Garmin StreetPilot c580 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with MSN Direct

Now you can easily receive door-to-door directions while staying on top of the weather, traffic and other localized information with the new Garmin StreetPilot c580 Auto Navigator with MSN Direct. The StreetPilot c580 comes loaded with convenient features such as hands-free calling, preloaded maps and an MP3 player, and then on top of all that provides you with dynamic content from MSN Direct.

The new StreetPilot c580 lets you get localized information with dynamic content from MSN Direct, making it one of the most resourceful navigators available. Using the included receiver and free trial service to MSN Direct, you can check your local weather, avoid traffic backups, compare local gas prices, and even check movie times and locations, all while you travel. Easy and virtually fool-proof to use, the MSN Direct receiver is plug-and-play portable so you can quickly connect to your navigator unit when you are out and about.

Despite being loaded with features, the StreetPilot c580 still allows you to navigate with ease. This unit comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded NavTeq City Navigator NT street maps, including a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with hotels, restaurants, fuel stops, ATMs and more. Simply touch the super-bright, sunlight-readable color screen to enter a destination, and the c580 takes you there with either 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. This navigator voice even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road, and can concentrate on your driving to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. In addition, the c580 accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras, and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs that require your special consideration such as speed zones and safety cameras.

Speaking of keeping you safe, the StreetPilot c580 lets you make hands-free calls so you can talk freely during your worry-free driving. By integrating Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker, you can pair your c580 with any compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free while staying focused on the road. You no longer have to fumble with your phone's handset to answer a call or dial a number, just tap the c580's screen and you're instantly connected. And with 1-touch dialing for your POIs, you can quickly and conveniently call ahead to make reservations or get needed information.

Completely portable, the StreetPilot c580 conveniently moves from vehicle to vehicle with an easy, adjustable mount. This navigator has a compact size that makes it convenient to take along on business trips or use in rental cars, and also comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for out-of-car route planning.

In addition to all of this functionality, the StreetPilot c580 is packed full of other features that make it the perfect navigator. Its high sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver acquires satellites quickly and maintains signals even under heavy foliage or near skyscrapers. This unit also comes with an MP3 player so you can take your favorite music with you, Garmin Lock as an anti-theft feature to keep you investment safe, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map. What's more the StreetPilot c580 allows you customization via optional software such as Travel and Savers guides on plug-and-play SD cards.

The c580 lets you view, navigate and operate it via its anti-glare, bright color display through its fingertip touch-screen interface, which measures 2.8 x 2.1 inches (W x H), and has a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. As a whole, the c580 measures 4.4 x 3.2 x 2.2 inches (W x H x D), and weighs only 9.0 ounces. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery that comes with this unit provides you with an on-the-go battery life of eight hours.

What's in the Box
Garmin StreetPilot c580, City Navigator NT maps for North America (preloaded, full coverage), MSN Direct receiver with integrated vehicle power cable, 1 year of free MSN Direct service, vehicle suction cup mount, dashboard disk, USB cable, carrying case, and quick reference guide, and owner's manual.

The StreetPilot c580 GPS navigator with dynamic content from MSN Direct is simple to use. Connect your MSN Direct receiver to your StreetPilot c580 and receive real-time traffic, gas prices, movie listings and weather conditions and forecasts. Other features include a bright color display, easy touch screen interface, turn-by-turn voice guidance with text-to-speech, MP3 player and more. Included is Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling when paired with compatible phones. The StreetPilot c580 comes preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps for the entire United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. This map database features nearly six million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs and attractions. The map data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. Built-in patch antenna, MCX-type connector for optional external GPS antenna connection Configurable vehicle icons - Allows users to select a fun, customized car-shaped icon Garmin Lock anti-theft feature - When enabled, users must input a PIN number to use the device Backup feature allows users to associate a security location, which will unlock the unit when within 50 meters of that location Features MP3 player - Loading MP3s is Drag & Drop easy with no special software required Import custom points of interest (POIs) such as restaurants and safety cameras from industry-standard CSV files Proximity alert feature warns of upcoming custom POIs such as safety cameras and school zones Built-in lithium ion battery, up to 8 hours of battery life Suction cup mounting system provides easy adjustment and quick release Unit dimensions - Width 4.4 x Height 3.2 x Depth 2.2 inch Unit Weight - 9 ounces

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!!

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.

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!

Using these units for our fleet of trucks. Works well and easy to set up.

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.