 |
Garmin Streetpilot C550 2.1-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator by Garmin
Digital Photo Product DetailsManufacturer: Garmin Brand: Garmin Edition: Electronics Format: CD Release Date: 2009-11-30 Platform: Windows Model: 010-00522-00 Color: Li-Io Publisher: Garmin Studio: Garmin Music Label: Garmin Product features: - 2.1-InchH X 2.8-InchW Automotive-Grade, Sunlight-Readable, Anti-Glare Tft Lcd Display
- Select Destinations From The User-Friendly Touch-Screen Interface
- Automatically Calculate Routes To Any Destination
- Provides Turn-By-Turn Voice-Prompted Directions
- Preprogrammed With Highly Detailed City Navigator North America Street Data
Accessories:
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Streetpilot C550 2.1-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS NavigatorCustomer Review: Excellent GPS! Highly Recommend!! 1 point off for windshield mount. Summary: 5 Stars
When researching the available portable GPS receivers on the market my head began to spin as I am sure you the reader are going through now. I purchased this unit for the car and not as a handheld portable device. In my opinion if you are looking for a handheld version I would look at the Nuvi line from Garmin or the TomTomOne.
As far as in the car, look no further!! Originally this unit was retailing for $799 but currently you can get it for far less. For that it is worth it!!! Comes pre-loaded with US maps, POIs AND includes the Garmin FM receiver (a $125 value) The FM receiver is integrated into the cigarette lighter charger which is convenient if you don't mind the cable. It comes with a 3 month traffic subscription and if you want to continue I believe its around $60 for 15 additional months. If you travel for work, trust me, you will love this feature. You can ask the device to avoid jams if need be or at the very least know where the traffic is and what is going on (i.e. construction, accident, congestion etc). Plus it will calculate your estimated arrival time to your destination which has been spot on perfect since i got it! Every arrival has been within a MINUTE of the ETA! That's pretty good. Check the Garmin site for technical info for your area on traffic technology. but I believe this is a pretty wide spread technology that almost every city offers. If this doesnt appeal to you you can get the c530 which is the basically the same unit minus the FM receiver adapter.
I have also put the mapping to the test. I live in south Florida where roadways change OFTEN and the c550 has been accurate in every way. Recalculates when you miss a turn immediately with an impressive degree of accuracy It has saved me several times already and I have had the unit for 3 weeks! It even knows where U-Turns are illegal!! I have read industry reviews saying it is sometime slow to get a signal but in my opinion, slow meaning about 15-20 seconds once in awhile upon start up is no big deal. Once you get a signal it doesn't loose it, I have even had signal inside my house! That is very rare for GPS units!
My father in-law has a $90k Lexus with the GPS built in and it doesn't do half of what the Garmin can do. For example, POIs (points of interest) are very decent and come pre-loaded as well. You can find local banks, food, shops etc. I use that feature everyday!! You can purchase even more detailed POIs in the form of a SD card but I haven't found a need at the moment. You can also add your own POIs pretty easily. Once you put in a new address you can save it and add a phone number as well. I have all my friends and family plugged in so at anytime i can call and tell them when I will be arriving. Also if you are driving to a new location and like it you can add it quickly by just touching the little car icon and it will store it immediately. (Note, pull off the road before adding the title information :)
Bluetooth connectivity! Awesome! I urge you to get a cell phone with bluetooth technology if you don't already have one. Find a POI, such as a restaurant. The phone number appears on the page to say go. Touch the phone icon to call ahead for reservations or store hours etc. The ETA feature will let you know exactly when your going to arrive... done. The unit has a built in Speaker phone and microphone which in every call I have had, the participant on the other end was surprised to know I was talking to them on a speaker phone. The built in speakers are adequate, and if you have a AUX IN to your car stereo you can hardline it into it using a stereo mini plug cable. It also instantly syncs your entire phone book and recent call list, plus, if you have voice dialing it supports that as well. I own the Motorola Razor V3 FYI. I had a bluetooth earpiece and haven't used it once since i got the Garmin c550.
