Garmin Automotive Navigation Kit for Garmin Vista C and Legend C, North America (010-10564-00) Reviews

• practical info for a potential buyer

  
  By A37X4365Z0IF86 on 2006-01-13
  So here's some practical info for a potential buyer of this kit:
  
  1. My kit did not come with the replacement battery cover (indicated in the literature) that you use to attach the GPS to the mounting hardware. This is not a problem if you have a newer GPS which came with its own screw-on hardware, making a battery cover version redundant. But if you lost that little piece, you won't be able to mount your GPS unless you happen to have the battery cover from another kit (such as the bike mount kit).
  
  2. File sizes for route-calculating CitySelect Maps are about 1/3 larger than non-route-calculating maps, so if you've used MetroGuide or another "lesser" product, you will not be able to fit as many maps on your GPS as you are used to. On these 24 MB GPS's, expect to fit the majority of one large metro area (like the Bay Area), but nothing else. If you're going on a road trip, you may need to get rid of your local maps or even take your laptop in order to load new maps as you go. I was able to load the important local areas and the maps for the route to my family's mountain property, so that's good enough for me.
  
  3. The maps are great and have a lot of detail, but keep in mind that your screen isn't very big, so you're probably best off using the text directions for driving. Also, the Legend and Vista can't "beep" very loudly, so if you're listening to the stereo and not paying attention, you may miss a turn.
  
  4. As you've noticed, the price is highway robbery (pardon the pun), but you are getting a quality product that does what it is supposed to do and is easy to use. For road trips, the gas station and resturaunt information is particularly useful, since you won't get that on a regular map. This is by no means an essential accessory, especially if you just use your GPS for geocaching or other "outdoors" activities, but it's great for driving, so it's up to the individual to decide if they want to pony up for this luxury item. Also, if you are researching GPS units, keep in mind that this software plus the GPS could easily cost as much as the Quest, a much more powerful unit that includes this software and hardware for free and has way more map storage capacity. You should only go the Legend+software route if you also need a durable portable handheld GPS for other activites. The etrex line are pretty much indestructable, which is good because I've dropped mine many times already. The Quest looks like it wouldn't survive such use.
  
  5. The cigarette lighter power adapter has a cable length of 6 feet, in case anyone is wondering. It plugs into the USB port of your GPS.
  
  6. The mounting stand articulates in enough ways that you'll find a good viewing position regardless of where you have to put the mount, so no worries there.
  
  7. This is not the latest version of the software, but a free update will be mailed to you from Garmin when you request it.
  
  I hope that can help people make a more-informed purchase.
  
  

• Travelling GPS and car kit

  
  By A1NG5BCWQZKCTJ on 2005-10-01
  This thing was worth paying for! It came with the City Select software, and it made a big difference! You know exactly where things are, and how to get to them! The holder that sits on your dashboard/console was well-worth paying for! It doesn't move, and keeps your GPS visible to the satellites! Highly recommended!
  
  

• Garmin Auto Navigation Kit

  
  By A1CC9MVQC353HV on 2007-01-12
  What a wonderful gadget to have. My husband and I have tracked our hikes while hunting, traveled all over Utah, Florida and Georgia since we purchased this kit. It has been a great asset when it comes to finding your way back in the mountains, finding hotels, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, malls, places of interest, everything and anything you can imagine... Thanks to the review of a previous buyer we learned that we could contact Garmin to get the upgraded version of the software, we contacted Garmin and within days we had the newest version of the software. The base is fantastic and it holds your GPS steady on your car's dash under normal circumstances, and by this I mean that you might have to hold it if you make any rough turns. We definitely give this navigational system a 5 star review....
  
  Now we only have one problem. We have two cars and one color screen GPS. I have asked my husband to get me an upgraded version of his Garmin Legend CX (very convenient system to take with you anywhere), but now I want one that talks and has a bigger screen... By the way, Garmin allows you to install the software to two different units, without having to buy an additional licence to be in compliance.
  
  Hope this review will help make your decision.
  
  Update: January 2008 - We continue to love our GPS Navigational kit. About two months ago we visited the Garmin website to check on another product and we were promted to order the newest software update which we did and didn't even have to pay for shipping. Garmin does take good care of its clients.
  
  

• No regrets

  
  By A1WBF07A0POCXP on 2007-02-15
  Does what it is meant to do. Surprisingly stable given than it isn't secured to the dash. The mapping software is good. It covers the whole US. I tested it against my preferred local routes and it tended to use main roads rather than short cuts. Also, one time, the route recalculation algorithm tried to send me right when it should have sent me left. I suppose this is a function of the GPS itself rather than the mapping software. To be fair, it has been pretty reliable apart from that one event.
  
  Overall, if you have a handheld GPS and want to expand it for road trips, I think this is great. I don't regret spending the money I did on it.
  
  

• Garmin eTrex Vixta Cx

  
  By AQYRDK3L8JEBO on 2007-06-03
  I bought this for my eTrex Vista Cx. This kit is well worth the money. It works great when I'm on the road and I find the Vista easy to read and follow even though it is small. My wife and I plan on taking a road trip across the country and this will definitely come in handy. I also bought a 2 GB memory card and I would suggest doing the same if you're planning on using the road mapping software included with this kit. With a 2 GB memory card you can fit all of the maps on the North American CD and not have to worry about adding or deleting anything to make room.
  
  In other reviews I had heard that this kit wouldn't work with the Vista Cx because of the memory card but this is untrue. I e-mailed Garmin before I bought this kit and they confirmed that it would work with the Vista Cx and it definitely does.
  
  Anyways, great add-on for your compatible Garmin GPS. I highly recommend this if you plan on using the GPS for any travelling. The mapping software makes it pretty hard to ever get lost again.
  
  

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