Garmin c530 GPS

[Tractorat]

I have an opportunity to buy a brand new Garmin c530 GPS. Has anyone had any experience with that unit ? Mostly I would be interested in how easy it is to use, how well it links up to the satellite (and keeps the signal), and how easy it is to see.



Evidently it has an internal antenna. Does that tend to make it lose signal more than an external antenna ?



Thanks,



TRat

 

[PJay9]

I have one and it is like the c340 which I had also until it got stolen a few weeks ago. My c530 is very nice, works easy and the holder is very stout and hard to get off the windshield. Only thing I don't like is the battery connector... but I'll get used to it. Nice bright screen , loud speaker is good and adjustable. Talks to you saying the name of street or highway etc. Has good stored info. Is pretty quick getting sats, and calculating,may loose contact when there is a tunnel or heavy trees in the back roads, but it lets u know and comes back very quick, most of the time. It has features that you need to go exploring for taht are fun and useful. I paid 230 with case stand and all the wires new. GET IT! if you are getting a good price. PJ

 

[HBarlow]

I have an older Garmin Street Pilot 2720. It is a great product. The model you are considering should be even better as they are constantly improving and offering new models with more bells and whistles.



Mine works great with the internal antenna. The only time is loses signal is inside a steel building.



Harvey

 

[Tractorat]

I got the c530 ($185) and it is a great product, I like it. One question that I have though. Do you know if the power cord can disconnect from the holder bracket ? I dont want to just pull on it or turn it to find out. My son in law works at Mercedes, and got it through them, but he doesnt know about the power plug.



Thanks again,

TRat

 

[Xgunfighter]

I have a c530 and was in love with it until I tried to add ther new maps and found that it has insufficient memory to hold the new map upgrade. Garman says they wont put the maps on the scard as they would be to easy to copy for free. Dissapointed that Garmin would sell it with not enough memory. You can install part of the new maps, but not the total map.



Other than that, the unit works perfectly and I have never had a problem getting sat. all across the US. I like the unit except for the above. You are getting alot better price tanh I did when I bought mine.

 

[Tractorat]

I was able to get mine wholesale thru my son in law who works for Mercedes. (He's a pretty good diesel mechanic as well)



There is a funny looking connector on the power cord that looks like it should go to something, but it isnt mentioned in the manual. Anyone know what that might be ?



BTW, Xgunfighter, what additional maps were you trying to download ? Was it just updates ? Or maybe topo maps ?



Thanks,

TRat

 

[Xgunfighter]

Not additional maps. Just trying to update to the Garmin 2008 map package. I heard it wouldn't fit so I checked wityh Garmin before I purchased the update. They said I would have to only load part of the maps. Lower or upper states I guess.



Beside the power cord you should have a mini plug USB cable. This goes into the side of the unit to update the software in the unit from Garmin via your computer. It is pretty automatic from the Garmin site.



You are going to love it. .