Success Story: Garmin StreetPilot c330

By Amy Gilroy On Jul 16 2007 - 6:00am

The Garmin StreetPilot c330 is one of the longest running hits in the volatile personal navigation device (PND) market, and it's the best seller for the June 2006-May 2007 period, according to The NPD Group.

Introduced in January 2005, the product continues to enjoy broadening distribution despite its 2.5-year age and recently began selling through Linens N Things. It is available at Best Buy, Circuit City, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart and other outlets.

The c330 is considered a benchmark product by analysts and competitors. It was one of the first to include preloaded U.S. maps at less than $1,000, and it launched a simple touchscreen user interface that has since migrated to many of Garmin's other PNDs, including the models in the Nuvi line.

Originally introduced at $899, the c330 now sells at a suggested $349 and can be found on the Internet as low as $249. Features include a 3.5-inch touchscreen, preloaded maps of North America and Puerto Rico, and lithium-ion battery with a seven-hour charge to allow for out-of-the-car route planning.

Because of its touchscreen interface, the unit has no buttons save for an on/off switch and a rotary volume knob.

The system provides automatic route calculation to any destination and turn-by-turn driving instructions delivered visually and, through dual speakers, by voice. Users choose between a three-dimensional navigation view, a "bird's eye" overhead view or a 3D navigation perspective that lets drivers see what's down the road.

Its point-of-interest database features more than 5 million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs and attractions.