The only thing I can say is a con in my review is the windshield mount. It attaches to a ball mount which tends to not hold the unit in place in some cases. So far it has been fine for me but once in a while when I touch the far left or right side it will move a bit. You will read other users saying the same thing, even to go as far as in bumpy roads it may move out of position, so possibly Garmin might fix this but don't quote me on that. But with all the features and ease of use I still think you can not go wrong with the c550. I absolutely love this product, recommend it highly, and would purchase one for each family member if I could. I already bought one for my girlfriend! :D
Description of Garmin Streetpilot C550 2.1-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS NavigatorStreetPilot c550 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps, including a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with hotels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply touch the super-bright sunlight-readable color screen to enter a destination, and the c550 takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. It even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road. In addition, the c550 accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs. The European version even includes a preloaded safety camera database containing the location of safety cameras for parts of Europe. Talk about worry-free driving. The c550 integrates Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker, so you can pair it with your compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free through the c550 while staying focused on the road. Now there's no more fumbling with your phone's handset to answer a call or dial a number -- just tap the c550's screen and you're connected. With 1-touch dialing for POIs, you can conveniently call ahead for reservations or information. Amazon.com Product Description The Garmin StreetPilot c550 GPS Vehicle Navigator represents theultimate in GPS performance and simplicity. This portable navigator comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded maps and a wealth of options. Delivering the same easy to use and affordable navigation as Garmin's c300 series of vehicle navigators -- including a simple touchscreen interface, automatic route calculation, turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions, and over six million points of interest -- the StreetPilot c550 also offers Bluetooth wireless technology with hands-free calling, an integrated traffic receiver, an MP3 player, and much more.  The StreetPilot c550 delivers high-end GPS navigation, and is easy to use right out of the box. |  Navigation is easy with a touchscreen interface, voice-prompted directions, and more. View larger. |  Compatible with Bluetooth wireless phones for hands-free calls. View larger. | Advanced Wireless and GPS Technology At the heart of the StreetPilot c550 is a high-sensitivity WAAS-capable GPS receiver by SiRF that provides outstanding acquisition times and the ability to maintain a strong signal under heavy foliage and near city skyscrapers. This means you'll always know precisely where you are. Meanwhile, an automotive-grade, sunlight-readable, 2.8 x 2.1-inches (WxH) anti-glare TFT LCD touch-screen display offers easy readability. With dimensions of 4.4 x 3.2 x 2.2-inches (WxHxD), and at about nine ounces in weight, the StreetPilot c550 features a streamlined design that will fit easily on any dashboard with the included vehicle suction mount. The unit also features Garmin Lock -- an advanced anti-theft feature that disables the unit from performing any functions until you type in a specific four-digit PIN or take the unit to a predetermined location. The StreetPilot c550 also includes Bluetooth technology integrated with a microphone and dual speakers that lets you make hands-free mobile phone calls on a compatible Bluetooth wireless phone. You can view incoming calls on your c550, and simply tap the screen to answer. Just speak into the built-in microphone while staying focused on your driving. In addition, you can retrieve and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or the phone's call history log. You can also make calls from the more than six million points of interest database -- which includes hotels, restaurants, stores, and much more. Another feature unique to the c550 is its integrated traffic capabilities. The c550 includes the GTM 20, an integrated FM TMC traffic receiver with a free three-month trial subscription (for U.S. customers only). The GTM 20 notifies you of traffic conditions, construction and weather delays, and automatically suggests alternative routes. The navigator also comes with preloaded maps of North America and includes automatic routing, 2D or 3D map perspective, and turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names -- making navigation as easy as it gets. An included MP3 player lets you enjoy music from your digital collection while you drive, and an included SD memory card expansion slot means that you can load optional software, such as language and travel guides -- making travel even easier and more entertaining than ever. What's in the Box StreetPilot c550, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America or Europe (full coverage), FM traffic receiver with vehicle power cable, Real-time traffic services, Vehicle suction cup mount, Dashboard disk, USB cable, Carry case, Quick reference guide Product Description The portable StreetPilot c550 comes ready-to-go right out of the box with plenty of options. This navigator delivers the same, easy-to-use, affordable navigation as our popular selling c300 series with many enhancements. Garmin Lock anti-theft feature that disables the unit from performing any functions until you type in a specific 4-digit PIN or take the unit to a predetermined location. Features exclusive to the StreetPilot c550 include Bluetooth technology integrated with a microphone and dual speakers for hands-free mobile phone calls on a compatible phone. View incoming calls on your c550, and simply tap the screen to answer. Just speak into the built-in microphone while staying focused on your driving. Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling Voice announces streets by name Configurable car icons Preloaded maps for all of North America Fingertip touch-screen interface Look up addresses and points of interest Choose 2D or 3D map perspective Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones and safety cams Add optional software with SD memory card expansion slot Voice - Navigation instructions and warnings with TTS (text-to-speech) Waypoints - 500 with name and graphic symbol Trip computer - Resettable odometer, timers, average and maximum speeds Phone book - Stores contact numbers from paired phones that support book transfer GPS Performance Receiver - SiRFstarIII high-sensitivity GPS receiver Interfaces - USB 2.0 full-speed Power Input - 12/24v Dc Usage - 15w maximum at 13.8v Dc Battery life - up to 8 hours Unit Dimensions - Width 4.4 x Height 3.2 x Depth 2.2 inch (11.3 x 8.2 x 5.6 cm) Unit Weight - 0.59 pounds (269 grams)
|
 |