| | |  | Nutritional Supplements and Herbs | Home » » » Garmin Streetpilot C530 GPS Portable Vehicle Navigation System | | | | | | | Description: | | Portable StreetPilot c530 comes ready-to-go right out of the box with preloaded maps and plenty of options. Monitor traffic tie-ups with the addition of an optional FM TMC traffic receiver. By adding traffic services and a receiver to your garmin c530, it notifies you of accidents, road construction, and weather-related traffic delays before they are encountered, and then offers an alternate route. Simply touch the screen icon to calculate a new route. This GPS navigator comes with preloaded maps of North America and includes automatic routing, 2D or 3D map perspective, and turn-by-turn voice directions - making navigation easy. This vehicle navigation system accepts customized points of interest (POIs) such as school zones and safety cameras. Optional software available on plug-in SD cards, lets you instantly add new features to your c530 - without connecting to your computer. Garmin Travel Guide - gives you helpful and thorough reviews and recommendations for restaurants, hotels, shopping, nightlife, sporting events and tourist attractions. SaversGuide; - a "geo-coded" coupon book that notifies you of nearby discounts on restaurants, hotels, shopping, and more at thousands of participating Entertainment businesses throughout North America. Receiver: New high-sensitivity WAAS-capable GPS receiver by SiRF, Display: Automotive-grade, sunlight-readable, anti-glare TFT LCD display, 2.8"W x 2.1"H (7.2 x 5.4 cm); 320 x 240 pixels, with touch screen, Unit dimensions: 4.4"W x 3.2"H x 2.2"D (11.3 x 8.2 x 5.6 cm). Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones and safety cams. Battery life: up to 8 hours. This portable navigation system fetaures fingertip touch-screen interface. | | | Features: | |
• High-sensitivity GPS receiver - provides faster acquisition times and maintains signal under heavy foliage and near city skyscrapers.
• Automotive-grade, sunlight-readable, anti-glare display - makes it easier to see where you're going.
• Streamlined design - creates a slimmer, more refined shape.
• Configurable vehicle icons - allow you to select a fun, customized car-shaped icon that shows your position on the map.
• Garmin Lock - anti-theft feature that disables the unit from performing any functions until you type in a specific 4-digit PIN or take the unit to a predetermined location.
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 3.2 inches | | Product Width:
| 2.25 inches | | Product Height:
| 4.4 inches | | Product Weight:
| 1.0 pounds | | Package Length:
| 6.5 inches | | Package Width:
| 6.5 inches | | Package Height:
| 6.5 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.8 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 271 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 271 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
70 of 70 found the following review helpful:
 Buy this GPS c530 today!!! I wish Amazon had 10 stars!!!Dec 06, 2006
By Jonathan M. Carr
"BatFang"
This Garmin GPS c530 is an incredible value for the money. It really is ready to go "right out of the box".
My wife surprised me with it as an early Christmas present. We went to pick up our Garmin at the UPS center, went back to the car, took it out of the box and plugged it in - in a few seconds, the screen showed our exact location and we were ready to go!!!
We both liked it right away and couldn't believe how fast and accurate it was!!! Instead of going home, we actually decided to go shopping just so we could play with the GPS some more, so we entered the address of the Safeway we usually go to and it directed us right to the parking lot.
It's so accurate; I almost took it into the supermarket to see if it could lead me to the dairy section. =8-D
We then set the "Home" option by typing in our address. I only typed in the street number and the first three letters of our street name and it found it and asked if this was the correct street address. We answered "Yes" and the GPS saved it into memory. Then we set it for "home" and it began giving us directions even when we were still in the parking lot.
I wanted to "test" this GPS to see how well it could handle "wrong turns". So on the way home we purposely made a wrong turn and the c530 knew almost immediately that we went off course. The voice prompt said "Rerouting" and immediately gave us an alternate way home using the street we were on.
It was actually a pleasure driving to work this morning and having the gps
In checking the "businesses" on this GPS, we clicked on "restaurants", and then chose "Asian" as the type of food we were looking for, and the Garmin found this very small noodle place right across the street from where we live. We were very impressed that it found this small, local restaurant in our neighborhood.
I've seen quite a few GPS units both in stores and in other cars, and I can say that the c530 is by far the most accurate and easy to use. The voice directions are clear and given in plenty of time to make the turns. The estimated arrival times are accurate within one minute.
Another reviewer here wrote that he didn't like the fact that the c530 voice prompt didn't say the actual street names when giving directions. Actually, my wife pointed out that it's better that it doesn't give street names with the voice alerts; only the turn directions. The reason is that sometimes there will be two turns right after one another and by the time the voice command tells you about the first turn, it comes right back on and tells you about the second turn. If the voice command said street names you could be on a certain street for no more than a second or two and it would be confusing if the voice told you what street you were on and then in the next two seconds told you to turn onto a ramp or another street. The command says "turn right, then turn left" and it's a lot clearer this way.
Amazon has just lowered the price on this item and I can tell you it's worth every penny. Just think of how much you will save on ink and paper printing maps out from your computer all the time, not to mention no more frustration from getting lost and being late for an important meeting.
You have GOT to get this thing ... it's really incredible!!! Excellent product!!!
114 of 120 found the following review helpful:
 Quick, simple, reliableJul 16, 2006
By A. Bastanza
I have never used a GPS before. I cannot give you the elaborate comparisons or insights that others will provide. I purchased this system and began to use it 5 days ago. I love it. It found the satellite in less than a minute and has consistently done so. I live in a rural area with many tree covered roads. I own a sirius radio receiver and, from time to time, momentarily lose the signal. This has not happened thus far with the c530. The touch screen is extremely easy to use and the questioning system is a breeze. I have used it two times to drive over an hour from home to places I've never been and it has been stress free and spot on. I honestly don't care about finding businesses, restaurants, hotels, etc. Maybe I will in time, but I'm just too new at it now. I bought it to stop the aggravation of getting lost and the flaws of depending on mapquest. I am completely satisfied and have no regrets at all. The voice directions are clear and given in plenty of time to make the turns. The estimated arrival times are accurate within one minute, and recalculation if you choose a different path are immediate. I'm someone who didn't want a lot of bells and whistles, but I also wanted something very simple to use. There may be better ones out there, but I am very satisfied with my purchase.
