Garmin StreetPilot c580 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with MSN Direct
by Garmin
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List Price: Category: GPS or Navigation System See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin StreetPilot c580 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with MSN Direct
Customer Review: Not worth the Aggravation
Summary: 1 Stars
When I first got this GPS the first week it worked great! Quick set-up, very user friendly, large screen with bright colors...it just worked flawless. Until...and I mean until about a week later it just decides to stop working. So I'm looking at this thing like, " ok, now what?" So I decide to thumb through the manual to see if maybe I've done anything wrong. I read that there's a reset button and even after trying to reset the darn thing, it still didn't work. Apparently this GPS on occasion just shuts down. It says it in the manual. It says it has temporary power outages. How freaking convenient when you need the darn thing and it does this! I personally don't feel like blowing through couple hundred dollars for something that might not always work...I don't know about you? Not to mention, unfortunately for me, the MSN Direct wasn't in my area (but I didn't buy this for that reason). The other bad thing about this GPS is that its rather bulky. Grant it, I knew that before I bought it but keep in mind, its a pain in the butt to have because it cannot sustain extreme temperatures therefore you must remove the GPS every time you have a heat wave or a real freeze. The GPS will shut down. So where the heck am I going to put this big thing...in my back pocket? They must work on developing a thinner version. After this one failed on me I decided to return it for a replacement...I was hoping I just got a bad apple. Turns out, the second one was just as bad repeating the same problems. I called Garmin and they couldn't even help me. So best bet, buy another gps .... bare in mind also, places like Best Buy have terrible return policies on electronics...this is just in case you go there.
Customer Review: My first GPS and I love it.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is my first GPS. I picked this one because of the free 1 year MSN service that gives you traffic alerts.
This was definitely a great buy and Amazon did a perfect job getting it to me and at a good price.
I am finding short cuts and better routes. Doing a 32 mile trip to visit relatives once a week I saved 4.5 miles each way on a quicker route, that's 9 miles per round trip, it adds up. The MSN part of it is good but I'm not sure if I will renew the service after the first free year. So far I only saved about $2 on finding cheaper gas stations with the MSN service, and maybe a few dollars on avoiding major traffic a few times. The traffic alerts are not always there and updated though, that's why I may not renew the MSN.
I seem to use the navigation part of it more where I saved about $27 so far, I keep track of everything. I have only had it a month, so it will pay itself off really fast. This is a good way to conserve gas.
I also find it very useful when driving to work, it tells me estimated time of arrival. This way I know I have plenty of time and don't have to rush and risk a ticket. Many times I feel I am going to be late but then the GPS tells me I have a 5 minute cushion, so I can relax and coast into work.
Some routes it takes you may not be the best, and you can adjust the route if you are familiar with a better route, so it may not be perfect but it is very close to perfect. I'd say if you drive more than 10,000 miles a year and do many trips that are over 10-20 miles one way, you need a GPS. So if you were thinking of getting one, get it. Consider it free because it will pay for itself.
Customer Review: Garmin C580 - Great on vacation
Summary: 4 Stars
First GPS unit, and I really like the Garmin C580. Very fast route calculations, though not always the quickest route. I purchased before a recent trip from Ohio to North Carolina, one that we have made before but not in several years, so I was somewhat familiar with the trip. We went down a different way than we intended to come back for sight-seeing reasons, but on the way back, there were several times that the Garmin tried to take us on a route that was not the most direct. Once I started driving the way I knew was faster, it would quickly recalculate, and sure enough, the arrival time would drop by a half hour. I did follow the directions on the unit at one point entering Ohio, and another car we were traveling with went the normal route. They were behind us at the turn off, but beat us home by nearly a half hour, and that leg of the trip was only about 3 hours total! However, it was useful in getting us around a traffic stoppage on the highway at 11:30 at night in the mountains of North Carolina, which was a blessing. The POI database was also great in looking for a hotel - we just sat at a rest area, pulled up the phone numbers and called.
MSN direct info was good for gas prices, was hit and miss with traffic data. Bluletooth feature is nice, but can be hard to hear and be heard. I would not recommend this as a primary hands free device, but can be nice for in-car conference calls, or when traveling with friends or family.
Overall, I am very pleased with the C580 - however, I think I will still be pre-planning trips as well whenever possible, to make sure I am taking the fastest route.
Customer Review: Great Product!
Summary: 4 Stars
I actually purchased the Garmin c580 after a lot of research and reading the reviews. I wanted something very inexpensive but a quality product. The majority of the reviews were very positive and the price was right so I decided to go for it. I do a lot of traveling (local and across the states) and I needed something reliable so I wouldn't have to continue to print maps off the internet. This little gadget is a WONDERFUL tool to have, I don't know how I survived without it. It's my new little traveling companion. I haven't had any problems getting to where I need to go, and it even recalculates my route instantly around traffic and gets me back on track without any problems. This is a wonderful product and the MSN feature is a great add on. I don't use it all the time, but I do find it helpful during traffic jams and I have used the movie time feature and the weather feature. Both have been accurate. I know there were a lot of people disappointed with the "gas price" feature through MSN, but in reality, gas prices change from morning to mid-day to night. So if the "gas price" feature isn't 100% accurate all the time, that shouldn't be the main reason you don't purchase this product. The bluetooth feature is great too...but the sound quality can be low at times. The Garmin is lightweight and easily viewable even with the 3.5 screen size. I updated the maps about the 2nd day I had it and it did take a while to download the huge file, BUT I didn't have any issues with updating it at all and the download was pretty straight forward. I would definitely recommend purchasing this one.Customer Review: Great GPS at at a GREAT price
Summary: 5 Stars
I have the Garmin StreetPilot c580 in one car and the nuvi 760 in the other. The nuvi 760 has some advantages but you decide if the price differential is worth it. The 760 has a slightly bigger screen (although both are big enough). The graphics on the 760 are more sophisticated and less cartoonish. The 760 can handle multiple destinations simultaneously and it can do off road and bicycle and it can even lead you back to your car in the parking lot, assuming the lot is outside so it can receive a satellite signal. The 760 also can transmit on FM to be heard on the radio but the signal is very weak and there is static so I prefer the built in speaker (it is easy to mute).
The 580 is an outstanding value. It comes with a year of MSN traffic/movie times/gas/weather. The 760 only includes 3 months of traffic. The 580 is bulkier despite have a slightly smaller screen since it is not "flat". Both GPS devices are very easy to use, the 580 may be a little easier since it also has a volume wheel on the side while the 760 requires the use of the touchscreen.
Both devices have Bluetooth capability which allows the GPS to perform as a handsfree speakphone compliant with California's new law effective July 1. Just tap the screen to answer incoming calls. It is also easy to make outgoing calls. The GPS will show you all the telephone numbers in you phone directory.
The 580 is the better value but if you want the extra features and the sleeker look the nuvi 760 is also a great machine.