More StreetPilot Photographs

The Garmin StreetPilot 2610/2620 is in Garmin's latest generation of GPS receivers with street level mapping and automatic route navigation for your car. They are their first models with Finger TOUCH SCREEN for data input and control -and- map storage up to 2GByte CF memory cards  -and- USB data interface for map loading and data input/output. The 2GByte CF card  will hold the entire CityNavigator 5 maps (1.44Gbytes) for the USA (including Alaska/Hawaii) and the maps of covered Canada areas.  NOTE:  The difference between the 2610 and 2620 is that the SP2620 comes with a 2.2GByte MicroStore Hard Drive (standard units will not work) whereas the SP2610 comes with a 128 meg CF card.  In addition,  the SP2610 kit comes with CityNavigator Map CDs whereas the SP2620 has no CDs as the CityNavigator maps are already loaded into the Hard Drive unit.     (*)All SP26xx models have implemented a solution to "the traveling salesman problem".  The user can input a series of destinations and the SP26xx will compute a "shortest route" to cover all of the locations in a minimum time or minimum distance trip.  The following comments apply to all SP26xx  models unless specified otherwise.

These sleek units have the GPS antenna integral within the unit and  is designed to fit on top of your dash and provide you with visual and audio directions for navigating your car on unfamiliar streets and roads.  A  battery powered IR  remote control is provided so that passengers can program the unit even from the back seat.   ALL functions of the SP2610 are operable from both the main unit and the remote.  Unfortunately  (for the kids), Garmin did not choose to put any games in this model.

We think the StreetPilot 2610/2620 has the best USER INTERFACE we have seen in a car navigator. There are four push buttons for major functions (PAGE/mark, MENU/route, FIND/recent, and SPEAK/volume. (The first function requires a momentary button press, the second requires that you hold the button in for about 2 seconds.) New to SP-2610/2620 is that it is designed without internal batteries and operates ONLY when plugged into an external 10 to 24vdc  power source. Uniquely (to Garmin equipment), the SP2610/2620 automatically turns ON and OFF with the power application from its external power cord. A switch is provided to turn the unit on and off manually as desired.  SP-2610/2620 was designed from the ground up to economically replace  the   combination   of GPS/Laptop Computer/Mapping Software system that many use to maneuver around cities in the USA. 

Here is a comparison note with respect to the Magellan RoadMate 500/700 which is the direct competitor of the SP2610/2620.  Both have plusses and minuses with respect to features.  The Magellan 500/700 is THE simplist to use of any car navigator we have reviewed. The Magellan 700 and the StreetPilot 2620/2650 are also the only units to have "all USA maps" installed right out of the box.   On the other hand,  the Magellan 500/700 systems have far fewer "normal GPS features" as compared with the SP26xx series.  The SP series has slightly better guidance information in complex expressway interchanges and with optional memory can also be configured to hold the entire USA and available Canadian maps in a single Compact Flash memory card.  Which one is "best" depends 100% on your needs and on your interpretation of what features are "essential".  In this review,  we will tell you about the rich feature set of the SP26xx units.  Our Magellan RoadMate review can be found HERE.

Street priced at about $800 (Can be bought for up to $999), (Check Latest Prices Here.) the SP-2610 is one of the lowest priced Automatic Car Navigator -and- One of the best performers.  The Street Price of the SP2620 is in the range of $1100 to $1200.

With the SP-2610 comes a copy of Garmin's (NavTech derived) CityNavigator 5 mapping program, a user will have the most detailed highway and residential street level maps available for the USA today. The USA coverage area for NavTech maps is the entire USA plus a bit of Canada.  The SP-2610 allows a user to automatically route using both the CityNavigator maps and/or the Base Map. Thus, with a "routable base map", you can automatically route from an address in New York City to San Francisco with only CityNavigator map sections for NYC and SFO loaded. The base map will provide information (and "road lock") for all highway routing between metro areas.  Garmin provides the only autorouting system that I am aware of that can do this sort of intercity routing without the need to load intermediate maps as you go from one NavTech region to another.  (There are 10 NavTech regions in the USA and Canada combined.) Garmin is shipping the SP-2610 with its new CityNavigatator 5/MapSource 5 map system.  (CityNavigator automatic routing maps are only available for the USA, Europe and Australia as of Sept 2003).   Garmin  tells us that they plan to have a City Navigator 5 release available for Europe,   but have no immediate plans for a CN5 version for other areas of the world.   Note that with the huge (up to 2GByte) map memory capability  of the SP2610/2650 there is little reason to worry if your basemap is, say, for the USA and you want to load European maps.  Still,  I would advise those in countries other than the USA that having the basemap of your own area IS a great convenience.  As an example,  European basemaps do a passable job of covering Eastern Europe for which other maps are not available.

SP-2610/2620 comes with  a set of permanent  "base maps" showing all state and federal highways  and major thoroughfares in towns and cities throughout the USA and in fact North America as well.  These basemaps can be used for navigation on interstate and major highways so you do not have to load detailed maps for your entire journey.  In addition,  SP-2610 can be loaded with CityNavigator RESIDENTIAL street level detail maps (furnished as part of the SP-2610 kit) of any USA area and (optional at extra cost) a variety of overseas locations including much of Europe and many cities in Australia. The large CF memory modules (standard/can be purchased locally) coupled with the routable basemap can totally eliminate periodic map loading.  A 256meg cartridge can load detailed maps for about 10 states (varies with road density).  Twice that for a 512meg CF cartridge.  As a rough planning guide, a rule of thumb for calculating storage card capacity is:  4  megabyte for every  million population in North America 

Compatible maps  include: CityNavigator (NavTech Maps, the best GPS routable maps available in areas covered), MapSource MetroGuide USA  (Etak Maps, good maps but not quite as up to date as NavTech and only USA version 4.01 has autorouting capability within SP-2610/2620).   Roads & Recreation, USA Topo, and WorldMap CD ROMs also work with SP2610, but without automatic guidance.   Probably most other Garmin maps will load into the SP-2600,  but Garmin supports only the above.  64, 128, 256, 512, 1GB and 2GByte megabyte CF memory cards are available. Our recommended minimum size is 128megs which is the size that comes bundled with the SP-2610 kit.  

