GPS Devices Life

Great BUT - Garmin StreetPilot® 2610 Car GPS Receiver I got my 2610 last Xmas. What everyone says about it is right on the money. It is a great tool, BUT have a back u...

Amazing product - Garmin StreetPilot® 2610 Car GPS Receiver My wife got me the StreetPilot 2610 for Christmas. I guess she got tired of my male "vector in on it" system! T...

I picked up a new 2610 about nine months ago. One of the primary reasons is because I travel frequently and often arrive in a new city with only a street address and hotel name and limited directions. I figured that, instead of trying to read directions from Mapquest or Yahoo, I would listen to a voice telling me where to make turns.

The first hurdle out of the box was that there was no manual with the GPS. I took it back to the store where I bought it, but they did not have the manual, either. I called Garmin, and they were very accommodating and sent me a new manual for free, despite it being offered on their web site for a fee. I was also able to download a copy of the manual from their site to get started.

The next step was to load the mapping system onto my computer so I could download maps to the GPS. This required a key code and, despite looking obvious from the directions, turned out to be slightly problematic. Eventually, the maps were loaded on the computer and ready to be transferred to the GPS. The first trip would be a drive from Atlanta to Kansas City, so I chose the maps that I thought that I would need. I plugged the USB cord into the computer and the GPS, selected the maps to transfer, and stared the process. I soon found that the transfer rate was less then spectacular, and it looked like it would be more then an hour to load the maps into the GPS. To add insult to injury, the transfer ended about half way through, and I had to start over again.

Once the maps were loaded, it was time for the first run around the neighborhood. It was amazing how accurate it was, but the first trip to a local store took us to a location that had never had the store. That was the first warning that, although a great tool, it was not the antithesis of navigation.

The first long trip was my girlfriend’s first drive from Atlanta to KC. She was happy with it, and arrived without getting lost once or looking at a map. After that, it was packed with me for my business trips. I soon found that, if I were going to the same areas repeatedly, it would be best to by a larger memory chip and store common trips on one chip, limiting the number of lengthy uploads from the computer to the GPS.

For around town use, the system has been very good. I am able to program my home into the system and simply select it when I am not sure how to get there from where I am. I am also able to enter addresses and intersections and let the GPS find the shortest way there. I have noticed that there problems finding addresses even when selecting by the zip code. There are times when it will not load an address until the GPS is close to it.

On business trips, I am able to locate stores and restaurants by name, type, or proximity to my location. All are great assets when somewhere new. Be aware that, depending on the age of the mapping software, the facilities specified may be gone, which leads to another issue. Recently Garmin issued a new map CD for the 2610. Despite the fact that I have had mine for less then a year, I will have to pay $150 for the key code for the new maps. Additionally, they seemed to go out of stock as soon as they were released, so expect a two to three month wait for the maps to be available.

Because the system is based on the reception of a satellite signal, loss of the signal means there is no system availability. This became an issue in Boston, Chicago, and New York City. It was particularly problematic in Boston, where the interstate had changed radically since Garmin’s latest maps where made. The exits didn’t exist anymore, and my ability to backtrack using the GPS was hindered by intermittent signal loss because of buildings and other blockage. It soon became easier to use the map. There were the same signal loss problems in Chicago and New York City, so do not plan on the GPS being your sole navigational aid in large cities.

Overall, the system is great for finding the shortest and quickest routes between two points, and to get around in an unfamiliar area, but keep a map handy just in case.

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Great Unit; HORRIBLE Customer Service - Garmin StreetPilot® 2610 Car GPS Receiver