Garmin StreetPilot c580 Automotive GPS Receiver

I reviewed many different brands on different sites to try to get an overall picture of the gps systems available. There were pros and cons to all as some people only will write negative reviews and these have to be scrutinized with all the good ones. However I found more positive reviews for the c550 and c580 streetpilot as compared to Tom Tom, Magellan, Harmon Kardon,and many others. For someone beginning I am very pleased with this unit. It is out of the box and ready to go with what it comes with; usb cable,car power charger, case (protects screen mostly, msn traffic for one year, and easily updates on the computer. I used it first and then read the directions for more detailed info on some of the features. Downloaded 6 voices, English American, England English, and Australian. Use the latter the most so far. If you decide to get this unit, my opinion is that you will like it. Research though for your own personal tastes as I did. MSN traffic does not work in all areas of the US but you can look at the coverage areas on the site. Have fun hunting and may your purchase be as satisfying as mine. 3 year warranty not bad either for $24.99!

.....Garmin Street Pilot series just keeps getting better...and with this top-of-the line 500 series...they probably created a near perfect unit. I bought my first GPS a few years back, and was completely satisfied with the c330 model. (Purchased at a steal in '05 for under two hundred.) But the c580 model, takes the same c330 and adds a ton of bells and whistles, for even less! Super quick satelite reception is immedietly noticed, as well as a much improved screen and satelite reception strength. It is sharper, more detailed, and non-glare, even in bright daylight. What I like best about this unit is the simplicity of use...After all, who wants to be frustrated with complicated screens...when you are just trying to get from point A to point B. The ready-out-of-the-box GPS is so cool, especially with the included 1 year subscription to the MSN direct service. MSN provides the user with weather forcasts (as well as current conditions). MSN also provides directions as well as prices to the nearest gas. It has the local movies, including times showing, as well....The safest and coolest part about the device is it allows for complete hands free cell phone use thanks to built in bluetooth, with microphone and speakers built in. Voice command available for phones so equipped....it will even allow the user to access their contacts in the phone directly from the GPS screen....just touch and talk! Incomming calls are also shown, including name, with an answer or ignore prompt button pop-up. Additional points of interest (POI) can be added online, and you can even customize your icons on the map with several diffent cars or trucks with custom colors. Built in MPS player, photo viewer for splashscreen shot, and memory slot for SD memory, to add files directly from your home computer. (includes patch cord for USB connection) Windshield mounting using included, which has a rear-view-mirror type swivel. (This allows for any angle viewing. Also has dash mount disk. (These are permanent, so please be advised) The 12 volt power supply also supplies the reception for MSN direct. Unplugged, it will function for aprox. 8 hours with internal lithium battery. MSN function requires 12 volt cord plugged in to update. You can still pick these up here on ebay at a fraction of the original nine hundred dollars in '07. I highly suggest you grab one of these units before they are gone!

I purchased this unit for my wife. She is not comfortable driving outside of her home town and our our community we live in now.
The unit has lots of amazing features which are usually found on the much higher priced models, features such as text to speach, street names, plus the additional functions including the MSN Driect which by the way is free for the first year, make this GPS unti incredibly useful.

The only negative point I could even mention is that it is larer than the Nuvi models that have recently appeared on the market. While the consideration for the sheer size of this unit may be a factor you might consider before deciding on which GPS is best for you, I would strongly recommend you find it at a retailers location first and see if you think the size is that much larger than the comparable Nuvi unit which is priced about $100 more.
Overall this GPS unit is a great deal for under $200!

This is the 3rd Garmin unit I've owned, each one is a step above the last one. The graphics are really clear, the directions are precise and the help it provides while driving is priceless.

The convenience of the bluetooth feature is not only a great benefit, it's safer than holding the phone and better than the phone's speaker option.

The MSN direct is a really good feature and is most helpful in congested areas.

The Garmin garage also has really neat upgrades for vehicles to use on the unit. Over the past 2 years that I've owned the Garmins they have added some really good "vehicles".

I've never used another product and with the ease of the Garmin, I don't imagine that I would go to a different brand. I highly recommend Garmin to all my friends and many have purchased their own units.

A very satisfied customer in Panama City, FL.

I bought this item because of the navigation services that it offers. Its a great help for me when I need to get to places that I not familiar with. Also, it doesn't matter where I am at, the GPS can find me an alternative route(if needed), a gas station, food, etc. So, that definitely adds to what it already offers. The only downfall that I have with this item is that it doesn't seem to be updated with all these new roads that have been built. But, I'm sure that next year when I do the yearly updates to the system that those new roads with be able to be uploaded. Overall, I highly recommend this item!!