3 comments about Garmin StreetPilot c550 GPS Navigator (Bilingual).

1. Placed an order a month before I received it.. But it was worth the wait. The Bluetooth handsfree option makes this item a gem! It binds with your phone in no time and works flawlessly.
   Traffic receiver, a necessity in metro. city. For $5/month, this system shows you ways around traffic you never thought existed.
   Navigation so VERY easy to use, can't imagine how I lived without it!!
   This is a MUST BUY!!



2. I purchased this as my first GPS for a family vacation. Researched quite a few and decided upon the c550 because of brand name and simplicity. Overall a great little device, very intuitive, easy to use. Got us to where we wanted to go "most (99%)" of the time. Two preprogrammed locations, a Toy Train museum in PA and a restaurant in GA were way off. The first landed us at a very nice Amish farmers house - not many toy electric trains there and the second, for the restaurant, in an office park. Both locations several miles off. I'll report the details on the Garmin page to see if future updates make corrections. Only one additional trip point can be added to a trip but you can change them out as you go. Apparently with MapSource products by Garmin, purchased separately, you can add more - I'm not clear on this - still learning the difference between waypoints, trip points, points of interest, etc. At any rate I hope this is changed in future updates. The Bluetooth sync'd to my phone and works very well as a speaker phone. It has MP3 capability but in my opinion you get better sound quality from an old AM transistor radio and this is just a feature I will not use. The provided mounting is a bit cumbersome. I would prefer it come with a friction mount, an available option, but the suction devices do work. I'll be adding an optional friction mount... The voice directions are very computer like sometimes the pronunciation is off but is usually understandable. The GTM 20 Traffic Message Channel is extremely convenient and does a great job of helping to avoid traffic jams. Overall I really like my new gadget!
   
   Update: C550 GTM 20 Blowing its Fuse
   
   The following is a problem I am having with the GTM 20 integrated FM TMC (Traffic Message Channel) traffic receiver, antenna and cigarette lighter adapter supplied with the c550. I have reported this via email and telephone to Garmin. The Garmin Tech - who was very helpful - said this is a first and is exchanging the GTM 20 for one from the factory.
   
   Here is the reported issue:
   
   "The GTM 20 supplied with my new c550 blows its fuse every time I plug it into either of my vehicles, car and van, lighter outlets. The fuse blows with or when power is applied to the lighter outlet regardless of whether or not the c550 is attached. I returned my orgianl brand new c550 to Circuit City because after 2 weeks of flawless performance it started exhibiting this behavior. Now, out of the box this c550's GTM 20 is doing the same. All other 12v adapters for phone, etc work properly in both vehicles. As noted above the c550 I just returned worked perfectly for about 2 weeks, in both automobiles and now this new, out of the box c550s GTM 20 is doing the same thing."
   
   FURTHER UPDATE:
   
   I received the replacement GTM 20 for my c550 directly from Garmin and it is working perfectly in both vehicles, it has not blown its fuse yet.
   
   The first GTM 20 worked for about 2 weeks, the second failed right out of the box. Both units came from the same Circuit City store.
   
   While waiting for the replacement GTM I purchased a standard Garmin 12 volt car adapter and it works correctly in both vehicles.
   
   I'm sure Garmin engineers designed and completely tested the GTM 20 before going to production and that in the lab and all subsequent evaluations it performed to standard. If my latest GTM 20 continues to work then I believe Garmin may have a defective lot of GTM 20s out there. If this new GTM fails after a few weeks of use then I believe there potentially may be an issue with their manufacturer.
   
   I would encourage you to call Garmin tech support if you experience this, endure the wait - enjoy the on hold music, and report your issue. I spoke with a gentleman named Scott and he was very helpful. I did receive a response from the initial e-mail inquiry I sent their tech support and basically they said they had never heard of the problem, have a great day.... Telephone was the way to go.