224 of 242 found the following review helpful:
Check how features differ from c550 and c340Jul 13, 2006
By C. Jones
"jonesturtle"
I was pleased to try out the C530 today when I received it and happy with it's overall performance, but am stumped as to why Garmin would leave out the ability to announce street names in the directions like the previous model c340. I would consider that part of the core software and part of all future and more expensive models. I was very disapointed to find that my c530 lacks this ability though.
After playing with the c530 some more I became even more disappointed when I realized that it lacks many, many points of interest that are on the c320,c330 models. I'm not sure what map set the c340 has, but the c530 has a different map set and the c320 and c330. I was surprised to find that the largest and most popular movie theatres were not listed on the c530 and I know they are listed in the c320 which had version 6 mapsets (the c320/c330 mapsets are now to version 7 released June 2005 to give you an idea how old they are). Since the c530 is a brand new product, you would think that the maps would be the most current and up to date and they appear to be the current version of the associated mapset, but it is missing many major businesses and the ones I do find sometimes haven't existed for more than 5 years. They have to be able to do better than this
I'm finding it probably wasn't worth spending the extra money, but will check with Garmin first to see if they can provide a different set of mapsets.
110 of 119 found the following review helpful:
The Garmin C530 Is State of The Art GpsAug 24, 2006
By John Boland
"John Boland"
This GPS Garmin C530 (along with The Garmin Nuvi 350 for $130 more) is "state of the art". It is so because it has a "Sirf Receiver" that is more sensitive in acquiring satellites than "normal" receivers. The reveiws on this web site are incorrect about the maps---this one has the latest version 8 maps available. This one is better than the Garmin 340, 330 and 320 because it is brighter and, once again, it has The Sirf receiver. And, it costs about the same as the C340 which makes it a good deal! Is it worth the extra money as compared with the 320 and 330. Yes, because if your GPS won't "acquire a satellite" it is worthless. Email: boland7214@aol. I highly recommend this GPS.
ONE MORE THING: I don't want people to get angry with me for not telling them that this C530 does NOT have "voice recognition of streets". That's where the voice SAYS the name of the street. I found out after trying units with and without "voice recognition" that you DO NOT NEED IT. The reason? The reason is that the name of the upcoming street is WRITTEN IN BIG LETTERS on top of the screen. You WILL need to glance at the GPS when making turns so when you do, if you know how to read, you WILL read the name of the street for yourself. Thus, there is no need for "Garmina" (the voice) to READ the name of the street for you...that is unless you're illiterate and failed kindergarten! :o)
PS: My C530 died on me about 10 days ago. But, Garmin sent me a brand new one with no hassle on warranty. Write me and I'll let you know how the new one is doing.
Also, I tried the Magellan 2000 and the Garmin C530 side by side today. I liked the Garmin screen "look" better and it is easier to read than the Magellan. But, they are both good GPS Navigators---but I still prefer the Garmin C530. The Magellan 2000 cannot handle any European or other maps than North America while the Garmin C530 already has maps available, for a price, for Europe. If you are going to Europe do not buy the Magellan 2000---you'd need either the Garmin C530 or the Magellan 2200T or above.
ADDENDUM AS OF MAY 20, 2008: I saw a Garmin C550 for sale for about $200. Due the low price for these, I'd go for the C550 now. The most notable inprovement of the C550 over the C530 is the "text to voice" feature that SAYS the name of the street instead of only putting it up in large letters on the screen. Though this feature isn't a large benefit, it is probably worth $50 more to get it.
36 of 36 found the following review helpful:
I was lost but now I'm foundDec 10, 2006
By Donald Wile
What a life altering piece of technology this is. I'm very impressed. This is my first navigation system so perhaps I'm easily impressed. In any case, this is a very well thought out system. It is very easy to use. It is so easy you can use it without reading the instructions, but reading the instructions is still a good idea. My wife also has no problem operating it. Its got so many great features. The touch screen works very well. Want to see turn by turn instructions...touch the top of the screen. Want to see an over head map of the area, touch the top of the screen and select map. Zoom in and out with the +/- screen touch. You scroll the map by touching the screen and dragging the map. If you don't like the route it choose for you its easy to point to the route (just touch the screen) you want to take and select GO...it asks you if you want to include this as a way point and then changes the route to get you there. After you select your destination you can search for food or hotels etc. either close to your present position or your destination. Save locations to a Favorites folder and give them a custom name if you want. Save your HOME location to a special button...just press home and GO.
The screen is bright and easy to read. There is no need to have it announce the street name as you can easily see the next turn in big letters at the top of the screen. The volumn control has plenty of range though I think up down buttons on the side would be better than a wheel. The suction mount works great and the unit is easy to pull on and off of it. The power connector could have been a bit simplier to connect...but this is minor.
Before buying this my wife and I would always get lost and stressed out. Many an arguement would insue. Now we have a new sense of freedom. We can go anywhere without a care. The unit does a wonderful job of navigating. The voice instructions are great though at sometimes a bit too detailed...at least you won't mess up. And if you do happen to mess up or choose a different route, rather than yelling out you like my wife would, it simply re-calculates and routes you to the next best alternative...wonderful.
There may be other good units out there, but of this I'm certain...this unit is GREAT!!! Highly recommended.
See all 271 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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