The StreetPilot 2610 is straightforward to use, and the manual is a bit better than average.  Still,  there is no substitute for a few hours of  "playing around" with the unit in consort with the manual for quick learning and  discovery of available features.  

The CityNavigator (NavTech) map offering is necessary for the Automatic Address-to-Address routing to work to street address level. We have reviewed the VDO Dayton, and the Datus RouteFinder A2A/VCO, and the prior StreetPilot III systems, the Garmin iQue 3600 and have used the Magellan 750Nav units. The SP-2610/2620 provides automated guidance on a par with any of these and in fact much more routinely gives routing "the same as I would have chosen".  A number of routing errors noted on the prior SP-III have been corrected.  Sometimes the route generated is "just OK", but after all, SP-2610/2620 is just a machine. The downside for SP-2610/2620 as compared to the $3000 models is that many of the more expensive models have some sort of "dead reckoning" capability to permit navigation to continue for short intervals when signals are lost. Such signal loss can happen in "city canyons" such as NYC, Chicago, LA, and London where high rise buildings can block the satellite signals.  This "dead reckoning" capability will be available in the (coming soon) Garmin StreetPilot 2650.  The 2650 will require a connection to the automobile speedometer output and backup light to be able to function in dead reckoning mode.  Without these inputs, it will function as a SP-2610/2620 so it can be used portable as well as fixed install.  Connections for the speedometer and backup light signals are located on the side of the speaker case.  Note that the SP-2650 will ONLY be sold by dealers who INSTALL the SP2650.  This is because Garmin feels that most people are prone to get into all sorts of trouble if they attempt to find and interconnect with under-the-dash car wiring.

As to CityNavigator map sizes, the four central Atlanta "map chunks" are about 1.5 megabytes each, and other area "map chunks" range from 400 kbytes to 2.0 mbytes. To see EXACTLY what CityNavigator maps look like for YOUR area, click HERE and select CityNavigator on the map viewer. Keep clicking on the map until you get your area in whatever detail you want.  You can route to covered highway intersections just using the basemap.  The SP-2610 comes with a 128meg CF card, but as with many things,  MORE is better.  The latest firmware version for the SP-2610/2620 can load up to 2025 "map chunks" and the entire CN5 takes 1050 "chunks" and 1.44Gbytes.  It seems that the SP2610 will not run out of "map chunk" capacity before you fill up your 2GByte CF card.  Selecting individual "map chunks" when you want to load maps for 10 states can take quite awhile.  MapSource 5 has a new (slightly hidden) feature to make this EASY.  With the map tool selected in CN5/Mapsource 5, simply hold down your mouse button and drag.  You can go to this link and watch the MapSource tutorial, which will explain how the new LARGE AREA map selection feature works. 

Automatic ROUTE GENERATION with SP-2610/2620 with its GWS** mhz ARM processor is the fastest I have seen on any stand alone GPS Car Navigator.  On "better route" the calculation of a 400 mile route  usually takes about 5 to 10 seconds.  This compares to close to a minute with the SP-III.   One trial route from Atlanta to an address in Los Angeles took about 2 minutes with the SP-III and 20 seconds with the SP-2610/2620  which seems extremely fast by comparison.  Offroute, reroute recalculation with the new "Partial Reroute" algorithm typically takes about 1 second and it (generally) tries to take you back as quickly as possible to your ORIGINAL route.  It does this  the first THREE times it goes "off route, recalculating".  On the fourth "off route" it figures out you are serious about not going back to the original route and does a complete recalculate which on a local (25 mile) route usually takes just a few seconds.  (SP-III ver 2.50 is using this same algorithm and it seems to be confusing some folks, but I personally like the speed so much I am willing to put up with the first three reroutes not necessarily taking you the optimum route.  If you do not like the "partial reroute" offered, you can always press the ROUTE key and then press "recalculate".)

CityNavigator offers the capability of generating a route automatically ON THE PC as well as within the SP-2610/2620.  This permits users to generate a series of automatically generated routes and load these into other Garmin GPS receivers as well as the SP-2610/2620.   Frankly,  using the PC is not the thing you will USUALLY do as the SP-2610/2620 is much easier and more convenient to use as compared with generating routes on the PC and then  having to download routes to the GPS navigator.  If you do download routes to your SP2610, be prepared for it to leave your assigned  route and reroute you  the first time you leave the precalculated route UNLESS you turn off automatic recalculate.   The CityNavigator (NavTech) maps offer coverage of the covered USA Metro Areas AND much of the rural areas with superior road detail. Details as to which lane to be in and which way to turn onto exit ramps at complex expressway interchanges is frequently included.   The SP-2610/2620 uses a USB connection for map and data loading.  Note:  Garmin tells us that MapSource version 5 has the capability of loading maps much faster if you take the CF card out of the GPS and insert it into a CF card reader/writer installed in your computer.    CN5 has a total of 1.414Gbytes of Data and 1050 map sections for those curious. 

NMEA data I/O  is NOT available on the SP-2610/2620.  However, it IS to be available on a separate-from-the-USB RS232 serial port on the SP-2650.  This RS232 port is designed to be used with certain OEM automobile applications.  The NMEA data format is to be NMEA 0183 ver 3.01.   SP-2650 also has a TEXT OUT facility giving fixed column ASCII output of position, track, speed, etc.  The 2650 requires a sine wave or square wave speedometer signal for operation.  The older analog speedo signal will not work.  You should consult your car dealer about this item BEFORE buying a model 2650.

Note: As of this date, NO OTHER map products (from alternative vendors) can be uploaded into Garmin GPS receivers except those offered by Garmin for the purpose. This same proprietary relationship exists for other vendor's consumer GPS products as well.

This new SP-2610/2620 is designed principally for automobile use and its size, the high power drain,  absence of an internal battery, and lack of off road or marine features make it unsuitable for hiking or boating use. 

What's new in StreetPilot 2610?

The SP-2610 DELUXE kit contains: SP-2610 GPS, 128meg CF memory Card, Speaker/power cable, USB data cable (for memory and data load and NMEA output), Dash Mount Bracket, "bean bag" portable mount,  AC power module for use in loading memory,  CityNavigator 5 CDROM, and  Manual.  The SP2620 kit contains: SP-2620 GPS,  2.2 meg micro Hard Disk Drive preconfigured with CityNavigator maps for the USA and (major cities in) Canada,   Speaker/power cable, USB data cable (for memory and data load and NMEA output), Dash Mount Bracket, and "bean bag" portable mount.

