Garmin StreetPilot c530 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
by Garmin
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List Price: Our Price: $29.99 You Save: $333.80 (92%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin StreetPilot c530 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Customer Review: Great affordable GPS device
Summary: 4 Stars
I received this GPS device in mid December of 2006 and find that it works very well. The unit provides accurate directions and with the new SiRF chipset I am able to maintain a signal even in my house. I am a contractor and the main reason I purchased this unit was have the ability to find lumber yards, hardware stores, etc. where ever I might be working and this functionality works great.
There are two reasons that this unit didn't receive 5 stars:
1) Even though there are 7 bazillion POI there have been cases where large company stores have not appeared on the units list (my local Lowe's is an example).
2) Several times I've taken short trips (10 - 15 minutes) and within that time space the unit will still be in the "acquiring satellites" mode. I've contacted Garmin support and they suggested resetting the unit. During these trips I knew where I was going and didn't need the device for directions however if I were relying on the unit to get me somewhere the 10+ delay acquiring satellites would be annoying.
Despite my two notes listed above I would still buy this unit again and would recommend it. It's accurate, recalculates fast and is very easy to use. In fact it even keeps the kids entertained.
Customer Review: Great GPS
Summary: 5 Stars
I have used Hertz's NeverLost system for many years and really like it. The c530 easily holds it's own against the NeverLost... in fact, the Garmin is much more user friendly with the touch screen feature. I've been using it for over 2 months now and have experienced no problems at all, including the oft dissed suction cup mount; it works fantastic (so far), just make sure the windshield is clean before attaching it, then stick it on as directed.
The unit acquires satelites very quickly, usually within 5 to 10 seconds (unless you turn it on in a different location than where you turned it off in which case it might take up to a minute). The voice is clear and plenty loud and the directions are very clear.
If I HAD to complain about something it would probably be that I have to remove it everytime I leave the car just to make sure it doesn't grow legs. In the winter it's no big deal because I can just put it in my coat pocket. This summer may be a different story though. This does not set the unit apart from anybody else's GPS so it's not a strike against the c530... only against a 'non-factory-installed' unit but, for over $1000.00 difference, I'll gladly tote it around.
GREAT unit!
Customer Review: Great GPS
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had the Garmin C530 for over two weeks, and so far I'm impressed. The menu is very intuitive, and the screen is readable under sunlight. It takes you to your destination without a problem for the most part, although I did get lost once when I was trying to find a Fedex facility. I wish it has more advanced features like the TomTom One, such as advanced route planning. Points of Interests are fairly up-to-date, but the maps need to be updated. I was visiting Rochester and the GPS told me to make a left turn onto a one-way street going to the right.
My girlfriend bought the C330 around the same time, and the C530 acquires a signal significant faster, especially when starting up the unit from cold. It also holds a signal better than the C330, both due to a better chipset. My girlfriend is visiting Philadelphia at the moment and she complains that the C330 is barely usable because it gets no signal due to all the tall building in the city. Other than that, both units have identical functions, and slightly different menus. If you're considering both the C330 and C530, I strongly recommend that you do some research on the C530 on some GPS forums, it might help you decide which one to pick.
Customer Review: First GPS - Good choice
Summary: 4 Stars
I ordered the Garmin C530 the Sunday before the 4th of July and saved enough that I chose overnight shipping. Amazon delivered on time and the C530 was so easy to program and use we were able to enjoy it right away. I had looked at GPS units off and on for a couple years and finally decided to buy one. I feel that was an excellent decision and the prices have dropped to the affordable range.
I do kind of wish I had purchased the Nuvi 350 because of the smaller size and speaking the street names, but this unit is a pleasure and is so easy to use.
Fisrt trip I needed to exit the interstate for a rest stop. Just so happened we could exit but there was no on ramp at that exit to get back on. Garmin took us on some country roads and within short order were guided to the next on ramp and on our way going the right direction on the interstate. Even around town it is nice not to have to look for address numbers and try to find which side of the street is even and which is odd. The C530 says that the destination is .x miles on the right or left and is actually a safety feature in that respect. We are really enjoying the unit and it will be our travel companion when we fly and rent a car on the other end.
Customer Review: good value
Summary: 4 Stars
This is my first GPS and I found the Garmin C530 very easy to use and set up right out of the box. I have not had it that long and have mostly used it to get to places I already knew where I was going to get a feel for the unit or places that I had some idea on how to get to but was not fully confident of. Except for choosing some routes that I have found over the years to be slightly longer than others when leaving our house to go somewhere, it has gotten me where I wanted to go in a fairly direct route. This past weekend I did have to go to a town in a different part of the state and to an address I did not know how to get to and it worked like a charm and took me the way I would have expected.
The biggest issue I have is being able to select detours. The unit does make re-calculations quickly, but I found that it would first try to make me go in a circle to get back to the route it had initially determined that I should take. Based on my experience to date, having used it as I have, I would recommend this unit to someone looking for an easy to use, but accurate GPS unit and I would not hesitate to purchase the same unit again if I needed to.