Latest reviews about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

TawnyLee says "Garmin gets you there and back easily!" about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

TawnyLee — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:12:00 GMT

My husband got me this product for Mother's Day a few years ago, and I absolutely love it. It's very easy to use right out of the box, and extremely user friendly.

I did have an issue with the first one (some electronic undiagnosed problem), but got it exchanged, and have had no issues with the current one.

It is very easy to do the uploads to keep the firmware and software current, via their website. The update maps are kind of expensive though, but I'm not sure how they compare with other companies.

The screen is sensitive enough, but not absurdly so, so it's easy to navigate quickly and get to what you want. The preloaded destinations (businesses) were plentiful, and once you have it hooked up via Bluetooth to your phone, you can even call directly from the unit. Pretty slick!

It's pretty customizable in regards to detail amount, screen brightness, route avoidances, etc... And again, all of that was very easy to adjust.

It's easily portable to bring with me in another vehicle, and the...

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mikewolfe says "It could be a "5" star" about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

mikewolfe — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:35:54 GMT

I love my Garmin. So many times I could have been lost but it has always found my way out of messes. I am a truck driver that takes me into tight situations of traffic. I just plug this little baby in and away I go. So portable and convenient. I love the different colors on it that shows me where the rivers and train tracks are. Yet so simple to use. Just plug it in, do a few touch screens, type a few words (love love the auto come ups where you don't have to put the whole word in), takes you right tot he front door. Very clear to understand plus shows it, PLUS spells it across the top what to do!!! Very hi-tech to me. I'm not a real hi-tech person but this has got to be one of the top of the lines for a person like me. Now if the satellite's would just get updated more often. It has only failed for me twice. Luckily I had phone numbers to call and they both told me they aren't even listed on the 911 because of the satellites or State or County not being caught...

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partieartie says "the garmin streetpilot c550 is probably one of the best purches " about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

partieartie — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:22:03 GMT

the garmin streetpilot is one of the best purcheses i have ever made, since ive owned it i havent had to use a map. i use it every day at work, it has never made me lost no matter where i go!

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MsDee4 says "I so love my garmin!!" about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

MsDee4 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:56:10 GMT

I purchased my garmin GPS streetpilot a couple of years ago. I am very happy that I did. When I first used it, the one thing that I did not like about it was it had me trying to make turns where there weren't any. I guess the map was not updated and the streets are always st some under construction. Although it made he frustrated sometimes, I can't see myself going in any unfamiliar areas without it. Anyone that knows me, know that I do not have a very good sense of direction! I love it!!

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shampoome33 says "No more "Where am I "" about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

shampoome33 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:03:15 GMT

I was given the Garmin c550 about 2 years ago, I have to say it has made me feel so much more confortable about driving. I am a sales rep and I do alot of traveling, and part of my job is to find new accounts. Of course that would involve driving in areas that I would not be familiar with, and turning down roads that I didn't know. Well to say the least I was getting my self lost alot!!!! Thats when my husband researched and bought me the Garmin c550. What a life saver. Just to be able to push the GO HOME button and it would at least get me headed in the right direction.

The first trip we used it on was what made us really get the true benefit of this product. We were driving from NE PA to the outerbanks NC. A long drive and we were dong it at night so our children would sleep most of the trip. Of course we needed to stop for gas and bathroom breaks, and you know how it goes, or at least what would always happen to us before getting this GPS. We would get off an exit and find that the gas...

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oneloopychick says "Don't leave home without it" about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

oneloopychick — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:41:19 GMT

When I accquired a new sales territory in the lovely state of WV, I initally tried to go to the nearest bookseller and pick up an ADP map. I couldn't find one and eventually asked the guy at the customer service center if they sold one for WV as they had one for all the other locales nearby. He called his ADP representative and was told that they didn't make one for WV! WTF!? So- having no other option, I was basically forced to buy a GPS unit or forgo the perils of "Wild and Wonderful" West Virginia. I am now at a total loss without it. I do think that sometimes the directions don't always reflect the shortest path- usually the easiest. For example- if I set the unit while in my driveway, it directs me to route 70 a completely different way than if I were to just drive there myself. My way is totally shorter but the GPS unit keeps wanting me to go in another direction entirely! The other thing I don't like about this particular GPS unit is that you can't zoom out to...

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bloodtaker512 says "great" about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

bloodtaker512 — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:42:53 GMT

Pros: Ease of use, reliability, currency of maps, extensive capability.

Cons: No itinerary planning capability, lack of customization options.

Summary: This review is provided as a public service. It represents my own opinion and experience, so take it for what it?s worth to you.

Like many of you, I looked all over for some detailed comparisons of available GPS units before I bought one. What I found on the web didn?t answer many of my questions, so I decided to share my own GPS adventure with those of you still in the market. What follows is a comparison between the TomTom GO 910 and the Garmin c550. There are other units out there, as well, but this review may help make you a more educated GPS consumer ? whatever you buy. Please, take advantage of my time without losing a lot of your own!

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF):
After several days of side-by-side testing, I?m taking my TomTom GO 910 back to Best Buy this morning, and keeping my Garmin c550. The 910 has enormous potential, but can?t...

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Jrid says "Good Product " about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

Jrid — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:56:29 GMT

With 16 years in the biz, Garmin knows a thing or two about making GPS devices, and the Garmin StreetPilot c550 is proof of that fact. The c550 offers the same great navigation features as its more economical cousin, the Garmin StreetPilot c330, but adds a number of great improvements, such as Bluetooth integration, text-to-speech functionality, and traffic information. More important, it performs these functions well. It's a bit on the pricey side ($857.13), but for the money, you get a great all-around portable navigation device.