The SP-2610/2620 gets rid of almost ALL of the error effects of GPS measurement error that bother so many people.  When you use CityNavigator the SP-2610/2620 will "lock" your vehicle track to roads as long as you  travel on the road.  (This feature does not operate with MapSource R&R, USA Topo, or WorldMap.) Automatically generated routes using CityNavigator maps "rubber band" to the roads in the route. Once in a great while, you may find an isolated road segment where the map is so far off that road lock will jump off the road, but it is rare.   In addition, with the 2650, you get  a built in acoustical gyro which (when given an external speed input from your speedometer) can give you precision car guidance even in downtown city areas where buildings, trees, etc. block the signal for short periods.  The gyro recalibrates itself each time you make a turn onto a new street/road so you can go for an indefinite time without the GPS signal.  (Maybe there is a new product hidden here.)

Another useful feature with CityNavigator (and MetroGuide 4.01) maps is that (when not in guidance mode) all approaching cross street names are displayed prior to arrival.   Note that MetroGuide 5.x maps are really not too useful in a SP2610 as they do not offer automatic route generation.

We found the SP-2610/2620 audio and visual guidance directions very satisfactory. SP-2610/2620 automatically varies its "turn here" warning time to give you more warning time at high speed than at lower speed. A typical audio/visual sequence would go something like this:

• <audio> In 1.5 miles exit right. <screen> shows arrow to the right, distance to go, speed, time to go and "Exit right to I-285 West"..
 

• <audio> In .3 miles exit right. <screen> shows Exit Right to I-285.
 

• <audio> In 1.2 miles exit right <screen> shows Exit Right to Roswell Road NE
 

• <audio> In .3 miles exit right. <screen> shows Exit Right to Roswell Road NE.
 

• <audio> In 800 feet turn left. <screen> shows Turn Left on Roswell Road NE.
 

• <audio> In 1.2 miles turn right. <screen> shows Turn Right on Mt. Paran Road NE.
 

• <audio> drive .3 miles to destination <screen shows .3 miles to destination.
 

• <audio> drive .1 miles to destination on right. <screen> shows .1 miles and the destination waypoint/address.
 

• <audio> destination 500 feet ahead on right. <screen shows destination waypoint/address.

An alternative screen shows a listing of turns to come. Another screen display is the trip computer.

AUTOZOOM zooms the screen in and out automatically as you approach waypoints and turns so you always have time to make decisions.  A blue pop up arrow on the left side shows distance to go and direction of the turn as you approach a turn.  

Route selections for CAR or TRUCK or BUS, Motorcycle, Taxi, Delivery Vehicles, Bicycle, Pedestrian,  or EMERGENCY vehicles are provided so you can be properly routed depending on your vehicle type.

The accessory CityNavigator now features about five million (USA) "points of interest" on board.  These include: Food and drink, Lodging, Attractions, Entertainment, Shopping, Services, Transportation, and Emergency and Government. In our area,  there were a few restaurants we had not known about and a  few  prominent ones  are missing.  Despite some obvious updates and additions,  the restaurant listing (still) appears to be about 2 years old.  Listed "Attractions" include theme parks, museums, schools, parks and such.  The listings were quite satisfactory though the placement of a particular restaurant or gas  station might vary plus or minus a few hundred  feet (once, half a mile) from the actual location.  This feature could be very handy in a strange city.

The user can give the GPS a Street Address or Street Intersection or select one of the, for instance, Restaurants in the accessory map data base module and it will LOCATE this address or location automatically and plot it on the map screen.  The SP-2610/2620 can then automatically create a "turn-by-turn" route to this destination from wherever you are. This is a very useful feature and it has worked very well in our tests. Be prepared for a few well known items (such as my local library) to be missing from the "attractions" list. Still, if you are unfamiliar with an area, what IS included will be quite useful.

Are the SP-2610's 128 megabytes of MAP MEMORY enough?
SP-2610 has a map memory of 128megs "standard".   We think the 128 megs will be enough for most users--  at least for starters.  And..buyers can purchase CF memory cards up to 1Gbyte (about $100) or 2GBytes ($200)  if more memory is needed.  The fact that the full USA coverage basemap can be used for navigation on interstates and major roads and highways mitigates the need for full coverage of the high detail maps-- but... Personally we do like to have the full detail maps loaded just in case we need services or a good restaurant while on the interstate highway. 
 
When you need complete detail for a PARTICULAR city or rural area you are going to visit, you can load (from your laptop or other IBM type Personal Computer) high detail maps from CityNavigator 5 into the CF memory card.  Map Memory can be loaded either via the USB cable or directly into the CF memory card using MapSource and a CF card adapter and MapSource version 5.xx or later.

So.. If you are going from, say, Chicago to San Francisco and back to Miami with a stop in Denver, you might load detailed maps for the four urban areas of interest and let the basemap be your guide for other areas and still have lots of empty memory in your user map cartridge for other areas. The unit automatically transitions from the basemap to the detailed maps when the detailed maps are available and back again as you move out of the detailed map areas. While it is quite easy to load new maps from a laptop computer into your SP-2610, you could just have multiple map cartridges and plug in a new (preloaded with maps) cartridge for various areas if you did not have ready access to a computer on a lengthy road trip.
 We may not be able to afford the 2Gigabyte map memory we all wish for, but smaller map memory is quite flexible and the basemap goes a long way toward making 128megs of map memory sufficient for most users. That said, DO NOT expect that the basemap is as accurate as the CityNavigator maps from NavTech. There will be some areas where the map error is larger than 150ft and the SP-2610 will think you are offroute and will claim it must recalculate. This is a minor irritation for some people but if you just ignore the problem when it (fairly rarely) occurs, things work out fine.

  What are the Technical Specifications of the SP-2610/2620?

 

• Waypoints:  500 with (up to) 10 character name and graphic symbol (Autorouting does not use these waypoints.)  Autonumbers each waypoint but allows users to change waypoint name using remote control or touch screen.
  
 

• Track log:   2000 track log points
 

• Trip Information Page: Speedometer,  Resettable odometer, Compass Ribbon (moving), time of day, driving time, stopped time, total time, Multiple Mileage Logs, average and maximum speeds
 

• GPS Receiver: 12 parallel channel GPS receiver continuously tracks and uses up to 12 satellites.  (WAAS is now available in these models as a result of a Spring 2004 software update.)
  
