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Written: Sep 06 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Ergonomics, utility, product quality
Cons: Price, mounting bracket
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| gw360's Full Review: Garmin StreetPilot ColorMap Car GPS Receiver |
Ever been lost while driving? I mean really, really lost - thinking that you are going south only to find that you are headed north, believing that you are getting closer to your destination when you are actually putting on miles in the opposite direction, knowing that you are getting close to where you need to be, even though you are way off?
Well, I don't think I've ever been quite that lost myself, having been blessed with a pretty good innate sense of direction. But even still, I can't imagine giving up my Garmin StreetPilot ColorMap.
I do a lot of freeway driving around the western and central US, and the StreetPilot is an excellent companion. Besides displaying your current location at any given moment, it provides a birds-eye view of your position on its detailed but easily readable base map. If your particular needs require greater map detail, the optional MapSource CD-ROM can be used to upload street-level maps of the particular areas that interest you. You do need to also purchase a memory card for the StreetPilot to take advantage of this feature.
The StreetPilot ColorMap (as well as its monochrome cousin) also provides a 'trip computer' view that displays your current speed, accumulated miles, total drive time and other useful information. I've used this data to calculate fuel economy and plan future trips with great results.
The ergonomics of the StreetPilot are well-suited to use in a mobile environment. The crisp color LCD display features adjustable backlighting, and the oversized controls are easy to use, even without benefit of seeing them. One minor complaint is that some users may find even the dimmest backlight setting a bit too bright during nighttime use.
The greatest weakness of the StreetPilot is the in-vehicle mounting bracket that comes with the unit. The bracket is intended to be affixed to the dashboard or other surface with the included tiny screws or adhesive pad, or with hook and loop fastener (aka VelcroŽ) provided by the user. In practice, none of these options are very practical for long-term use: the screws will permanently damage the mounting surface, while adhesive and Velcro are adversely effected by the heat and vibration typical in mobile applications. There are commercial-grade mounting solutions available from third parties such as RAM Mount (http://www.ram-mount.com), but the aesthetic design of these rigs is more suited to the utilitarian interior of a police car or a semi-tractor than the more luxurious cockpit of an SUV.
Otherwise, the StreetPilot ColorMap is a category-leading product and should fit the needs of anyone that finds themselves spending significant time behind the wheel. If you've ever wondered exactly where you are headed in life, the StreetPilot might have some answers for you.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
gw360
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Location: San Francisco, CA
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 0 members
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