3. Right out of the box this GPS was easy to use and very helpful. I just returned from Phoenix, AZ. and this GPS was so very helpful. I originally bought it for my other half who is very low tech. She even loves this GPS. I am thinking of buying another for our oldest daughter and me to share for when we have to go out of town. I am giving it 5 stars. This is the only GPS I have ever owned so I cannot compare it to anything else but why would I need anything else when I am happy with this one.

5 comments about Garmin 010-00401-10 StreetPilot c330 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator.

1. Unit works great, cuts traqvel time down by putting me in the correct lane on the highway for the exits. Love the addition info on the secondary screens. Maps clear, sharp and almostt always correct (95% of the time).
   
   Would recommend to anyone who drive in different areas for work or pleasure.



2. Keeps my directionally challenged son from getting lost. Sometimes is a problem is streets are very close together but otherwise has done a stellar job on a number of different trips. Easy to use and understand,even the technologically illiterate can handle it.



3. I'll keep it short, this is a great, easy to use and solid GPS. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of some of the newer models and it is a bit on the larger side but it always gets me where I want to go. I would give it 5 stars for what it is factoring in the price. I paid about $130 for this a while back which was a good deal then and now for $99 with free shipping it's a steal. It's nice and loud and is generally pretty smart about re-routing. My next GPS will for sure be a GARMIN, just a newer model with traffic and street name pronunciation.



4. I purchased the Refurbished Garmin StreetPilot c330 for my girlfriend who was always calling me for directions. The unit is ready to go right out of the box, almost no set up required. While not as customizable as my TomTom One, it has all the features that someone will need to keep from getting lost. This older model is perfect for someone who is intimidated by tech gadgets. It locates itself rather quickly, the driving directions and POI's are easy to use.
   I would reccomend this for anyone wanting a small simple gps.



5. I was so satisfied with my new Garmin GPS that I ordered a second one to give as a Christmas gift. It is wonderful not only for directions, but also to be able to find food, fuel and lodging while traveling.

5 comments about Magellan RoadMate 760 Portable GPS Navigator.

1. did not like this product. takes time to calculate the position during start up. In today's world, it might be worthwhile investing products like Iphone instead of a navigator



2. The RoadMate 760 works as expected except for a couple problems. You can't use a MAC to update the maps, only a Windows PC. Also, if you attach it to the windshield with the suction cup (as directed) on a bright, hot sunny day it will overheat and shut down until it cools off.



3. Tons of POI and smart. Very intuitive about traffic and traffic patterns, where the slow traffic is and during what times.



4. Big, bulky, but not terrible. Unfortunately when I called the Customer Service people to say that all of the sudden, for no apparent reason it just doesn't work any longer, they said, "sorry, but there's nothing we can do."
   
   I liked some of the features, but, man, if the thing doesn't work, I'm stuck.
   
   So- I bought a Tom-Tom One from RadioShack for $150. What a deal, and way better than the RoadMate.



5. This is an old unit. It's big. The operating system is slow. It will freeze every once in a while. Magellan is TERRIBLE about their map updating. Magellan has TERRIBLE offshore customer support. I don't care if customer service is off shore, but let me talk to somebody who is empowered to solve my problems.
   
   But even with it's old school computer voice, and now 2 year old maps... it works and it's better than not having a GPS.
   
   However, in 2008... get a Garmin.

No comments about Magellan RoadMate 1212 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator.

5 comments about Garmin Nuvi 200 Mexico 3.5-Inch Auto Navigator.

1. This is a great product. I can't imagine why you would spend more money. This little device does everything I need. My daughter plays in the band at school and I have been using to get to and from every football game in small towns throughout the state. It has been great!



2. I love this GPS - it is easy to use and with the traffic in LA & surrounding areas this is a NECESSITY!! I bought it from an Independent Seller Brand new instead of one of the Official Logo & got a GREAT deal, very happy. I recommend that if you buy look all the way to the bottom of that screen, past the Logo Sellers & select an Independent Seller based on their RATING and PRICE!!!!