 

• Acquisition times: Warm: Approximately 15 seconds, Cold: Approximately 45 seconds, AutoLocate: Approximately 2 minutes
 

• Update rate: 1/second, continuous
 

• Position Accuracy: Position: < 15 meters (49feet), 95% typical with clear sky view and good DOP
 

• Velocity accuracy: 0.05 meter/sec (.035mph) steady state
  

• Dynamics: 6g’s
 

• Interfaces: USB (ver 1.1) with NMEA 0183 version 3.01 (No RS232 serial port except on SP-2650/2660 where it may not be "standard".)
  
 

• Antenna: Built in GPS antenna with external MCX-type connector jack.  Accepts external amplified antenna.
 

• Physical Size: 3.2"H x 5.6"W x 2.0"D (8.0 x 14.3 x 5.0 cm)  (Slightly smaller than the SP-III)
  
 

• Weight: .93 pounds (420 g)  (Just 2/3 the weight of the SP-III)
  
 

• Display: Finger Touch Screen,  3.3"W x 1.7"H (8.4 x 4.4 cm), (305 x 160 pixels), high contrast, 256 color LCD with backlighting  (Same resolution as the SP-III screen but 0.1" smaller in each dimension.)
  
 

• Case: Rugged; fully gasketed to IPX-7 waterproof (only with the CF card slot cover closed).  Remote control NOT waterproof.
  
 

• Temp. range: 5°F to 158°F (–15°C to 70°C)
 

• Data storage: Indefinite; no memory battery required
 

• Map storage: Data cards store detailed map data. SP-2610 compatible with Compact Flash (CF) types I and II.  Comes with 128 megs but can use 64 through 2048 meg (2GigaByte) standard CF cards.  Note:  Garmin says it cannot guarantee that ALL CF cards will work.  We have tried Sandisk, Kingston, Mr. Flash, and Toshiba branded and all worked OK. 
  
 

• The SP-2610/2650 uploads MapSource maps at up to 12mbit/sec using the USB 1.1 port.   Your throughput will be less than this theoretical maximum speed.  If your computer is fast enough and not burdened by too many TSRs you might be able to load maps at over half  this maximum speed.  You can load even faster using MapSource 5 and a CF card adapter in your laptop's PCMCIA slot.
  

Specific Questions Answered:

 

• Does the SP-2610/2620 have automatic daylight savings time? Yes, it works in the USA (only).  Daylight saving time rules  in most of the rest of the world are too "flexible" to make it practical to include other areas at this time.
  
 

• What is the battery life?  These models operate ONLY from an external source of 10 to 24vdc and have no internal batteries.
 

• Is the color screen viewable in sunlight? Yes.  We think the 26xx models have the best screen for viewing in the car that we have seen.  Naturally, Direct sunlight washes it out a bit,  but if it is in your car on the dash, it is quite satisfactory in all conditions we tested it in.  If your screen is in DIRECT sunlight (say on a Motorcycle) try adjusting the contrast.  We have been able to get a viewable screen image in direct sunlight by this means.
  
 

• What memory cartridges does it use? SP-2610 comes with an industry standard 128meg Compact Flash (CF) card, but Compact Flash memory cards are currently available to 2 Gigabyte.  We have not heard of any standard CF cards failing to work and it does not seem necessary to buy the (more expensive) high speed CF cards to achieve good map redraw speed.  Note:  The IBM/Hitachi micro Hard Drives up to 1GByte have been tested and are known to work.  About the 2GByte IBM/Hatachi Micro Drives we have no information.  Garmin tells us that the MicroStore 2.2 GByte "standard" micro drives will NOT work in these GPS models.  However,  Garmin does use a special version of the MicroStore 2.2 GByte micro drive in their SP2620/2660 models.  We are not aware of why the standard MicroStore models will not work.
  
 

• Does SP-2610/2620 have a trip computer like earlier SP's? Yes but with more features.
 

• Is the SP-2610/2620 the same size as the SP-III? No. It is the same shape, but slightly smaller and lighter. It uses the same mounts but has a different antenna connector, power connector and data connector and has no batteries.
 

• Where is the speaker for the audio output? It is mounted on the power cable near the 12vdc power plug (car end). The audio output comes from the same connector as the power input.  There are no external connector pins  for external audio output.  Motorcyclists and others who want to tie the SP2610 into their vehicle audio system will have to open the speaker case and bring out the two speaker wires -or- break into the speaker-to-GPS cable.  ANY MODS SUCH AS DESCRIBED WILL TERMINATE YOUR WARRANTY.  The speaker wires in the cable are the brown and white pair and they are "push pull" and neither should be referenced to ground or noise pickup can result.  The voltage across the speaker wires is about 2.5v peak-to-peak at normal volume.  I recommend you locate a small 1:1 audio coupling transformer and use it to couple into your motorcycle audio system.  Radio Shack is one source of such transformers.  NEEDLESS TO SAY,  making any such change as this voids the warranty and if you cause any damage,  Garmin is not likely to look favorably on a warranty repair for your unit!  AND.. If you do not PRECISELY understand what is stated above,  don't attempt this modification!  Garmin now offers a Motorcycle Mount Kit which is available with audio cables.
  
 

• Is there enough audio volume available to use SP-2610/2620 in a noisy truck? In a <normal> car, we judge the volume will always be ample. Audio is fine in a Ford F-150 truck and we think it will work OK for a fairly noisy truck as well, but you can always connect an external audio amp and speaker or even earphones (will require opening the speaker case and voiding the warranty and perhaps some additional connector/hardware).
 

• Is the audio clear and easy to understand? Yes. We think the audio quality of the female voice is quite clear and understandable.  It also comes standard in US English, UK English, Dansk, Nederland, Francais, Deutsch, Italino, Espanol, Swedish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Finnish, Polish, Czech and Hungarian.

• Is there a MUTE switch for the audio?  Answer:  Sort of.    If you press VOLUME twice in quick succession, it first goes to full volume, and then mutes and then goes back where it was before.  (Thanks to Mike Abrams.)
  

