|
| GARMIN 010-00522-00 Streetpilot C550 GPS Receiver | 
 enlarge
| Brand: Garmin
Category: CE
List Price: $399.99
Buy New: $149.00
You Save: $250.99 (63%)
New (31) Used (1) Refurbished (5)
Avg. Customer Rating:  333 reviews
Sales Rank: 169
Format: Cd
Platform: Windows
Color: Li-Io
Media: Electronics
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Native Resolution: 320 x 240
Display Size: 3.5
Includes MP3 Player: 1
Size: Garmin Part #010-00522-00
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 6.5 x 6.5 x 6.5
Array:
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: 010-00522-00
Model: 010-00522-00
UPC: 753759054489
EAN: 0753759054489
ASIN: B000EXU4YK
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Great Little Tool! April 5, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is my first experience using a navigation system, but it is great. I am totally sold. I bought one for my son who is directionally challenged and it has gotten him everywhere he's tried to go. While you may not arrive with pinpoint accuracy, it certainly will get you within a block of your destination. My husband and I have both tried it and are thinking of getting one for ourselves.
The best feature is the text-to-speech which announces all of the road names that you need to turn on to. Others have said that it waits too long before announcing the turns, but I have not found that to be true. Plus, you can touch the screen anytime and get a list of your next several directions. It comes with a windshield/dashboard suction mount so that you can easily attach and remove the StreePilot, as well as a carrying case and in-car power adapter. You can search for thousands of points of interest from several different categories: restaurants, hotels, airports, car rental agencies, grocery stores...you name it! No, it doesn't list every single place of business in the country, especially those that are somewhat new, but the list is quite extensive and is listed from closest to farthest away from your current location.
I find the satellite connection to be quite strong and it will often work indoors. However, on cloudy days it will take longer to triangulate your position.
Overall, it is a great, handy little tool which I highly recommend buying.
What was I waiting for? April 4, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I wish I bought this years ago. Although it appeared a bit pricey when I bought it, it has already changed my mind. It is user friendly, accurate and now a "must have". I have been flipping through map books for 30+ years of driving and this little item has completely changed my mood in the car. The days of frustrated driving are past. I now plot a course, kick back and let my c550 guide me home.
 Not for Austin, Texas April 3, 2007
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I've used Garmin GPS for a while now, starting with their StreetPilot III (which still works, after 4 years, now in my wife's car), GPS 10 (which I sometimes carry as a backup) and now the C550. The C550 is by far, the best GPS device I've used. It has many strengths:
1. Fast GPS lock on. Especially so if you're touring and stopped only for a while. If you've only powered down the device for a short while, the GPS will find the GPS satellites almost instantly, which is really amazing.
2. Bluetooth capability. Very useful, and the Bluetooth function works even while running on battery. Now I don't have to carry a separate device for making conference call while on business trip. I use the C550 when I'm in the hotel room.
3. Sun light readable screen. The screen alone makes this a better device compared to older Garmins.
4. Very fast routing capability. Being used to the slow routing capabilty in other Garmins, I was amazed how fast this thing can calculate routes.
There are some quirks you should be aware of though:
1. As my title suggests, this device does not work well in areas around Austin, Texas. The maps are pretty poor for the outlying areas around Austin and you'll have difficulty following its direction. There seems to be plenty of highway/freeway changes and additions to this area and they're not reflected in the MapSource 8.0 NT. In downtown Austin, it works alright though.
2. 3-D maps can be a little difficult to get used to. Especially when you're in parking lot or off normal road and the GPS will tell you to "Please drive to the highlighted route". With the 3-D map, you can't normally see the highlighted route unless you zoom out a lot or switch to 2-D view.
3. In a strange lack of foresight, Garmin chooses to display the main menu with its 2 basic option "Where To?" and "View Map" every time you power on the system. While understandable for its target market, it doesn't make sense when it does the same thing when you have an active route and you re-started the device (eg for fuel stops). You'll have to manually press the "View Map" button for the screen to show the route information. An option for users to select if they wish to start with the "View map" option would be nice.
4. Remaining miles info. On the older StreetPilot III, I have the option to display how many miles I've got till I reach destination. The C550 only shows you miles to next turn. Not a big deal but I miss knowing how many miles to go when on long distance driving. Useful for deciding if I want to stop for gas for simply finish the drive and return the car (I typically pay for the fuel option when renting).
5. Time zone update. For some reasons, the unit I have will not update its time zone and device time. I purchased and initialized the device in California, Pacific Time zone. When I travel in another time zone (eg. Texas), the device still shows California time. A bug perhaps or something I missed.
Overall, no major problems with the device and I'm satisfied with the purchase. If you're a new owner, here are some tips:
1. Buy the bean bag friction mount, it works much better than the wind screen mount. This is especially so if you have a sporty car (eg. BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS etc) with firmer suspension and the shock of going over a bump is better handled when the C550 is in in bean bag.
2. Buy one of those cigratte lighter socket extender so you can plug the C550's power adaptor into the socket extender and plug the extender into the car instead. This way, you save on the wear and tear on always plugging the device in and out of different cars. I wore out 2 adaptors in my StreetPilot III before I adopted this habit. Those extenders from Radio Shacks are dirt cheap compared to a new power adaptor for the C550.
3. Beware of road naming conventions. Some states, like Texas, name their roads differently. For example, if you look at Yahoo maps or the map in your C550, some highways in Texas are labeled US 2341. But if you look at tourist guides local to Texas, they labeled that road "FM 2341", which you won't be able to locate using the C550. Interestingly though, the device says "FM 2341" even though its search and display shows "US 2341". Other examples are "Mo-Pac Expressway" near Austin. Many locals spell it "MoPac Expressway" without the hyphen, you'll have a heck of a time if you spell it the way they do.
4. The Bluetooth capability works with most phones, even those not listed by Garmin. The only differences are that for some phones, you cannot use the phone directory and call history. You will still be able to make/receive calls using the C550. I get around this issue by creating a Favourite location and entering the phone number of people I call most. Its a bit of a pain but it can done. Afterall, its best not to talk too much while driving eh?
Good luck with you purchase!
Better than wildest expectations March 30, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Took the garmin to seattle as soon as we got it. Used it to find restaurants, malls, and went home shopping and it found every address. Got us effortlessly around traffic jam for a demonstration and quickly and effectively re-routed us when I missed a turn. Never lost gps connectivity anywhere in the car, tall buildings, trees, even inside the hotel room near the windows. Simple to use. Speaking commands is a huge benefit so I could keep eyes on the road. At 60 I am becoming hearing "challenged" but the speakers provided loud audible commands. A few humorous errors such as calling north Dr north "doctor" instead of north drive. I can live with that. Fun to use. Worth every dollar. Would like more option for mounting. On our Maximim it was in the way on the winshield or too far away to reach. Adhesive mount looks a little tacky on the dash of a Maximum. Bean bag slides arounds. Portability is nice since we use it in both of our vehicles. The Maximum has blue tooth but I use the bluetooth on the garmin in my vehicle and it works great. Could go on but you get the point. Best and most useful piece of electronics I have purchased since my first computer.
Great service and product March 27, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The unit started working as soon as I took it out of the box, the bluetooth feature works great, and the guidance is excellent. I am very happy to have bought this product. Great Amazon.com service and delivery on time, as always .
|
|
|
Copyright
©
2006 Adminpal LLC | |
