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Garmin StreetPilot c550 review from PCMag

May 12, 2006 garmin, gps navigation, reviews

When Garmin announced its c500 series of automotive GPS navigation systems last March, it had some people scratching their heads. Why would anyone buy these devices when they’re just a high-priced extension of the popular c300 series of value-priced GPSs? But PC Magazine was able road test one of the first c550s available in the U.S., and I can tell you that the bevy of new features make the price premium a no-brainer.

The c550 ($799) is a portable GPS with a 3.5-inch QVGA touch screen. The only hardware controls on the device are the power switch and the volume control. All input is done via the touch screen. Like the c330, it runs either from the power adapter in your car or from its built-in rechargeable battery, which offers as much as 8 hours of battery life. It features the same simple interface found on virtually all current Garmin products. The main screen has two main choices: “Where to?” and “View map.” It features a 3D view as well as the standard 2D North Up and 2D Track Up views found on virtually all GPSs. Like the C340, as well as the 2700 and 7000 series Garmins, the c550 also features text-to-speech voice prompts. Since the operation and menu system of the c550 are so similar to the c330’s, we’ll focus on the new features.

The most visible new feature of the c550 is the new antiglare screen, which uses the same technology as that found on the higher-priced 2700 series. It is nonreflective, has a wide viewing angle, and is visible even in bright sunlight. It represents a significant improvement over the reflective screen that we complained about on the c330.

The c550 also has a new, simpler mounting bracket: Instead of a suction-cup bracket, it has a ball-and-socket mount, which makes it easier to remove than the c330. The protective neoprene zippered case has a hole in its back; this allows you to mount the c550 to the bracket without taking it out of the case; you’ll just have to unzip the case to start using it….

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