• Are the contrast and brightness adjustable? Yes, there are about 10 brightness steps and contrast control resolution is maybe 50 steps.  The available viewing angle of this new display is slightly more than in the SP-III so both the driver and passenger can usually view the screen at the same time (if the unit is placed in the middle of the dash and forward).
  
 

• Is CityNavigator included? Yes.  The USA SP-2610/2650 kit includes "all region unlock" for the USA.  Included in the USA edition is unlock for the USA and Canada.  The SP2620/2660 does not include the CDs but the USA and Canada CityNavigator maps come already installed on the 2.2 Gbyte MicroDrive.
  
 

• Will my old SP (or SP-III) cable work with SP-2610/2620? No.  The connectors are different and a new speaker/power cable comes with SP-2610/2620.
 

• How do I load  map data in a reasonable time? Using the USB cable with a 128meg card plugged into the SP-2610, map loading time for a 128meg cartridge has varied from been around 30 to 45 minutes at different times on my laptop computer.  (Theoretical USB 1.1 speed is 12mbps which would give 128MBytes in about 10 minutes but actual times will be less than this depending on the capabilities of the machines on both ends of the circuit.)  In another test,  a 256 meg cartridge load took:  a) Build index files 12 minutes,  b) Build Map set 1.5 minutes, c) Download 249mbytes to GPS 45 minutes.  This last with a 2.4Ghz computer with CityNavigator maps loaded to the HD.  People with slower computers can expect proportionally slower map creation and loading times.  In every trial load,  the maps selected had to be no more than about 97.5% of the memory size or the map loader generated a "maps too large for GPS"error and could not finish.  For example, the CN "map size estimate" of 249 mbytes was the largest "estimated size" maps which would actually fit into a 256meg cartridge. These approximately 256megs of maps covered Fl, Ga, SC, NC, TN, AL, and Parts of La, and Va.   You can also download directly to a CF memory card and PCMCIA adapter installed using MapSource 5 or later in a standard PC.  It is possible to fill a 512meg CF card with maps in less than 15 minutes if you use this method in a regular PC instead of using the USB port in the GPS.
  

• Does SP-2610/2620 come with a dash mount? Yes. Similar to the older SP-III mount with the same mounting foot.  Also included is a portable "bean bag" type friction mount for use in rental cars or where a fixed mount is not desirable.  The portable mount seems pretty secure.
  
 

• Does SP-2610/2620's "road lock" feature work on the basemap? Yes. Can "road lock" be turned off in SP-2610/2620?  No, It is ON with CityNavigator, with the basemap,  and with MetroGuide maps (USA) and OFF otherwise.
 

• Can I upload/download waypoints/routes/tracks to the SP-2610/2620? Yes, using MapSource.  Third party applications such as G7ToWin and others will require I/O protocol update for compatibility.
  
 

• Is <my> street shown on the new CityNavigator maps? Garmin now has their MapViewer working with CityNavigator shortly so you can check for your area.
 

• If I deviate from the calculated route, what happens? SP-2610/2620 can be set to automatically recalculate a new route to your destination without operator intervention.
 

• Can I "TrackBack" on a tracklog with SP-2610/2620? No. This feature is not supported. Instead, you would use AUTOROUTE and enter the destination address -OR- you can use the new  feature called "Return to Start" that will take you back to where your route started.  It doesn't actually "backtrack", it just recalculates a new routeback to where your current route originated.
  
 

• How many waypoints can be in an automatically generated route? I am not sure. I  have tried cross continent routes from Atlanta to Los Angeles and they work fine.  Waypoints created by automatic routing do not reduce the 500-available user waypoints.  User waypoints can be used to initiate an automatic routeand/or add "Vias" to a route.
  
 

• Can I operate StreetAtlas 9 or 2003 externally with SP-2610/2620? Not unless Delorme comes up with a USB Garmin compatible driver and an interface for Garmin's protocol.
 

• How do I upload SA8 Maps (or DRG, or TravRoute or whatever) into SP-2610/2620?  You can't. No way. Can't do it. Only Garmin maps can be uploaded into SP-2610/2620. You can connect SP-2610/2620 to your laptop, and run CN5/Metroguide 5 on your laptop and plot your travel path using your laptop if you want.
  
• Can I use my SP2610 on my airplaine?  Well.. I guess you can if you want road directions in your airplane.  :)  One enthusiast says he has plugged his unit into his 28vdc buss on his airplane and everything works fine.  Since the SP2610 is only rated for 10 to 24vdc input,  this obviously voids the warranty and so is not recommended.
  
 

• Does the SP-2610/2620 allow entry of route preferences? Yes. Options are: Avoid U-turns, Avoid Toll Road, Avoid Highways, Avoid Unpaved Roads, Faster Time, Shorter Distance,  Quickest Calculation, Quick Calculation, Better Route, Best Route, Off Road, (turns off road lock and allows GOTO). Also, Calculate routes for CAR or TRUCK or BUS, Motorcycle, Taxi, Delivery Vehicles, Bicycle, Pedestrian,  or EMERGENCY vehicle.  (No.. We do not know where the pedestrian or bicycle rider will get his 12volts at 1/2 amp power.)
  
  

• Then exactly how do you figure out how many "turns" can be in one route? Garmin says: There is not a limit to the number of turns per se.   Along a route -- there are several types of points that are "dropped".  The first being via points. The second are "guidance points" - where a user basically has to make a decision on which way to go (keep left, etc.), and the third are "nodes". Nodes are dropped along a route every time a road classification, name change, turn, etc.... There are a max of 1200 "nodes". If you are creating a route along an interstate, there won't be very many "nodes" dropped, because all the attributes of the road stay the same (for the most part). But, once you begin adding in lots of via points, where the detail of the map gets very complex, then there are more and more "nodes" dropped.  "Nodes" are not seen by the user.  Basically, they do show up if a person were writing third party software and sucks out the NMEA data, but that is the only place a user would see it.
  
