I have the previous model - Garmin 2610. This model (2620) comes standard with more memory, and the entire US map pre-loaded (that will save you a *bunch* of time & hassle!) I believe this model (2620) also has slightly more precise GPS positioning (WAAS). This GPS holds the entire US map down to the street level. It tells you via voice prompts when/where to turn. It is very good, but sometimes gets a little confused around very tight/densely-packed exits (don't we all? ;) You can pick your favorite language for the voice prompt. The GPS is only as good as the maps, of course! If you live in an area with a lot of road construction, you're gonna want to buy the latest/greatest maps as often as they're available. They seem to be available about once a year - the first time they were $150, but this last time they were down to $75 (I anticipate the price of map updates will probably continue to drop, as GPSs become more common.) One thing I like about this GPS is it is fairly waterproof, and can be used on a motorcycle. It is a little big/bulky in size, compared to the latest Garmin GPSs (my neighbor just bought a new model Garmin, and it has a rechargeable battery, which seems like a good idea). ----- Oct 2007 update - just loaded the "2008" maps. The map update cost $75 again this year. Note that at some point, as the price of GPSs keeps coming down, the map updates are going to cost more than the hardware... Also note that the complete set of US maps would no longer fit on my 2Gb CF memory card, and I had to delete off Alaska & Hawaii. The software was kwirky (again), and I had to reboot my computer and start it a 2nd time. It took somewhere between 1 and 2 hours to transfer all the maps from the comptuer to the GPS unit (very slow USB-1 connection, I guess?).Read full review
I purchased this system after some careful research on the web. I have been very happy with this unit. We use it extensively for both errands to new parts of town and longer driving trips. I've even used it on a road trip from Denver to Los Angeles. The system is very easy to use. It has an intuitive interface that makes entering locations straightforward and quick. The routing logic is one of the better on the market and seems to avoid some silly routes that the factory unit in our van is prone to suggest. The route calculation is quick and the auto reroute when you miss a turn is quick enough to be useful. There are only a couple of minor nits that I have found after using this for more than 4,000 miles of navigation. First, the bean bag mount is adequate but does allow the unit to move around on the dash. On long trips you have to adjust it every 15-20 minutes. On shorter trips, it can move around even more. Second, there does not appear to be a way to temporarily over ride the routing priorities for a single route. I don't use it often but it would be a very nice feature to have.Read full review
The product is generally easy to use and has a lot of options and features. The bean bag mount is especially helpful if it will not always be used in the same vehicle. It holds it on the dash very well even with stopping, starting, and turns. The operation is not always intuitive and I found I needed to spend quite a bit of time with the manual in order to know how to get it to function properly. Despite that, occasionally it provided incorrect directions even though it has an updated map in memory. But overall, it is very helpful and the audio instructions for turns to make combined with the many options for finding destinations made it a great help for us in a new city in finding places we wanted to go.
The Garmin StreetPilot 2620 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 – Fis4herRead full review
I had one of these in my car. Loved it, and it helped me find my way all over the place. Then one sunny weekday afternoon, some idiot hammered my drivers side window in my Hummer and stold the thing. URGHHHHH. I've been debating getting another one ever since this happened just before xmas. This works like a dream. I really like seeing how accurate my speedometer is, as it shows real speed, not mechanical on the display. Even better, the exit numbers all changed on I95, and the GPS had the right exits long before the Highway department did. One other neat thing, is you could plot your route somewhere, and it automatically routed you home, even if you went out of your way. I will buy an in dash GPS in my next vehicle, but for the next few years, Garmon 2620 will remain my navigational tool of choice (don't tell my wife, she thinks she has to read the map and tell me where to go since I was without one for a while).Read full review
I recently bought a used garmin 2620 for my dad, the unit is about five years old. When i first got the unit it wouldn't read the satilite right. I thought i got ripped off, then I noticed a hotline number and called it. The staff at garmin are real helpful and easily helped me get my unit up and runnig.Once I got the unit to work I noticed it had alot of good feature that other units didn't have. First I noticed that you can type in a city without any address and look up all the attractions and places of interst.I can't do that with my streetpilot c340. I also noticed that you can do numerous address with unit, set it up to go from point to point. Over all I think this is a good unit.
I love my Garmin StreetPilot 2620 GPS REceiver. I am seriously navigationally challenged and I've been wanting my own GPS system for years. Finally, I received this one for my birthday. It has already helped me find half a dozen places successfully. It's not perfect. I was driving around town in an area that is new and the road wasn't on the map, but that's to be expected. I have traveled in two other towns, other than my own, and the Garmin StreetPilot took me exactly where I needed to go. No wrong turns. No frustration trying to read a map and drive at the same time. I love it!
I originally purchased a Street Pilot III about 2 years ago and fell in love with it. Now I recently purchased the 2620 because of the "Touch Screen" and remote control making it easier to enter waypoints, etc. The "Talking" directions are fantastic and it is very easy to use. There are no cards required because of the pre-programed hard drive that can be upgraded by additional disks from Garmin as they become available. VERY HAPPY with this unit and wonder how I got along without it. I added a 3' long antenna which allows the unit to sit on the console of my SUV instead of on the dashboard making it more comfortable to handle.
This is a great unit for traveling across the United States or just within the city. Even though many times I know how to get to where I'm going, I still use the Garmin for the feature ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival). This will inform me if I'm running late and I can call ahead. Many time while I'm out with the wife I need to find an ATM and the Garmin have always been able to find the closest ATM. This unit also save many arguments with the wife. I just listen to "Betty" (this is what we call the 2620) for direction and when to turn, she hasn't steer me wrong let.
This is not their latest offering but, is probably my favorite GPS for the car. All USA maps are self contained in the unit in a mini-drive. Touch screen and a TV like remote control work perfectly. Directions are given in both voice and screen displays. It is easy to update via Garmin's new "Updater" program via your computer. The User Waypoint library is huge so that one can mark and save everything you want to during travels. It also has a large library built in for finding most any kind of service and asking it to take you there. From a road side rest, fast food, or airport, one can quickly find it in the 2620 and ask it to lead you there. We use 2 of the units in our autos.