0ur opinion:

:
Make every turn the right turn with this easy-to-use system – featuring built-in traffic info to help you avoid delays.

• Pre-loaded, detailed street maps for the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico
• Text-to-Speech feature speaks out actual street names before every turn
• Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling with compatible phones
• Real-time traffic module built directly into the 12V adapter (includes complimentary 3-month subscription)
• Bright, anti-glare, 3.5' LCD screen
• Rechargeable battery runs for 8 hours on a single charge
• Built-in MP3 player with drag-and-drop functionality
• USB interface for easy hook up to your computer
• 1-year limited warranty

With advanced features like Bluetooth technology, integrated traffic capabilities and a built-in MP3 player, this do-it-all GPS receiver will get you where you need to go – with more convenience than ever.

:
The Garmin StreetPilot c550 GPS Vehicle Navigator represents the ultimate in GPS performance and simplicity. This portable navigator comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded maps and a wealth of options. Delivering the same easy to use and affordable navigation as Garmin's c300 series of vehicle navigators -- including a simple touchscreen interface, automatic route calculation, turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions, and over six million points of interest -- the StreetPilot c550 also offers Bluetooth wireless technology with hands-free calling, an integrated traffic receiver, an MP3 player, and much more.

The StreetPilot c550 delivers high-end GPS navigation, and is easy to use right out of the box.

Navigation is easy with a touchscreen interface, voice-prompted directions, and more. View larger.

Compatible with Bluetooth wireless phones for hands-free calls. View larger.

Advanced Wireless and GPS Technology
At the heart of the StreetPilot c550 is a high-sensitivity WAAS-capable GPS receiver by SiRF that provides outstanding acquisition times and the ability to maintain a strong signal under heavy foliage and near city skyscrapers. This means you'll always know precisely where you are. Meanwhile, an automotive-grade, sunlight-readable, 2.8 x 2.1-inches (WxH) anti-glare TFT LCD touch-screen display offers easy readability. With dimensions of 4.4 x 3.2 x 2.2-inches (WxHxD), and at about nine ounces in weight, the StreetPilot c550 features a streamlined design that will fit easily on any dashboard with the included vehicle suction mount. The unit also features Garmin Lock -- an advanced anti-theft feature that disables the unit from performing any functions until you type in a specific four-digit PlN or take the unit to a predetermined location.



The StreetPilot c550 also includes Bluetooth technology integrated with a microphone and dual speakers that lets you make hands-free mobile phone calls on a compatible Bluetooth wireless phone. You can view incoming calls on your c550, and simply tap the screen to answer. Just speak into the built-in microphone while staying focused on your driving. ln addition, you can retrieve and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or the phone's call history log. You can also make calls from the more than six million points of interest database -- which includes hotels, restaurants, stores, and much more.



Another feature unique to the c550 is its integrated traffic capabilities. The c550 includes the GTM 20, an integrated FM TMC traffic receiver with a free three-month trial subscription (for U.S. customers only). The GTM 20 notifies you of traffic conditions, construction and weather delays, and automatically suggests alternative routes. The navigator also comes with preloaded maps of North America and includes automatic routing, 2D or 3D map perspective, and turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names -- making navigation as easy as it gets. An included MP3 player lets you enjoy music from your digital collection while you drive, and an included SD memory card expansion slot means that you can load optional software, such as language and travel guides -- making travel even easier and more entertaining than ever.




What's in the Box
StreetPilot c550, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America or Europe (full coverage), FM traffic receiver with vehicle power cable, Real-time traffic services, Vehicle suction cup mount, Dashboard disk, USB cable, Carry case, Quick reference guide

Product Description
The portable StreetPilot c550 comes ready-to-go right out of the box with plenty of options. This navigator delivers the same, easy-to-use, affordable navigation as our popular selling c300 series with many enhancements. Garmin Lock anti-theft feature that disables the unit from performing any functions until you type in a specific 4-digit PlN or take the unit to a predetermined location. Features exclusive to the StreetPilot c550 include Bluetooth technology integrated with a microphone and dual speakers for hands-free mobile phone calls on a compatible phone. View incoming calls on your c550, and simply tap the screen to answer. Just speak into the built-in microphone while staying focused on your driving. Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling Voice announces streets by name Configurable car icons Preloaded maps for all of North America Fingertip touch-screen interface Look up addresses and points of interest Choose 2D or 3D map perspective Upload custom P0ls, including alerts for speed zones and safety cams Add optional software with SD memory card expansion slot Voice - Navigation instructions and warnings with TTS (text-to-speech) Waypoints - 500 with name and graphic symbol Trip computer - Resettable odometer, timers, average and maximum speeds Phone book - Stores contact numbers from paired phones that support book transfer GPS Performance Receiver - SiRFstarlll high-sensitivity GPS receiver lnterfaces - USB 2.0 full-speed Power lnput - 12/24v Dc Usage - 15w maximum at 13.8v Dc Battery life - up to 8 hours Unit Dimensions - Width 4.4 x Height 3.2 x Depth 2.2 inch (11.3 x 8.2 x 5.6 cm) Unit Weight - 0.59 pounds (269 grams)