 

• Can I buy a SP-2610/2620 in the USA (to save euros) and then use it in Europe (or Australia) using CityNavigator maps. Yes. But a USA purchased unit will have a USA basemap and the European basemap(such as it is) will be essentially not useful. The reverse is also true. If you are in Europe with a USA basemap, this means you will have to load maps from CityNavigator for your entire journey if you want autorouting all the way. This all works just fine. But, if you have the European basemap, you would only have to load the start city area and the destination city area of interest. The basemap could be used for routing in between. It <IS> useful to have the basemap for your principal area of interest, but you can get along without it.  ESPECIALLY now that you can have a 2GByte CF Map Memory Card.  It is possible to install MapSource World Map as an underlay in conjunction with European CN5 for high detail roads if you have a USA SP-2610 and want to take a trip in Europe.  (Thanks to John Grantham for confirmation.)  As to the SP2620,  if you buy a USA model,  the maps on the microhard drive cannot be replaced.  (If they ARE replaced/erased, you do not have a set of CityNavigator Map CDs to reload them from!).  However, you can remove the microdrive and substitute a CF card memory with European CityNavigator (or City Select) maps at any time.
  
 

• What about MetroGuide Europe?  Australia?  Can I use it for Autorouting in Europe same as MetroGuide USA can be used for Autorouting in the USA? No. MetroGuide Europe has autorouting capability but ONLY in the PC. MetroGuide Australia is not able to autoroute on either the PC or in a StreetPilot or iQue. The initial edition of MetroGuide USA  equipped with autoroute capability because (at that time) CityNavigator USA did not have complete USA map coverage. The latest MetroGuide USA does not offer autorouting on the GPS, only on the PC.  Now with CN 5.01, CN has full USA map coverage as does CN Europe for covered European states. CN Australia does not have full country coverage.
 

• Can I add VIAs to influence SP-2610/2620 to do a route "my way"? Answer: Yes. You can add as many vias as you want in the 2610.  The new firmware version 2.95 beta has greatly enhanced via editing and now makes it possible for you to pretty much set up a route the way you want and easily make minor edits when you want.  You can select Vias from Waypoints, Stored Addresses,  POIs, etc.
  
 

• I want a GPS for use in my Car, for Hiking, for OFFROAD driving, and for MARINE use. Will SP-2610/2620 do the job for me? No! We do not recommend the SP-2610/2620 for any of your proposed applications EXCEPT for Car Navigation ON ROADS which SP-2610/2620 is optimized for and where its performance is quite good. For Offroad driving, the unit provides no guidance directions and it only operates as an electronic map showing your position on the map. The same is true for Hiking and for Marine use. For Hiking, the story is even worse since the 2610 has no internal battery. In general there is no GPS which is optimized for all your proposed applications, but the Garmin GPS-V is about the best compromise I know of in a stand alone GPS unit.

• Is it possible to use a SP-2650 (with internal Gyro feature) in an automobile without the speedometer and backup light connection as I might want to do in a rental car?  Yes.  Leave off the speedometer connection and the unit will operate same as the SP-2610/2620 in a temporary installation. 

• How Long does it take to generate and download an ENTIRE CityNavigator 5 map set (all USA/Canada/Alaska/Hawaii) to a 2GByte CF data card and how much space does it take?  Answer: Thanks to Garmin Dealer GPSNow.com for loaning us a 2GByte CF Memory module to test.  In loading the full 1.44GBytes into the CF card (using a PCMCIA to CF card adapter instead of the USB into the SP-2610), the time broke down approximately as follows:  Map Creation Time ~ 2 hours,  Map Indexing Time ~ 2 minutes, Map Data Transfer Time into CF module using a PCMCIA to CF adapter ~ 20 minutes.  This using a 1.8GHz laptop with 512megs of memory.  Slower and Faster computers will take more and less time.  Rumors that it takes longer to compute routes if you have a 2GByte CF card instead of <say> a 256MByte CF card are simply false.  I measured 21 seconds to compute a route from Atlanta to Hendersonville Tennessee using both the 256MB and the 2GB cards.  It does take maybe 30 seconds on power up to load the 1050 map indexes on the 2GB card as compared with just a few seconds for the 150 indexes I have on my 256MB card.   Garmin seems to have done all their work very well in getting route computation time down to reasonable.
  

• Does the SP-2610/2620 have a DETOUR FEATURE to reroute you around road work and other obstructions?  Yes.  You can select various distance values and the SP-2610/2620 will leave your current route at the first opportunity and take you the "best available" alternate route for your selected detour distance and then compute an optimum reroute for the remainder of your journey.
  

• If I create a route on MG-4.01 and download it to SP-2610 (turning off automatic reroute) will it Audio and Video anunciate and execute the route just as normal for SP-2610? Answer: Using MetroGuide USA, version 4.01 the StreetPilot 2610 will route and voice communicate just as with the CityNavigator data. When you download a route to the unit from MapSource using MetroGuide or CN data you do need to be right at the start point otherwise you may get an off-route announcement.
  

• Which of the mounts for the StreetPilot III will the SP-2610/2620/2650 fit? The SP 2610 base fits perfectly into the Garmin stick-on base and beanbag base used for the SP III. But, it will require a different Touratech mount, it won't fit in the SP III Touratech mount.  The new SP2610 Touratech mount (about USD$130) is very well made and can be seen HERE.
  

• Can I operate the SP-2610/2620 touch screen with my gloves on? In the rain? In the rain with gloves on? Yes. The touchscreen works just fine with gloves on, works just fine with wet gloves on, works just fine with wet gloves on when riding in the rain on a motorcycle. No problems reported with using this new GPS on a motorcycle.

• Is the SP-2610 compatible with the IBM/Hatachi MicroDrive unit which can be plugged into a CF memory card slot?  Answer:  Yes.  The IBM/Hitachi 1Gbye unit is compatible.  We have no confirmation about the 2.2GByte unit, but we think it should work OK. (Let us know!)  However,  it is reported by Garmin that the "Standard MagicStore" brand of MicroDrive units IS NOT compatible and that there are no plans to make them work with the 2610/2650.  Garmin uses a special configuration of the MicroStore in the SP-2620/2660.  (Joe says: A microdrive seems ill advised in the environment of a car's dash.  The unit may get lots of vibration and disk drives do not have long lives in high vibration.  Stick with the CF card FLASH memories if you can.  HOWEVER>  In six months, I have heard of zero drive failures from Garmin or Magellan users with the microdrives.)
  

