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 enlarge | Brand: Garmin
Category: CE
List Price: $363.79
Buy Used: $99.99
You Save: $263.80 (73%)
New (5) from $245.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  259 reviews
Media: Electronics
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Native Resolution: 320 x 240
Display Size: 3.5
Includes MP3 Player: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.4
Dimensions (in): 2.2 x 4.4 x 3.2
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: 010-00521-00
Model: 010-00521-00
UPC: 753759054472
EAN: 0753759054472
Release Date: July 10, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 The eye vs. the ear December 4, 2007
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
My wife just had her (originally mine) Garmin StreetPilot 550 stolen, and I, my 340. As a musician frequently needing to find remote addresses in the greater Chicago area at night, I needed a replacement. Since the 550 was clearly a premium machine compared to the 340, how could the 530 possibly be priced below it? I like the reduced reflection of the 500 series' screens (at least for daylight use), definitely easier on the eye than the 300 series. The 530 may not pronounce street names, but it allows you to see them on the screen better.
But the Cnet review of the 530 is not encouraging, and Amazon consumer testimonials on behalf of the c530, while favorable, are relatively cursory compared to those provided by 330 and 340 supporters. (I personally find the smaller, Nuvi series too minuscule--additional gadgetry to carry in overloaded pockets and to lose faster than a thief can break into a car.) Even though both the 340 and 530 are discontinued, I don't see how any upgrades available to 330 or 550 owners would not also be available to 340 and 530 owners.
Having owned both a 550 and a 340, I frankly never noticed any faster, improved locking into the signal with the 550, despite Garmin's claims. It pretty much comes down to better screen appearance (530) vs. more detailed voice directions. So I'm going to go with the reviews as well as the unit I really had no complaints about, other than the wash-out factor, and pick up another StreetPilot 340.
Either way, you probably can't go wrong. If the price spread reaches 20 or more, buy low.
 Not Easily Surprised... the Garmin c530 DELIVERS! January 9, 2007
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Being a tough guy to buy for, my family gave me a cash credit to buy a GPS for a Christmas gift. Much THANKS to them! Waited for the January sales and luckily read a local flyer offering the c530 steeply discounted to $364 US. Quickly grabbed the only one they had in stock. This current best and low price were my happy and rookie introduction into automotive GPS. (My only other brief GPS experience was with a handheld eTrex a few years ago and while interesting didn't hit me with any "Wow" factor.) Previosly had already decided the c530, Garmin's middle-range StreetPilot model, was the GPS for me as I didn't want or need MP3, text messaging and other options offered in the c550. (Have also learned the best value is almost always the one with the same, core high-end features but not all the optional nuances that I rarely - if ever use.) Have an iPod and didn't want or need the Bluetooth capability as I have a Treo 700P and its own excellent Bluetooth. Just wanted the recently upgraded, SirfstarIII GPS Receiver with the latest and brightest screen technology. The c530 has the same processor and screen of the much higher priced Nuvi 660.
Speaking of "Wow" well... this has it and more. It worked literally out of the box. Didn't read the manual. It quickly found satellites and updated almost instantly. The screen is extremely readable in ALL light. So bright I have to dim it to 30% at night. Came with the current v8 N.American database installed. Had to upgrade the installed software from version 4.0 to 4.1 (More on that in a moment). There is nothing about this unit I don't like. Smart, intuitive menu's. Quickly identifies local businesses, fuel etc. Obviously these specific items have to be in the database which appeared quite complete for my area. It is smokin' quick and updates almost instantly. Different map views with scrollable access if desired. Tried to fool it with different and tricky locations that I already knew and it handled them all with aplomb. When I detoured to avoid a train crossing delay the voice became slightly strident as I passed a couple change-of-route options (still blocked by the same moving train) until finding the proper underpass. The voice lost its slightly demanding tone and became more calm with me back on track. I am surprised how excited I am with this. Cool is an understatement! All in all a very impressive package. Granted, I am still in the honeymoon period and while the receiver is well thought out and impressive in use, (here come the only cons...) Garmin's support for my Apple OSX platform is less than impressive.
Garmin has promised full support for Apple OSX across their complete GPS line in 2007 and they have begun to deliver on that with a recent sport/software release. However, to update the c530 using my PPC Mac on OSX was a bit of a dance which I was able to shuffle through, but many less sophisticated Apple users would find onerous if not impossible. The latest Intel Mac's would have little or no problem as they could run the .exe updater in Windows. Fortunately, I have the last Virtual PC (v.7) which allows the ability to run Windows in emulation and was able to update the receiver using that. As this unit supports POI (Point of Interest) database downloads it provides for custom GPS information. Garmin continues to ignore Mac users by not making a POI downloader that works on the Mac. Fortunately a fellow in the UK wrote a couple of Applescript converters that allow hard-nosed Mac users to run around Garmin's historical and extremely short sighted view of the Mac. While disappointed that Garmin has been this slow in recognizing the Apple/Mac platform - they are attempting to remedy. Its lack of Mac support is only a nuisance when trying to update software and not something you do often. Once the optional information is loaded into the receiver it really shines with well thought out performance. You would have thought Apple had built it. Highly Recommend!
Very Good Device at a Reasonable Price January 29, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I've been using this unit for about 2 months and am very satisfied with its performance.
I like the automatic day & night brightness feature; favorites are easy to enter & save; retrieving favorites using the spell function is a time saver. Overall it's very user friendly and easy to use without having to read much documentation (although I read it all).
Some of my dislikes: the database only gets updated every other year (I prefer annual updates); the Garmin website should be more user friendly; I'd like an audible low battery reminder (the visual one is ok but not displayed while using the map to navigate).
I recommend this unit for those who want a very good portable GPS unit at a reasonable price.
Street Pilot c530 February 23, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I have been using gps devices for many years and have always relied on Garmin for top quality products. My latest is the Street Pilot c530 which has proved to be giant steps ahead of anything I have ever tried. After only a month of usage, it has become an indespensable piece of equipment. I read dozens of positve reviews and talked to several actual users and agree with all that this is a product almost without flaw. It leads you to almost anywhere you might to go with very little help and the directions are clear and easily understood. I thought this was close to being the best buy in the entire line because of the extra new hi tech features such as the SIRF chip that picks up satellite signals even through the roof of the store or at home. That coupled with the extra bright screen equals the top of the line and saves big bucks. The c530 goes with me eveywhere now and it's fun just to have the map turned on even in areas that are familiar.Buying from Amazon can't be topped. I'd rate it more stars if it was available!
The Great Garmin C530 June 13, 2007
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
My son-in-law had one and I was going on a long trip to NY and Canada. His seemed so easy to program that I thought it might be good for me to have on my trip. I bought one. It is the best thing since sliced bread. Wow! It took me to places that I know I would never find on a map. We went to a Winery . . . I still don't know where it is . . . but the Garmin c530 got me there and back without any trouble. I almost ran out of gas at one point. I punched in fuel and it took me from an interstate to a small town and asked me if I wanted to continue my trip after. I said "Yes" and when I finished it told me to turn here and there and suddenly I was back on the Interstate with a full tank of gas. I am in awe about its performance. I highly recommend it for anyone traveling in the US or Canada. I should be a salesman for Garmin because I tell everyone about it and I don't get any commission. LOL.
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