Garmin StreetPilot III Car GPS Receiver

I've had my Garmin Street Pilot Gps Receiver for about 3 years now. In fact I wrote an epinions review for it a year ago.

Here is an excerpt: "Being relatively new to the area and seriously directionally challenged, this item was a lifesaver for me. It's like a map quest that actually works. Get trigger-happy and turn the corner too soon? NO problem. It recalculates your route and either tells you to turn around or just gets you back on track efficiently.

It has a safety lock which requires you to set your destination while the car is not moving, but you can disable it if you often drive with someone else who can operate it while you drive (lets say I do)

I can see where it will pay for itself, especially in my case, where I will no longer be late for appointments, causing me to lose sales, I will also save me in mileage and gas that can rack up quickly when driving in circles.
I still love it very much and for the most part I would still agree that is was relatively easy to learn. I would also still say that is does a pretty good job of keeping you from getting lost."

At this point, I have traveled up and down the East coast using my Garmin GPS system with little problems. (I did still manage to get lost in New Jersey and on St Simons Island though) I have noticed that it has trouble around most mountains... It loses track of where it is, momentarily.

The only problem with it is the need to spend $100.00 for upgrades. I live in an area that is still being developed. So any house or building built in the last 3 years is not accessible without this upgrade.

A new feature I recently discovered that I seemed to have missed until recently is the function that allows it to mark where you are so you can get back to that point. So my suggestion to read the instructions before using it so you won't have to miss out on key functions like I did.

Ahermitt is an artist, decorator, and homeschooling mom. You can purchase art, kids room murals and accessories for the home at www.http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=ahermitt .

The Garmin SteetPilot III GPS Receiver is an excellent handheld GPS for the money. The manufacturer has installed many user-friendly features that make the first time buyer or the professional happy. They manufacturer has excellent customer service and many additional add-ons to make this unit an extremely versatile GPS to be used in town, on trips, hunting, fishing, cycling, hiking, four wheeling or camping.
Suggestion:
1. One of the best ways to protect investment is to purchase a Protective Case for this GPS. You can find a top of the in line protective case that protects while allowing full viewing and access to all the features of your GPS unit. See a variety of cases at: http://stores.ebay.com/FIS4HER1-COM_W0QQssPageNameZL2
2. Purchase cable accessories that allow you to upload or download maps and data from your GPS. Purchase a 12v auto charger so that you can always keep you unit charged before heading out cross-country. Purchase quality power and data cables at: http://stores.ebay.com/FIS4HER1-COM_W0QQssPageNameZL2
3. Purchase an Amplified External GPS Antenna for the unit. The internal antenna is ok but will become intermittent in high buildings, cloudy skies and stormy weather. Purchase a quality, high gain remote antenna. See specification on 28dB and 55dB GPS antenna at:
http://stores.ebay.com/FIS4HER1-COM_W0QQssPageNameZL2

Cheers – Fis4her

We had (and have) a Garmin GPS V and since it has a relatively small-screen in addition to being so slow to download maps and has such a limited internal memory, we decided to get the StreetPilot III. We found a refurb unit here on eBay from an authorized dealer and so far have been very pleased with the performance...it even shipped with Version 8 of the mapping software (the most recent) at no extra charge.
Likes:
Bright, large, easy-to-read color screen that automatically changes to 'night' mode in darkness. Much better memory (128K card standard) than the GPS V (16K internal only). The card connects to your PC via a USB cable, much better and faster than the serial cable on its predecessors. The voice feature is clear and easy to understand. The 'sandbag' dash mounting feature is a good idea.
Dislikes (minor ones):
Seems to have given up a little functionality compared to the old MapSource software, mainly you have to know pretty much where you want to go (i.e., a given region) before it will find an address for you. Since it has a large screen, it is a large, somewhat heavy unit overall that takes up a good amount of real estate on your dash and might pose a visibility problem for shorter drivers (my wife and I are both six-footers and this isn't an issue for us).
Generally, this is a really great GPS unit that compares favorably in function with some of the two-thousand-dollar-plus in dash units found in some upscale cars. With the discounted price available on a refurbed unit, this is a very good value that will give you your money's worth and considerably more.