• Will the SP-2610 operate properly with an XM Radio in the car?  Answer: Generally Yes.  It is known to work OK with "aftermarket" Sony and Delphi SkyFi XM radios as well as all of the OEM XM radios we have heard about.  The only problem reported to us has been with the new XM Delphi Roady radio.  Should you have a problem of interference to any GPS by a Delphi XM Radio,  Delphi tells us they will exchange it for a unit tuned so the interference will not occur.  This changes requires that you send the radio back to Delphi for repair at no charge to the customer.

  ---

• *What is the difference between the new SP-2620 and the SP-2610?  Answer:  The 2620 is Garmin's answer to the Magellan RoadMate 700.  They have simply added a micro Hard Drive (about 2.2GBytes) to the 2610 and pre-loaded all of the USA and available Canada CityNavigator Maps onto the hard drive.  The 2620 is designed for the "computer unready" people who would rather not have to interact with a computer to load maps.  My personal preference would be for a 2610 with a 2 GByte Compact Flash memory card, then load all of the CN maps into that.  The vibration and general environment in a car is not ideal for longevity of any HD.

  ---

• Is there a sturdy motorcycle handlebar mount for the SP-2610/2620/2650/2660?  Answer:  Yes,  Garmin has a new model and RAM is reported to have a new  version as well.  See the Garmin model HERE.
  

We do not recommend SP for hiking or marine activities due to its reduced feature set optimized for automobile use.

The SP-2610  used for this review includes no basemaps outside the Northern part of the Western Hemisphere.  The unit has has a rudimentary political map for the world but essentially no roads are shown outside Canada, USA and Mexico and Central America.  . The basemap of North America  includes maps of USA interstate,  national, primary and secondary state highways, cities, larger towns, waterways, rivers, and coastlines and high population parts of Canada and Mexico.   (Note: See Garmin Base Maps description for more information on Base Map content.)  Base Maps are included  in the SP-2610's internal memory while USER Uploadable Street Maps on CD ROM provide street level or topo detail of user selected areas which are loaded to the 64meg to 2048meg (2GByte) CF memory cartridges.

Additional SP-2610 features include:

The trip computer is improved beyond the SP-III. With SP-2610, you will notice that, like the SP-III, when you come to a stop, the estimated times do not go to infinity, but hold a realistic value. The GPS calculates estimated times based upon road classes in your Route and modifies the estimation by your actual speeds on the various road classes. It also computes the actual road distance between turns (waypoints) instead of using straight line distances.  The results give fairly accurate estimated time to various points, even when using different road classes, like traveling on the freeway, and then exiting later on some local roads. Your estimates will not only be based upon your current highway speed, but by the combination of speeds you are using, or will be using on the various road classes.  We note that the SP-2610 was within 10 minutes on one 400 mile highway drive we made after it "learned" our driving speed habits.

The GPS has the standard HOST mode which allows  the upload/download of waypoints, routes, tracks, etc., OR use the GPS for tracking with the NMEA output WITHOUT having to change from GARMIN to NMEA mode and vice versa. The SP external power/data cable and active antenna MCX connections are different from other Garmin GPS equipment including earlier StreetPilot models.  It is doubtful that as of September 2003 any third party software is available to interconnect with Garmin's USB data port on the SP-2610..

The data fields, on the main display screens  ARE configurable.  By pressing the MENU button, and tapping Tab Setup, you can select Customer Tabs from the Mapping option as a Tab Style.  While still on that page, you then press the MENU button again, and you can choose which tab data field you would like to configure and chose from a list of optionsthat will be listed. 

CityNavigator's  Find-an-Address feature includes: Recent Finds,  Cities,  Exits, Addresses,  Intersections, Points of Interest, Food,  Lodging, Services,  Entertainment, Attractions, Shopping, Transportation,  Emergency and Government and Waypoints.  However,  some  of  the locations  of restaurants, hotels, etc. are misplaced by considerable distances.  Since the data is at least a year old,  some businesses are "missing" but overall the data is quite accurate and useful.

When not routing,  a "Driving Status" line on the Map display indicates such information  as "Driving South on Roswell  Road  near Sandy Springs".  This can be quite useful in cities where you don't exactly know which street you are on. Also as you are driving, the name of each approaching side street is displayed allowing finding side streets in the dark.

A photocell in the rear of the unit senses ambient light level and automatically dims/brightens the display as needed.

Datums- The 2610 (like the SP-III) only provides WGS-84 so any external mapping program which cannot use WGS-84 directly OR convert WGS-84 to its required datum will give larger than normal map position errors.  

45 ICONS are available in the SP-2610 to identify user waypoints and mark routes.   Icons include airport, bank, boat ramp, car, dam, post office to zoo for a total of 45.

Street pricing of the SP-2610 is about US $800 or less and includes: 128 meg memory cartridge, speaker/power cable, CityNavigator CDROM (full USA/Canada license), Glue down mount, Bean Bag (portable) mount  ( which we find works amazingly well on curved dashboards), USB data interface and cable,  AC 12vdc PSU for indoor use loading maps

Since we wrote the review,  there have been a number of software updates some with major feature enhancements.  Version 2.95 (beta) has some of the more useful updates including:

Features and Operation

The SP-2610 has a direct and easy to use routing system. The user:

 

• Enters an address, an intersection, select a restaurant, hotel, or other Point of Interest using the TOUCH SCREEN  or IR remote control for data entry.
 

• selects ROUTE to it
  
 

• SP-2610 automatically generates a route to your destination and cues the user with both audio and visual directions.

 The SP-2610 operates (only) from  external power in the range of 10 to 24 volts DC.   The SP-2610 uses FLASH memory internally and has no memory backup battery.    The LED backlit display lighting has a rated design life of 100,000 hours.  The SP shuts down when power is removed and (uniquely for Garmin equipment) turns back ON when external power is restored. (Assuming the rocker power switch is ON.)

A special Power/Speaker cable is supplied with SP-2610. The  data/power cable used is NOT the same as any prior Garmin cable connector. You will need the (industry standard)  USB DATA cable (furnished)  to load maps into your SP-2610 and/or to upload/download routes/waypoints/tracks to your PC computer.  There is NO capability with the SP-2610 for a standard RS-232 serial cable.  The SP-2650 WILL have an added RS232 data port for special uses. 

