[+]
8.0
Great unit for price
Using these units for our fleet of trucks. Works well and easy to set up.
Garmin StreetPilot c580 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with MSN Direct
I've bought many gps's and this is the best so far not too many needless bells and whistles Just it gets signal almost indoors and speaks well bluetooth is great It is the best in it's price range. Just buy it!
This is everything I expected it to be! Even though it is a discontinued model, Garmin updated the map database and the O/S. It was a great deal, and that, combined with a great company made it a great Amazon.com purchase.
UPDATE DECEMBER 1, 2008
The unit crapped out last Saturday. No screen, nothing. And my return period ended 12 days ago! Now I am stuck with a worthless paperweight!
Buyer beware!!
[+]
10.0
Best bang for the buck; Feature loaded, low price
I ordered this before driving halfway across the country. This is a fantastic deal, I had my reservations buying it because it is a slightly older model & I prefer the look & size of the NUVI product line. Putting that aside, this model has all of the features I wanted (and a couple more) for an absolute bargain price. I love the gas price feature of MSN Direct, I was able to avoid the just-off-of-the-freeway high priced gas stations and find the best deals on fuel.
The POI is very good, and the text to speech works better than many other GPS units I have used. Overall, I am very happy with the purchase & would recommend it to anyone looking for real value.
The c580 did send me on a couple of wild-goose chases, I am not sure if the unit was at fault or the map program. One example was that it kept telling us to exit and enter the same freeway for several miles. Another example is that it took us on some tangents through residential streets when there was a straight road that it should have directed us to.
I have noticed that the MSN Direct when used where I live, the movie times it shows are for theaters 40+ miles away. Since I live in a metropolitan area of Los Angeles, this service seems lacking.
The touch screen on this unit works very well comapred to other units I have used, it is very easy to use and is very accurate.
Aside from some rare occasional glitches, I am still very happy with this unit and would buy it again & recommend it to anyone.
[+]
8.0
Accurate and reliable
I've owned a c530 and was exceptionally please with the way it performed
so I upgraded to the c580. This unit is just as accurate but it does have
2 quirks that bother me. It takes a little more time to pick up the
satellites than the 530 model, and the text to speech voice seems fuzzy.
[+]
10.0
I'm not afraid to drive...even in Boston!
Garmin StreetPilot c580 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with MSN Direct
This is the best money spent in a long time. No longer do I have to try and refer to a print out map while trying not to get lost getting somewhere.
Turn by turn directions that are easy to follow and before the actual turn. And, if you are distracted and miss the turn, it automatically recalculates the route!
I seriously LOVED this the first week I had it, but the day I had to drive around Boston...I was simply AMAZED.
The product is very easy to use even for someone like me who had never dealt with a GPS before. The start up is really straighforward and requires no expertise. When I had to install maps from other locations (outside the U.S) it was also simple and the internal memory made it possible to install other maps without having to insert a dedicated SD card.
Choose this one because of its blue tooth capability. The blue tooth works really well with my blackberry. It reroutes relatively fast and has a good amount of POIs. It sometimes has trouble finding satellites when surrounded by tall buildings. The size is a bit bulky and might be a problem for some....still able to fit it in my pocket though.
Its a good GPS for the price
This GPS worked well for me! I bought it for when I travel out of town and it was a total life saver for me. On my way back to Myrtle Beach, SC from rural South Carolina for a wedding, there was an accident that had shut down the road so I had to turn off. I immediately hit the detour button and the GPS calculated a brand new route for me to follow within seconds.
The text to voice feature is great, never have to take my eyes off the road to know when a turn is coming up.
The MSN Direct feature, not really sure how it works as Myrtle Beach is not one of the areas that has it.
I'm glad I bought, I dont know how I drove without it!
[+]
10.0
Try a refurbished guarenteed GPS
If you want to satisfy your curiosity and stay in a comfortable price
I recommend that you try any of these refurbished GPS units.
I have bought 5 four Garmin and 1 Navagon and am satisfied with all.
[+]
8.0
Good product at a good price
I'm pleased with the quality of this GPS unit. So glad I got the text-to-speech feature. They should all be like that. It's easy to use, and was well worth the purchase price when I used it for the first time and it got me out of an awful mess on the highway. Note to new users: the text-to-speech feature seems to work only when you choose a language option along with a name (e.g. English Jack). Otherwise, you get just turn-by-turn directions without street names. I also like the cute car icon (better than the original arrow). I now never worry about going anywhere unfamiliar, or taking an unexpected trip off the beaten path. I also don't worry about my kids getting where they need to go, as they have GPS units also! This one has more bells & whistles than I need, but these days it's hard to find just a basic GPS unit. I've not yet tried the bluetooth feature or any of the one-year freebies.
