Garmin Talking StreetPilot III GPS Deluxe Package

Manufacturer:	Garmin
List price:	~~$799.99~~
Our price:	that is 100% off!

Garmin Talking StreetPilot III GPS Deluxe Package

Average rating: Stars

Nice, but a bit confusing

My first GPS was a very old style that gave you longitude and latitude only. No roads. No water. Nothing. So the jump to the SP III was a big one.

Had to struggle a bit to download the info (updated from the website) onto the unit. Tough for this first timer to get the hang of it initially, though it gets easier with time. Working with the unit alone is a bit more complicated as naming waypoints and such can take a bit of doing using the toggle switches. But again, I'm still new at this and am looking forward to working with it a lot more in the near future.

My plan is to use it to have a constant knowledge of the location of gas stations between my home outside Philadelphia, and Sturgis SD for my motorcycle trip out there in August. I'm attempting to complete the 1,700+ mile ride in under two days and will need to stretch out my gas stops as much as I can. It's currently mounted on the dash of the bike for me to get used to it and play with its functions during my daily commute.

I agree with others regarding its unnecessary rerouting when I've never strayed off course. Strangely, it even gives different directions although I don't change the route I take on a daily basis. Rerouting calculation takes a bit, but I seem to remember that the calculation time can be adjusted through the menu. Unfortunately, it also continually gives me a slower route than the one I know is faster even though it's set for highway use and the fastest time. Perhaps I can adjust the pre-set surface street and highway speeds to get it to work more appropriately. Less than 5% of the time, the crossroad names are incorrect.

My other issue is the interference the unit seems to be getting from time to time from my satellite radio that's mounted on the handlebar less than a foot away from the dash-mounted GPS.

I thought this GPS would be able to take me right to where I wanted to be, using the most efficient route, ALL BY ITSELF. If I have to set up specific waypoints on a specific route in order to get it to follow what I know is the fastest way, the unit is of no value to me. The only good point is that I didn't pay over $500 for it.

Garmin Talking StreetPilot III GPS Deluxe Package - Garmin

Garmin StreetPilot III: A driver's best friend.

I admit it. When driving, I used to get lost...all the time. That was before I bought Garmin's StreetPilot III Deluxe. With this amazing portable GPS (Global Positioning System), now I never get lost and you won't either. With its crystal clear voice prompts and colorful, easy-to-read, non-reflective display screen, it will deliver joyful, stress-free driving.

The StreetPilot III gives you clear, automated voice instructions, alerting you to necessary turns, distance to upcoming turns, and distance to final destination. In addition, the map page also displays your current direction, speed, and even counts down the seconds to your next turn. The GPS receiver continuously tracks and uses up to 12 satellites to compute and update your position every second. With downloaded maps from the included "MapSource" CD-ROM, you get comprehensive, street-level detail. There is no Internet access required and no service charges and monthly fees.

Just enter an address, intersection or point of interest using the rocker keypad, and the StreetPilot III automatically calculates a route and provides turn-by-turn directions to that location. If you accidentally, miss a turn, don't worry; the unit automatically recalculates the route to get you back on track. It also can store up to 500 locations of your choosing called, "waypoints".

The screen's map scale allows you to zoom in 900 feet or zoom out to 6,100 miles! The screen color actually changes at sunset from a daytime mode to a nighttime mode.

The one flaw with the unit is that you have to enter in a specific street number to an address in order to route it. It won't calculate the route without the street number. Fortunately, most addresses do have street numbers.

I recommend buying the Deluxe version because it includes the following:

* 128 mb datacard (instead of standard 32 mb datacard).

* Full "unlock" access to all maps contained on the CD, which is virtually of all of North America.

* Beanbag mount. This great accessory secures the StreetPilot onto a non-slip, portable, support base which allows you to securely place the unit on top of your dashboard without slipping or moving. The StreetPilot literally locks securely onto the "beanbag" mount. While locked in place, the StreetPilot can also tilt and rotate.

INSTALLATION:
First install the "MapSource" CD-ROM software into your computer. It's easy; just load the CD-ROM in the drive and sit back. When prompted, enter a custom code that has been included in the box. This code "unlocks" all areas of coverage within the United States and Canada. No additional unlocks are required.

Once you've downloaded the software into your computer, a map of North America appears in a window. You zoom way into the land areas you'll eventually want your StreetPilot to cover. Land areas are separated into quadrants of varying size. Each quadrant uses a specific amount of ram depending on the complexity of the roadways within it. As you tap on each quadrant, the program instantly lets you know exactly how much ram it consumes. At the same time, it instantly updates the total, letting you know how much of the 128 mb of total ram you've used.

The 128 mb of ram that's included in the Deluxe version, is enough to include all the roadways within numerous states. For example, I was able to save onto the StreetPilot, all of NYC, Long Island, Connecticut and most of Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and almost half of New York and New Jersey.

Once you've chosen your coverage, you now transfer this information from your computer to the 128mb data card included with your StreetPilot III deluxe. Simply connect the included "USB data card programmer" cable (like a smart card reader) to a USB port on your hard drive, push the tiny data card into the other end of the programmer and it transfers all the information from your computer to the data card. Remove the data card from the progammer and slip it right into the bottom of the StreetPilot. Your done!

