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- My rating: 0 stars
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32 out of 32 people found this review helpful
4.0 stars
"The Garmin i5 is everything you need in a GPS, but it may not be everything you want."
Pros: Small, portable, runs on car adapter or batteries, very intuitive.
Cons: Only basic GPS functionality.
Summary: The Garmin i5 is everything you need in a GPS, but it may not be everything you want.
The i5 has street level maps of the entire North American continent pre-loaded, so there is no messing with SD cards, usb connections and such.
It's user interface is very intuitive. In fact, the only instructions that came in the box, were printed on a little quick start card that told how to mount the unit, power it on, and enter an address. That was enough. Once I had done that, then I had seen enough of the menu to navigate around and figure most everything out. It's just that simple. There is a more comprehensive manual on Garmin's website, and the mentioned quick reference card has the URL if you care to download it. But you very likely will not find it necessary.
The unit itself is strikingly small. Though some have found the incredibly compact size of the unit to be a liability, I find it to be a superb benefit. It is very inconspicuous mounted next my rear view mirror. Though the screen is very small, the color scheme and graphics are well designed, making the small screen quite readable.
Its small size and the fact that it can be powered by AA batteries in addition to the included car adapter means it can be used for bicycling, as well as other forms of transportation, and it even has default settings for different vehicle types: car/motorcycle, truck, taxi, bus, and emergency vehicles, for which it will optimize routes.
It has 6 millions points of interest, and I was pleased, when testing it in my home town, with all the resteraunts, stores, etc. of which it was aware.
It's voice directions are clear, though the female voice sounds rather monotone and computerish, as opposed to the sleek and sexy voice of the more expensive Cobra NavOne series.
On the downside there is some data that would have been nice to have and easily included even at the i5's price point. It would be nice if the screen would display the direction in which you are heading. You can use the top north 2D map to see what direction you are heading, but using the 3D map or the top heading 2D map (meaning that you are always depicted as heading to the top of the screen and the map rotates around you) it is not possible to discern your heading from the unit. Nor does the unit display your speed, though it does estimate your arrival time at your destination.
There are numerous other little niceties missing from the i5 that can be found in units that are only slightly more expensive, such as multiple destinations, extensive trip data, and the ability to enter a destination by it's telephone number.
If, like me, however, you consider such extras to be little more than novelties that you will seldom use, then it may be worth saving the money and going with the basic, but rock solid i5. Also, keep in mind that extra functionality adds extra complexity, which takes away from one of this units strongest features, which is the fact that it is so very intuitive and easy to use.
Overall I am pleased with this unit and highly recommend it.
Where to buy
Garmin StreetPilot i5:
$449.99
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$449.99 | See Site |
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