Handheld GPS Reviews - Customer reviews - Garmin StreetPilot c530 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Manufacturer: Garmin

List Price: $363.79
Our Price: $245.00
You Save: $118.79 (33%)
Refurbished Price: $108.99
Used Price: $99.99

Average Customer Rating: -

Product details

Offers (13)

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Spotlight customer reviews:

Name: Jonathan M. Carr
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Date: 2006-12-06
Customer Rating: -

Summary: Buy this GPS c530 today!!! I wish Amazon had 10 stars!!!
Comment: 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!!!

Name: John Boland
Location: USA
Date: 2006-08-24
Customer Rating: -

Summary: The Garmin C530 Is State of The Art Gps
Comment: 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.

Name: Donald Wile
Location: San Jose, Ca. USA
Date: 2006-12-10
Customer Rating: -

Summary: I was lost but now I'm found
Comment: 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.

Name: Marcus Parish
Location: Alabama
Date: 2006-12-11
Customer Rating: -

Summary: Great Unit
Comment: I've owned a Garmin eTrex handheld for three years and wanted to upgrade to an auto unit. I've only had the c530 for a few days but it is magic. You don't need the voice announce on street turns and it may be confusing since some streets have two names (for example, 3rd Street may be the local name in the GPS database, but it is marked on the ground as US 331). When you get the unit upgrade to the latest software on the Garmin web site. Mine came with software two or three versions old and had a minor occasional bug. The upgrade also reduces the size of the auto icon on the screen which was much needed!

Name: SLJ
Location: NJ USA
Date: 2007-04-13
Customer Rating: -

Summary: Easy enough for anyone!
Comment: I had a friend buy this model Garmin and he raved about it. My biggest concern was, "is it easy to use"? Yes! Less than 5 minutes out of the box it was in my car and working! ANYONE can use it and I truly mean ANYONE!!

I recently had to take my husband to doctor in a nearby town. The receptionist made it clear how hard it was to find and gave me sooooo many directions. I wrote them down, not sure if the Garmin could handle the job! A true test it was! This building actually sat back behind another building. It took me there 1-2-3 and even brought me in the RIGHT driveway!

It's great having that peace of mind that I'm not going to get lost (again).

The Garmin gets my 5 stars for easy of use and for being on the money everytime I've needed it to come through for me! Another plus is that it comes with the car kit and charger. Some models do NOT include that. This one does!!

I'm very pleased! Great value! The kids loving changing the voices...we now have a british woman speaking to us!

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