05-19-2008, 05:16 PM
Two issues with it: it's relatively large (4.4 x 3.2 x 2.25) and it's an older technology that Garmin is likely to quit supporting sooner rather than later.
I bought a c320 two years ago (about the same size, but not as advanced as the Costco one) and they no longer support new maps for it. They just released a map a couple of month ago and on their website it says, "no map updates available" for my c320. I might be able to purchase the maps separately and load them, but they won't do a download on a unit that old. The c550 isn't as old and is currently being supported, but I'd bet it's on the way out. Of course, everything is on the way to obsolescence...
The seeming replacement for the c550 is the Nuvi 260. It's substantially shallower (.8" deep) so it slips in my shirt pocket easily, but with the same size screen. It also talks street names. It's currently $221 at Amazon. With the beanbag it's $241--oops, it just changed to $249. Remember you can get a price adjustment for 30 days. I bought a 260 with the beanbag and I like it more than the old c320.
Costco will add shipping and tax. Amazon is an out the door price. Costco you can return forever... Each place has it's benefits.
I bought a c320 two years ago (about the same size, but not as advanced as the Costco one) and they no longer support new maps for it. They just released a map a couple of month ago and on their website it says, "no map updates available" for my c320. I might be able to purchase the maps separately and load them, but they won't do a download on a unit that old. The c550 isn't as old and is currently being supported, but I'd bet it's on the way out. Of course, everything is on the way to obsolescence...
The seeming replacement for the c550 is the Nuvi 260. It's substantially shallower (.8" deep) so it slips in my shirt pocket easily, but with the same size screen. It also talks street names. It's currently $221 at Amazon. With the beanbag it's $241--oops, it just changed to $249. Remember you can get a price adjustment for 30 days. I bought a 260 with the beanbag and I like it more than the old c320.
Costco will add shipping and tax. Amazon is an out the door price. Costco you can return forever... Each place has it's benefits.