Hard to get L.O.S.T. with your new ( Co ) Pilot...
Written: Jan 28 '03 (Updated Jan 29 '03)
Product Rating:
Pros: Great Display in Color, Long List of Useful Features, Upgradeable Memory, Portable Size, Voice Prompts
Cons: Base Maps are too General, Must pay extra to open other regions
The Bottom Line: "Best Bang for the Buck" list of purchases. I am always finding new uses for this GPS and would not go anywhere without it in the future.
DarbyWalters's Full Review: Garmin StreetPilot c550 Car GPS Receiver
I purchased the Garmin SteetPilot III for III reasons.
1) I own a Texas Statewide Moving Company and needed/wanted a GPSr for business purposes. Locations are now at my finger tips.
2) I go Off Road in my Jeep Liberty and the Garmin lets me find obstacles with coordinates, mark locations with waypoints and gives me a track log to find my way back. You can also download off road maps and topographical maps if you need.
3) I wanted to start GeoCaching and needed a GPSr to do this. People place and hide "Caches" in remote locations and post the coordinates on certain Bulletin Boards. This allows you to hone your mapping and GPSr skills and get some hiking, biking or 4wheelin' in to boot.
I purchased mine on line for under $800.00 including shipping. This included the StreetPilot III, a 32MB memory stick, a Power Cord with Speaker, a Dash Mount Disc and the PC Adapter to use the Garmin on your PC. I have added an Amplified Antenna for even better reception and a Bean Bag Mount/Windshield Suction Mount for a shake free mounting system that makes it easy to take the GPS out. One cool feature when you take it out ( if you leave 6 AA batteries installed )is that it does not immediately cut off when you disconnect it from the power cord. Instead, it warns you that the external power source has been interrupted and that you can hit any key to transfer the unit to battery power.
The instructions booklets ( there are three ) are fairly easy to follow and have most of the information you may need. If you still have questions, Garmin has a helpful website that answers the rest of your questions. The website also helps you keep track of the Free Upgrades, New Equipment and Maps to Download...although you usually have to pay for the map downloads. It also directs you to the Geocaching Website for fun.
There are plenty of Screens and Options for you to customize your Garmin to suit your requirements. For instance, you can program the Garmin for Shorter Routes, Faster Routes, include U-Turns, include Toll Roads and many more options. You can also preset the screen for three different brightness levels which makes it easier to read in the sunlight and easier on the eyes during night driving.
There is also an Internal Atomic Clock which can be set for your Time Zone. It can even tell you when the sunrise and sunset will occur.
Basically, it would take pages and pages to list and describe all the features included with the Garmin StreetPilot III. Instead let me say that I ended up getting more than I expected with this purchase...the intrinsic value increases everyday when I find a new use for this GPSr. The portability ( weights about 1 pound 4 ounces with batteries ), ability to upgrade memory, accuracy, speed readings ( great if you have added taller or shorted tires on your vehicle ), online help, myriad of feature/options and easy to read color screen with voice prompt make this GPSr a great "Bang for the Buck" purchase. I highly recommend the Garmin StreetPilot III without any reservations.
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