3. 
   I found the Garmin Nuvi 200 to be exactly as advertised. This GPS unit is easy to use,and has everything that is nessasary for a great entry level GPS.
   I recomend this product to any one who finds some electronic devises to be confuseing. The price of a refurbished one makes this a real deal. We got this GPS as a back up to our DeLorme Earthmate LT-20 laptop GPS, but have decided to use that as a back up and keep the Garmin as our main one in our motorhome,the plus is that it is very mobil and can quickly find your destination. Other reviews criticise a few more seconds of time that they say it takes to find the Satelites, but at this price I don't find that to be a problem I have more time than money. I would recomendGarmin nüvi 200 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigatorthis to my friends.



4. I bought this Garmin for my husband's birthday. He works as an inspector for the county, traveling on many back roads. He said it has helped him a lot. However it does take him at times on dirt roads when the next road would be paved.
   I found it very helpful to read these reviews as I was very conscious that we had an up to date map. I followed the prompts and was very pleased that the Garmin we recieved had a 2009 map.



5. Love my Garmin nuvi. It's reliable and fun and reasonably priced. I didn't want all the bells and whistles and didn't want to have to pay for them. With my Garmin nuvi, I didn't have to.

5 comments about Mio DigiWalker C230 Portable GPS Navigator.

1. Features I was looking for in a GPS unit that the MIO C230 has.
   1. Text to speech.
   2. Under $200.
   3. Touch screen.
   4. Updates and firmware availability (video, mp3 media player, calculator features)
   5. Pre-installed maps on the unit NOT on SD card.
   6. Maps and POIs for Hawaii, Alaska,Puerto Rico and Canada. (Try finding this on ANY of the other competitors GPS units for under $200)
   7. Flexibility to be used on foot, driving and bike.(Again try finding this on the other competitors GPS units).
   8. Traffic video camera alerts (traffic lights with video cameras)
   
   This unit may not be as easy as the Garmins and I have owned the pilot i5 and Nuvi 600 series model, but they were not as easy to update or have the flexibility as this model. The Garmin Pilot i5 was my favourite. It worked with 2 rechargeable AA batteries, but it lacked text to speech and worked with the micro SD card that brought me to getting a replacement... the MIO C230. After reviewing and trying the Tomtom One, Navigon 2100 I decided to go with the MIO, it required sitting down and spending 30mins but it was worth having these 8 features.
   
   I just hope MIO comes out with a model that works with batteries the consumer can replace. All GPS units seem to have the same problem and that is you end up replacing them just like blue tooth headsets, every 3-5yrs depending on how much you use it... when the battery dies you are better of buying a brand new GPS unit, map updates can run you between $65-100.



2. I received this device as a Christmas present, and have enjoyed it overall. The ability to dynamically find points of interest and route to them is quite useful. It also has some more advanced features, such as the ability to customize the routing method and exclude certain roads, set via points, etc. I also enjoy the text-to-speech capability of the unit. Its pronunciation of street names is a non-stop source of comedy.
   
   However, I have many issues with it. Most importantly, in my area (around Bridgeport, CT), regardless of the routing options set, it gives pretty awful routes. There must be an error in the underlying map file, as it will generally direct me to exit from the main highway on a ten-minute detour through stoplight-ridden downtown roads only to put back on the same highway a couple of exits down. Several times it has routed me across non-existent roads or the wrong way up a one-way street. Also, while the on-screen direction icons always seem to be correct, the voice will semi-regularly confuse left and right, which is mysterious and unhelpful.
   
   Even with the many problems with the routes in my area, it is still pretty useful, though, so I'm glad I got it.