Love this GPS. Think it is to much better than the others. This is the second one I've gotten - one is a Christmas gift. BUY IT! Worth every penny! The price is right!
best GPS around; easy hookup; Garmin site to download is great; Garmin customer service is great; go online to register your GPS
[+]
6.0
Good - but MSN and traffic isn't that great
I really liked the reviews about the C580 (i.e. from CNET)- and waited while to buy it. I didn't want to spend a ton of money, but needed it mostly for Boston traffic and street navigation. It's OK - sometimes it is late in telling me when to turn so I look like an erratic driver, but all in all, for the money, it's OK.
I found the Garmin c580 to be a fine gps. It is easy to use. I have used it for a long trip and to navigate in an area that I would have been lost had I not had this gps with me. It has proven to be well worth the price. I would recommend the Garmin c580 to those interested in purchasing a gps.
It is everything and more than I had expected. I would recommend this product to anyone that travels either broadly or close to home.
[+]
6.0
Works very well for a navigation, msn direct is overrated
I got this a couple of months ago and excitedly played around with it to see all it's capabilities. I live just outside Boston, and work even further away from Boston, so I always hit traffic on my way home and got this because it advertised it could warn about traffic and give you alternate routes that avoid heavy traffic. Hasn't happened yet. When I switch to msn direct, it gives me traffic reports in the Boston city itself, 17 miles away, which I'm not interested in, and although I have traffic as an avoidance in my gps settings, it leads me right into the most congested route. So I don't get what the hype is about, besides calling the street names and giving me weather report. I wouldn't renew my msn direct subscription. The navigation itself is very good; it helps out when you get lost and doesn't lose signal as often in the city, which is a plus, with all the tall buildings around. I'd recommend you buy it, just don't expect it to work miracles...
[+]
10.0
GPS THAT'S A SNAP TO USE
This is my second Garmin GPS and both are a snap to use. I also own a Lowrance GPS. I purchased the Garmin c580 for my wife's car. She was always complaning how hard the Lowrance was to use. Now she is happy because she can work this GPS with no problem. She likes the bluetooth feature. The other Garmin GPS I own is the 7200 for my motorhome.
[+]
8.0
Works well - some problems getting MSN configured
Really does work as advertised. Nice to have the MSN feature. However, we were on the road when we set it up. It took two days to get the MSN feature to work. You really should configure it AT HOME, when you have both a broadband network connection for a browser and have the unit on and situated with some satellites. Do not try to configure it over the phone. There are too many numbers to get wrong - we were on the phone for ~30 minutes, and ended up doing the configuration on line (in 5 minutes) the next evening. Also, one day the unit decided it needed a Bluetooth Update. It got to 1% and froze. We ended up pulling the power for 10 minutes to reset the device, and then everything worked fine.
Ilove my c550 so I bought the c580 as a second vehicle GPS. I really like the 580 too. The only thing I would change is to show the traffic on the navigation sceen rather than having to go to the MSNdirect screen.
was a birthday gift and an excellent choice. works great just as described and was a big hit!
I have used it for a month now. It has been working fine so far and has all the features which it offers. I think the battery life may not be great. well if you are looking to get arround and be able to talk hands free,obviously you need a blue tooth phone then it is indeed a great buy.
All I have to say is awesome product. So awesome I bought another one for my other car and then my dad saw it work and he bought one. If you buy this make sure you go to any electronic store and buy a wireless FM transmitter so you can hear the gps through the car speakers. Another cool thing is that you can download over 5000 songs into this little creature. Say you are driving and listening to the music then the gps says turn here the music stops so you can hear the gps also you are driving and listing to your tunes and your cell phone rings. The music stops so you can hear your phone and then it tells you who is calling on the caller ID. Call me old fashion but this product is just awesome and it also will tell you when there is traffic ahead and route you another way. It does so much more, but I do not work for Garmin and when they want to pay me for my opinions I will share more about their products. I hope this helps you in your decission.
Only con I have about this is the speaker on the unit but once you get the wireless FM transmitter you can make it as loud as you like through the car stereo. One more thing the C580 has internet and the C550 has none. Both models are awesome.
[+]
8.0
Great GPS; a steal
The Garmin StreetPilot 580 is an awesome GPS especially at the price I had paid for it ($189.99). Gives accurate directions all the time and although I have not started my one-year trial for the MSN Direct service yet, I am fully satisfied with the product. There are a few times when it takes me to a more complicated route (i.e. taking more turns to get to an address but still going to the right place). Also, with this product, you might want to consider updating/buying a map upgrade since it is a little dated. Overall, I would recommend this GPS to anyone who wants a whole lot of feature for a bargain.
