Thursday, June 19, 2008

Review of the Garmin StreetPilot

By Derrick Bogaster

The Garmin StreetPilot c320 is the beginner's GPS unit. If you are new to GPS devices or simply find it difficult to use technology, then a great GPS car unit for you would be the StreetPilot. It is surprisingly easy to use. Keying in your destination or other data is simple, and the GPS unit lacks some of the more advance features of more complicated models, making it easy for those new to GPS.

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 StreetPilot comes with a rechargeable battery pack with can be charged using the mini-USB holder that is standard with the device. The battery will last up to 8 hours.

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.

Users utilize the USB interface to load maps and to upload or download any required data from the device. However, if you remove the SD card and use a memory card writer, the maps should load much faster. Map loading times may not be an issue for non-technological GPS users.

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.

The StreetPilot is a great unit when you want a gadget that is both easy to handle and a little low-cost. It is ideal for a technostressed beginner who just starting out with the wonders of GPS.

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