The Garmin StreetPilot c550 won't take up much room in your car. At 4.4 by 3.2 by 2.2 inches and 9.5 ounces, it's easily transportable for multivehicle use and comes with an easy-to-install windshield mount. Garmin also keeps things simple, with minimal controls. There's a volume dial, a USB port, and a power button on the right. We especially like the external volume control since you don't have to fiddle with the menus to change this setting; we did notice,...

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maybeairedale says "I love my Garmin GPS it gets me everywhere" about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

maybeairedale — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:59:49 GMT

I have owned a Garmin c550 for over a year now. I love it . It gets me anywhere I need to be. The best thing about the Garmin c550 is it also has a blue tooth device that allows me to talk hands free. I loaned to to my elderly mother and she and her friends have been able to drive themselves across country on a vacation they would have other wise not taken. My husband has a nav system built into his car and we both find that the Garmin c 550 is easier to use. It will find points of interest. Hotels by chain of nearest. Places to ear according to location of food type. When it comes to the garmin c 500 I love stick to the old saying Don't leave home without it

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intheclds says "Works great, but don't want to pay for updates." about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

intheclds — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:18:57 GMT

I brought this on sale a few years ago and it has been a life saver ever since. I have moved twice and could not have found my way around without it! I am constantly saying how glad I am to have it and what a great investment it has been.

I have had some problems with the system however. Sometimes, it seems to not tell me that there is a turn approaching if I am going at a low speed or if I have traveled that location many times before. Also, it will sometimes tell me that there is a better route available and then nothing else. What does that mean? If there is a better route available shouln't I be taking that instead? Am I not understanding something here? I never saw anything about that in the user guide, but it seems kind of ridiculous to tell me there is a better route available and not take me to it. I say in this instance ignorance is bliss if the machine is not going to do anything about it.

One last thing is the cost to update the system for new points of...

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kaleighazmommy says "I'd never find my way home without it!" about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

kaleighazmommy — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:26:44 GMT

My husband and I received the GPS system from his mother. I had always been somewhat skeptical about them, but figured if it's free, why not? Suprisingly enough, I loved it! I use it on every road trip I can now :) My husband is in the Army Reserves and uses it to get to and from Saint Louis, Missouri, which is over 100mi from our home. It's very easy to set up. You just plug it into the power outlet in your car. As far as setting it up to use, well thats just as easy! The GPS system is very easy to use and I would reccomend it to everyone!!!

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bearscouter says "Best travel partner ever" about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

bearscouter — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:23:01 GMT

I have travelled to several area of the United States and find it very easy to get around with my Garmin. One of the best functions is finding a gas station on the way back to the airport to fill the rental car before returning it. After getting to the rental car the first thing I do is key in the address to where i am going and head out. I have been to San Francisco, Portland and Seattle recently without getting lost. It has taken me to the address I put in. I was happy especially in Portland where I thought the freeway system was confusing. After getting off the plane I could not acclimate myself to which direction was north. Leaving the airport and driving across Portland to to to Tillamook was made easy with my Garmin.

But I also find it very useful locally. Our town, Olathe, has grown so fast in the past 20 years without my Garmin there are places I go I really need directions to. My wife who is directionally challenged uses it even more than I do.

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sleepybear says "I absolutely love the garmin street pilot!" about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

sleepybear — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:05:39 GMT

I absolutely love the Garmin Street pilot I think it is one of the best GPS's on the market. i have tested other GPS's and they tend to not be at reliable. The way I mean this is they will tend not to tell you the exact street that you are suppose to turn on. Say I am suppose to turn in 500ft on Shelby dr. The Garmin will tell me exactly that. Like I said I have tried out and have seen other GPS's both in rental cars and from my friends have owned. Most will tell you to turn in .05 mi and I dont know about most people but it is hard for me to gauge .05 miles. And they normally dont tell you the street that you need to turn on. Plus there is the added fact that you can just type in restaurants and it will tell you all the restaurants in your area. I have personally used this feature to find out where the zoo is, or a musseum. I absolutely love that feature. Also with the Garmin street Pilot, when you start to put in an address it will help you fill the rest in. ...

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joymyreview says "AWESOME" about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

joymyreview — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 01:57:27 GMT

I absolutely love my GPS...before I had it I got lost all the time and was always known as directionally challenged and since my GPS I am able to get around with no trouble. Thank you...it has been a great blessing.

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GoToGirl says "Now I can go ANYWHERE alone, without getting lost." about Garmin - StreetPilot c550

GoToGirl — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:45:30 GMT

Before I had my Garmin c550 I was directionally challenged (I still am, but that doesn't matter anymore). I have kids that need to go to sporting events that are in places that I haven't ever been before, like out of the way schools, sometimes even in another state. Now that I have my Garmin I can put in an address or an intersection and it will direct me to where I need to be, even re-routing me if I take a wrong turn or a street that I need to take is closed. Once I am where I need to be, I can look for a certain type of restaurant or shopping center either generically or specifically and it will find it for me. The only thing it has done that I am not fond of, is to tell me where something is and it is really across the street from where is says. This has happened a couple of times with hotel locations, but I am in the general area, so it is easily fixed. It also will take me one route to go somewhere and a different one to get back, but I always arrive where I need to be,...

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