Garmin StreetPilot c530 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Garmin
|
List Price: Our Price: $42.70 You Save: $321.09 (88%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Garmin StreetPilot c530 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Digital camera Review: 100% satisfied
Summary: 5 Stars
This product was very easy to use immediately. I had read that it can take a little time to connect to the satellite but we have not experienced that at all. Screen is easy to read, voice is clear and it gives me great peace of mind when I go to unfamiliar areas.Digital camera Review: A Great auto GPS that is easy to use and covers all the basics
Summary: 4 Stars
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.
Digital camera Review: A Liberating Little Gadget
Summary: 5 Stars
In the couple of months that I've owned a c530, it has taken me to Solvang and around the Santa Ynez Valley, around Hollywood, West Los Angeles, and points nearby with great precision. Once I took my niece on a shopping expedition to the "callejons" around Santee Street in the LA Garment District, and forgot to bring enough cash. No problem. The c530 found us the nearest Wells Fargo with an ATM. The only potential weakness I see is when you're driving among the high-rises of downtown LA and you deviate from the suggested route. When the c530 recalculates your route, it takes a few more seconds to get an accurate fix, but that being said, this is a wonderful GPS and I highly recommend it.Digital camera Review: A dangerous GPS
Summary: 2 Stars
The StreetPilot C530 is a model that does not provide spoken directions. This means the user must watch the screen while driving, in order to be aware of when and where to turn. This procedure can be very dangerous. It is much better to pay a few dollars more for a C550 and get a model that talks.Digital camera Review: A great little gadget
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very easy to use GPS, with terrific graphics.