[+]
10.0
Where have You been all my life
no more stopping to ask for directions, taking the long way or looking for a good place to eat or shop. This gps is Great! It works very well for me and i use it every day I work because I do alot of service calls. I no longer have to rely on mapquest printouts, I can leave from one site and punch in the next location and have directions in seconds. The MSN direct is a realy nice feature which you get free for a year and you can pay $35 a year after that or pay like $175 for a lifetime. I am thinking of getting it for a lifetime after my year is up, you can search local gas prices, movie times, find stores, get telephone numbers, find the nearest hospitals and more. With your bluetooth phone connected you can find what you are looking for with the gps and call directly from it handsfree! Overall, great product, easy to use and well worth it for anyone who has to run calls, deliver pizzas or just someone new in a city.
I am very satisfied with this product. In almost 100% of cases it provides correct directions to a choosen destination.
Hands free calls due to a bluetooth capability is a big advantage.
Negative side: i) maps are outdated a little (2006); ii) sometimes a car's position determination is incorrect (up to a few hundreed feets error) which can result in a missed turn even on primery roads.
I have owned other GPS units; however none of them compare to this one. The directions were right on and I was able to pair my LG Chocolate to use the Bluetooth functionality. I highly recommend this product and I will be buying another one for a gift.
[+]
10.0
Excellent GPS with bells and whistles for a excellent price
Easy to use ,Loud ,Weather,Traffic, movie times and gas prices where ever you go. That is just some of the features on this GPS. I went through alot of GPS's before I found this one and I have to say it is best. I have never wrote a review before but this product was worth the typing.
[+]
10.0
I love this GPS!!!
This GPS has saved my life since we moved. It is easy to operate and allows me to take risks driving that I would not normally take. The gas prices feature is fantastic and has saved me as much as $.07 a gallon. It is a good investment to use both locally and when you travel. I have found many restaurants, grocery stores, etc. and feel confident when I am driving that at least I will make it home with the "go home" feature.
I've had a Garmin GPS for my boat and used it in the back country in the Florida Keys and never ran aground, so when I needed one for the road bought a Garmin. I paid a few dollars more for a better unit and it sure paid off. After I bought and used it in one car, had to sell the car and bought a SUV equipt with a navigation system. Believe it or not, I like the Garmin a whole lot better.
[+]
8.0
Solid upgrade from StreetPilot IIII
We just upgraded from the Garmin StreetPilot III we had used for the past six years. Improvements in core GPS functionality and the form factor are much appreciated. Bluetooth integration with my Sprint Treo 700p phone works nicely, although I wish the GPS could access the Treo's entire phone book rather than just its speed-dial. The MSN Direct service is functional and convenient, albeit inessential thus far -- haven't yet given its traffic features a real workout.
this item has been very useful, especially the hands free calling feature. One of the main reasons I bought this particular model was the rating by CR and because it is compatible with a wide range of cellphone companies. It is very user friendly and you can understand the computerized voice. I would recommend this gps.
I bought this for my son from amazon as a "Gold Box" deal. It has all the bells and whistles that a computer whiz kid loves. He's very pleased , therefore so am I. Thanks Amazon!
[+]
10.0
Lee, my new navigotor
My new Garmin GPS is absolutely THE BEST investment I have ever made! I travel a lot for my job and this has made my life sooo much easier. I used to Mapquest every stop I would make--and try to drive, read (without my reading glasses) and locate my next stop. I have programmed my new GPS to be "Lee", an Australian male (you can program several different accents to make it fun!). Now Lee and I travel all over the place with NO problems! AWESOME! Also, you get a free year of MSN, which really adds value to the GPS--shows local gas stations with prices and directs you there as well. Has many other features I am just exploring! I LOVE LEE! You can be sure I WON'T leave home with him!
[+]
8.0
Doesn't know right from left
For the most part I love my Garmin. I have had problems with it saying left when it shows right on the screen. I have also had problems with locations in small towns. As an example, one street was stopped and started again one block later and the Garmin took me around in circles for about 15 minutes.
[+]
4.0
c550 instead of c580
This is really a c550 instead of a c580 and Garmin dose not care when you tell them about it . I would like to say that Amazon cares about their customers even if Garmin does not they where willing to satisfy me.
I also would like to say that the MSN is a real joke if you want people to respect your product give them what they pay for.
[+]
10.0
fantastic co-pilot
what a neat gadget! very easy to learn and use. very accurate. almost seems to have a sense of "local knowledge".when in the chicago area the included msn traffic reporter is awesome. and when in chicago the blue tooth hands free phone feature is a real ticket saver. this little magic box can also keep track of those robot red-light cash-cows that cities love so much. the screen is bright enough to be always easy to see. the voice prompts are great, giving no reason to take your eyes off the road in unfamilar terrories. the massive data-bases are incredible, making it easy to locate gas, food, and other nesscities while travelling. this has become a trusted companion whose advise and knowledge are always appreciated.
