Nuvi Streetpilot
Compare GPS Models To Get The Right Choice For You
When I got bitten by the GPS bug, I decided to compare GPS systems to see which would be the best for me. I only had a vague idea of what these remarkable devices did. I knew they were essentially electronic maps, but I had no idea how they worked, or what was important to look for when buying one. So, I decided to do some research.
My first stop was Amazon to check out their best sellers. (Just click on my link below to see the same information.)
I quickly saw that Garmin, Magellan, and Tom Tom dominated the market. Garmin, I had heard of Magellan and Tom Tom, I had not heard of. My elation at seeing who were the best sellers for GPS units was soon crushed by an overwhelming sense of confusion as I clicked on each item, read its description, and tried to make heads or tails out of the differences between the units.
There must have been some pretty big differences, I thought, because the prices ranged from a low of about $150 to almost $1000 for portable units-the kind you can stick to your windshield and remove to take with you when you’re out of the car.
Well, suffice it to say, I did an enormous amount of research and became an expert of sorts.
To save you some time and frustration, let me tell you the basics of what I found out.
Although there are several manufacturers of portable automotive GPS systems, the three main ones are Garmin, Magellan, and Tom Tom. Garmin sells about half of the automotive GPS systems in the world, but Tom Tom is quickly catching up. All three companies make a good product, it’s just that understanding the differences between the three manufacturers and their specific products is a little difficult.
Garmin has two main lines of automotive GPS systems, the Nuvi and the StreetPilot. The functionalities of each line overlap quite as bit, so does their price.
In general, the Nuvi’s are sleeker, more compact units. Their interface (how you use the system) is not quite as straightforward as the StreetPilot’s interface. Garmin Nuvi’s come in a broad price range, from less than $200 for the Nuvi 200 to almost $1000 for the Nuvi 770. Per price point, Nuvi’s generally have a few more features than StreetPilots.
The main difference between the Nuvi’s and the StreetPilots, however, are these-according to Garmin, Nuvi’s have a high-sensitivity receiver, whereas StreetPilots do not. Nuvi’s weigh about half as much as StreetPilots. (None of these units is heavy, just StreetPilots weigh almost 10 ounces, where Nuvi’s weigh slighlty more than 5 ounces.
The biggest difference between the two units is the user interface. The StreetPilot “c” series was made expressly to be very intuitive and user friendly. This is not to say the Nuvi’s are not, they’re just not super simple, like the StreetPilots.
Tom Tom has devices that directly compete with Garmin’s. The Tom Tom One, for instance, is comparable to the Garmin Nuvi 200, Garmin’s entry level product. Both are basic GPS systems which come pre-loaded with maps, have touch screen, and voice instructions. The Tom Tom One has a battery with only 2 hours average life, where the Nuvi’s battery will last an average of 5 hours.
To my mind, the Tom Toms are not quite as sleek looking at the Nuvi’s, although their quality seems to be comparable.
Magellan does not have the market share of Garmin or Tom Tom, but they still build a good product. The Magellan Maestro 3100 is a big seller on Amazon. In both price and features, it’s comparable to the Tom Tom One and to Garmin’s lower priced units, both in size and weight. Magellan says their battery lasts up to three hours, fifty percent better than the Tom Tom’s.
One of the biggest differences between the cheaper GPS systems and the more expensive ones is the number of “Points of Interest” in the unit’s database.
Points of interest are preloaded hotels, restaurants, business locations, hospitals, basically anywhere you might like to go, which are included in your devices database. The Magellan Maestro, for instance has 750,000 points of interest. The Garmin Nuvi 200 comes with approximately 6 million!
If you’re going to use your GPS for traveling, having more points of interest available might be a key feature, and when you consider the distances involved, 750,000 items is just not that many.
Another feature I think is important is Bluetooth technology. Your higher priced units can work as a cell phone (both making and receiving calls). It’s hard enough (and even illegal in some areas) driving and talking on your cell phone. Add looking at your GPS to that mix, and…well, you might want to pull to the side of the road. To my mind, the fewer devices to keep up with the better.
