Should You Buy the Garmin StreetPilot?

By Derrick Bogaster


The StreetPilot c320 is the equivalent of the TomTom "Go" and the Magellan RM300. Garmin is promoting it as a "Beginner's GPS Car Navigator" and well, this quite an appropriate description. This GPS model is tremendously trouble-free to use, unproblematic to input address and other data, and has a restricted quantity of features meant to avoid confusion.

Although, if you want your GPS to be more hardcore, then this is not your GPS model. Don't expect anything extreme from these units. The StreetPilot markets an easy to control, able car navigator with the necessary features of other car direction-finding units but without the hassle that a lot of users expect from other models. You can definitely operate as soon as you get it, with only a small amount of time learning to use the model.

It has to be remembered that this GPS device is a car navigator. This device comes with a built in speaker and one of the best audio and routing directions. It is currently using Garmin's version of Naqteq road maps. The c340 allows the user to key in 3rd party provided CSV files with locations of speed cameras, school zones, and other traffic hazards.

The screen can be read in sunlight and it comes with a battery charger that can be re-charged using the USB holder that comes with it. The battery will last about 8 hours after recharging.

Like most Garmin GPS units, the StreetPilot utilizes a touch screen to enable users to enter information like their chosen destination or route into the system. Besides the touchscreen, the unit has two other controls which keeps it in line with the theme of being simple and easy to use. The two other controls are an ON button and a sliding volume control which can be used using your fingertip.

To load the maps, or to upload/download data, you use the USB device. Alternatively, so that the maps can load faster, you can take out the SD card and use a memory card writer. Map loading times however, shouldn't be an issue for the StreetPilot's target market.

As with most modern day GPS devices, the StreetPilot is free of the inaccuracy problems that have plagued older GPS models. The CtiySelect function allows a user to track the road that they are traveling along and the CS/CN feature makes sure that the streets name is display well ahead of the car reaching the turn.

In summary, if you are looking for a simple but effective GPS unit that anyone can use then you should take a look a the Garmin StreetPilot.

About the Author:
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