Garmin Streetpilot C550 2.1-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator by Garmin
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin Streetpilot C550 2.1-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Digital camera Review: Connector can be problematic plus the directions are off
Summary: 3 Stars
I've had the unit for about 6 months. The unit no longer charges properly when plugged in unless the connector is wiggled for a while. Also, the directions can be off frequently (takes me off the freeway on the exit and then takes me right back in).Digital camera Review: Couldn't be happier
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this thing. I moved to LA for a summer internship, and didn't want to get butt-lost while I was driving around town there. So I picked this one because of its ability to speak street names, and its Bluetooth connection (because as of July 1st, you HAVE to use some sort of hands-free device in the car).
This thing works great. It does a good job of getting me there in the fastest time, avoiding freeways during rush hour, etc. The spoken street names is a MUST, that way you don't even have to look at it while driving. My friend has the Nuvi 200 which doesn't say the street names, and it's a bit tougher to navigate with it.
Also, it has a trip clock with avg speed, moving time, stopped time, total miles, and top speed (which is evil).
It's a great little GPS, and I wouldn't hesitate to get it again if I had the chance.
Digital camera Review: Dandy
Summary: 5 Stars
I did a lot of research before buying this. I didn't want to be a sheep getting Garmin just because it's popular. However, after exhaustive looking around at other brands, reading review after review, I chose the C550 because it was the least expensive GPS of quality that has bluetooth, which allows you to make hands-free calls through the unit if you wirelessly connect to a bluetooth enabled cell phone. You can then call all of the points of interest in its vast system as well as all of your own contacts that are in your cell phone listings.
I also realized that I rented a car last year and also rented a GPS unit, and it was an earlier model of the same general type, probably a 330. Anyway, my experience with that was so favorable, that I knew I'd like this one also. You see, that rental was in Santa Fe, and if you know the streets of Santa Fe, you know that it would be hard to find a more challenging place to drive around. Tons of one way streets, small, short, out of the way streets, etc. The Garmin I had then never failed to find anything I put in, and made our trip SOOOOO much easier than it would have been without it.
Anyway, I bought the C550 and operation was as easy as I recalled. I just plugged it into the car and it was ready to go. It "found" my bluetooth enabled RAZR phone in a few seconds and within seconds, I was talking to people on the phone through the unit, and they said they could hear me, and I could hear them loud and clear.
Now I can't wait to find all of the shorter routes I know I will find to places of interest. I was also glad that the unit came with an adhesive disk to mount the unit on the dash. My recollection about the suction cup on the window deal is that it can fall off. (However, if you have a GPS and only use windsheild mount, the trick is to wet the suction cup a bit before sticking it on, and then it will stay like a charm. I, however, use the dashboard mount, and the angle is perfect for me, and of course adjustable to however you wish to tilt it.)
It also plays MP3s, so you can load your ipod songs to an SD disk and play them, though I admit I haven't tried this yet.
Love it. Couldn't really ask for more.
Digital camera Review: Deceptive Advertising
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this specific GPS because Garmin claimed compatibility with their Topo Mapsource software. This is only a half truth as I was to find out only after making my purchases of the GPS and software. Maps can be transferred from a laptop to the GPS, howsumbutever, trails & routes created in Garmin's Topo Mapsource software CAN NOT be loaded onto the GPS. Transfer of routes & trails to the GPS was the #1 reason I purchased this GPS and the Garmin Mapsource software. My purchase of the Garmin StreetPilot C550 GPS receiver & accompanying Garmin Mapsource Topo software was an absolute waste of money. Garmin is being extremely deceptive by advertising compatibility between the StreetPilot GPS and their Mapsource Topo software.Digital camera Review: Died after two months. (Update, replacement is going strong)
Summary: 5 Stars
This worked great for two months then died completely. Now dealing with the fun of warranty service. Based on other peoples reviews and experiences with Garmin warranty service, I don't have much hope for this device, even if it gets repaired or replaced.
Update - I already commenting on my own review before realizing I could edit it. I love my little old GPS and it's still going strong after the initial warranty replacement.