About the Author
To read more great GPS Reviews, check out my website.
Lee Cole is a true GPS enthusiast! Take a look at his website to find out more information!
Star Trek voice file on Garmin StreetPilot (or nuvi)
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SanDisk 4GB SD Memory Card with Adapter + Black USB Memory Card Reader for Garmin Nuvi 200W, 205W, 250W, 260W, 600, 610, 650, 660, 670, 680, 710, 750, 760, 770, 780, 850, 860, 880, 200, 250, 255, 260, 270, 300, 310, 350, 360, 370 550 660, StreetPilot c340 C330 C530 C550 C580, TomTom ONE 130S, 3rd Edition, TomTom ONE XL XL-S TomTom Go 720, TomTom XL 330S, TomTom GO 730T $3.50 SanDisk’s standard Secure Digital (SD) memory cards combine massive storage capacity, blazing data transfer rates and ironclad security in a memory card no bigger than a postage stamp. With an excellent price-to-performance value, SanDisk’s SD cards are ideal expansion option for the smallest of devices including MP3 players, digital cameras, PDAs, smartphones and more. For added reliability and d… |
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Mini 5 pin USB to USB 2.0 A data cable for Sony Playstation 3 PS3 control charging cable, Sony PSP PSP Slim data cable,Garmin nuvi StreetPilot,BlackBerry Curve Pearl 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 series,HTC Tilt, Athena, Droid Eris, Desire, Elf, Excalibur, Fusion, Fuze, Hero,Touch series,Motorola A C E M Q MOTO RAZR PEBL KRZR Series – 3 Feet $0.37 * Backwards Compatible with 2.0, 1.1 and 1.0 Devices * Type A Male to Type B Mini 5-Pin * Precision Connectors Ensure a High Data Transmission Rate * Color: Black * Compatible with (example not all compatible models shown): BlackBerry: 5810 Series 5810, 5820/6200 Series 6210, 6220, 6230, 6280/6500 Series 6510/6700 Series 6710, 6720, 6750/7100 Series 7100g, 7100i, 7100r, 7100t, 7100v, 7100x, 7105t… |
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SanDisk 2 GB SD Memory Card with Adapter $3.20 This Combo Pack Includes: One Memory Card, One Memory Card Reader. Memory Card: Brand new SanDisk memory card. Type: Secure Digital (SD) card. Capacity: 2 GB Small – about the size of a postage stamp. Secure – built-in write-protect switch prevents accidental data loss Simple – as easy as plug-and-play. Economical – low power consumption is easy on device’s batteries… |
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Garmin Portable Friction Mount – Frustration Free Packaging $25.99 Ships in Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging Four-arm shape conforms to your dashboard Attachment arm connects directly to your GPS Compatible with nvi series GPS navigators and StreetPilot C5XX series One-year limited warranty… |
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Garmin Portable Friction Mount $17.66 Keep your nüvi in place with this portable friction mount. It’ll keep everything in plain sight when you need it and out of the way when you don’t. Place the mount on any stable surface, and adjust the position of your GPS to your liking. The friction mount weighs enough to keep your device put on the dash, even when sudden maneuvers are necessary. It’s ideal for states in which the use of wind… |
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Garmin Original Replacement 12V Cigarette Lighter Vehicle Power Cable Adapter Cord (010-10723-14) for Garmin Nuvi 1100 1200 1250 1260 1300 1350 1370 1390 1450 1490 2200 2250 2300 200 205 250 255 260 265 270 275 285 295 GPS Navigator * Car Charger is compatible w/all W WT T LT LM LMT Models* $14.99 Power your Garmin Nuvi 1100 1200 1250 1260 1300 1350 1370 1390 1450 1490 2200 2250 2300 200 205 250 255 260 265 270 275 285 295 GPS Navigator with this original replacement vehicle power cable… |
