0ur opinion: :The StreetPilot c580 GPS navigator with dynamic content from MSN Direct is simple to use. Connect your MSN Direct receiver to your StreetPilot c580 and receive real-time traffic, gas prices, movie listings and weather conditions and forecasts. 0ther features include a bright color display, easy touch screen interface, turn-by-turn voice guidance with text-to-speech, MP3 player and more. lncluded is Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling when paired with compatible phones. The StreetPilot c580 comes preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps for the entire United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. This map database features nearly six million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs and attractions. The map data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. Built-in patch antenna, MCX-type connector for optional external GPS antenna connection Configurable vehicle icons - Allows users to select a fun, customized car-shaped icon Garmin Lock anti-theft feature - When enabled, users must input a PlN number to use the device Backup feature allows users to associate a security location, which will unlock the unit when within 50 meters of that location Features MP3 player - Loading MP3s is Drag & Drop easy with no special software required lmport custom points of interest (P0ls) such as restaurants and safety cameras from industry-standard CSV files Proximity alert feature warns of upcoming custom P0ls such as safety cameras and school zones Built-in lithium ion battery, up to 8 hours of battery life Suction cup mounting system provides easy adjustment and quick release Unit dimensions - Width 4.4 x Height 3.2 x Depth 2.2 inch Unit Weight - 9 ounces
:Now you can easily receive door-to-door directions while staying on top of the weather, traffic and other localized information with the new Garmin StreetPilot c580 Auto Navigator with MSN Direct. The StreetPilot c580 comes loaded with convenient features such as hands-free calling, preloaded maps and an MP3 player, and then on top of all that provides you with dynamic content from MSN Direct.
The new StreetPilot c580 lets you get localized information with dynamic content from MSN Direct, making it one of the most resourceful navigators available. Using the included receiver and free trial service to MSN Direct, you can check your local weather, avoid traffic backups, compare local gas prices, and even check movie times and locations, all while you travel. Easy and virtually fool-proof to use, the MSN Direct receiver is plug-and-play portable so you can quickly connect to your navigator unit when you are out and about.
Despite being loaded with features, the StreetPilot c580 still allows you to navigate with ease. This unit comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded NavTeq City Navigator NT street maps, including a hefty points of interest (P0ls) database with hotels, restaurants, fuel stops, ATMs and more. Simply touch the super-bright, sunlight-readable color screen to enter a destination, and the c580 takes you there with either 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. This navigator voice even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road, and can concentrate on your driving to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. ln addition, the c580 accepts custom points of interest (P0ls), such as school zones and safety cameras, and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming P0ls that require your special consideration such as speed zones and safety cameras.
Speaking of keeping you safe, the StreetPilot c580 lets you make hands-free calls so you can talk freely during your worry-free driving. By integrating Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker, you can pair your c580 with any compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free while staying focused on the road. You no longer have to fumble with your phone's handset to answer a call or dial a number, just tap the c580's screen and you're instantly connected. And with 1-touch dialing for your P0ls, you can quickly and conveniently call ahead to make reservations or get needed information.
Completely portable, the StreetPilot c580 conveniently moves from vehicle to vehicle with an easy, adjustable mount. This navigator has a compact size that makes it convenient to take along on business trips or use in rental cars, and also comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for out-of-car route planning.
ln addition to all of this functionality, the StreetPilot c580 is packed full of other features that make it the perfect navigator. lts high sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver acquires satellites quickly and maintains signals even under heavy foliage or near skyscrapers. This unit also comes with an MP3 player so you can take your favorite music with you, Garmin Lock as an anti-theft feature to keep you investment safe, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map. What's more the StreetPilot c580 allows you customization via optional software such as Travel and Savers guides on plug-and-play SD cards.
The c580 lets you view, navigate and operate it via its anti-glare, bright color display through its fingertip touch-screen interface, which measures 2.8 x 2.1 inches (W x H), and has a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. As a whole, the c580 measures 4.4 x 3.2 x 2.2 inches (W x H x D), and weighs only 9.0 ounces. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery that comes with this unit provides you with an on-the-go battery life of eight hours.
What's in the Box Garmin StreetPilot c580, City Navigator NT maps for North America (preloaded, full coverage), MSN Direct receiver with integrated vehicle power cable, 1 year of free MSN Direct service, vehicle suction cup mount, dashboard disk, USB cable, carrying case, and quick reference guide, and owner's manual.
Piece Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Testimonials
Average Buyer Rating:

Buyer's feedback: 
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* Garmin Street Pilot Portable Navigator with MSN direct ...