3. I recently purchased a C230 as my first GPS device. I couldn't justify spending a lot of money for a GPS device with a lot of bells and whistles that I probably wouldn't use. What I wanted for my first GPS was a simple, versatile, full-featured device that I could use to gain experience and then move up to a more sophisticated device if I deide that a GPS is really useful for my purposes. The C230 met all of my requirements. It comes complete with an AC car adaptor, windshield mount, instructions that are simple to understand and CD with GPS instructions and MioMap instructions. Some of the reviews that I read about the C230 complained that the instructions were difficult to understand and that it took a couple of hours of playing with the device before it could be used. I did not find this the case. Setting up the device initially and using it is pretty intuitive and goes quickly. I was ready to road test it in about half an hour. The software is easy to navigate. What I do feel takes a little more time is exploring the software and discovering all the subtle features that aren't explained in detail in the instructions. There's a trade off here. You can either get simple set up instructions and be up and running quickly, or get bogged down with a thick user manual. I prefer simplicity and I'm willing to learn as I go. The C230 provides flexibility in the type of views you can select and the manner in which the route information is presented. I prefer the cockpit view and find it very easy to read and useful. What really impressed me was how quickly the device syncs with the satellite signals and finds its location and how quickly it recalculates a route if I deviate from the recommended route. That was a concern of mine because reviews that I read in the past cited slow sync time as a fault with other more expensive GPS devices. Not the case with the C230. The voice prompts require a little attention. In some cases it mispronounces street names or cities. For example, it pronounces the city of La Verne as "Louisiana Verne"; obviously recognizing "LA" as the state abbreviation and not a prefix. Also, in some cases the route that it recommends to a destination that I am familiar with varies with the route that I would normally take. However if I take my preferred route it will usually recalculate the new route to the destination quickly. One limitation that I would like to see corrected in future versions of the operating software is the ability to select more than two "favorite" destinations. You can store a large number of destinations and they appear in the History section. All in all, I think that the C230 offers a lot of features, ease of use and functionality in an attractive small package at an affordable cost.



4. This is the worst GPS system I have ever interacted with. It took a long time to figure out how to set the system up, and eventually I just gave up reading the manual and experimented till it worked.
   
   Other issues:
   
   -Computerized voice is sometimes unintelligible
   -Doesn't provide street names in audio directions, instead gives instructions like "turn left in 400 feet." Unless you've got a tape-measure on-hand, good luck. "Turn down Main Street" would be more helpful!
   -Frequently gives inaccurate directions. Has told me repeatedly to turn (the wrong way) onto one-way streets, dead-end streets, and no-turn intersections.
   -Takes forever to orient. Expect to wait 5 minutes while it figures out where the heck you are. In addition, it doesn't give immediate directions after you input your destination. You have to choose a direction, start driving in it, and wait for it to figure out you're moving and tell you what to do next (which may be to turn around at the earliest possible opportunity).
   -Often gives contradictory directions, seconds apart. This almost lead me to throw the C230 out of my car window. Twice. Turn left in 50 feet. Turn right in 50 feet. Turn left in 50 feet. Literally 3 seconds apart. Have frequently followed the directions given, only to get either contradictory directions when I'm already en-route, or the "turn back" command seconds later. Not only is this a frustrating and confusing flaw, but it's also dangerous, as being commanded to change direction unexpectedly can be a bit jarring when you're driving.
   -Turns off at random when driving. This has happened both while I've had it connected to the charger and not. I will be en-route, and after what feels like an unusual long silence, look over to discover it has turned itself off. Powering on and re-orienting takes a few additional minutes, during which necessary directions are missed.
   -As another reviewer mentioned, if you frequent a certain business repeatedly, you can't simply save that location in the system if the business is already in the system's directory. You have to search, for example, for a McDonalds, input the city and state, every time, rather than easily access it in a favorites list.
   -i live in Boston, and the system is really lacking in its business directory. i have had to look up addresses for popular businesses (restaurants, supermarkets, etc.) ahead of time, then bring them to my car and input them in, since the GPS was unable to find them using its search function.
   -no way to edit information! the GPS consistently tells me to turn down one particular dead end street, and i would really like to edit the system to reflect that the street is, in fact, a dead end. but there's no way to.
   -plenty other issues to speak of, but the point is, there are better systems out there. Opt for one of those. Or buy this one and leave it on the freeway after a month.