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Garmin Portable Friction Mount Keep your nüvi in place with this portable friction mount. It will keep everything in plain sight when you need it and out of the way when you donât…. |
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Garmin Suction cup mount $0.15 The Garmin 010-10747-00 Suction Cup Mount for the StreetPilot C510/C550 is a replacement suction mount for your StreetPilot c510 or c550…. |
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Garmin City Navigator Europe NT 2012 Map Card MicroSD/SD $72.99 City Navigator Europe NT 20102 offers full access to City Navigator Europe NT maps, which now include full coverage for Bulgaria, Kosovo, Serbia and Turkey, and additional coverage detail for Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Get up-to-date, fully routable maps with over 6 million miles (10 million kilometers) of road coverage and nearly 4.5 million points of interest including restaurants, h… |
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Garmin City Navigator for Detailed Maps of Major Metropolitan Areas in Europe (microSD/SD Card) $149.99 Garmin’s 010-10680-50 City Navigator Europe NT provides highly detailed maps for your Garmin device. It boasts 1.5 million points of interest and 8 million kilometers of road coverage throughout the continent, so you can navigate turn by turn to the destination of your choice. You can also route to restaurants, petrol stations, lodging, attractions and more. Coverage includes Western Europe and me… |
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Garmin Automotive Dash Mount for StreetPilot c5×0 & nuvi 2×0 $19.45 Click, swivel and go. Getting your Garmin StreetPilot c550 or c530, or nuvi 200, 250 or 270, ready to ride is easy with this compact dash mount. Adjusts easily, like a rearview mirror, so you can position your GPS for the best viewing angle. Secure mounting base to dash with either permanent or temp |
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Garmin 12-volt Adapter Cable for StreetPilot i-Series and nuvi 200 & 300 Series $19.99 This 12-volt cigarette lighter power cable powers your Garmin StreetPilot i5, i3, i2 or Garmin nuvi 200, 200W, 250, 250W, 260, 270, 350, 360 or 370. |
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Garmin 010-10723-06 Cigarette Lighter Adapter For Nuvi & Streetpilot i $19.95 “Garmin Car Power Adapter (010-10723-06) Brand New Includes One Year Warranty, 12V Cigarette Lighter Adapter, For Garmin GPS Models: nuvi: 200, 200W, 205, 205W, 250, 250W, 255, 255W, 260, 260W, 265T, 265WT, 270, 275T, 285T, 350, 360, 370, 465T, 500, 550, zumo: 220, 400, 450, 550, StreetPilot: C310, C320, C340, C550, C580, i2, i3, i5, Colorado: 300, 400C, 400I, 400T, eTrex: Summit HC, Venture HC, Legend HCx, Vista HCx, Edge: 500, 605, 800″ |
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Removable Vent Mount For n_vi & Streetpilot $4.95 Very affordable NuVi or Streetpilot mount clips to your vehicle’s horizontal air vent louvers. Now you can go anywhere. Removable Vent Mount For NVi & StreetpilotBrand: ArkonGN047Removable Swivel Air Vent PedestalWorks With NVi & Streetpilot Devices That Have 17mm Swivel-Ball Mounting PatternFor Use Only With Vehicles Having Horizontal Air Vent LouversProduct Class: GPSUPC: 47407540470Manufacturer’s Warranty: Ninetey Days |
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Windshield/Dash/Console Mount For n_vi & Streetpilot $9.95 NuVi and Streetpilot mount has a suction cup for windshield attachment plus adhesive disc for dash mounting. Small and portable. Windshield/Dash/Console Mount For NVi & StreetpilotBrand: ArkonGN115Features Super-Strong Travelmount Windshield Suction PedestalWorks With Garmin NVi & Streetpilot Portable GPS Navigation DevicesSmall & PortableIncludes Adhesive Disc For Dash Or Console MountingNo Tools RequiredProduct Class: GPSUPC: 47407501150Manufacturer’s Warranty: Ninety Days |