---

---

Buyer's feedback: - * Excellent GPS ...
This device works great. I used it on several trips and I had no major problems. The bluetooth capability is an excellent bonus especially when you are driving in areas you are unfamiliar with. I was able to use the Garmin for directions and the bluetooth feature to call my friends and inform them when I was near their location.
The only "hiccup" I encountered was in areas where there was new construction. For example when I traveled to Knoxville, TN and a portion of I-40 was closed. No problem with this device, it just re-routed me onto another course to my destination. Problems like that are unavoidable with any device though. Overall it is a great product and I would definitely purchase another one.

---

Buyer's feedback: - Open Stock Sold As New
Amazons merchant Electronica Direct shipped a Garmin c550 that was open stock and not new. The box had been opened, the GPS unit had been removed from its packaging and the cardboard frame that held the GPS unit in the box had been crushed. The GPS unit was loose in the box. When cutomers buy products from Amazon as new, they shouldn't be sent open stock items as new. Because of the delays in receiving a new product, I was unable to give my wife her Mothers Day gift. I won't only purchase books from Amazon in the future.

---

Buyer's feedback: - * Fulfills all expectations ...
The Streetpilot c550 was perfect right out of the box. It's intuitive to operate and the Bluetooth works fine. One phone transferred the address book flawlessly and updates it automatically, but the other phone needed to have addresses transferred one by one -- but that was because of the phone, not the Garmin. I used the Garmin to get home from a familiar destination and was skeptical when it directed me onto an unfamiliar road ... only to realize that the Garmin had a shorter, easier route in mind, and one I had not tried before.

---

Buyer's feedback: - excellent at this price.got my money worth
this is too good of a GPS. Multi functional:Bluetooth ,MP3 ,Navigation with text to speech...what more will u want in a GPS.guys go for it......
Bought a TOM TOM 330S....returned it within 5 days when i realized GARMIN still rules the GPS arena

---

Buyer's feedback: - * Great GPS with only few problems ...
After buying and using the C550, I found the review at rated4stars ([...]) to be very good.

Pros: Very good directions. Easy to use menu. Grabs satellites quickly. Mounts well on windshield.
Weaknesses: Traffic service so far is a bust. GPS gave mistaken directions.

(Edited June 04th by jb) Overall this is an amazing unit. However, I did have to spend quite a bit of time downloading and installing the map update ... but at least it was "free." The screen is great even in bright light, the directions about where to turn on what street etc are given several times along the way so there are no surprises. Directions are helpful.. E.g., "Turn left on Maple Street in 500 feet" followed by "Turn left on Maple Street", etc. or "1316 Everit Rd is 200 feet on right." Of course the map shows the directions and also the distance to the next turn, etc.

Unit did misloacate several major stores and two different malls by about .5 miles or more in the Albany/Schenectady area and suggest an incorrect turn. I traced this problem to Navtek. The same mapping errors exist on google maps and mapquest. Tele Atlas (TomTom) is even worse regarding the same stores/malls. So errors in maps may be a widespread problem. Otherwise the c550 has known where things are very accurately. So far I would not pay anything extra for the FM traffic service (3 mo free). On a 10 mile trip it told me a road was closed in 113 miles. Good grief. Unit is very steady on windshield mount. Unit gives you option of having it turn off with ignition/accessory key or stay on with own battery power. It finds satellites very quickly in my experience. I often don't even notice any lag; it seems ready to go as quickly as I am.

One odd thing is that for sharp turns in the road, the unit says you are making a turn on to the same road. However, once you know the unit does this, I don't find this a problem. In fact, it is a warning that there is a sharp turn ahead, which could be quite helpful at night on back roads.

One way to make sure the unit takes you on the desired route is to put in waypoints, but this unit is limited to adding only 1 waypoint or stop. It is possible to create lots of short trips that add up to one long one with many intermediate "stops", but that is less convenient than entering waypoints before starting a trip.

So far, customer service via email has been slow, and sometimes inaccurate. This unit appears to be the same as the c580, except the 580 has the MSN FM service instead of ClearChannel.

My Palm Treo 680 syncs with Bluetooth quite nicely, after a couple of tries. After that the pairing occurred automatically. I had to "push" the contact list to the c550, as Garmin explains on their site (only once.. it remembers how to get the list). To send a revised or edited contact list you have to unpair the two units and then re-pair them and then "push" the new contact list to the phone.

If I could, I would rate this unit at 4 1/2 stars, but overall it is very, very good.