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| Garmin StreetPilot c530 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator | 
 enlarge | Brand: Garmin
Category: CE
List Price: $363.79
Buy New: $149.99
You Save: $213.80 (59%)
New (30) Used (2) Refurbished (6)
Avg. Customer Rating:  252 reviews
Sales Rank: 955
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:
 The C530 GPS is a junk! January 14, 2007
9 out of 24 found this review helpful
The C530 GPS that I purchased from PCNation less than two weeks ago stoped working. What happened was:
1, The touch screen stoped reacting to any input attempts;
2, I turned off the unit;
3, The unit cannot be turned back on any more either on its own battery or on external power. It is dead!
I am waiting for response from the retailer and will follow up with their solution.
 It's easy to use January 13, 2007
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
This GPS is user-friendly. I've never used any other ones, but I sure like this device.
Very Good GPS but not perfect. January 11, 2007
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Pros:
* Sirf is a MUST and this unit has it. Sirf will keep your GPS unit connected under bridges and tall buildings. Reception is top notch.
* Fast sattelite connection.
* Users friendly, to the point and very straight forward.
* Windshield mount is very strong, unlike my Magellan which keeps on falling off the windshield mount.
* No external buttons, its all touch screen, except for the power button
* It records the highest speed, time idle, time travel, odometer and speedometer.
* It will operate up to 8 hours if unpluged. I hate chords hanging on my windshild, so I run mine solely on the internal battery power.
Cons:
* No options for route preferences. For example if you want to avoid freeways in your route you will have to go to a different menu to disable it first. I found this to be bothersome and time consuming. Other GPS (Magellan) will give you an option which route you prefer such as: shortest time, shortest distance, least use of freeway.
* Points of Interest takes too long to process. Its beyond slow. For those who uses this feature often I have news for you, BE PATIENT or it will drive you nuts.
In summary I give this unit a 4 Star due to the Cons that I listed above. Other than that this GPS unit is GREAT.
Good unit for a good price January 11, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I read a ton of reviews on this product before I purchased it and have been happy with my purchase. I think I actually prefer that this unit does not say the names of the roads like other reviewers have mentioned because the name of the upcoming road is easy to see and read on the gps display.
I was a bit concerned with the 2.5 inch lcd display where I didn't think it would be a large enough display. After using the product I am not concerned with the display size anymore.
The only other GPS unit that I have is a handheld unit that I use on long hikes or for ATV use -- the Garmin c530 does have much better reception on locating and keeping contact with sattelites.
 Not Easily Surprised... the Garmin c530 DELIVERS! January 10, 2007
6 out of 8 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!
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