I have had my SPIII for over three years now. I have been back and forth across the country and it has never let me down. It even guided my to my daughter's house when the paper maps would have gotten me lost due to a changed route number. It is easy to read, easy to use, and I use it instead of my speedometer for speed checks. It lists all roads and even tells you the next one coming up.
I thought I would upgrade to a Lowrance 500C. The first TWO addresses I punched in gave me the message "Can't Find Address". I punched the EXACT same address into the SPIII and in seconds found the address. It is truly state of the art, even though it has been discontinued.
My complaints? You have to load maps. PERIOD. That is my only wish for an improvement. I have a 256 meg data card and it will load must maps I need. I will buy another and have just about the entire US in memory...
And, at the new price for Refurbed units, You can't go wrong..... Jeff

Very nice unit for being an older design plus they are less expensive. Very portable. Have seen them used on motorcyles as well as cars/trucks. I like mine.

Having owned a Garmin GPS V Plus for many years, the StreetPilot III function buttons were very natural for me to use. The screen is large enough to see clearly and is very sharp. I prefer the day screen, the night screen looks washed out to me, however the unit gives you the choice to leave it in day mode. On a recent trip to Wyoming, Utah, and Montana it performed excellent. It does however eat batteries up fast, but I really never use it out of the car, so this is not an issue with me. I attach mine to my dash with velcro, therefore eliminating the need for the bean bag. Overall for what I paid on eBay for this unit, beats the prices of the new models of various brands. I do recommend this unit highly.

This a great product for the money even with the latest touch screen GPS on the market. This unit does not support touch screen but that is no hindrance at all. Instead of touching a screen I touch a button next to the screen. It is really all up to your personal choice. Pay a little money to touch a button or pay alot of money to touch the screen. This unit after the detail upload does everything the newest GPS does. No you can't load the whole world into its data base at one time but I don't know to many people that need to see the streets all over the world in one day. It is a simple up load to get what you need. I travel the eastern US and I will never have to upload another map than I have already got in the unit today. It is easy to use and I will be enjoying it for many years to come.

This is a compact unit that fits nice on the dash. I have most of Texas & all of loisanna in mine. It has alway lead me right to were I need to go. It can store 500 waypoints so its easy to go to repeat destations. I use mine for bussiness & pleasure.

Actually, I bought this item by accident due to fault of my own. I was under the impression that I was purchasing a "pilot III" unit when in fact I had bought a streetpilot III. When using the "search" engine, I typed what I needed but the results weren't what I was looking for; mistakenly, I placed a bid on an item that I had no use for since I needed to use it in the air.

The unit itself is in very good condition and it seems to function properly. I don't like the fact that it's somewhat bulky and it requires numerous gadgets to be attached to (mounts, brackets, exterior antennas..); other than that, it does its job and I'm sure there is a good reason as to why GARMIN has discontinued it.

I received the Garmin Street Pilot III "Deluxe Package" as a Christmas gift in 2003. It is now in its 4th year of almost daily service in my car. The package came with the GPS unit, Map Source software CD (PC only), a 128MB data card unique to this unit, a fixed dash mount, a "beanbag" type of portable dash mount, power cable, PC interface cable, USB data card programmer cable, and several small guides/manuals.

The interface is intuitive; the screen easy-to-read with a high resolution 16 color display. The 12-volt power cable includes an integrated speaker that provides directions/instructions (depending on your preference settings.) Best of all, the unit is transportable from car to car so you can literally take it with you no matter which one of your cars (or friend's car) you happen to be traveling in. Try that with a $1,500+ factory-installed or retrofitted in-dash GPS unit without using a crowbar and a lot of choice words!

The only real "Con" to this unit is the data card storage of the GPS map info. You'll need to invest in several data cards on which to store the entire USA GPS info (not that most people need it readily available, however.) These cards are relatively cheap though, especially on eBay. Newer GPS units from Garmin and other makers come pre-loaded with the entire United States map info on them, eliminating the need for swapping data cards while on a long road trip (from FL to NY, for example.) Also, the software is PC-only; Mac users are out of luck (at least with this unit - perhaps the newer units work on both platforms?)

Overall, this is an excellent transportable GPS unit that was great deal when new. If you find a complete one on eBay, it is well worth the investment (and will be an even smarter buy!)

Water resistant, large visible screen, fast satelite aquisition. I have used the GPS V for years. The StreetPilot is just as functionally dependable but with the added features of a larger, color screen and voice prompts.

was better than advertised. had many cords and accessorys that came with it. still getting blue charts for it and will go off shore with it out of jacksonville fl. well pleased.