5. I bought the Mio DigiWalker C230 after not getting any new updates from Dell. Dell's maps are old (2006) and I wanted to have an updated GPS system in my car because I do a lot of driving around as a local locksmith, Mark's Locksmith, here in Beaverton, Oregon. The only thing that I didn't like about this Mio C230 is that it does not tell you whitch side of the street the house is on, and that you are unable to change the time in the system after it was entered once. I wanted to change the time after having this for about a few months now but could not find a way to do it so I have to leave it as it is. This is a GREAT GPS unit for the price. I'm glad a long-hauler truck driver got locked out of his SUV because he showed me his GPS system, Mio C220, and I liked it, so I bought one the very next day.

1 comments about Sony GPS-CS1KASP GPS Unit for Sony Digital Cameras.

1. This is a handy little electronic "toy" that may not be a must-have, but very useful none the less. I use only Sony video and Sony still cameras so it works perfectly for me and my equipment. I don't know if I would buy it if I used other manufacturers cameras, but Sony says that it should work with others. At one time it WAS overpriced, but for around $100 it is now more competative. There are other products like this out there, but I wanted to stay with Sony due to my cameras being Sony. I have this mounted on my motorcycle and took a test ride with it. The resulting GPS-mapped route was perfect.

5 comments about Magellan RoadMate 2200T Portable GPS Navigator, Silver.

1. I'd have to say the biggest problem with this unit is how restrictive it is in entering an address. In neither the map function nor the address book can you enter one in directly but have to search for it starting with either a zip code or city and then slowly work your way through the screens till you've found the entire address. If it thinks your address is actually in a different city or the street name is different then you can't enter it.
   
   I had a business address that was #1036 on a street located in Bridgeton - according to their own company letterhead. I started with the zip code which produced 8 city results - Bridgeton and 7 surrounding towns. How does that happen? Doesn't the U.S. Post Office give each city their own zip code?
   
   I pick Bridgeton then have to type in the street name. It then comes up with the number range to type in and it only allowed #1-1001!
   
   After messing with it I discovered it was showing the street name as having #1-1001 but that same street also has a route # designated to it that I happened to know and when I tried that it showed the #'s available as 1-1100.
   
   If I hadn't been local, knowing that streets route number, and went by the businesses own letterhead I never would have found it. Actually discovered all this the day after I gave up on the unit and just winged it.
   
   A GPS unit is supposed to save time and this one does nothing more than take up more of it. What an expensive mistake I made.
   
   Also complained to the company that it tells me to take a longer route in one direction and the shorter route back and they advised this will be addressed in the many updates they expect to put through since it was such a new item. This was a month after I bought it 5 months ago and not one update has come out.
   
   Yes it has the nice features everyone else mentions(that POI editor wants lattitude and longitude, can't put in an address - gave up on it)but if you can't put address's in it what good are all those features? Don't waste your money or your time with this unit.



2. Great unit, but it does not come with the crossover upgrade. It has to be purchased, seperatly. Unit works well and text to speech sounds good. Has a great battery life. Suction cup mount works well.



3. This is not a bad performing unit and it would be a good unit except for one fact. It ships with (mediocre at best) maps dated August 2006 and Magellan wants you to pay $80 plus shipping for an update. If you buy the refurb and then the update disk you are at the price of a new Garmin Nuvi 350 which will have a one year warranty (instead of absurd 90 day as with the Magellan refurb - evryone else's refurbs come with same as new warranties, by the way) and it will come with current maps plus the Nuvi is a simply superior unit. (Consumer Reports Best Buy.)
   
   Do not buy this unit unless you simply MUST have obsolete maps, poor customer support (no excuse for not including a map update) and a very short warranty.
   
