Garmin StreetPilot c550 Car GPS Receiver

And I have found it! I was really expecting that this unit will not live up to my expectiation (read that aloud 10x fast...hehe). It may not be accurate. Maps may not be detailed. Nothing can replace my beloved link to Mapquest.com.

But, assured I can always return it, I plunked down almost a grand for it. Of course, after a few uses, I returned it to look for it again on eBay (for a better deal). It was that good?

Oh yes! It's exactly what I wanted, and didn't know it was possible to exist! Let me list the ways it blew my mind:

1) Like Mapquest, it allows you to create a route by letting you input an address. It's tedious to do so without a keypad, but it was selective (as in, it skips letters if it knows the combination does not exist in it's database).

2) ATMs, gas stations, restaurants, and lodging shows up on the map, so for weary, emptied-wallet, or hungry traveller, this unit will make your life easier!

3) Maps are highly detailed for major cities, towns, and areas! I was very skeptical about this, but having tried it out myself, my disbelieve is all but gone!

It really works and feels like built-in units for those luxury cars! After hearing that any car can be equiped with such a unit for $2000+, the Garmin Streetpilot III seems reasonable at $999 retail. Hell, I got mine for $770 at eBay!

The basemap that is in the unit is bare-bones major streets and highways. With the included City Nav CD, you can unlock one region for free. You can unlock an additional region for $160, and the next upgrade would be for the entire US map for $230. There is no betweens for 2 regions to all regions. My price? eBay, all regions, was sold for $150 for all regions. Making my entire unit just under a grand. :) Expesnive, but reasonable so.

The unit does give you directions vocally, as well! Just like those navigation systems in Lexus! It also works with 6 AA batteries, which makes it portable (can't say that about those built-in ones!). However, it'd be a better experience for you if you can get it professionally installed in your vehicle and have it hard wired, as the cigarette lighter/speaker plug is huge, and can get in the way.

What about accuracy? Usually within 20 ft, which isn't too bad. I read that with the optional amplified antenna, accuracy increases to within 10 ft. For driving use (like most of use would use it for), the antenna that came with the unit would suffice. However, for some reason, sometimes the unit gets confused, and tries to recalculate the route, thinking I am off course... even though I'm still on the route! Those problems are few and far between, however.

BTW, you can also search for restuarants by name, shopping centers by name, etc. so imagine my surprise when I found there was a closer Taco Bell by my work place than the one I always go to. :)

Is it worth the price of admission? Only if you really need one, I guess. Assuming you do, this is the best unit to get! Very easy to use, as well! (Hey, I'm new to GPS, remember the first Garmin GPS ePinion I wrote? :) If I can use it, so can you!)