"POINTS OF INTEREST":
In addition to addresses, the StreetPilot III also routes to specific "points of interest". Within each point of interest, are many categories. Within each category, you will find a multitude of establishments within close proximity of your location. The StreetPilot will even give you the distance from your present location to each establishment. Once chosen, it will route you to that specific establishment. The following is the complete list of the points of interest with their respective categories:

FOOD & DRINK - American, Asian, Barbeque, Chinese, Deli/Bakery, International, Fast Food, Italian, Mexican, Seafood, Steak/Grill, French, German, British Isles, Specialty Food Products, Other

LODGING - Hotel/Motel, Campground/RV Park,

ATTRACTIONS - Amusement/Theme Park, Museum/Historical, Library, Landmark, School, Park/Garden, Arena/Track, Hall/Auditorium, Winery, Place of Worship

ENTERTAINMENT - Live Theater, Bar/Nightclub, Movie Theater, Casino, Golf Course, Skiing Center/Resort, Bowling Center, Sports/Fitness Center

SHOPPING - Department, Grocery, General Merchandise, Shopping Center, Pharmacy/Chemist, Convenience, Apparel, House and Garden, Home Furnishings, Specialty Retail, Computer/Software

SERVICES - Auto Fuel, Auto Repair, Post Office, Bank/ATM, Dealer/Auto Parts, Marina/Boat Repair and Storage, Wrecker Service, Parking, Rest Area/Tourist Info, Automobile Club, Car Wash, GARMIN Dealer, Personal Service, Business Service, Communications, Repair Service, Social Service, Utility, Truck Stop, Other

TRANSPORTATION - Auto Rental, Air Transportation, Ground Transportation, Transit Service

EMERGENCY & GOVERNMENT - Police Station, Hospital, City Hall, Court House, Community Center, Border Crossing, Government Office, Fire Department

COST: I paid $740.00 plus $18.00 for shipping & insurance. (Mfg. Part No : 010-00232-10). At the time this is written, you can buy it from www.ecost.com for $739.99 plus shipping. It seems like a lot to pay, but compared to the cost of built-in GPS systems, it's significantly less expensive. Plus since it's portable, you can transfer it to any vehicle.

SUGGESTIONS:
I recommend NOT buying the eternal antenna unless you find that you absolutely need it. Initially, I read that sometimes the GPS unit may lose reception with the satellites, but so far, it hasn't. FYI: If you do find you need it, keep in mind that it conveniently magnetizes to to the top of your vehicle's roof.

Also, I bought (and then quickly returned) the Garmin carrying case. It's WAY too small. So small, in fact, that you almost have to stuff the unit into it. There's no room for the external speaker/12-volt cigarette lighter adapter.

The DELUXE package includes:
* StreetPilot III with portable antenna
* PC interface cable
* Dashboard mount
* Portable Mount (bean bag mount)
* External speaker with 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter
* Owner's manual
* Quick reference guide
* 128 MB datacard
* USB data card programmer
* MapSource North America City Navigator v4.01 CD
.Voice: Navigation instructions and warnings
.Waypoints: 500 with name and graphic symbol
.Track log: 2000 track log points
.Trip computer: Resettable odometer, timers, average and maximum speeds

FEATURES:
Basemap: Includes oceans, lakes, rivers, airports, cities, interstates or major motorways, principal and major thoroughfares, political boundaries, federal interstate highway exit information for services such as food, lodging and truck, RV and automotive service stations (U.S. only).

GPS Accuracy: Position: Less than 15 meters

Antenna: Detachable with standard BNC-type connector

Physical:
Size: 3.2H x 6.8W x 2.6D inches (8.0 x 17.3 x 6.5 cm)
Weight: 1.4 pounds (635 g)

Display:
3.4W x 1.8H inches (8.6 x 4.5 cm)
305 x 160 pixels, high contrast
16-color LCD with backlighting

Case: Rugged; fully gasketed

Power Source: 6 AA batteries or 12-volt adapter cable
Battery life: 2 to 20 hours based on backlight setting

*Update (May 8, 2003): My unit's external speaker with 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter cable was malfunctioning. After contacting Garmin, they immediately replaced the cable with a brand new one. No muss, no fuss. Garmin rates high in customer satisfaction.

Garmin - Garmin Talking StreetPilot III GPS Deluxe Package

Piece of s.......

I like electronic things that work. That is usually the measure of if it is worthwhile or not. This thing doesn't work.

1) Installation. The install wizzard immediately starts off with a suggestion to update your software. But you can't update the software because the wizard doesn't find any software installed.

2) The USB drivers that come with the unit don't work. The unit won't recognize it's own USB drive even though it is installed. You have to download the updated USB drivers after searching the garmin web site.

3) The unlock wizard fails with the initial installation. Tells you to reinstall the .dll. After 3 attempts, found a hidden link on the Garmin web page to update MapSource software to v6.5.

4) Saved maps, inserted batteries, plugged the unit in. A brief flash on the screen then nothing. Dead. Black screen.
Removed batteries, reset connections, reset memory card. Nothing. Unit won't even flash.

Save the money. Buy a Thomas Bros. Map book. It will be much more reliable.

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