Garmin StreetPilot c320 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Garmin
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin StreetPilot c320 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Digital camera Review: Awesome GPS unit for budget buyers
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a excellent GPS unit for people who are looking for just GPS and no fancy stuff like Bluetooth, MP3 etc. Buy 1 GB SD card to store full America Maps in that, it will same as C330.
Cons
1. First time it takes some time to connect to satellites (app 2 mins).
2. It alarms at .9 mile then .4 mile and then just before 200 m to the turn. The last one did not give you time to correct yourself.
3. If you stopped in between to fill gas, getting back on your route is not 1 click.
Digital camera Review: Awesome unit @ a great price
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very nice unit for someone who just wants the basics. I bought a 1 gig card for $14 and I have all the maps installed that I'll ever need. 2 reasons for 4 stars vs. 5. The volume, to me, needs to be at least 3/4 up to hear over normal conversation or moderate radio volume and I wish it had a case. Very, very happy with it's ease of use and display.Digital camera Review: Awsome product
Summary: 5 Stars
I test drove it at BestBuy, immiditely liked it amone some others offered (tomtom, sony), then went home and ordered it online at Amazon. The GPS is exactly what it is designed for: Car Navigation! Directions and Points of Interest are really the only thing you'd need for a car navigation system, plus this litte thing even talks! with a 2GB SD card (cost $35) you can load entire US AND Europe Maps and travel everywhere in your car without getting lost.
Screen is not as bad as most user describes, I made a small shade for it so it reads pretty darn good even in harsh bright sun light. Very responsive processor, no sluggish menu found on a lot of other brand GPS systems within same price range. Touch screen is also great and easy to use. Without power adapter, this little thing can run continuely for over 6 hours on battery, so you can carry it with you when you get out of car.
Antenna is one of the best amone competitions, though not using Srif chip, it locks fast and accurate(WAAS).
Route calculated is quite good, though not the best. Sometimes it will give false direction and ask you to go around a circle... If you get off the route, the system will automatically recalculate a new route for you.
Maps are up to date, point of interest information is quite complete, though some information is really old and does not include newest shopping centers/grocery stores. Tor example, it does not include a major movie theater close by(rave motion pictures) or a Wal-mart that's been built long long time ago.
Recommended Buy!
//If you are looking for a hiking and off road product, Garmin GPS 60CSx or 76CSx is your best bet, they are also great car navigation system as well (just without voice navigation). Both GPS device support SD card, so you can use one SD card for both the outdoor model and the C320!
Digital camera Review: BEST BUY IN A GPS ! ! !
Summary: 5 Stars
Folks, I have used several and this is simply the BEST GPS unit you can buy for under $300. I travel a Southeastern sales territory and use this device every day. NO GPS from ANY manufacturer is 100% accurate, but this one is pretty dang close.
The interface is very intuitive. The controls are simple. The accuracy is stunning. It just WORKS. You can easily find addresses, hotels, gas, food, entertainment, etc. near your location, WHEREVER you are.
You DO have to load your own maps with this unit ,which is fairly easy, but obviously you must have a computer and web access and know how to use it. You'll need a 1 GB SD card ( about $20) to get the whole U.S. The included 128 MB card will store a few states.
You can go to FREE POI sites on the web and download your own "points of interest" and items like the location of "traffic cams" and many others.
My only commment would be that if you are somewhat computer and web savvy, then get the C320, load your own maps and save some money. If you are computer deficient or unsure, buy the C330 ( only a bit more ) and it works right out of the box with pre-loaded U.S. maps. Later, if you gain computer skills , you can add your own points of interest.
If you don't need the higher end features ( Bluetooth, traffic radio, MP3, etc.) then you can't beat this unit anywhere. It performs the functions you REALLY want from a GPS on a par with the $700- $1000 units. They only add features you probably won't need or use. ( Even the higher Garmins).
I bought mine for $248. Why pay $800 for a GPS ???!!
Don't let your wife see it unless you want to buy TWO !
*** UPDATE *** *** UPDATE *** *** UPDATE ***
APRIL,25 2007
Had a little difficulty with the windshield mount. If you stick it without a little moisture first and leave it for a long time, it can adhere to the windshield and it is VERY difficult to remove and will leave part of the rubber on the windshield and render the mount unusable.
A single call to Garmin (you get to talk within 2 minutes to an actual,live English-speaking PERSON!) and they sent me a new one out 2nd day Air!!!
I am now a Garmin fan for life. Great GPSs AND super service!
Also, I just used the C320 on a trip to the Smoky Mountains. Even with all the mountains and the very dense tree cover, I NEVER lost the sat signal. This thing just keeps amazing me.
Digital camera Review: Battery failed but otherwise OK.
Summary: 5 Stars
Editing my earlier review- device died after three months of ownership, had to send it back for warranty repair. Battery failure was the verdict, they shipped me an exchange unit that appeared to be brand new. I had to re-activate my maps software with the new serial number and reload maps. Since then it's working fine (knock wood).
This is the first GPS I've owned. Just got back from a trip to New England and used the C320 extensively there. It never steered me wrong, and the detour feature came in handy in Boston where there were some Big Dig related closures. It seemed to know about every little dirt road in Vermont (though I wish it had a way to include more detail about the road type). It was fast in calculating and recalculating routes. This model does not speak street names but was not a problem. The suction mount holds onto glass VERY well. The touch screen is sensitive and the user interface intuitive. I NEVER had an issue with satellite reception (except in tunnels, naturally- and when emerging it would pinpoint location again in seconds).
I do have a few quibbles. When using "shortest route" option it can send you on some odd paths. Claiming that you are a "truck" can eliminiate some of the back-road routes. Fastest route seems to work best. If you miss a turn, and have included UTurns in "avoidances," it can send you on quite a big loop rather than just having you turn around at then next intersection. It can be hard to read in bright sunlight. And it's "points of interest" seem to cover things like gas stations and tourist destinations well, but fall short on shopping.
Overall, I don't hesitate to recommend this as a good midpriced GPS option.