GPS Devices Life

Overall excellent - Garmin StreetPilot® 2620 Car GPS Receiver I have had a StreetPilot 2620 for over four months and have used it to get around unfamiliar cities and to drive f...

Garmin StreetPilot® 2620 Car GPS Receiver Product 010-00357-03 Key FeaturesDesignationAutomobileForm FactorFixedMap capabil...

I bought this device for two reasons: (1) to experiment with GPS technology, to which I was new; and (2) because it was advertised as the latest, greatest, with an emphasis on user-friendliness right out of the box, no need to unlock, download or install maps, and the like.

I have been impressed by the first-day performance on the road, yes, and by the many high-quality features. But this new user-friendly simplicity right out of the box is greatly overrated. When I went to register my purchase on-line, I was told an update was available, was asked if I were interested, checked yes (or so I thought), and things then went south in a hurry. Nothing happened. Tried to navigate to an update from the Garmin web site, had to call for assistance, was put on hold for a stated 15-20 minutes (but it wasn’t that long), had to have a free DVD shipped to me, and then had to go through a very painful two-hour-plus unlock and update process, even though a stated purpose of the 2620 was to avoid unlocks!

It seemed to me that Garmin’s process, and people, may understand all the intricacies and distinctions, but don’t take into account that the customer may not. Garmin shouldn’t assume the customer knows the difference between software upgrades (which I didn’t need) and map updates (which I did). Garmin shouldn’t assume the customer knows the difference between registration codes, customer codes, coupon codes, and 25-character unlock keys. This simply is not explained well enough. At one point, I believe I was asked for a seven-digit code when it turned out they wanted one that was partially alpha, not digits. Why assume I know which one of my various codes to choose? And — when I finally got through the unlock, my main home computer consistently erred out on updating the GPS, sending me instead to my laptop, for reasons I still don’t understand.

Great GPS device! Don’t assume the new version is hassle-free, though. Garmin could work on simplifying and explaining their processes.

Helpful, but not Flawless - Garmin StreetPilot® 2620 Car GPS Receiver Overall, I'm happy with my purchase of the Garmin StreetPilot 2620, but the unit isn't as flawless as Garmin would...

Get a Garmin StreetPilot 2620 and never ask for directions again. - Garmin StreetPilot® 2620 Car GPS Receiver When I bought my new car, I passed on the GPS system from the factory. As the next year wore on, I was regretting...

Garmin 2620: GPS ready to use straight out of the box. - Garmin StreetPilot® 2620 Car GPS Receiver I wanted a GPS for a while. I had a few ideas of exactly what I wanted. I know I'll use it more in my truck than o...

The 760 Fails To Deliver - Magellan RoadMate¿ 760 Car GPS Receiver By way of background, I'm an analyst in the Location industry that includes GPS units like this. I've personally o...

Which Garmin to Choose - Garmin StreetPilot® 2620 Car GPS Receiver I purchased the 2620 to replace a stolen 2610 that I had come to rely on during long distance drives and business ...

This device makes maps obsolete - Garmin StreetPilot® 2730 Car GPS Receiver I recently upgraded from the Garmin 2620 to the 2730 and LOVE both devices. I recently went on a college tour wit...

Great device! - Garmin eTrex Legend® Handheld GPS Receiver

Buyer beware…info about product unclear and no support! - Magellan Maestro 3100 Car GPS Receiver