Garmin StreetPilot 2610 3.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought the Garmin 2610 (US version) as an upgrade to my Garmin GPS V. Although I was extremely pleased with the GPS V, there were a number of things that needed improvement - the size of the memory, the monochrome screen, the speed of the processor (both in calculating routes and in refreshing the map display). All of these plus more have been fixed in the 2610.
The Garmin GPS 2610 is designed as an in car navigation system. It is not suitable for other uses such as hiking as it requires either a mains (110V) or 12VDC cigarette lighter power source. The unit accepts map data from the included CDROM based software - access to a PC is essential. THe US version comes with 128Mb memory. I expanded this immediately to 256Mb but 128Mb is still pretty good. I found 256 was enough for most of the NE US in a recent road trip (VA, PA, MD, NY, VT, NH, NJ, ME). Uploading from the computer is reasonable fast (30-45 minutes). It is much faster if a dedicated USB 2.0 reader/writer is usd rather than the connection to the GPS unit directly.
The unit is easy to use - my wife finds it considerably easier than the GPS V to enter addresses and find local points of interest such as restaurants and gas stations. Route calculation is very fast - normally a matter of seconds and screen redraw is also virtually instantaneous when zooming or panning. Unlike the old GPS V, I have yet to see a
lock up or time where the unit doesn't give turn notice quickly enough. The spoken directions are very clear to my pleasant surprise as I thought they were going to be somewhat of a novelty. The quality of the routes are generally good - there is the odd time when I would choose a different route based off my personal experience but in general, I find the unit's routes are as good as what I could come up with when I'm in strange territory.
The screen is very clear in all weather and level of light (including with sunglasses). The 'bean bag' friction mount is also very good in the cars I have tried (hondas and fords) and holds the unit steady without any glue or other adhesive.
A couple of smaller enhancements make the experience much more enjoyable than the GPS V. Automatic zoom in/out where the unit will change the map scale based off how close you are to the next turn is wonderful. The touch screen is much better than the buttons (although we sometimes find a PDA pointer makes it even easier to use).
My only slight irritations are that the tabs indicating various information on the map screen (speed, distance to turn, time to destintation etc) aren't completely intuitive to modify and not as many options are available as on the GPS V (altitude is the key one as I am strangely interested in how high I am when driving through mountains). The information is all there on other screens of the unit but just isn't available on the tabs. The map software included with the unit seems to have many more rural roads than the software included in the GPS V although we noticed that it didn't have all the points of interest in it (we found more gas stations than the software knew about for instance).
All in all, an excellent unit that offers clear navigation in a well made and easy to use product. Remember to download the latest software updates from Garmin as they are well worth the effort to fix the odd software glitch or give you a new enhancement (even if you didn't know about them/want them beforehand!)
The following link gives an excellent review on the product: .......
All in all, a great product giving very clear instructions and good quality routes.

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Newly simplified for automotive applications, Garmin's portable StreetPilot 2610 features both a touchscreen and an alphanumeric remote control so you'll always have easy access to automatic route calculations, helpful turn-by-turn directions, and guiding voice prompts. The 2610 offers a color display, built-in maps, and everything you need to download additional map detail. It offers more precise location finding because of its WAAS technology, a feature the original StreetPilot and the StreetPilot III lacked.
With its built-in photo sensor, the StreetPilot 2610's bright display automatically adjusts to outside light conditions. The unit is powered through either its external speaker (which comes with a handy 12/24-volt adapter cable) or its dedicated AC power adapter; both are supplied.
The unit's built-in routable basemap covers North and South America and contains a wealth of practical and nuanced data, including state and country boundaries, lakes, rivers, streams, airports, cities, towns, coastlines, state and interstate highways, local thoroughfares, secondary roads within metro areas, and interstate exit information for services such as gas, food, and lodging.
The 2610 accepts downloadable map detail from Garmin's PC-based MapSource City Navigator DVD-ROM (included), which provides street-level detail, addresses, and listings of nearby restaurants, hotels, ATMs, and other attractions. (This feature requires a CompactFlash card, and a 128 MB CF card is included; you must first downloaded MapSource data in order to find points of interest and addresses.)
The StreetPilot's integrated dash-mounting system fosters easy adjustment and quick release. The unit comes with a built-in patch antenna and an MCX-type connector for attachment to an optional external GPS antenna.
Garmin makes accessories to help you integrate your GPS unit with your life and your priorities. Keep it at the ready while protecting it from knocks and bumps with a carrying case that has space for your hookup cable and remote control. In the car, you'll appreciate the mounting options and clear reception afforded by the magnetic/suction-mount antenna that'll give you a better signal than if you just place your unit on the dash. Using your system in more than one vehicle? Garmin's dashmount is just the ticket, providing one temporary and one permanent adhesive mounting disc so you can move the unit between your cars.
What's in the Box The StreetPilot 2610, the MapSource City Navigator DVD-ROM (full U.S. plus select Canadian coverage; unlock included), a 128 MB CompactFlash memory card, an integrated dash mount, a portable beanbag mount (friction mount), an external speaker with a 12/24-volt adapter cable, an AC power adapter, a PC/USB interface cable, an alphanumeric remote control, an owner's manual, a quick-reference guide, and a setup guide.

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