This is the my first GPS unit. So I don't know what is great and what should or should not be. Overall, I am pleased with the unit. It was easy to setup and use. The maps are all preloaded which is good. The point of interest are great. I can find anything I want and get easy directions to their location. I can add my favorites as well. If I miss a turn it will recalculate the trip automatically. I have not used the bluetooth feature but plan to. The MSN direct is easy to use as well. The service will direct your route of travel around traffic. The gas listing I have found very useful. The turn by turn is great, it tells you the street name and therefore you do not have to take your eyes off the road or guess which street if there are many close together. I could not understand the name of some streets because the pronounciation was flawed and sometimes the voice says road or place instead of street and that could be a problem down the road when I really don't know where I am going. But so far it has been a okay.
Buyer's feedback: 
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Garmin StreetPIlotC580 GPS
I was very impressed with the GPS. It takes you exactly where you want to go. This is my first experience witha GPS and it is sooo neat. I got a 2009 map upgrade free with the purchase when I registered it, but had trouble downloading it. It is a file over 2 gig so you really need a fast broadband connection or you should select the option to pay for and get on a DVD. They provided a DVD with the upgrade on because of the problem. I now need to get a DVD player to complete the process.
Buyer's feedback: 
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* Garmin c580 review ...
The database is not the most up-to-date. The directions/route-planning is decent but not the most optimal at all times - sometimes, it makes you go through way too many turns just to shave off a few yards. I would've liked it if the algorithm was a little smarter. Overall, the GPS part works reasonably well. The screen is clear and bright and very visible even when viewed through polarized sunglasses. The text-to-speech and street name announcement is nice. However, the MSN Direct receiver takes a long time to download information. I would call it an OK product. I like it slightly better than the Tomtoms I've seen in other people's cars - primarily because of the TTS. But I expected more out of Garmin - especially due to the glowing reviews they get. My experience with some built-in GPS nav units has been much more positive. Although for $2-3K, they are 10 times the cost of this portable little unit! With pricing the way it is on this unit, it's not a bad gadget to have around. I'd suggest it primarily for finding stuff in an unfamiliar city. However, pay attention to your general sense of direction and location and do not blindly follow the GPS' directions. None of the portable units I've seen so far are perfect.
Buyer's feedback: 
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It's OK
the product generally works well and does what it is supposed to do. I'm amazed at the general productivity and value generated by a GPS unit when it is working properly and wish I had gotten one sooner (this is my first).
However, I've found many defects in the GPS system, the mapping, and the MSN Direct service. MSN Direct basically has little to no signal power anywhere in the US, they have terrible coverage everywhere, and that is a problem as it is hard to get any MSN Direct features updated. I would value the MSN Direct Service at about $0.01. The maps are sometimes inaccurate, wrong, outdated, and/or just plain incorrect. I've found several routes and areas where the GPS is just plain wrong. The maps should be more accurate and the routing calculations should take into account accuracy. This is critical as I hate being led to the nearest station, only to find out the gas station no longer (or more likely) never existed in the first place.
I've been led astray a couple of times already, and I just bought it a couple of weeks ago. Not good.
Buyer's feedback: 
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* Great Garmin! ...
This model is a step up from the now deleted 550 version and is a terrific replacement. This newer version which can be found for hundreds of dollars less than it's original price offers just about everything anyone could ask for. I will confess I love the look of the slightly larger, newer, flat-screen Nuvi models but this beats almost all of them for the money. If you get a new one and find that it does not have the latest map version, Garmin will supply you a CD for upgrading or you can download the new maps from their site for free. The mapping system is great, in the year and half I've had my 550 I have not found a single street that was not in the data base, and this new one residing in my wife's vehicle seems to have even more info. As with all GPS units, you may find that the Garmin will not always know the shortcuts that you my have discovered over the years in your local area, most folks don't need a GPS to get around their own back yard.
The built-in MP-3 player is very cool and will take a regular SD Card for music or as in my case, old radio shows for playback as you drive. If your auto radio has inputs for external devices you can play back your music and driving directions through you car sound system. I've found that one of the best features is that this model will sync with your bluetooth phone and you can ditch that annoying earpiece while you are driving. Your phone rings through the Garmin unit or your radio, you press one button and have your conversation. When you first pair the Garmin unit with your phone, it installs all the information from the phone onto the Garmin so when you go to make a call, one button brings up your list of names and numbers, you press the dial button and your call is made. The speaker in the Garmin is fine for calls and I've never had any reports of problems with anyone I've called hearing me loud and clear at their end. I do wish the volume went a tiny bit louder for music playback when it's not playing through my radio, but that is a minor complaint for sure.
The 580 also comes with a free year of MSN which allows you to check movie theater locations, start times for the movies, the location of gas stations in your area with the current price of gas, weather and traffic conditions, temperature, in your area and more. Of course there are ton's of points of interest included and you can add more with some optional Garmin tools available from their website. Thousands of addresses for restaurants, coffee shops, etc., are at your fingertips too.
Highly recommended by this user..........