I was disappointed there wasn't a manual with the unit.I Had to do a lot of on-line research to find out that I needed accessaries to download maps to the unit. I'm in the process with Garmin support, because I can't unlock maps from the SD card.

I purchased this GPS for my BMW motorcycle. I like sport touring so I enjoy the functionality and the ruggedness of the SP III because I am often very hard on things. This GPS is a hammer too. It gets me where I am going with little fuss and helps me when touring new places. Its a bit of a learning curve to set up routes compared to the technology of today. I also like the simplicity of the device. There are no frills to go messing about with, which keeps my eyes on the road and what I am doing and not fiddling with a gadget. I ordered new maps for it, they keep updating things which amazes me. And I downloaded the British voice. For some reason I can understand this accent more so than the american one, yet I am from the midwest. That just goes to show you the flexiblity this GPS has. Now if could only download routes from Google Maps... some day perhaps.

When I bought this product I didn't realize that it did not come with the maps and voice. They have to be purchased separately and they are expensive. If I had to do over I would not have bought it.

The Steetpilot three is a great gps to own. The screen is big and is easy to learn how to use it. It does not do one thing great, but it does everyting really well.

The garmin unit is very I nice But I need the manauls maps and software for this unit. If You know how I can get this please let me know. Thank You

Big, but does what I want.. many mounting options.. this is an OLD unit, but has many features that modern units have

The unit I bought was a replacement to my existing one. I had all the wiring, software, etc... I just needed a unit that was worked. This one did not. The seller will not respond and eBay won't help - actually I didin't even try w/eBay folks as they didn't resolve anything for me a few years ago when I went down that path.

this person has not sent me this item as of yet. I have sent a message to him three times and the third time he responded saying that he was having trouble getting this item to me. After about 3 weeks have passed I asked him if he would give me my money back since he was having trouble getting this to me but have not heard anything from him. This was a scam he took stole me money and I have not heard anything from him again. I am a student and really need my money. I am on vacation and do not have the GPS to use and cannot afford another one. I will need to file a claim so I can get my money back. I think it is a shame that people are so crooked. I honestly sent him my money and should have sent me my item.

Thank You.

This guy sells used and incomplete items that won't work right. He said "you won't be dissapointed"... I was and asked for refund or parts that will make it work right.... he refused both, now I am stuck with a piece of junk.

I like the display and the combination of GPS waypoint entry as well as the turn by turn navigation.

It is an older unit and very slow to regenerate but it mounts nicely to my motorcycle and provides the electronic navigation I wanted at a very economical price. Mapping software is dated but complete. You select only some areas of the US since memory limits prevent complete entry.

Garmin no longer supports this unit with updates.

I choose not to use Paypal but to go on line to my bank and pay for this unit. It was done within 1 hour of the closing bid. It was not received by Yarddog and I had no explanation as to why. After several e-mail plus personal phone calls it was discovered the apartment number was left off the check. I then stopped payment on the first check had another one issued that included the proper apartment number and waited three weeks for nothing. yesterday I received a second e-mail from him saying he was cancelling the deal as null and void because I had not reviewed 2 other purchases I had made. This is a LIE, the two other items I purchased were received within 10 days of the close of the bid and was fine except one battery does not hold a charge but I CAN live with that. He also told me to use Paypal in the future I have my reason for using MY BANK. I can control payment better. I had an experience with e-bay that I bought a car using paypal and e-bay the car was not as described and neither e-bay or paypal did anything to help me get ANY satisfaction. This was $7000 plus. E-bay did NOTHING, there was not ONE (1) Live ENGLISH speaking individual that I was able to talk to. I told Chuck (yarddog) that I do NOT trust e-bay transactions. If he chooses to cancel the bid it is because of something other than the truth. I will and can get my bank on the line 6 days aweek and get verification of how I paid him. Please note I did a google earth of his address and it shows a very large apartment village. The check was issued as I have stated and I do not know what or why HE is the one and only one that DID NOT receive his $30 plus check. Its up to you e-bay call one of us a liar. I do not care. I have all of the e-mails plus copies of my banking arrangements available. With a two (2) hour window I can probably be reached to online chat with you and forward the information direct. Thanks. Montvale76.2007 What RIGHT doe he have to check to see withwhom I purchase from and how did he get this information. This guy is a yardog. Is nothing confidential anymore.