Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have had a Garmin iQue 3600 for over 3 years. I recently bought the i2 for my wife. We just used it in Phoenix for a few days and I must say I'm considering getting the i2 for myself. The suction cup works well and it is very compact and connects to the DC power via the mini-USB port. It makes for a very compact traveling companion.
At first, I felt that the hard button controls and no touch screen would make the interface difficult to use. To be honest, it works better in most cases! The thumb wheel/button works great and the back button is intuitive like a browser. It picks up the sats fast and gets great reception. The B&W screen is easier to see in sunlight and is pretty sharp and surprising usable for the small size. The voice is loud (and adjustable) and we had little or no issues. I like the 3D mode but you can switch to 2D if you like that better.
I agree with other reviewers about one way streets and occasional longer than needed routes. Also, U turns are a fact of life in Phoenix and it usually doesn't factor in U turns as a possibility so it takes you down and around instead. However, adjustments can be made in the settings to look for or avoid highways and not to ignore U turns, so look there.
I find that mounting my iQue is a pain so I use an external antenna and a sand bag mount. Having to haul all that on trips was a pain. I'll take the i2 from now on as it is all in one and very packable. I can see how there would be issues on windshield placement so think about that before you buy. I had no trouble on 2 different rental cars. Make sure you press solidly in middle of back before flipping lever and it wont go anywhere.
All in all, when you factor in the small size, nice usability and the price, this one is definitely top of the list! If you want a unit you will likely use in your own car all the time, I would suggest the iQue in a hard mount or the C300 series. These have touch screens and allow you to slide scroll and such. But they are twice the money!
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Garmin StreetPilot i2 2.5 Inch Portable GPS NavigatorProduct Description: No larger than a baseball and priced with affordability in mind, the StreetPilot i2 GPS navigation system is a great fit for commuters, college students, and corporate travelers looking to experience the ease and enjoyment of satellite navigation for the first time. Don't let the small size fool you; the i2 boasts many of the same powerful functions as Garmin's premium vehicle GPS navigators.
The StreetPilot i2 features a unique and convenient click-to-enter scroll wheel and a back button that makes it easy to select a destination from the unit's menu-driven interface. It also offers voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions through a built-in speaker, and should you miss a turn, the i2 will automatically recalculate the route to put you back on course. And perhaps most conveniently, the unit moves easily from vehicle to vehicle thanks to the integrated suction cup mount, so you don't need to go through a cumbersome process each time you change cars.
The StreetPilot i2 is the monochrome-screened version in the i-series. Voice prompts and a destination flag help you get to your next destination quickly and effeciently. A convenient click-to-enter scroll wheel and a "back" button make it easy to select a destination. To get you from point A to point B, the StreetPilot i2 includes a MapSource City Select North America NT DVD, which contains mapping detail of the entire U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. The DVD's nearly six million points of interest range from hotels and restaurants to gas stations and ATMs, along with local attractions such as amusement parks and museums. Simply load the City Select data onto the included 128 MB Transflash data card via a fast USB connection and you're set.
As an added benefit, you can now import customized points of interest with the help of Garmin's free POI Loader software. For instance, you can upload safety cameras or school zones, and then receive a warning if you are traveling too fast in these areas. In addition, an optional proximity-alert feature notifies you of upcoming custom POIs.
Maps are displayed on the i2's high-contrast backlit FSTN monochrome display, which includes a backlight for difficult lighting conditions. Motorists even have the choice of multiple perspectives--either a 3-D mapping angle or an overhead bird's-eye view. For added convenience, drivers can power the unit with either two AA batteries (six hours, typical use) or the included 12-volt adapter cable.
The StreetPilot i2 measures 3 x 2.74 x 2.15 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box StreetPilot i2, America's Lite Routable base map, City Select North America DVD, PC/USB cable, 12-volt adapter cable, vehicle suction-cup mount, dashboard adhesive disk, 128 MB Transflash data card, setup guide, user's manual.
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