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Garmin Cigarette Lighter Adapter for c550/530, nuvi 670/660 & zumo $19.99 12-volt adapter cable for StreetPilot c550, c530, nuvi 660 or 670, or zumo 550. |
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GPVMAC Vent Mount for Garmin Nuvi Models $7.99 This High Quality mount is designed for the Garmin Nuvi Garmin StreetPilot series Clips firmly onto the air vent, is fully adjustable tilt and swivel 360 degrees, so that you can view the GPS clearly from any angle . |
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Garmin StreetPilot 2620 (Screen) $14.99 Garmin StreetPilot 2620 (Screen) |
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Garmin StreetPilot 2720 (Screen) $14.99 Garmin StreetPilot 2720 (Screen) |
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Garmin StreetPilot 7200 (Screen) $14.99 Garmin StreetPilot 7200 (Screen) |
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Garmin Streetpilot c530 (Screen) $14.99 Garmin Streetpilot c530 (Screen) |
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Garmin Streetpilot c550 (Screen) $14.99 Garmin Streetpilot c550 (Screen) |
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Garmin Streetpilot c580 (Screen) $14.99 Garmin Streetpilot c580 (Screen) |
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Garmin Portable Friction Mount *Remanufactured $26.04 GARMIN PORTABLE FRICTION MOUNT NUVI & STREETPILOT CXXX SERIES |
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Flexible Gooseneck Windshield Mount For Garmin Nuvi $12.95 Gooseneck windshield mount allow you and your Garmin NuVi to be your most flexible. Super strong suction cup attachment. Flexible Gooseneck Windshield Mount For Garmin N;ViBrand: ArkonGN042Super-Strong Windshield Suction Mount For Garmin NViCompatible With All Garmin NVi & Streetpilot C310, C510, C530, C550 & C580 Portable Navigation Devices Snap-On Power Connector Not IncludedProduct Class: GPSUPC: 47407510428Manufacturer’s Warranty: Ninety Days |
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Garmin StreetPilot c300 Series (Screen) $14.99 Garmin StreetPilot c300 Series (Screen) |
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DVD Streetpilot C580(Pack of 1) $37.99 Bennett DVD Garmin Streetpilot C580 |
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DVD Streetpilot 2720(Pack of 1) $104.99 Bennett DVD Garmin Streetpilot 2720 |
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Garmin GN033 Universal Cup Holder Mount for Nuvi $37.95 “Garmin Universal Cup Holder Mount Arkon GN033 Brand New Includes One Year Warranty, The Arkon GN033 mounts a Garmin GPS unit to a car’s drink cup holder. It installs easily without tools and is a suitable alternative to the windshield suction mounts that are banned in some states. GN033 Features: Universal Cup Holder Mount For Garmin Nuvi, Installs Easily w/o Tools, Adjustable Flywheel Base, For Garmin GPS Models: nuvi: 200, 200W, 205, 205W, 250, 250W, 255, 255W, 260, 260W, 265T, 265WT, 270, 275T, 285WT, 300, 310, 350, 360, 370, 600, 610, 650, 660, 670, 680, 710, 750, 755T, 760, 770, 755T, 780, 785WT, 850, 855, 855T, 880, 885T, StreetPilot: c310, c510, c530, c550, c580″ |
