Comments on: Garmin StreetPilot c330 3.5Inch Portable GPS Navigator

By: Dana A. Nuccitelli

Dana A. Nuccitelli — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:17:43 +0000

non-functional and no returns
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I’m pretty bummed – the Garmin StreetPilot seems like an easy to use and really great tool. Unfortunately mine won’t work. It gets stuck searching for satellites, then more and more white lines run across the screen until the whole thing is white. Worst of all, the seller (Electronica Direct) doesn’t accept returns on refurbished items, so I’m stuck with this useless piece of you know what.

Just bear in mind that it’s buyer beware. If you get stuck with a defective unit, you’re really stuck. Great deal if you get a working one though.

By: G. Foster

G. Foster — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 05:36:54 +0000

good buy
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
For under $100(refurbished) I do not think I could have made a better purchase. The device is very user freindly and easy to install.It comes with awindow mount, that works very well. The dashboard mount, however was not very effective and I would not recommend using it. As for the software, beware that it is very outdated (2005), and do not believe what you read, you will have to purchase the upgrades at around $70. As for the device itself, the voice directions are loud and clear (with 9 volume settings), and the device is very user frienldy, featuring 2d and 3d maps, with the option of spelling your address, business, destination etc. It also has a feature to save your location and that helped with the outdated map software.The battery life is excellent thus far, and a car charger was included. Home chargers have to purchased seperately. Other features include setting multiple stops before your final destinatation, menu options that seek out the closest resturants (asian, mexican, american,etc), gas stations, shopping malls, convenience stores, speciality stores etc. Further, the search option allows you to find locations in your vicinity eg. “Austin Walmart”.The only real complaint besides the outdated map and the ineffective dashboard mount is the predictive text in the “enter address” field – the device does not allow you to enter the full name, but with an updated map version, I am sure it will find the address you are looking for. Overall, a good buy compared to the Tom Tom at a slightly higher price which has no voice navigation.

By: Brian Andrews

Brian Andrews — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 23:18:06 +0000

Great for the absolute cheapest I could find
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This was the cheapest GPS I could find for sale. I have seen some random blow out specials slightly lower, but they are of an inferior product. I bought the refurbished version of this GPS. The maps are over a year old when you get it and even if you register you do not get a free update. I used it to travel and found it invaluable. Quick satellite communication and fast recalculations (for when you miss your turn anyway). The suction cup is amazingly strong. This is an older unit and is a little bulky. Given for $30 more you can get a thinner 4.3″ unit I gave this a 4 star instead of a 5, if it were cheaper or thinner or a larger screen it would be a 5.

By: R. Williams

R. Williams — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:33:48 +0000

worked fine, but hard to update
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
This GPS has worked fine for me for a long time. But updating the maps is a real pain. No of course, new GPS are smaller and cheaper. Before I buy a new GPS, I will check on how easy or difficult it is to update the maps.

By: Nothing Yonsen

Nothing Yonsen — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:40:08 +0000

Wonderful GPS, Easy to use!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Works right out of the box, without even reading the instructions. I intentionally made wrong turns in this big podunk town and the C330 put me right back on the correct path home. I’m sold; you can’t beat the Garmin GPS for any price!!

By: Jeremiah J. Butrum

Jeremiah J. Butrum — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:47:01 +0000

simple and to the point
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
not a lot of “features” to get in the way. This is a great tool for any tool box. the loaded map is old so if you have new roads in your area you might need an update. its efficient. i use it every day doing service calls. up to 6 locations and over 1000 miles a week. the battery will last 6- 7 hrs of continuous use.

By: Jerome B Johnson

Jerome B Johnson — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:36:28 +0000

Can't recommend
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
Purchased October 2007. Stopped functioning completely May 2009.

On a 350 mile trip "quickest routing" from Point A to point B was completely different than "quickest routing" returning from point B to point A. Recently misdirected to an airport which had been closed and relocated approximately 15 miles away more than 10 years ago. I have had two excellent Garmin aviation products with excellent support over several years, and was surprised and disappointed at this second rate C330.

By: SS

SS — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:46:43 +0000

return on investment in one year
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I must have used this for three years and still works like new , I take it for camping , snowmobiling, road trips, it never failed, this product is perfect.

By: P. C. WALL

P. C. WALL — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:20:19 +0000

It will disappoint you eventually!!!
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I liked it when I got it. I liked it for a whole year. It worked fine. The maps that came with the device were little outdated, but since the highways in my state are all pretty old, there were no major problems.

The disappointment comes two months ago, when I do what the manufacturer recommends and UPDATE the software on the unit.

It is now UNUSABLE and garmin's customer support is abhorrent. I would NOT recommend you get a garmin unless you're ok with being ignored when you tell them there's a problem.

Oh, and the outdated maps, you can upgrade them FOR $70!!! That's 3/4 of the price of the unit! Disgust is probably the best word to describe my overall feeling about this product.

By: Jax

Jax — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 09:08:18 +0000

Refurbished unit died on me
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
After a few weeks of use this unit just stopped working. I think there was a loose connection inside, because after I smacked it, it would power up again, but after that it couldn't find the map data.

I'd say that between the old map data, large form factor and questionable reliability it's not worth the hassle to try.