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(More customer reviews)November 2005: I already own several GPS units.
After getting into an argument with a novice who bought a Garmin "i3" and loves it, I bought a Garmin "i5" so that I could prove him wrong. A GPS unit this inexpensive just can't be that good. Boy was I wrong.
I picked the Garmin "i5" instead of the "i3" because my computer doesn't have a DVD drive for downloading maps.
The first area I was critical about was the thumbwheel with the two button (enter and back) solution. After a few hours I found I could enter data faster using the thumbwheel than using a touch screen.
The "i5" is small enough to hold in the palm of my hand, eliminating vehicle bounce, scroll the thumbwheel, and then press the thumbwheel to enter the desired letter or number.
Entering an address often requires only a few thumbwheel presses. First the state/province is entered, eliminating 98% of all the addresses in North America.
Garmin then guides you through a list of city and street names. Often the number of thumbwheel presses is shortened by selecting from a list of possible matches using the back button. Garmin did a great job in this area.
Next is the screen size. The advertising on Garmin's website shows screens with jagged lines. But the actual screen, although smaller is also clearer than most PNDs (personal navigation devices). I suppose this is because the pixels are closer together.
Next is signal strength. I put the "i5" inside my dashboard near the speedometer so that thieves wouldn't easily see it. It still worked great. It occasionally lost the signal but so did my more expensive PND which was windshield mounted.
Next is the instruction manual. You don't need it. Unlike the Magellan RoadMates, where the large buttons do nothing half the time and I don't know which to push the other half, the back button and the thumbwheel always do something and the screen always prompts you.
Next is routing. Don't expect the "i5" to find the best route to get from point A to point B. None of the PNDs do that and the less expensive ones usually chose the first successful route. But it will get you to point B and quickly recalculate a new route if you drive off route. Often the routes it chose were identical to my more expensive PND.
POIs (points of interest). Where POIs are useful is when you know there's a store nearby but you don't know the adddress. The "i5" will show you a list of stores and route you to one if desired. Once I drove around for 30 minutes looking for a small store without the use of the "i5". Finally out of frustration I used the "i5" to route me straight to the location and still couldn't see the store. After walking around for about a minute I found that the store was hidden behind a larger store.
My only suggestion is that I wish the "i5" had talking street names.
I bought this unit to see how well it worked and planned to return it. But I think I'll give it to my wife instead. She's always getting lost on long trips and the "i5" makes a nice low cost second PND.
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January 2006: I gave the "i5" to my wife and at first she was not impressed. I think she'd rather have jewelry.
But she liked the thumbwheel because it didn't interfer with her finger nails.
This morning she took a long trip and as usual called me. But instead of saying that she was lost, she said she got to her destination without any problems and stress free. Usually she's yapping away with her mother and misses a critical turn.
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December 2006: The original review claimed the "i5" used the SiRF receiver, but I cannot verify this. My apologies.
I continue to be amazed by the simplicity of the two button solution and the bright screen. In my opinion you won't find a better new PND for less money.
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May 2007: The "i5" has been discontinued. It is being replaced by the Nuvi 200, which has a bright touch screen and rechargeable battery.
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Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin StreetPilot i5 1.7-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
The Garmin StreetPilot i5 Automotive GPS Navigator is preloaded with detailed maps of North America and is ready to use right out-of-the-box. Another great addition to the StreetPilot i-series, the StreetPilot i5 is a compact, inexpensive automotive GPS navigator that helps you get where you want to go while making driving fun.
About the size of a baseball and priced to keep your pocketbook happy, the StreetPilot i5 is perfect for commuters, college students, and corporate travelers who are looking to experience the ease and enjoyment of GPS satellite navigation. Don't let its small stature fool you, though. Although it only weighs in at 5.3 ounces, the i5 has many of the same powerful capabilities as other premium Garmin automotive GPS navigators.
The i5 features a unique and convenient click-to-enter scroll wheel and a Back button, which makes it easy to select a destination from the unit's menu-driven interface. This unit includes three-dimensional map graphics and provides voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions through a built-in speaker. Toss your navigation worries out the window, because the i5 will automatically put you back on course if you miss a turn, and a detour function enables routing around traffic problems or road construction. Plus, if want to stay off the highways and blaze a scenic trail, the i5 lets you prioritize your choice of back roads or major highways. It is handy in any situation. and you can easily move the unit from vehicle to vehicle with the integrated suction-cup mount.
The i5 comes preloaded with detailed maps of City Navigator North America NT. These maps feature full coverage of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico--including nearly six million points of interest (POIs) such as gas stations, ATMs, hotels, restaurants, and other attractions. You can plot up to 500 waypoints with names and an array of graphic symbols for customized, detailed navigation. This unit also comes with removable TransFlash data storage capability and is easy to connect to your PC through the USB interface.As an added benefit, you can even import customized points of interest with the help of Garmin's free POI Loader software. The sky's the limit with this software--you can even upload safety cameras or school zones to receive warnings if you are traveling too fast in these high-risk areas. In addition, an optional proximity-alert feature notifies you of your upcoming custom POIs.
With a 32k-color, sunlight-readable TFT display with backlight, the i5 is easy to read in almost any light conditions. Motorists can choose from either a three-dimensional mapping perspective or the standard overhead bird's-eye view. For added convenience, drivers can power the unit with either two AA batteries (up to six hours of typical use) or the included 12-volt adapter cable.
What's in the Box StreetPilot i5, Americas Lite Routable basemap, City Navigator North America NT (preprogrammed), PC/USB cable, 12-volt adapter cable, vehicle suction-cup mount, dashboard adhesive disk, USB drivers CD, and quick reference guide.
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