate or reliable. If they ever get their act together, they should have a winner. I felt more comfortable buying a unit that is getting rave reviews from current users. I have no regrets. I defenitely feel I selected the right unit to meet my needs.
 Great affordable GPS device January 1, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I received this GPS device in mid December of 2006 and find that it works very well. The unit provides accurate directions and with the new SiRF chipset I am able to maintain a signal even in my house. I am a contractor and the main reason I purchased this unit was have the ability to find lumber yards, hardware stores, etc. where ever I might be working and this functionality works great.
There are two reasons that this unit didn't receive 5 stars:
1) Even though there are 7 bazillion POI there have been cases where large company stores have not appeared on the units list (my local Lowe's is an example).
2) Several times I've taken short trips (10 - 15 minutes) and within that time space the unit will still be in the "acquiring satellites" mode. I've contacted Garmin support and they suggested resetting the unit. During these trips I knew where I was going and didn't need the device for directions however if I were relying on the unit to get me somewhere the 10+ delay acquiring satellites would be annoying.
Despite my two notes listed above I would still buy this unit again and would recommend it. It's accurate, recalculates fast and is very easy to use. In fact it even keeps the kids entertained.
This is may first GPS and I love it!!! December 31, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
After doing my homework and researching on the GPS world. I was undecided between this model and the Magellan Roadmate 800. Reading reviews and listening to people talking good and bad about these products can confuse you about any GPS system. I decided that the best choice for my needs was the Garmin c530. I do not need all the whistles in the world but just a reliable navigation system.
I opened the box and starting navigating with the GPS. It is really easy! However, my wife didn't like it at the beginning. She told me "this is just another expensive toy." Last week we had visits and we have been driving across town. After using our GPS to drive from and to several places she saw how how easy and convenient a GPS is. Finally, yesterday my wife told me that she thinks the GPS is a good idea after all, and I can keep it.
I like its easy interface and its accurate navigation system. I have not found any major problems to acquire satellite signals even under high buildings, under trees, bridges, etc.
The voice prompts are very useful. I read reviews wondering why this unit does not say the street. That is not a problem since you can easily read the street name from the screen. Now, if what you are looking for is the state of the art and a more fancy GPS. Please, don't but this one. It does not come with MP3 player, or BlueTooth but is worth every penny since is a great navigation system.
Pros:
Weight.
Wife friendly.
Accurate on maps and navigation system.
Great GPS starter.
Cons:
In some rural areas is hard to get the address. I couldn't find my in-laws address on the GPs, but I just added as a POI.
Cost of add on services such as traffic services, cameras, etc.
This is a reliable GPS. I strongly recommend it over other products on the same category. I plan to buy later the antenna to receive traffic signals. If what you want is a reliable and easy to use GPS buy this one. If you are looking for a JPEG Viewer and MP3 player also, look for other models. However. I have not complains for this unit. It is great and at this moment I like it a lot. I won't hesitate recommend it to other people looking for their first GPS.
User friendly and great for those who want GPS only December 31, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Got this unit recently and used it during trip from LA to Vegas. We had breakdown on I-15 just before Baker..this unit was very helpful to pinpoint the location of breakdown in order to get some help from AAA(It gave distance and phone no of the nearest tow stations in Baker, CA by which i was able to find my location) since there was no mile marker or call box near by... Also it showed me nearest Discount tire store in Vegas where I went got the new tires.
I would recommend this unit for those who want just a GPS and do not require bell & whistles like MP3 player, bluetooth etc etc.
Highway voice guidance can be confusing December 30, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I agree with all the pros and cons previous reviews indicated. however, seems nobody has noticed the highway voice guidance can be confusing - for example, when you are on a highway connecting other three highways, the voice guidance keep giving you "keep right", "keep right then keep left"...etc. If you are in a new place completely, such guidance can be very confusing - Megallon uses "left/right fork" to avoid such confusion.
I just got the unit today - will update as more usages.
updates from recent two trips (1/8/2007):
1) either because the map is not the latest version or due to some calculation methodology glitches, the GPS guided a most complicated route at highway switch. There is direct connection from Highway 80 to Highway 880 - both of them were built long long time ago - however, guidance from the GPS was to connect from Highway 80 to Highway 880 via Highway 980.
2)In another trip, the GPS guided to leave the highway 4 exits earlier than it should be, and to drive through most local/expressway with quite a few turns and connections.
I felt the "faster time" method does not necessarily agree with your daily driving common senses. The "shorter distance" method is even worse - give a lot of local connections.
however, the GPS still does its work. I would not change my rating for it. But for sure, there is space to improve.
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