I bought this item on sale at the end of the year and got a great price. The software is good and the screen size works for me. The POI's are good but could use some updates. The satilite link takes a bit of time to lock on after the unit has been off for a few days or in the rain and under cover but once locked on it works like a charm. The MSN Direct service is the best thing about this unit, I get realtime traffic updates and auto avoidance. IT also has all local weather and forecasts plus local gas prices and directions. I think this make the Garmin perfect for traveling or in your local area. The only suggestion is check the product site to see if your local area is supported, if not I might suggest a newer unit or a thinner one with a bigger screen. I think this is a best buy for travelers because of the size and features.
I bought this GPS as a gift for my dad. My mom borrowed it on a recent trip to Las Vegas and it was great. It helped her get around without having to deal with all of the traffic on the strip. The announcements of street names and pre-turn announcements are great - plenty of time to react but not so many announcments that its annoying. My parents especially love how portable it is. Definitely would recommend!
I got this for my husband after we got lost in chicago for the 5th time. He just got on star but it took them a while to pick up our call and we had to tape and play back the directions. It is super easy to set and use. We look forward to using it if we take a wrong turn so we can quickly get back on tract. I love all the features and ease of use.
[+]
8.0
Love It! Easy to Use
I bought this for my husband for Christmas. This GPS is simple to set up and get started. Maps and voice activation are on target. Finds routes and short cuts we never knew exited. Only complaint is that you have to reconnect your cell phone to the GPS each time you start the car if you want to use the blue tooth feature. This becomes a nuisance, so we dont use it.
Garmin C-580 has all the features needed for somwone like me who wants
something simple to use and serves the purpose. I have used it to find
destinations that I did not think the system could find but it did so with
complete accuracy.
This is the best GPS for the price out there. It has all the functionalities you would want from a good GPS (gets me the signal from cold start in about 30s) and more (bluetooth for phone works great, traffic alerts are very useful). The same features exist in the much thinner 660 and 680, but they cost $200 more! I love the TTS feature on this one. I don't need to look at the GPS screen most of the time. I'm just waiting to go on a big trip to the middle-of-nowhere and test this thing out. Oh! and Amazon has the lowest price anywhere on the net for this.. at least that's what I found.
This is a terrific product. Out of the box into the car with no problems.
Cell phone pairing no problem but phonebook did not auto load? Waiting for answer from Garmin. The product works well as advertised.Great value with Amazon price!
aMAZON HAD THE BEST PRICE OF ANYONE IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY for that gps. I'm really happy with it.
[+]
10.0
This one is a keeper!
Wow, help right out of the box. The c580 is easy and a pleasure to use. Initially it does need some time to find it's SATs and download all the latest available updates for you. As you move around it "learns". You will enjoy this little travel companion. You still have to use common sense as it doesn't think for you - yet. Best bang for the buck. Yup, I wanted the full featured babe. This one is spot on. Enjoy it!
I really like my Garmin. I personally wanted a GPS system that was small and compact. The screen is smaller than other models but I did not have a problem seeing the menu icons. It comes with a carrying case and the window mount easily comes off which is important against theft. The menu icons are easy to see and follow. I love how it tells you the street names before you approach them. The only problem I have with it is that the traffic feature sometimes loses reception and therefore doesn't work. Also, traffic does not appear on the normal map screen. It's a separate map you have to go through the menu to find. Otherwise, it's a great product.
I bought the Garmin StreetPilot C580 for my husband to replace a 7 year old StreetPilot. We wanted to stay with Garmin since we have been so pleased with the previous unit. The C580 is wonderful! It is so easy to use right out of the box and has many nifty features such as announced street names, touch screen, and it is extremely quick! Very readable, too, and we love the suction cup mount. We also like the MSN Direct service. You can't go wrong with the Garmin name and this unit is a good deal here at Amazon. It was over $100 cheaper compared to everywhere else! Highly recommend this model. The only cons are it doesn't appear to have the ability to enter actual coordinates and the optional tour guides are very limited, mostly for Europe.
I bought this unit for my wife, & she loves it. I would buy another one. It is easy to use, easy to understand to voice commands, & it is also easy to see the screen.
[+]
10.0
Review of Garmin StreetPilot c580
The c580 is my first GPS unit. I decided that now that we are retired it would work out well for traveling with our travel trailer. I found it to be quite useful on the first occasion that I used it. It guided us back onto the correct route after encountering a closed entrance ramp. The touch screen is very easy to use. Voice is easy to understand, and commands are given far enough in advance to make for easy navigation. Satellite recognition, even inside a building is outstanding, which makes it nice for programming before leaving on a trip. I am a little disappointed that it will allow only one "way point" during a route. The "MSN direct" feature is nice, but updates are too slow to be useful while driving. Overall I am quite pleased with the unit and would recommend it.
