- Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 107 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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148 out of 175 people found this review helpful
3.5 stars
"Best gps? don't think so"
Pros: Big screen
Cons: no remote, harddrive
Summary: I looked at one of these but returned it and got a Garmin 2610 from Amazon at around 500-600 dollars. (or look at Garmin 2620 for around 600-700 with a built in harddrive). It should be noted though that harddrives aren't as durable as CF storage found on the Garmin 2610.
What can this unit do that the Garmin can't? 3d maps and MP3's. Since i didn't like the 3d look that's no big deal. And I'm not quite sure why an MP3 player is a big deal. It doesn't hook up to your car stereo. You won't take this device around with you like a walkman. You'll have to settle for a crappy speaker that's good enough for spoken directions but not music.
On the other hand the Garmin does everything else and some others such as multiple destinations, has a remote, better support, and is much cheaper.
So while this is certainly a good solution for those without a GPS right now, its hardly the best one that leaves Garmin and others in the dust as CNET said in its review..
- 16 replies to this review
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I've used many GPS systems from Garmin to Streets and Trips on a laptop. I've recently bought a new truck and it hat an Iway 500 installed in it. It's the GREATEST I've seen yet. Although the software in mine is specifically for large trucks the principals are the same. If I miss a turn or the turnoff is closed Iway automatically re-routes me back on track. The spoken instructions are great so I don't have to take my eyes off the road in heavy traffic.
The 500C DOES hook in to your car stereo. You just need an auxiliary input on your stereo although some of the cheaper stereo's don't have that option. I listen to MP3 files a lot on long hauls. I'm not sure about your model of Garmin but I like the feature on the 500C that zooms in automatically as you get closer to a turn.
I'll never understand why people need remotes for something that is right at your fingertips. It's nice to see that Iway spent more time on getting their software right than on useless gagets.
Garmin may be cheaper and I'm not knocking them but you get what you pay for and in my opinion I got a SUPER deal with this unit. -
I have a 500C. The 500c has a connector that allows you to connect the mp3 player to your car system via the tape slot and the sound is very good. The 500C will also do multiple destinations and detours. The touch screen is very good on the 500C. Lowrance not only gives new map data each year but also improves the software. Prices vary widely so they are generally a similar price once you shop around. The Lowrance also has a marine capability that shows channel markers, reefs and wrecks; and you can enter lat/long?s ? when I go boating, I just snap the unit off from my car and snap it onto my boat. The Lowrance also has an ?off road? mode which is good for marine use and 4 wheel driving. The Garmin has a small screen (3.3" W x 1.7" H, 305 x 160 pixels) while the Lowrance is really large screen (5.2? W x 3? H, 320 x 240 pixels).
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As an Amateur Radio Operator and Emergency Manager I wanted a GPS that had a large touch sensitive screen that would be sensitive enough for quick and accurate navigation. I have had this unit for a little more than a year now and have had both good and bad feelings about it. In the beginning Lowrance was very eager to hear my problems and suggestions, but now they haven't done anything to improve the product nor seem interested in taking care of the problem. Their solution is to send it in for repair, hold on to the product for two to three months, tell you it is working properly, send it back again, get a replacement unit, and have the same problems.
This unit is extremely susceptible to RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) I can't even transmit at 5 watts on my 2M or 70CM mobile radio with nearly 6 feet of seperation from the transmitting antenna and the GPS.
Save your money and buy a Garmin I haven't had any problems with either of my Garmins. Next time I will! -
There is no such thing as Garmin support. I waited 52 minutes to get to talk to someone in support.That is totally unaceptable. Stay away from Garmin.
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I paid $531 for my 500c. I haven't had a problem with the unit. (That wasn't my fault.) As mentioned in other comments, there are multiple ways to connect to the car stereo including every method that works with an iPod. I don't think there is a single accurate statement in here!
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I don't know what version you were using but I just got off of the phone with tech support and grilled them for 30 minutes. YES you can have mutiple destinations. They are called waypoints and it's also posted on their web site that you can load up 1,000 waypoints. The problem that people run into is that after reaching a waypoint people aren't removing that waypoint which will continue to re-route you to the current waypoint until you remove it.
I was also concerned with the map data only containing information for the continental US and Canada. I am possibly moving to Hawaii and didn't want to have a useless gps. The tech told me they are working on including Alaska and Hawaii in a future map update; of course thru NAVTEQ® Mapping Update
Available for purchase at LEI-Extras. It cost $74.99.
I do not own this product yet but I done a ton of research on it and its competitors. If portability is what you are looking for then go with the iWay 350. It is battery powered. Currently I am looking for the best deal getting it before I go out of town for the Memorial Day weekend. I will report how mine works when I get back. -
There are three ways to get from a MP3 player to a FM radio. Direct hookup using RCA jacks, Cassette adapter and FM modulator. XM MyFI uses all 3. Their owners manual states the order of preferrence: RCA, Cassette, FM modulator. If the iWay 500C has an output for cassette use, it's going to give you the best sound.
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All the negative post have a final solution! Simply tell the unit where you want to go and what type of roads you want to travel on. Toll roads, interstates, secondary etc. and it's faultless! You must choose or it will take you to you the most direct and fastest way even if it includes "dirt roads" Buy it!
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I've been reading reviews on different GPS and what can this device do that Garmin can't?...How about able to read text to speech which is capable of reading FWY numbers and street names....and what about then MP3z player?...the player can be transmit though an open FM channel so you can listen to your music through a open FM channel in your car. For it's price, it's worth it.
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I concur with the MP3 opinion. Why the 7 rating?
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I have to disagree with what you stated. I just bought the Lowrance iWAY 500C and had no problem connecting it to my truck's stereo so I could hear MP3's and directions. I used one of those "casette with wires" that are used for portable CD players and it worked just fine! Great sound too. You mentioned the Garmin remote being a factor but unless you so far away from the GPS device I can see no reason for a remote unless this kind of gimmic is attractive to you. One reason I chose the Lowrance was for the large screen display over the Garmin's smaller version and it also came with nice mounts for window and motorcycle which I plan to use next spring. I wondered about the hard drive factor but have no problems with it except for a bit more weight although my Lowrance sits on my dash over a small foam strip and also mounted to the windshield for a rock solid combination. So far I think this Lowrance is a fine product and notice I am not bashing Garmin.
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I disagree on many of the points the above reviewer made:
First the Iway does include an audio out jack to hook up the nav to your stereo -- i currenlty have my unit hooked up to both my cars internal power as well as to the radio -- this combo rocks -- i have no external speakers and no external cig lighter adapter -- makes the install very clean and efficient.
In addition since you can hook it up to your stereo this makes the complaint voiced above regarding MP3's basically moot
I think the 3d view is great and with the new software this nav unit is top of the line
However, yes it doesnt have a remote, and the usb is 1.1 which makes music tranfer slow, but this unit has so many other features these small annoyances overcome those shortfalls. -
- not just looking at it. This is an excellent GPS that I own. My research involved multiple reviews, interviews of users and GPS pros alike. And, yes you can connect this to your car stereo system for quality audio.
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1. The iWay 500c can be purchased for less than or equal to the Garmin 2610, the 2620 is much more.
2. The iWay 500c has an aux in adaptor that can be hooked into the car stereo system allowing you to play thousands of songs through your stereo. -
I got mine for $615.00.....
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It has a 1/8 inch jack output that you can either hook up to a cassette adapter or for those with a CD player....you can buy an FM transmitter just like for IPODs.
Where to buy
Lowrance iWay 500c:
$849.99
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$849.99 | See Site |
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