In 2005 I started using GPS and my first GPS device was a Garmin StreetPilot i3 (I still have it and it still works!) After that I upgraded to the StreetPilot c340, then the StreetPilot c580 and then my current nüvi 270.
On a quick check of the Garmin automotive section of their site (I go by there every so often to see the newest offerings) there is not but a single StreetPilot series model left, that being the big-screen 7200 model. Other than that, all the rest of the models are nüvis.
The StreetPilot series is now one model away from the chopping block.
A few things to note about older "c" series StreetPilots (the most popular of the line):
Yes it can be upgraded to newer map sets, but there will inevitably come a point where you won’t be able to. The reason is because the map database will inevitably exceed the storage space inside a "c" series. (And it’s unknown whether or not you can use an SD card in the slot for future map database releases.)
The bright side is that current-gen nüvi 2xx and 2×5 models are pretty cheap these days. The nüvi 200 and 250 can be had for under 150 bucks easily. And with the nüMaps guarantee you can upgrade the map database free of charge.
Let’s say you’re a current "c" series owner and don’t feel like flipping out the cash for a nüvi or map upgrade. Is it still usable? Yes. And it will continue to be usable until a hardware failure (usually the touchscreen goes first) occurs. True, the maps will be a bit outdated but it will still get you where you need to go as it always has.
But let’s say you do think it’s time to switch over to a nuvi. Are there any utilities to copy your favorites from the "c"? YES. You can get the freely available Nüvi Editor. It connects up to StreetPilots via USB with no problems, downloads all your favorites, and then you can plug in a nüvi with USB and upload them all to the new unit, so you don’t lose a thing.
Either way you can still use GPS as you always have, but if you decided to upgrade to a nüvi, at least you now know you won’t have to re-save all your favorites all over again.
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Just a note to tell you that my one month old Garmin 760 does NOT have the SiRFstar III chipset. This thing is too slow at hwy speeds, and is NOT wass enabled, probably because of a slow processor (P2 or P3 equivalent?).
It appears that Garmin did the old bait and switch routine. All the early 760′s that got the glowing reviews had the SiRFstar III chipsets in them. The later units had either MediaTek or something called a Bravo chipset (proprietary to Garmin?).
The only way to tell what you have is to access the maintenance menu, and see what is listed.
I have to go to the start-up screen, press the battery symbol for 8 to 9 seconds, then hit “next” to see the second screen, which has the version information ” nuvi 760 S3… which I took to mean SiRFstar III, but no!
You have to press the “more” button at the bottom of the screen and scroll through the next 5 screens to see what the chipset is. Mine is listed (second from the bottom) as “MediaTeck MT3318 GPS Module”. My pcb is ver 3.
I’m guessing pcb ver 1 is SiRFstar III, ver 2 is Bravo, and ver 3 is MediaTek, with NOTHING to let a consumer know what he’s buying; ie. same model number, same packaging.
Re: FM Output Signal Strength…
It appears that the FM signal strength is adjustable because the Europeans are allowed a stronger output signal than we North Americans. I’ll have a chance to test this out tomorrow, but for now, start out in the maintenance screen, then scroll through:
the “SW Ver” page,
the “Version Info” page,
the “Data Card Test” page,
the “Audio Test” page,
to the “Audio Output Test Page”.
Under “Audio Out”, you have to enable “FM”. This will open up a sub-menu showing FM frequency, and next “FM Power”. “FM Power” enables the “Up/Down” boxes, that will change the FM Property Value.
I’m going to try mine at 115 db, which might be a bit too much. We’ll see. While I was on that page, I enabled “FM Stereo”, as well as “High Pwr”.
At the end of the day, my 760 is NOT even close to instant on, and constantly “dithers” when I’m parked, with an average accuracy of 10 to 20 meters (33 to 66 feet). Maybe that’s why it comes with an external antenna jack… the internal antenna might be too wimpy even though I drive a Suzuki Sidekick 4×4 convertable. This thing is just about useless on logging roads because it is so inaccurate reading your lat/long for map reading.
There’s a lengthy discussion on the nuvi 7xx series and WAAS: http://www.gpspassion.com/FORUMSEN/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=108038
The discussion includes Euro-specific info as well.
The nuvi 2xx and 2×5 series also does that “wandering” bit periodically when stationary (usually when parked next to a building – especially if there’s an overhang).
Although I’m guessing you probably already tried this, try 2D viewing mode on the map. Compared to 3D it’s always more accurate.
Also, one final note: If you happen to be driving a minivan, many models do have extra metal shielding in the windshield/windscreen frame that seriously screws up the GPS reception. It is ordinarily the case that most people who have reception problems are driving one of these vehicles and yes, the external antenna will fix it right quick.
I had the base mounted aldraey from my previous GPS, so really bought this for the arm portion. I had the mount base from my StreetPilot 2620 and it’s been permanent on the dash for two years and no issues. This is much better than the windshield mount for the NUVI660. The product DOES NOT come with the cradle, so you have to use the existing one from your NUVI. Excellent.