The StreetPilot c320 is, we think, Garmin's answer to the TomTom "Go" and the Magellan RM300 . Garmin rates it as a "Beginner's GPS Car Navigator" and in that we agree. The c3x0 ( when we refer below to the c3x0, we are referring to features present in BOTH the c320 and c330 models) is extremely simple to use, easy to input address and other data, and has a limited number of features so as not to confuse people unfamiliar with GPS equipment. What the c320 is NOT is a replacement for the much more "feature rich" StreetPilot 26x0 models. The c320 offers a simple to operate, capable car navigator with the essential features of other car navigation units but with few of the "frills, bells and whistles" that many users have come to expect from Garmin. As a comparison, the c320 appears to be competing with the reduced feature set and operational simplicity found in the typical OEM car navigation system. The c330 is essentially the same unit but for the c330 having built in 2.2Gbyte Hard Drive for the map memory so the user has no maps to load. The c330 can " operate right out of the box". The new c340 is the same as the c330 with the addition of capability to accept input from Garmin's GTM10 RDS-FM radio receiver so as to be able to automatically route you around road problems in cities where RDS traffic radio is available. The c340 (unique in this group) allows the user to input 3rd party provided CSV files with locations of speed cameras, school zones, and other traffic hazards. The SP c3x0 models now can operate with Garmin's new CUSTOM POI LOADER software.
Note that the c320/30/40 are, in essence, PURECar Navigators. They have a built in speaker (not in the cable assembly) and provide among the best audio and routing directions using Garmin's version of Naqteq road maps. Don't expect any hiking, marine or geocacheing features from these units. We examined the screen brightness and readability in sunlight on a car dash and found it to be "readable" but these models had considerably less contrast and readability than the StreetPilot 26x0 models, was a little worse than the Quest models and a bit better than the TomTom "GO". Garmin tells us that there are no plans for the c320/30/40 to change over to the much brighter and easier to read screen used in the c550. (See GPS readability report HERE.) The SD card capability of the c320 puts it on a par with the Magellan RoadMate 300 and both can (currently) operate with the available 1GByte SD card map memory. (All USA and Canada requires perhaps 2 Gbytes.) However the c320 has quite an advantage over the RM300 in that in the c320 a) the maps are MUCH easier to install and b) map sections are seamless with driving and no manual intervention is needed as you move from one map area to another. Garmin has a special version of CitySelect especially designed for the c320. This version offers "state sized map chunks". That is, the smallest "chunk" of map you can load is one state. For example, if you have a 128meg SD map memory card and you want to load, say, half of California and half of Nevada, you are out of luck. There IS a workaround for this. If you have an older version of CitySelect 6 or CityNavigator 6, you can load maps from these into the c320 and that older (non c320) map version will allow you to select much smaller map areas. The c320 comes with a 128meg SD memory card and can accept SD memory cards up to the (currently available) 1GByte size. (Coming in 2005 is the 2Gbyte size SD card.)
The c320 has a built in rechargeable battery pack that is recharged via the built in mini-USB receptacle or when the unit is plugged into its suction cup equipped automobile cradle and plugged into an operating 12vdc cigar receptacle. An adapter is furnished to operate the unit from a) 120VAC power via a "wall wart" adapter (Deleted from kit beginning about June 2005). b) 12volt cigar lighter plug, and c) it also automatically charges when the c320 is connected to a powered up laptop or PC via the power wiring in the USB cable. The battery life for the c320 between recharges is rated by Garmin at about 8 hours.
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