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Garmin StreetPilot C550 3.5 GPS (City/Vehicle, 3.5" LCD - MPN: 010N052200)
Description: Talk about simple. The portable StreetPilot c550 comes ready-to-go right out of the box with preloaded maps and plenty of options. This navigator delivers the same, easy-to-use, affordable navigation as our popular selling c300 series with .... Read More Description: Talk about simple. The portable StreetPilot c550 comes ready-to-go right out of the box with preloaded maps and plenty of options. This navigator delivers the same, easy-to-use, affordable navigation as our popular selling c300 series with many enhancements like Bluetooth wireless technology with hands-free calling, an integrated traffic receiver, MP3 player, plus much more. Minimize |
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| Date Reviewed: 05/12/2008 |
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 Nice GPS Strengths: TTS, Traffic, MP3 Player, Picture viewer, Bluetooth pairing, easy to use
Weaknesses: BT Pairing has some issues. Poor placement of cable connections. Had to exchange TWO units because of a broken car adapter.
Summary: This is a really nice unit and is pretty accurate. Lots of good features. Some quirks I have about it: the cable connections are in an awkward place in the back. It make plugging/unplugging a pain as you have to detach the unit everytime to get behind it. They could have made the cable connections a bit simpler. Also, I'm not fond of the traffic receiver being part of the car adapter - I guess it makes sense, but why not just build the FM receiver into the GPS unit itself? It would make things a lot easier. Speaking of the car adapter, I went through TWO newly boxed units where the tip (that screws off to reveal the fuse) was broken off. I couldn't believe it - neither could the BestBuy guys.
One last thing I've been having issues with is the BT pairing on this device. I can't seem to get voice to come across anymore with my LG VX8700. The first time I used it it worked and I was able to make a couple calls, but then it just stopped working all together. If I try to call someone or receive a call from someone I can't hear them and I don't think they can hear me. It seems a bit faulty.
Otherwise, for GPS, this unit is functional. And for the price I paid, it's a good deal. I wouldn't pay more than what I paid though.
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| Date Reviewed: 07/22/2008 |
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Strengths: Mp3 and bluetooth; Points of interest; up-to-date traffic
Weaknesses: car charge only; battery power d/n last; satellite find time; misleading directions about 15%; wish would repeat the directions; occasional misleading traffic info
Summary: When reading the reviews on the unit from other websites, I was expecting the problem with low and shattered sound. However, I found the sound just perfect.
The unit has build-in MP3 player which I tried to use a couple of times. My wish it would have a AUX plugin so I could have use it as iPod. On the positive, the music interrupts while direction read
Bluetooth: I tried it but did not find it useful. Most of the options I'd use (as redial, voice dial, Phone Book search, etc) are not applicable to the bluetooth connection it provides
There is no receiption in the garage, so I have to set the directions when my car is outside. It takes about 3 mins to catch the satelite.
Occasionaly the map misleads you or takes you in the middle of hell traffic for no reason. Example: asks me to make left turn while the sign clearly prohibits doing so or suggest me to cross a major road from a stop sign. If it does, ignore the instructions and continue driving as safely as you can: it would recalculate the road and will update the directions
Nice feature: it got points of interests and search for close-by establishments. It would be easy for you to find a close-by restaurant, supermarket, gas station, etc
Suggestion: buy the GPS mountain pad so you can take the unit out of the car on easy. Otherwise, it can be stolen
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| Date Reviewed: 05/25/2008 |
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Strengths: Easy to use, clear voice, good bluetooth support, updatable
Weaknesses: No FM transmitter, bulky
Summary: This may not be the best of the line by any means, but it is a very good GPS unit for people who've never owned one before that like a clean interface and good directions.
It comes with 3 months free fm traffic conditions which come in very handy and the unit expertly routes you around trouble areas if possible.
Even with the most up-to-date maps, some highways in major cities are out-of-date because of recent construction so my trip to a new place turned interesting after figuring out that it wanted to make me take an exit that hasn't been there for over a year.
It doesn't have an FM transmitter and I resorted to buy an $8 audio cable to snake to my auxiliary jack for my car which increased its effectiveness by a large margin.
After marrying it to my bluetooth enabled cellphone, calls through the unit were clear and only caused a few problems so far. It was a nice alternative to other hands-free devices.
Overall, I like the unit, but due to its lack of an fm transmitter, I'll be getting another, newer Garmin unit and give this one to one of my parents as a gift.
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| Date Reviewed: 07/21/2008 |
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Strengths: New maps, Bluetooth, MP3
Weaknesses: Only comes with trial of FM traffic, annoying nag screen each time the unit starts up.
Summary: This GPS is a little bit bulkier than the newer GPS units, but the recent price drops makes this an incredible value for the higher end features!
The volume is not too good for MP3 played directly on the unit while driving and the nag screen is annoying.
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| Date Reviewed: 06/01/2008 |
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Strengths: Quick to acquire position, very fast to re-route. Integrated MP3 player and Bluetooth hands-free.
Weaknesses: Expensive accessories. Map updates free for only a few weeks. A bit big.
Summary: This is my first car GPS and I like it a lot.
It works great, find mostly the best directions and is very quick to re-route you when you miss a turn.
The integrated MP3 player and Bluetooth hands-free are nice plusses.
Unfortunately, accessories are outrageously priced. The unit comes with a car charger, but no wall charger (an expensive add-on). Fortunately, if you have a cell phone with a USB power (like the Motorola Q), you can use its wall charger to charge the GPS and save a few $$$.
It's great for navigating, even allowing you to send addresses from Google Maps. As good as its navigation capabilities are, it's very limited when doing other things. For example, you can only go to street addresses - forget about getting directions to Old Faithful Lodge (:-(. As far as I can tell, you cannot export data points (such as GPS coordinates) to your computer for picture geotagging for example.
In other words, it does what it's designed to do very well, but lacks capabilities to use it for other non-intended purposes.
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| Date Reviewed: 05/26/2008 |
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Strengths: This thing is amazing.. I never had a GPS before and for this to be my first was a great choice. It talks to you, Bluetooth, and is nice and small.. Battery life is long! Thank You
Weaknesses: Some of the local places are not listed anywhere on the GPS. Not sure if you can manually input them into a certain category or not.
Summary: If your able to get one of these, I recommend it! The Bluetooth part I was worried about, but it comes in clear and people say they cant even tell I am on a bluetooth.
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