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| Garmin StreetPilot c530 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator | 
 enlarge | Brand: Garmin
Category: CE
List Price: $363.79
Buy New: $144.99
You Save: $218.80 (60%)
New (31) Used (2) Refurbished (7)
Avg. Customer Rating:  248 reviews
Sales Rank: 293
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Native Resolution: 320 x 240
Display Size: 3.5
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.4
Dimensions (in): 2.2 x 4.4 x 3.2
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:
 A Great auto GPS that is easy to use and covers all the basics December 27, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The C530 is a worthwhile improvement over the C300 series. It features a super-bright disply that works well even in bright daylight with polarized sunglasses. It uses the SiRF-3 chipset, which is far faster and more accurate that the previous generation. Not only does it get oriented quickly, it recovers almost immediately from going through tunnels (sometimes before even exiting the tunnel), and is as good as it gets for urban canyons (tall buildings). It is very easy use, particularly to new users. The provided windshield mount is elegant and works well. It comes with a number of languages built in, though it has no text-speech capability.I purchased a 2GB SD card and the Europe maps -and it worked great there as well. There are a lot of mounting options, including the RAM mounting system.
There are some minor gripes: There is no way to modify the information presented on default screens. There is no compass or time displayed on the default page while it is giving guidance. You also cannot pan the display to look at the whole route while it is navigating (though you can while you are viewing the map with no guidance). It has very limited capabilities for generating and saving routes (multiple waypoints) - somewhat frustrating when I want to use with my motorcycle, or lend to someone for a scenic drive. The registration process for the new maps was cumbersome and non-obvious. All the Europe maps fit on a 2GB SD card, and the unit automatically used them. Additional icons and POI databases can be downloaded (though there is very little available internal memory - a SD card is a must). There are supposed to be additional databases available from 3rd party vendors, but I haven't been able to find them. There appears to be no way to import addresses from another address book (e.g. MS Outlook.) The unit uses a proprietary power connector that is not compatible with anything else. An AC adapter is $35 extra.
All in all, a very good solution. I would not hesitate to recommend it to the typical user.
 Never get lost again! December 22, 2006
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I just got this little unit yesterday and, since I had to do some driving today I decided to "test" it by telling it to take me to places I knew. I am so impressed! For instance, one of my stops required a freeway exit that is off on the left side of the freeway. It clearly told me, in plenty of time, that I would be exiting to the left. One of my (and even more, my husband's) pet peeves, is having to get on a freeway in an unfamiliar area and wondering, "Do I got under the freeway and turn right? turn left? turn on this side of the freeway?" With Southern California traffic and 3 and 4 lane wide roads this is real issue. Not any more. Having the unit tell me that I will be turning right, or left, is going to save SO many u-turns.
The only problem is, keeping this for myself and making hubby go buy his own.
Great lil device! December 13, 2006
16 out of 18 found this review helpful
I bought a Garmin C350 a couple of weeks ago and have used it enough to say that this is one of the best things I've ever bought! Its siRF receiver is powerful and I think thats what gives it an edge over its predecessors. It catches a signal literally 10 seconds after switching it on! I'm new to Madison and I've no idea of the routes but this thing's guided me perfectly ever since I got it and I've traveled miles and miles on the city's roads - big or small - without worrying about getting lost. So far it hasnt taken me along any strange dirt roads (I've programmed it for "shortest route" rather than "fastest route") unlike some other GPSs that I read about, but I havent traveled long distances yet so I'm not a 100% sure of that. However I understand that the siRF receiver is quite powerful and hope that it'll be able to position me better and opt for conventional routes. The POIs are great and well organized, it recognized all the names that I entered.
The only thing that's missing is the text to voice feature (which reads out the name of the street on which it asks you to turn). BUT that is not a problem at all because the name of that street appears in a large font on the screen so all one has to do is take a quick look at the screen...its as simple as looking in your rear-view mirror.
Great Unit December 11, 2006
19 out of 19 found this review helpful
I've owned a Garmin eTrex handheld for three years and wanted to upgrade to an auto unit. I've only had the c530 for a few days but it is magic. You don't need the voice announce on street turns and it may be confusing since some streets have two names (for example, 3rd Street may be the local name in the GPS database, but it is marked on the ground as US 331). When you get the unit upgrade to the latest software on the Garmin web site. Mine came with software two or three versions old and had a minor occasional bug. The upgrade also reduces the size of the auto icon on the screen which was much needed!
I was lost but now I'm found December 10, 2006
36 out of 36 found this review helpful
What a life altering piece of technology this is. I'm very impressed. This is my first navigation system so perhaps I'm easily impressed. In any case, this is a very well thought out system. It is very easy to use. It is so easy you can use it without reading the instructions, but reading the instructions is still a good idea. My wife also has no problem operating it. Its got so many great features. The touch screen works very well. Want to see turn by turn instructions...touch the top of the screen. Want to see an over head map of the area, touch the top of the screen and select map. Zoom in and out with the +/- screen touch. You scroll the map by touching the screen and dragging the map. If you don't like the route it choose for you its easy to point to the route (just touch the screen) you want to take and select GO...it asks you if you want to include this as a way point and then changes the route to get you there. After you select your destination you can search for food or hotels etc. either close to your present position or your destination. Save locations to a Favorites folder and give them a custom name if you want. Save your HOME location to a special button...just press home and GO.
The screen is bright and easy to read. There is no need to have it announce the street name as you can easily see the next turn in big letters at the top of the screen. The volumn control has plenty of range though I think up down buttons on the side would be better than a wheel. The suction mount works great and the unit is easy to pull on and off of it. The power connector could have been a bit simplier to connect...but this is minor.
Before buying this my wife and I would always get lost and stressed out. Many an arguement would insue. Now we have a new sense of freedom. We can go anywhere without a care. The unit does a wonderful job of navigating. The voice instructions are great though at sometimes a bit too detailed...at least you won't mess up. And if you do happen to mess up or choose a different route, rather than yelling out you like my wife would, it simply re-calculates and routes you to the next best alternative...wonderful.
There may be other good units out there, but of this I'm certain...this unit is GREAT!!! Highly recommended.
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