|
| 
 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
|
| Customer Reviews:
 No Route Capability June 16, 2007
6 out of 9 found this review helpful
Just got a return note from Garmin Support. Although advertised as having Routes and waypoints, it just isn't so. Using MapSource on your computer (which you must request) leaves something to be desired. After all the hassle of learning MapSource(not worth getting into here), I uploaded the Routes and Waypoints. In the favorites, just the waypoints appear. Figured I was doing something wrong. Contacted Garmin. They confirmed. The Nuvi 660 (and the C530) does not support routes. So, if you wish to plan trips before going on them, forget Garmin. I'm looking elsewhere, and looking to return my (daughters presents) units.
Too be fair, the C530 unit seems excellent for just getting from here to there. The Nuvi 660 is not worth the extra $300. The MP3 player only works over an FM transmitter (poor), and only handles MP3. No M4A (I could understand the M4P problem, but not the M4A).
Disappointing July 9, 2007
6 out of 10 found this review helpful
Have been using for a while and is easy enough to use. But does not always give best directions. Seems to divert from most efficient route. Even though quickest route is selected in options, directs me off highway onto stoplight dotted route which maybe shorter, but whole lot slower. Will get you there, but has questionable decision making in choosing route. Have tried contacting Garmin tech support, but they offered little or no help.
 Easy and accurate August 14, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Out of the box this C530 was easy to use. I've had this for a month now and am in awe of how I can get to a destination that I never went to before without wrong turns.
There are some destinations that I am VERY familiar with and I think there's a short cut that the Garmin c530 doesn't take me through. This is inevitable. I am sure that I will not get lost going somewhere.
THe screen is bright day and night.
I can see the map and read the text very easily. I do need a wee bit of magnification to read well so I use 1.25 cheaters. I don't need cheaters to read the text.
The voice is loud and distinct.
I contacted Garmin and there is an updated full app MapSouce disk heading my way. This will enable me to see the map on my computer and input POIs (point of interest).
The menu is thorough and easy to learn.
I downloaded new vehicles from Garmin (Garmin.com/vehicles) these installed easily.
The Garmin c530 showed up easily on my computer.
This is ideal for my use.
I would buy this unit for my Dad who is computer illiterate and be assured that he would use it out of the box.
[...]
Very good tools.
I paid $[...] for this and it is well worth it. Last I saw the price was going down.
I ordered and use the "mat" to hold the unit in place. Very solid holding surface, thus far no shifting on the dashboard even in tight turns. I had the first windshield mount fall off after a bunch of hot days.
TOB9595
Meets all my expectations January 3, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
In selecting a GPS, I made a decision that I was not going to spend a penny over $400. With GPS really entering the main stream this Christmas season (Gamin, Tom Tom and Magellan commercials are everywhere) I felt it would be wise to stick to the budget. I think GPS units are going to follow the lead of digital cameras and have big price drops in the next few years.
At the last minute, I did a 180. I was seriously looking at the new Magellan Roadmate 2200T. It had all the features I needed, was solid state and waterproof. However, I kept on reading less than glowing user reviews. It is not uncommon for the units to lock up or crash and the routing it chooses is not the best.
Based on that,I ordered a Gamin c530. Of the 50 or so user reviews I read, only 1 was negative. The other 49 gave it their highest rating. They raved about the units accuracy in route selection. It also have a wonderful screen that is bright and does not wash out in direct sunlight and uses flash memory. As is the case in life, there were trade offs to consider.
1. The c530 is not waterproof. However, I do not ride my morotcycle much when it rains. On the few occasions I do ride in the rain I will stick to major roads and a map should work just fine. I am not going to explore the back roads in bad weather. Plus, I will use it a lot more in the car than on the motorcycle.
2. The c530 does not have text to speech. That would have been nice, but it does tell you when to turn and the street name is prominently displayed on the screen. I felt the superior accuracy of the Gamin was more important than the text to speech the Magellan offered.
3. The Gamin will not save multiple destination trips. I rarely do long cross country motorcycle trips so this feature was more of a luxury than a necessity for me.
In the three weeks I have had the c530 it has worked flawlessly. Although it does not have a couple features I was hoping for, that is more than offset by the 530's accuracy and ease of use. Another positive is that I was albe to make the purchase well under my budgeted amount. I figure in two years prices will be lower and I will buy a new unit for the motorcycle and give the c530 to my wife to keep in her car. The Magellan 2200T has wonderful features, but it does not seem to be accurate or reliable. If they ever get their act together, they should have a winner. I felt more comfortable buying a unit that is getting rave reviews from current users. I have no regrets. I defenitely feel I selected the right unit to meet my needs.
Great navigation tool January 9, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I received the StreetPilot c530 for Christmas and have been very pleased with it's operation. The tracking and displaying of images is quick and fluid. The route determination is quick. Even when you divert from a calculated route, the c530 calculates a new route immediately. The display brightness and vocal crispness make it easy to use. Saving the current location as a favorite is extremely easy. The windshield mount is very secure and yet easy to remove and store.
I do wish there was some type of optional indication of the scale that is being displayed.
|
|
|
2005-2007 Zone1electronics All rights reserved.
| |
