Portable Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have revolutionized both personal and business travel. If you have ever used one it is not hard to imagine why. They plug into any vehicle’s cigarette lighter (I don’t know if they still call them that since smoking has become a bad word, but I’m at a loss for a better description), they allow you to plug in the postal address of your destination and direct you turn by turn to the doorstep of your location. Well, they will usually direct you to the doorstep, or somewhat close, but I’ll get into that later.
First, I want to let you know that if you have the money (MSRP: $349.00 for the popular Garmin c320) and the need (you travel often in a populated area) for a GPS navigation system, then I would suggest purchasing the Garmin Street Pilot. I just wanted to get that out of the way so you don’t start to think that the con’s are outweighing the pro’s. This navigation system is one of the best on the market and priced right. Now, I know you want to get to the meat so here it is:
First lets review why you should buy a GPS navigation system, then we’ll move on to the pro’s and con’s of the Garmin Street Pilot.
Why buy a GPS navigation system?
Before you go out and spend hundreds on a GPS navigation system you need to know how much you will benefit from owning a GPS. There are many reasons why a GPS navigation system will be of value to you. Here are five:
1. You will spend way less time on mapquest or similar Internet websites.
2. You won’t need to print and follow directions. Just plug in the address and go.
3. You will spend less time turning around because you missed a turn, the street names are listed on the map and the navigation system will give you adequate time to prepare before your turn.
4. You can get an address on the go and arrive at the destination without writing down hard to interpret or hard to follow directions from someone else.
5. You can locate restaurants, libraries, public places of interest, or popular name places and more from your car.
Why not buy a GPS navigation system?
Similarly there are many reasons that you don’t need a GPS navigation system. I have listed three of the biggest reasons below:
1. Mapquest or similar Internet websites are free to use.
2. You do not live in a populated area. GPS navigation systems will work in any area in the U.S. but if you are not in a populated area then chances are there are not allot of roads to navigate, and you probably already know most of them.
3. You do not do allot of driving. If you don’t drive often for work or pleasure then the cost of a GPS navigation system probably is not worth it for you.
Okay, so that’s why and why not to buy a GPS navigation system. Let’s move on to the pro’s and con’s of the Garmin Street Pilot.
Pro’s to buying a Garmin Street Pilot GPS navigation system
1. Easy to install. It is set up and ready to go straight out of the box. Just turn it on and that’s it.
2. Easy to use. I was able to figure it out with no help. The main menu is self explanatory.
3. If you get off track it will automatically adjust to the new shortest route to your location.
4. You can find restaurants by your location or another location. Also allows you to locate shopping, recreation, and other categories.
5. If you purchase the right equipment (MSRP: $199) you can navigate around traffic ($60 a year).
Con’s to buying a Garmin Street Pilot GPS navigation system
1. The address input screen is small and sometimes you will press the wrong button with your finger.
2. Not all addresses are available. New construction is adding new addresses all the time and you will need to purchase upgrades to add in new addresses periodically.
3. Sometimes the system will get way off track and will show you completely off the road somewhere else. I contribute this to new road construction but it is still frustrating. Similarly, they will often get you within 100 yards of the location not exactly to the doorstep.
4. You will need to keep the navigation system out of extreme weather because the LCD touch screen will get damaged. Especially in cold weather.
5. GPS navigation systems are highly sought after on the black market. I have heard stories of individuals who will walk through a parking lot until they find a GPS in someones window. They will then break the window and steal the GPS, get in a vehicle and drive away. You will need to keep it out of sight or with you when you are not in your vehicle.
There it is. My review of the Garmin Street Pilot GPS navigation system. As I mentioned before I think it is a great device and certainly one of the best, if not the best, on the market. Think hard about whether you need one, but if you decide you do the Garmin Street Pilot is my pick.
