Garmin StreetPilot c550

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CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
Detailed editors' rating

Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 63 reviews
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Product summary

The good: The Garmin StreetPilot c550 offers real-time traffic information, Bluetooth, and MP3 playback. The compact GPS device also has an accurate receiver and text-to-speech functionality.

The bad The bad: The Garmin StreetPilot c550 is occasionally slow to acquire a satellite fix, and it's a bit pricey.

The bottom line: The Garmin StreetPilot c550 offers accurate driving directions, integrated Bluetooth, and real-time traffic info in one slick package.

Specifications: Destination: Automotive; Weight: 9 oz; Audible assistance: Street name announcement, Navigation instructions, Warnings; See full specs

Price range: $154.95 - $412.90

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: Bonnie Cha
Edited by: Jasmine France
Reviewed on: 07/10/2006

With 16 years in the biz, Garmin knows a thing or two about making GPS devices, and the Garmin StreetPilot c550 is proof of that fact. The c550 offers the same great navigation features as its more economical cousin, the Garmin StreetPilot c330, but adds a number of great improvements, such as Bluetooth integration, text-to-speech functionality, and traffic information. More important, it performs these functions well. It's a bit on the pricey side ($857.13), but for the money, you get a great all-around portable navigation device.

The Garmin StreetPilot c550 won't take up much room in your car. At 4.4 by 3.2 by 2.2 inches and 9.5 ounces, it's easily transportable for multivehicle use and comes with an easy-to-install windshield mount. Garmin also keeps things simple, with minimal controls. There's a volume dial, a USB port, and a power button on the right. We especially like the external volume control since you don't have to fiddle with the menus to change this setting; we did notice, however, that it's a bit sensitive and jumps several volume levels if you're not careful. On the left side, you'll find an SD expansion slot and an external antenna port, while the power connector and the mic-in and audio-out ports are located on the back.

The rest of the functions are handled through the StreetPilot c550's 3.5-inch-diagonal responsive touch screen. The antiglare display is excellent, with a sharp 320x240-pixel resolution and bright colors, and it's even readable in bright sunlight. In addition, the c550's menus are easy to navigate, thanks to large icons and an intuitive interface.

Aside from the aforementioned windshield mount, Garmin packages the c550 with a carrying pouch, a 12-volt adapter/FM Traffic Message Channel receiver, a USB cable, and an adhesive disk to attach the mount to your dash instead of your windshield. Optional accessories include a five-pack of changeable faceplates ($25) and SD cards preloaded with maps of Europe ($182.13 to $407.13).

Garmin packages the StreetPilot c550 with a handful of goodies, including a carrying case, a windshield mount, and a car charger/traffic receiver.

The Garmin StreetPilot c550 offers many of the same great navigation tools found on the Garmin StreetPilot c330. Maps of North America with 2D and 3D map perspectives are preloaded onto the device. You get text- and voice-guided turn-by-turn directions, as well as text-to-speech functionality, automatic recalculation, and a comprehensive points-of-interest (POI) database. You can read more about these features in our StreetPilot c330 review.

See more CNET content tagged:: Garmin,; mount,; Bluetooth,; SD card,; database

User reviews

Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 63 reviews
My rating: 0 stars Write review

Showing 3 of 63 user reviewsSee all 63 user reviews
4.5 stars

84 out of 84 people found this review helpful

"After several days of side-by-side testing, Im taking my TomTom GO 910 back to Best Buy."

by tdsmyers on July 3, 2006

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4.0 stars

9 out of 9 people found this review helpful

"pretty good device"

by Daaron1960 on June 8, 2006

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4.5 stars

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

"Outstanding All-In-One GPS, Love it over any TomTom Unit!"

by edvisor on July 19, 2006

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See all 63 user reviews Write review

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Where to buy

Garmin StreetPilot c550: $154.95 - $412.90

store	price	in stock?	rating
	$162.26	Yes
	$159.97	Yes
	$159.99	Yes
	$347.34	Yes
	$164.00	Yes

see prices from 21 stores

Reviews from around the Web

pcmag.com

Editors' rating: 80

Summary: Compelling new features of integrated speakerphone, live traffic, and improved screen, along with a number of feature enhancements, makes the Garmin StreetPilot c550 a solid upgrade.

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