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ARKON Sun Visor Mount for Garmin Nuvi $9.99 Recommended installation location is on far left of passenger side Sun Visor Compatible with All Garmin Nuvi that use the 17mm swivel ball socket pattern Easy to install. No tools required. Slides on to your Sun Visor with ease Garmin Nuvi portable navigation devices: 200 250 270 300 310 370 600 610 650 670 680 Garmin StreetPilot: c310 c510 c530 c550 c580 Sun Visor mount has the male 17mm swivel ball pattern thereby allowing for optimal viewing positioning. An ideal alternative mount for California and Minnesota drivers where windshield mounts are banned. Sun Visor mount location is somewhat hidden thereby reducing chance of stolen GPS or car break-in. Conveniently fits in your pocket making it the perfect travel accessory for mounting your GPS, Easily transferred from one vehicle to another, Can be used on driver side sun visor, but not recommended as the driver’s side sun visor blocks the view of the road. Mount to the far left side of the passenger side sun visor for maximum visibility, even when the GPS car charger is connected to the device. ARKON Arkon Resources, Inc GN111 GPS Sun Visor Mount for Garmin Nuvi Vehicle Mount www.arkon.com |
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Garmin City GPS Australia NT Digital Map $56.99 010-11024-00 Astro Colorado 300 Colorado 400c Colorado 400i Colorado 400t Edge 605 Edge 705 eTrex Legend Cx eTrex Legend HCx eTrex Venture Cx eTrex Vista Cx eTrex Vista HCx Garmin Mobile PC GPSMAP 276C GPSMAP 278 GPSMAP 296 GPSMAP 376C GPSMAP 378 GPSMAP 396 GPSMAP 478 GPSMAP 496 GPSMAP 60CSx GPSMAP 60Cx GPSMAP 76CSx GPSMAP 76Cx iQue 3000 iQue M3 iQue M4 nuvi 200 nuvi 200 nuvi 200W nuvi 205 nuvi 205W nuvi 250 nuvi 250W nuvi 250W, Asian American nuvi 255 nuvi 255W nuvi 260 nuvi 260W nuvi 270 nuvi 300 nuvi 310 nuvi 350 nuvi 360 nuvi 370 nuvi 5000 nuvi 610 nuvi 650 nuvi 660 nuvi 670 nuvi 680 nuvi 750 nuvi 760 nuvi 770 nuvi 780 nuvi 850 nuvi 880 Rino 520HCx Rino 530HCx StreetPilot 2720 GPS StreetPilot 2730 StreetPilot 2820 StreetPilot 7200 StreetPilot 7500 StreetPilot c310 StreetPilot c320 StreetPilot c330 StreetPilot c340 StreetPilot c510 StreetPilot c530 StreetPilot c550 StreetPilot c580 StreetPilot i2 StreetPilot i3 StreetPilot i5 zumo 450 zumo 500 zumo 550 Coverage for the Lane Cove Tunnel in Sydney Coverage of the East Link freeway and the Pakenham bypass in Melbourne Coverage of the Tugun bypass at Tweed Heads Coverage of the Albury/Wodonga bypass at Alburys Increased address range coverage Contains premium updated detailed maps for all of Australia Coverage for Outback roads Coverage for the M7 Highway in Sydney Trip and waypoint management functions** Contains detailed maps for all of Australia; with this purchase, you’ll have access to the entire CD ROM coverage Includes detailed maps containing motorways, national and regional thoroughfares and local roads with attributes such as turn restrictions, one way streets and other navigation features Displays points of interest such as food and drink, lodging, golf courses, theatres and cinemas, petrol stations, hospitals and more Will automatically create point-to-point routes in MapSource and on compatible Garmin units City Navigator Australia NT contains premium detailed maps for all of Australia, including motorways, regional arterials and local roads with attributes such as turn restrictions, one way streets and other navigation features. Australia Boating CD-ROM City Navig |
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Bennett Training DVD f/Garmin StreetPilot C580 $6.04 BENNETT DVD GARMIN STREETPILOT C580 |
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Removable Air Vent Mount $4.99 Arkon offers the most extensive selection of premium upgrade mounts for your Garmin Nuvi and Garmin StreetPilot portable navigation devices |
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Garmin / GPS, STREETPILOT CARRY CASE / 010-10747-01 $30.94 Garmin – GPS, STREETPILOT CARRY CASE – 010-10747-01 |
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Garmin Dash Mount For the Streetpilot C550 0101074702 $20.19 Garmin Dash Mount For the Streetpilot C550 0101074702 |
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Garmin Mount Portable Streetpilot Series 0101030600 $28.63 Garmin Mount Portable Streetpilot Series 0101030600 |