|
| 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: 2611
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
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Excellent, user-friendly GPS January 9, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
We immediately took our StretPilot on a 3500 mile trip, and it was invaluable! It guided us to hard to find adresses as well as hotels and restaurants. It was extremely easy to use. An excellent purchase.
Simple and Amazing January 9, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I gave the Garmin to my husband for Christmas. He skimmed the instructions and we were using it that same morning. Once you key in the first few letters of an address, it will provide you a drop down menu of streets and you just have to select what you want! I was able to use it right away too - now that's saying something! Only one issue, we were traveling and used the security code to lock the system so no one else could use it and when we keyed in our code, we did it too fast and it locked up! YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE to key in your code! We had to drive back to our secure location - home and it automatically unlocked. That was the only issue with it. Otherwise, simple and awesome!
Not Easily Surprised... the Garmin c530 DELIVERS! January 9, 2007
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Being a tough guy to buy for, my family gave me a cash credit to buy a GPS for a Christmas gift. Much THANKS to them! Waited for the January sales and luckily read a local flyer offering the c530 steeply discounted to $364 US. Quickly grabbed the only one they had in stock. This current best and low price were my happy and rookie introduction into automotive GPS. (My only other brief GPS experience was with a handheld eTrex a few years ago and while interesting didn't hit me with any "Wow" factor.) Previosly had already decided the c530, Garmin's middle-range StreetPilot model, was the GPS for me as I didn't want or need MP3, text messaging and other options offered in the c550. (Have also learned the best value is almost always the one with the same, core high-end features but not all the optional nuances that I rarely - if ever use.) Have an iPod and didn't want or need the Bluetooth capability as I have a Treo 700P and its own excellent Bluetooth. Just wanted the recently upgraded, SirfstarIII GPS Receiver with the latest and brightest screen technology. The c530 has the same processor and screen of the much higher priced Nuvi 660.
Speaking of "Wow" well... this has it and more. It worked literally out of the box. Didn't read the manual. It quickly found satellites and updated almost instantly. The screen is extremely readable in ALL light. So bright I have to dim it to 30% at night. Came with the current v8 N.American database installed. Had to upgrade the installed software from version 4.0 to 4.1 (More on that in a moment). There is nothing about this unit I don't like. Smart, intuitive menu's. Quickly identifies local businesses, fuel etc. Obviously these specific items have to be in the database which appeared quite complete for my area. It is smokin' quick and updates almost instantly. Different map views with scrollable access if desired. Tried to fool it with different and tricky locations that I already knew and it handled them all with aplomb. When I detoured to avoid a train crossing delay the voice became slightly strident as I passed a couple change-of-route options (still blocked by the same moving train) until finding the proper underpass. The voice lost its slightly demanding tone and became more calm with me back on track. I am surprised how excited I am with this. Cool is an understatement! All in all a very impressive package. Granted, I am still in the honeymoon period and while the receiver is well thought out and impressive in use, (here come the only cons...) Garmin's support for my Apple OSX platform is less than impressive.
Garmin has promised full support for Apple OSX across their complete GPS line in 2007 and they have begun to deliver on that with a recent sport/software release. However, to update the c530 using my PPC Mac on OSX was a bit of a dance which I was able to shuffle through, but many less sophisticated Apple users would find onerous if not impossible. The latest Intel Mac's would have little or no problem as they could run the .exe updater in Windows. Fortunately, I have the last Virtual PC (v.7) which allows the ability to run Windows in emulation and was able to update the receiver using that. As this unit supports POI (Point of Interest) database downloads it provides for custom GPS information. Garmin continues to ignore Mac users by not making a POI downloader that works on the Mac. Fortunately a fellow in the UK wrote a couple of Applescript converters that allow hard-nosed Mac users to run around Garmin's historical and extremely short sighted view of the Mac. While disappointed that Garmin has been this slow in recognizing the Apple/Mac platform - they are attempting to remedy. Its lack of Mac support is only a nuisance when trying to update software and not something you do often. Once the optional information is loaded into the receiver it really shines with well thought out performance. You would have thought Apple had built it. Highly Recommend!
Great navigation tool January 9, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I received the StreetPilot c530 for Christmas and have been very pleased with it's operation. The tracking and displaying of images is quick and fluid. The route determination is quick. Even when you divert from a calculated route, the c530 calculates a new route immediately. The display brightness and vocal crispness make it easy to use. Saving the current location as a favorite is extremely easy. The windshield mount is very secure and yet easy to remove and store.
I do wish there was some type of optional indication of the scale that is being displayed.
Good product with good 'Amazon' price January 8, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I have read a lot of reviews on several web sites for other Garmin models before purchasing c530.
The main reason of choosing c530 is the feature of "high-sensitivity GPS receiver maintains signals under heavy foliage and near city skyscrapers ", some of the reviews on other models complained about "lost signal" and "missing the turn" (prompting you to turn right ONLY AFTER you missed it). I attributed them to the fact that the devices lost GPS signals and couldn't determine precisely where you were. I have used c530 for several weeks, I haven't encounter any of these problems.
Amazon has a good price for the unit, plus free shipping and free tax.
|
|
|
Copyright
©
2006 Adminpal LLC | |