   Offering this unit with the ancient maps and no free map update is an intellegence test that Magellan is running on their customers. (My excuse, I simply did not know that they had the no-free-updates policy. Their competitors do provide free updates and I thought Magellan would follow the pattern.) I strongly urge that you think long and hard before rewarding them for their very anti-consumer maps policy. (Garmin and TomTom both give free update down-loads with the purchase of their units, new or refurb. No reason for Magellan not to do the same other than simple greed.)
   
   This is the last time I will ever even consider a Magellan product. I urge you to not make the mistake I did in buying a Magellan product. You can do far better for the same money.



4. I actually have two of these, one for me, and one for a guy who works for me.
   
   I read over some of the negative reviews, most of them are referring to defective units. One was from someone who was trying to enter in an address that didn't exist.
   
   I use this unit for my company that provides mobile services. We have entered in and navigated to probably 1000 addresses using this unit. Working correctly (which it always has for me), it picks up signal within 30-60 seconds after being turned on, battery lasts for a while, and it recalculates fairly quickly, maybe around 5-10 seconds. My favorite feature is that you can enter addresses starting with the Zip code instead of the City which was not the case with my Garmin Steetpilot 340.
   
   This is a very inexpensive unit, if I were to buy another inexpensive unit, I would go with this one because I know that it works solid and have used it extensively to know that there are no major defects in its operation or design and will work dependably in any situation that I require from it.



5. I purchased this Because of Price and learned that going cheaper isn't allways better. I used it three times and now the unit won't even turn on. I've called customer service and get some guy in India who I could barely understand. It's not worth the hassle, Just spend the money on a Garmin.I saw some reviews where they were satisfied with there Magellin.I have nothing good to say about it and won't purchase another magellin product.

5 comments about Magellan Maestro 4050 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator.

1. I got the Magellen GPS at Costco on a whim for $[...] and returned it the next week. I have had a Garmin for years switched to Magellen for the price. I didn't like the menus, they did not seem to be the most intuitive but with practice, you'd get to know them.
   
   The real problem is that the touch screen didn't work well. I'd poke and poke and nothing would happen, usually on the keyboard. So I started reading the reviews and saw several comments about how bad the customer service is at Megellan so I switched back to Garmin.



2. The Magellan Maestro 4050 is the first GPS I have bought. However I have used the Never Lost Hertz rental car GPS on more then one occasion and was looking for a GPS much the same. The 4050 is that unit. It just works and has all the bells and whistles I could want. If it does or doesn't do something I need or want I haven't found it yet. Price wise it's a bucket of bang for the buck. I had to call their support in order to get my free road advisory service and the free extended warranty given to AAA members up and activated. I was unable to accomplish this on line using the CD that comes with the unit or via Magellan's web site. However customer support had me up and running in no time. Great unit, great price and good support. If your thinking upscale GPS this is a good one.
   BW, Florida ......



3. My other cars all had intergrated GPS. This is my first "portable". I did not like the mounting hardware supplied with unit, as I did not want it stuck to the windshield. The attached Road condition receiver made a bulky package, but the extra info while traveling made it worthwhile.
   I love the voice command. After business is complete in down town, "magellam" "go Home" is all that is needed to route me back home!



4. I bought my Magellan Maestro 4050 about six months ago on Amazon.com. Sofar I am pleased with all the features and its functioning, but still a bit dissatisfied when I was holding my GPS 4050 at point A and tried to get direction from point B to point C. Magellan Maestro does not have that route. So when you have your GPS 4050 in your hand at point A, you can not make a map direction from point B to point C like you can make through Yahoo map or Google map. I don't know why GPS makers do not think about that?????? Another drawback that sometimes the Bluetooth froze and the touch screen doesnot respond. I have to push a reset on side to make it work.



5. This is a very handy little gadget. I have had many uses for it already. The amopunt of information contained in this little unit is amazing! Well worth the money.

No comments about Navigon 2200T 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigation with Text-to-Speech and Free Traffic Alerts.