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Garmin StreetPilot C320 GPS System (MPN: 0100040100)
Description: StreetPilot C-series GPS navigators feature a simple touchscreen interface, with automatic route calculation to any destination and turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions along the way. Selecting a destination is straightforward and require.... Read More Description: StreetPilot C-series GPS navigators feature a simple touchscreen interface, with automatic route calculation to any destination and turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions along the way. Selecting a destination is straightforward and requires only a limited amount of input. The StreetPilot C320 allows you to choose between a three-dimensional navigation view or the more traditional ''bird's eye'' overhead view.For budget-conscious users who only require detailed maps for a limited area, the StreetPilot C320 features an SD card slot, a 128MB SD card and MapSource City Select street data on CD-ROM. Simply select the specific area of interest and the data is transferred from a PC via a fast USB connection.The centerpiece of the unit is a bright, 3.5-inch diagonal, 16-bit color display that makes navigation a snap. The StreetPilot C320 features dual integrated speakers for high-quality voice prompts, and an internal lithium-ion battery for out-of-car route planning. The device is secured by a suction-mount cradle that fastens to the windshield for easy portability between vehicles. Minimize |
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| Date Reviewed: 10/29/2005 |
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Strengths: Small and portable. Able to receive map free updates as they become available through Garmin.
Weaknesses: Doesn't always find the best route. As with all GPS software, one tends to have limited accuracy because the software is not up to date.
Summary: This is my second Garmin GPS. I bought my wife the StreetPilot 2620 two years ago and loved it. Because I travel allot I choose the C320 because it is more compact. I just slip it in my laptop backpack.
Before I travel I download the state that I'm heading to. After arriving to my distination, I jump in the rental car, plug it in, turn it on and it starts looking for satellites.
It has paid for itself by saving me gas - because I'm never lost. I also don't have to rent a car with a GPS.
I recently had to travel to Germany. So, I bought the City Select Europe CD. The C320 allowed me to download the maps onto the memory card. When I returned home and downloaded my maps, all my waypoints were stored on the system so I didn't have to re-input them.
I would like to correct what the other reviewers have said. First, there has been a software update to the unit that now allows you to save your current location as a waypoint. Garmin is always updating the unit software. Wish I had this function when I was in Germany and couldn't find my hotel. Now I can "mark" my hotel as a waypoint and return to it at the end of the day.
Second, you can make changes as you're driving. By default, the system safety setting is turned on which won't allow you to make changes on the move. This feature can easily be turned off. It's not recommended to turn it off so there is a disclosure from Garmin to protect themselves.
Dislikes: The mapping software isn't always current. My three-year old neighborhood still isn't on the new Version 7 update. The European software is expensive - but, all future updates are free.
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| Date Reviewed: 12/23/2006 |
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Strengths: Very portable; nice display; intuitive interface; flexible setup options
Weaknesses: Can be hard to see when sunny; routes occasionally not ideal
Summary: I love this little GPS unit. I've had it about three months now and still feel like it's one of the best purchase I have made the entire year.
Setup is a snap. I recommend that you get a 1GB SD card, then you can load all of the US maps and not have to choose select states. The suction mounting took a bit of getting used to, but I like it, as I can pull the unit out of my car and use it in one of the kids' cars.
The voice prompts are easy to get used to and you get plenty of warning before a turn. It's very specific about the lane you need to be in, which can save you a missed exit when you're running in traffic. If you miss a turn, no problem, she just says "re-calculating" and you get a new route (which sometimes means turning around, but not often).
The database of points of interest is fantastic. Want to eat Chinese in the next town? Just do a quick search and it'll show you your options. We used in in the San Fran area and it found us a nice Indian restaurant. It was late, so it was nice that the phone number was in there so we could call ahead (nice place, by the way).
You may want to fabricate a little sunshade, as it can be hard to see if it's in direct sunlight. It is not a huge problem, because the voice prompts still come through loud and clear.
The unit sometimes will confound you with the route that it's chosen. It would be nice if you could tell it "avoid I5 due to heavy traffic". But you can usually work around this, using the "re-calculate" function mentioned earlier.
All in all, this is a great unit. I am considering getting a 2nd one to use as a "loaner" when we have guests in town (I'm not giving mine up!).
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| Date Reviewed: 07/12/2005 |
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Strengths: Ease of use. Installing drivers and downloading mapping straightforward. High resolution screen. Clear voice instructions. Lite and compact. Good color and clearity.
Weaknesses: The latest N.A. mapping software was updated in 2004, points of interest can be at least 5 years out of date. Mounting bracket was inadequate and had to use a combination of glue and velcro to work.
Summary: 2005-07-12 11:24:32 This unit operates just like the c330 which has North America mapping already installed. The c320 comes with a 128 MB SD card. I was able to download PA, VA, WV, & MD onto it which was easy and straightforward. 256 MB, 512 MB, and 1GB SD cards are common, so that if needed, at least 60% of the U.S. can be loaded onto a 1GB card. Cards are also available in 2 GB which would hold much of North America.
When using without navigation, upcoming cross streets names are displayed and viewed in one of 3 map modes.
Although not indicated in the operators manual, a specific point (like at the end of a unpaved road without an address) can be stored as a favorite location, but requires temporarily turning off GPS reception and scrolling to the exact spot to mark it.
This is a fun, but sophisticated device and I like it more each time I use it.
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| Date Reviewed: 07/25/2005 |
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Strengths: Same features as the more expensive c330/c340, powerful accurate GPS navigation software, touch screen, adequate speaker voice output.
Weaknesses: No internal memory, Power cord cannot be removed from windshield holder.
Summary: After doing some research I decided to buy this unit instead of the more expensive c330 since the only major difference seems to be the lack of internal memory. While the C330 has a built-in memory capable of storing the entire North America, the c320 comes with a puny 128 SD card. Which I quickly tossed in favor of a 1 Gig which holds appox. 8 times the data. The 1 Gig SD card is sufficient for those who do not travel too far beyond adjacent states, but if you occasionally travel from-to-coast or north to south, you may be better off with the C330.
During my brief experience with this unit, it has performed beyond my expectations. It has a bright lit touch screen which can be adjusted for day or night viewing. It has three map choices bird's eye north, bird's
eye front and 3D. The latter being the default view. I also liked how it will automatically zoom in when turning from a major road to a minor side street for better map detail. For safety the unit will not allow you to access the menu mode once the car is moving, but if you reach a stoplight and decide to quickly change a setting it will continue to let you proceed even after you have started to drive again.
The only thing I don't like is that the power cord can not be removed from the suction cup cradle. So even when the internal battery is full, instead of having the unit neatly mounted on the windshield by itself, you will always have this annoying cable dangling in the way even after you have unplugged it from the cigarette lighter. But as long as you learn to live with it, you will not be disappointed with the performance.
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| Date Reviewed: 01/07/2007 |
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Strengths: It works great
Weaknesses: Loading the SD card with the maps.
Summary: Welcome to the 21 century. Take advantage of the birds in space. I really like it. I have only had it a couple of days and I keep finding more things it does.
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| Date Reviewed: 04/16/2007 |
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Strengths: Loud and clear audio commands, uncanny accuracy of position, easy to use, large database of POIs, good battery performance.
Weaknesses: Screen hard to read in bright sun light, some addresses not in mapping database.
Summary: I bought this unit for my wife because it is so easy to use - so easy a caveman can... no scratch that! It is very user friendly, and loading the software was straightforward with no problems. IF the address you are seeking is in the mapping database, it works very well. There have been no problems to date with the windshield mount. It is a good product, and would not hesitate to recommed it to others.
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