Sunday, March 18, 2012

Garmin StreetPilot 2620 Review

Streetpilot_2620

UPDATE: Most of the several generations old StreetPilot series, including this model, has been discontinued. For a more current recommendation, check out our Auto GPS buyers guide or go straight to our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

 

The Garmin StreetPilot 2620 GPS is a touch screen auto navigation system that comes with Garmin’s City Select software pre-loaded on a 2.2 GB internal hard drive. That’s the key difference between it and the StreetPilot 2610; to get the same detail with the 2610 you have to transfer City Select maps from CDs to a CF card. Going up one more level in this series, the StreetPilot 2650 and 2660 models add a gyroscope which can maintain your position when satellites are lost for brief periods in urban canyons or under heavy canopy. Before moving on to the 2620 reviews, you might want to check out my review of the updated version, the StreetPilot 2720.

58 reviewers at Amazon gave the StreetPilot 2620 an average 4 out of 5 star review.

Here’s what other reviewers are saying:

read more

Garmin StreetPilot i3 Review

Streetpilot_i3

UPDATE: Most of the several generations old StreetPilot series, including this model, has been discontinued. For a more current recommendation, check out our Auto GPS buyers guide or go straight to our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

The Garmin StreetPilot i3 GPS is a great entry level auto navigation system, that will get you where you’re going without breaking the bank. The mid-level model in the i-series, this unit is a step up from the i2 monochrome edition. Packaged with Garmin’s City Select software, this little dynamo gives voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, to guide you wherever you want to go. One caveat though — this unit has no touch screen. If you want that feature at a reasonable price, check out the StreetPilot c320.

The StreetPilot i3 garnered 4-1/2 out of 5 stars from 39 readers at Amazon.

Here’s what others are saying about the i3:

read more

Garmin StreetPilot c340 Review

Streetpilot_c340

UPDATE: Most of the several generations old StreetPilot series, including this model, has been discontinued. For a more current recommendation, check out our Auto GPS buyers guide or go straight to our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

 

The Garmin StreetPilot c340 is the top unit in Garmin’s StreetPilot c3 line of auto navigation systems. Like the c330, this receiver comes with pre-loaded maps for all of North America or Western Europe. While all the c3 models give voice commands, the c340 adds the ability to call out upcoming points of interest and street names. This model is also compatible with the GTM 10, adding the ability to show real-time traffic info in major metropolitan areas.

Dozens of consumers have posted StreetPilot c340 reviews  at Amazon.com.

Compare prices on the Garmin StreetPilot c340

Here’s what others have to say…

read more

Garmin StreetPilot c320 review

Streetpilot_c320

UPDATE: Most of the several generations old StreetPilot series, including this model, has been discontinued. For a more current recommendation, check out our Auto GPS buyers guide or go straight to our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

 

The Garmin StreetPilot c320 is a popular entry level auto navigation system. It is very similar to the c330 and c340, except that maps do not come pre-loaded on a hard drive. Instead, you get a City Select disc from which maps can be transferred to the unit via USB or loaded onto an SD card.  Additionally, while the c320 gives voice prompts for navigation, it will not call out upcoming street names and points of interest (POI) like the c340.  But even though it doesn’t have a hard drive that will hold the entire
country, you can still fit all of California on the 128 MB SD card that comes
with it, and you can always get a bigger card.

This unit is quite popular, with dozens of users rating it highly in their StreetPilot c320 reviews at Amazon, which has this to say in their editorial review…

"With a simple touch screen interface, automatic route calculation to any destination, and turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions, the StreetPilot c320 GPS navigator is a powerful companion for your adventures on the road. Plus, Garmin has designed the "c-series" of car navigation units to be as simple and easy-to-use as possible– no more intimidating features, just straightforward, basic navigation at your fingertips. Selecting a destination is as simple as a few finger-strokes, and you can choose between a three-dimensional navigation view or the more traditional "bird’s eye" overhead view.

Although the c320 boasts distinctive and sleek styling, simplicity is the name of the game. The only buttons are a rotary volume knob and an on/off switch. The device is secured by a suction-mount cradle that fastens to the windshield for easy portability between vehicles. You can customize the unit’s appearance with an array of colored faceplates that are sold separately…"

read more

Garmin Quest

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide.

The Garmin Quest is a perennial favorite among car navigation systems. The Quest is reasonably priced and has a bright color screen. To top it all off, it comes complete with Garmin’s richly detailed City Select software.

12 reviewers gave the Quest an average 4-1/2 (out of 5) star rating at Amazon.

read more

Garmin StreetPilot i2

Streetpilot_i2

UPDATE: Most of the several generations old StreetPilot series, including this model, has been discontinued. For a more current recommendation, check out our Auto GPS buyers guide or go straight to our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

While the monochrome screen of the Garmin StreetPilot i2 will turn some folks off, the reasonable price makes it pretty attractive for those on a budget or for anyone looking at buying their first auto GPS, especially when you consider that it comes with Garmin’s City Select car navigation software ($139.99 MSRP). Step up to the StreetPilot i3 for a color screen.

Amazon has this to say in their Garmin StreetPilot i2 review.

read more

Garmin StreetPilot 2720 Review

Streetpilot_2720_4

UPDATE: Most of the several generations old StreetPilot series, including this model, has been discontinued. For a more current recommendation, check out our Auto GPS buyers guide or go straight to our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

To call this GPS award winning is no overstatement. The Garmin StreetPilot 2720 was recognized in Popular Science as one of the best of “what’s new for 2005” and it’s also a winner of PC Magazine’s Editors’ Choice award.

The StreetPilot 2720 updates the older StreetPilot 2620, adding an improved, higher resolution screen and optional FM traffic services (see below). It also adds text-to-speech functionality, so it can call out upcoming street names and points of interest (POIs). Step up to the StreetPilot 2730 and you get XM radio compatibility, including weather and XM NavTraffic options.

There are dozens of reader reviews of the StreetPilot 2720 at Amazon.

Compare prices on the Garmin StreetPilot 2720

read more

Garmin StreetPilot c330 Review

Streetpilot_c330

UPDATE: Most of the several generations old StreetPilot series, including this model, has been discontinued. For a more current recommendation, check out our Auto GPS buyers guide or go straight to our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

 

The Garmin StreetPilot c330 is a popular  automotive navigation device, from a company known for great customer service and intuitive menus.

Unlike the c320, the c330 comes preloaded with City Select maps for North America or Europe. Step up to the c340 and the unit will announce upcoming street names and add optional FM TMC traffic alerts.

Over 100 users have contributed reviews of the StreetPilot c330 at Amazon.

Compare prices on the Garmin StreetPilot c330

Here’s what others are saying:

read more

Magellan RoadMate 760 Review

Roadmate_760_3

UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide or check out our other Magellan auto GPS reviews.

 

The North American version of the Magellan RoadMate 760 comes with built-in maps of the US, Canada and Puerto Rico (pre-loaded European maps may be unlocked for an additional fee).

An update of the RoadMate 700, the 760 adds a text-to-speech feature that announces upcoming street names, and a SmartDetour feature that makes it easy to navigate around construction zones and stopped traffic.

Dozens of consumers have posted reviews of the RoadMate 760 at Amazon.

Compare prices on the Magellan RoadMate 760

read more