We had been looking at GPS systems for months, and really couldn't justify purchasing one, as we rarely venture out of Florida. So when we flew to California, visiting with Len's family, we borrowed their Garmin GPS system to get to San Francisco. It was just amazing. Every time we wanted to go to a different location we keyed it in and it found it for us.

My husband Len, just loves toys, so when we returned home, we went out and purchased the Garmin StreetPilot C330 GPS Receiver. There were several other ones in the shops but we knew this one to be very easy to read.

When Len opened the box there were:

The Garmin unit.
An A/C power adapter cord so that you can program it inside the house.
A mount for the dashboard.
A suction cup mount to attaching to the dash.
A 12 volt cigarette lighter adapter.
PC/USB cable.
Owner's manual and also a quick reference guide.
A C.D for windows.

We switched the unit on in the house and the whole of the front is a touch screen. This is so easy to use. First of all we put our home address in. We keyed in our address and saved it. Now whenever we are returning from anywhere, we press favorites and then home.

The other day we were going to a new doctor so we keyed in the address. Then put the Garmin C330 in the car and it gave us the amount of miles to destination and the approximate time we would get there. It showed us starting at our home, then the ladies voice told us to continue for however many miles and turn left. Then she told us to continue on this road for x amount of miles and then turn right. Prior to each turn she would let us know either .3 of a mile or .2 of a mile before the turn. She would also tell us to turn right before the turn. When we were on the last road she told us that our destination was on the right. Then just prior to it, she told us to turn right to our destination.

This is what the driver hears. I was the passenger so I got to see the large display. It showed our home and then the road we were taking. It even had the bends in the road. When we were turning it showed me which road we would be turning on to. It showed a big arrow in the direction we would be taking. The length of time on each road was being counted down for me.

I got to see all the minor roads that we were crossing. I had heard of some of these roads before but now actually knew where they were. It even showed lakes at either side of the roads.

I really think that any GPS system is much more effective when a passenger is in the car. I can see that a driver could take a turn too soon, when roads are really close together. It doesn't state the name of the road so a person looking at the screen can check to ensure that it is the right one.

With all GPS systems, they need to be able to get their signals from satellites. When we are in the car the system needs to be on the front window or the dashboard or close to it so that it can work. Sometimes it does take a little time in finding them. The system can go down if you are between tall buildings. This happened with the Garmin system we were using in San Francisco. Once we were out of them it re-calculated and continued directions from the new point.

A little more about the machine.

The whole front is the screen. When switched on it comes up Street Pilot. The next screen is a warning not to enter information when driving etc. The next screen gives you two options, Where to? and View Map. When you press Where to, you get 6 choices, address, food, lodging, my locations, fuel, and spell name. When I go into my locations there are three choices, go home, favorites, and recent selections. These are self-explanatory. Spell name allows you to key in a name. It will either bring it up or something similar. It starts with the nearest location to you. Address takes you to the state, then city or search all. Food and fuel is great if you need either. It will give you the nearest locations even when you are on the road.

The machine is so light and the dimensions are 4.4" wide X 3.2" height X 2." depth. On the right side is the power switch. Press in and hold to switch the machine on. It can be used this way. When we are in the vehicles we plug into the cigarette lighter and the other end of the lead into the bottom of the unit. The suction cup is easy to press against the window on the passenger side and pull the lever to secure it. Then the unit clicks into its mount. Sometimes we key the details into the unit when we are in the house, but often I do it when Len is driving.

We can be halfway through our drive and need to stop for food or the bathroom. I press on food and then fast food and we find the nearest Burger King or Wendy's. Once we have eaten I then press recent and the destination we want and it continues on with our journey.

The one thing I don't like about the G.P.S. system is that it takes the major roads. We were in Orlando and it kept wanting to take us on the I 4. There are really bad roads works getting on the I 4 from Hwy 192 so we had to ignore it. Then it says re-calculating. Then we hear take the next right and we ignore it. It re-calculates again. This continues as the machine is trying to get us on the I 4. If we ignore it too long is states do a U turn when you can. It is so funny. At some point it finally picks up that we want to go another route. Len and I are truly amazed how it works and what it does.

Even though we have only just purchased this unit it doesn't have new roads, stores, etc. in it. I knew that there was a Super Wal-Mart close to S.R.27 and Hwy 192 but when we were getting close I keyed in Super Wal-Mart and it didn't come up. We found it ourselves but as soon as we got out of the parking lot it picked up our original destination and took us there.

This is totally portable so we can use it in either Len's or my vehicle. It will be great for me when I am doing night shifts as a caregiver. Sometimes the client's homes are out of town and it will really help. It will tell me which side of the road the house is, and that is a big bonus for me. I hate having to get out of my car at night to try to read house numbers.

Now as I always say in my reviews I do have all the technical details in the owner's manual. If anyone wants to know more, please leave me a comment, or email me and I will include it in my review.

We paid $449 for the system in Best Buy and then found it cheaper in Ritz camera. With the $50 we got back we decided to take out the 4 year extended warranty. We were told that we could take it back anytime during that period, if there was a problem, and it would be replaced.

We are heading down to South Beach Miami in November to meet up with our good friends Barbara and Irving (ifif1938) and I just know that the Garmin C330 will take us to our timeshare, and all the places we want to see.

This indeed will give us happy travels.

Susie.






Recommended: Yes