The external antenna connector, a MCX coax jack,  is located on the right rear of the unit just behind the keys.  The MCX  jack is powered (nominal 2.7 volts no load in our unit) and has a current limit rated at 25 ma  to protect the unit from shorts on the antenna cable. The normal antenna is built inside the unit and is not removable as in prior StreetPilot units.   The Garmin GA-27C (Garmin part number 010-10052-05) amplified antenna, some from  Tri-M, and other 3 volt rated antennas  work with the SP-2610.  We believe most other 3 volt antennas will work as well.

The SP-2610 does not support NMEA-0183,  DHCP and RTCM.  The SP-2650 will include NMEA but definitions are not now available.  Garmin has included its standard HOST MODE and no other option.

Operating temperature range is specified as -15C to +70C. Unique in their class,  Like Garmin handheld GPS receivers, SP is rated submersible to one meter per IEC529 IPX(7) with gasketed memory door closed. The maximum altitude rating is 60,000ft and speed maximum is 999 knots.

Feature Details:

 

• The MAP SCREEN may  include the MAP, plus (depending on operating mode),  Current location and road, current speed display,  heading,  arrival time, time to next run, and Next Turn display. These are user selectable/adjustable as to background color(B/W and density), presence and size and (to some extent) which items are displayed.   At TURNS, a colored  arrow on the left side of the screen will make right angles or whatever angle is appropriate for the turn.  Distance to the turn is indicated beside the arrow.  A large "pop up window"  on the right will give special turn information about the upcoming turn.
  
 

• A moving map display is provided to plot your course over ground.   Outside of Canada, Mexico and the USA, base maps (on the USA models)  are generally less detailed. Waypoints saved in the  machine are displayed on the moving map page as they come within range of the map scale selected.  The map screen has pan and zoom and scales from 120 feet (1/2 inch) to about 800 miles (screen width).  You can slide your FINGER on the screen to PAN the screen in any direction as desired.  Pressing the UPPER LEFT corner of the touchscreen will put the GPS back into regular "tracking mode".  Automatic routing voice commands continue during panning if you are executing a route.
  
 

• Route  start/finish points can also be generated from user waypoints, city waypoints, points of interest, street addresses and street/road intersections. There appear to be 7 layers of map  detail in the base map and perhaps 7 more in the street level CityNavigator maps.
 

• The map display may be set to north up, or current track up.  The map display provides an array of user customizable  features such as AUTOZOOM,  Map DETAIL control, Tracklog on/off, Street label size, Railroads on/off, North up/Track up,  Display   waypoint/exit/POI controls, city/town text size selection, display/don't  display  map features such as restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, garages/service stations, tourist attractions,  entertainment centers and similar.  The map screen also supports zoom and pan features.  On  the SP2610,  user waypoints can have one of 43 symbols such as boat,  house, gas pump, etc. When you are  moving,  an "arrow" pointer shows your direction and leaves a "cookie trail" showing your track. Map accuracy is superb on the CityNavigator maps in the Atlanta area.
 

• The automatic guidance system USER INTERFACE is a big improvement over the earlier SP-III models. You can typically enter and address and set up a new route in perhaps 30 seconds using the finger touch screen system.
 

• A simulator feature provides display of simulated motion and simultaneously outputs simulated tracking data  to your computer for test of mapping software, data gathering simulations and such. However, the simulator can only follow established routes and cannot just be set up to travel in some user selected direction. This seems OK since the SP is designed to facilitate automated automobile navigation which requires the input of a route. If you are in simulator mode and turn off power, a power ON automatically restores normal mode operation.
  
 

• There is no screen back lighting timer feature in SP-2610.
 

• A colored screen arrow and distance to go number pops up to show  approaching next turn.
 

• When the unit is powered ON, a Garmin introductory screen comes on followed by a screen giving information on Memory Card data, then a Warning  not to enter information while driving, then after a timeout, you go to the map display page.  There is no need for manually pressing any buttons to get to the navigation screens.  You CAN press the OK button a couple of times to speed up getting to the main display if you wish.
 

• The signal strength bars are box outlined in black if the GPS has found the SV and has not yet downloaded ephemeris data and changes to solid black when data is received from each satellite in turn. Each signal strength bar is marked with the associated satellite number. On the polar plot, SV numbers are black on white when locked and white on black background when locked.
 

• Waypoints may be named with a ten character name plus a symbol (boat,  gas pump,  house,  etc.) which may be selected from a library of 45 symbols. The GPS permits you to select any waypoint from the list and have the map "jump" to it.
 

• The SP has a multiple track log system.  Total track log storage provides  2000 trackpoints.  It is not possible  to "track back" along a cookie trail with the SP-2610 but you CAN press RETURN TO START and a route back to your starting point will be generated automatically..
 

• The SP-2610 has been updated to include WAAS, but does it offer DGPS.   SP-2610 locks you to the nearest ROAD (in on-road navigation mode) and this is more exact (since maps are more imperfect than the GPS signal accuracy) for road navigation purposes. 
  


• External  I/O signal modes available are: Text Out, Garmin Data Transfer (includes GARMIN and NMEA capabilities all in one)..  NMEA  $GP sentence output list for the SP-2650 is (likely going to be): BOD, GGA, GLL, GSA, GSU, RMB, RMC, RTE, and WPL.
 

• Proximity waypoints are not provided in the SP and North is always "true" north (no Magnetic/True  North  heading  reference selection).  USER GRIDS are NOT supported in the SP.
  

• When navigating a ROUTE, the pointer points along the road in the correct direction of travel. This happens EVEN IF the road is curvy and makes many changes in direction.  This is in contrast with conventional ROUTE technology which has the pointer constantly pointing at the NEXT WAYPOINT (TURN).  As each turn is approached, the SP delivers  a verbal warning  and  a special POINTER automatically indicates the proper turn direction and the command line switches to the next waypoint (turn) in the route list. There is no concept of "reversed route" in SP-2610. Each automatically generated route is from "where you are now" to a fixed destination. Each destination you want to travel to is selected from one of user waypoints, POI, addresses, street intersections, etc.
 

• The SP has touchscreen ZOOM in/out (+ and -) buttons on the left size of the screen.  You access by pressing the lower left corner of the screen and get rid of the zoom buttons  by pressing the N in the upper left corner.  Zoom permits easy expansion or contraction of the map display as needed.
  
 

• The SP offers 45 different waypoint symbols for pictorially identifying waypoints.  This feature permits the user to show such objects as anchors, boats, gas pumps,  houses, cars,  fish, etc., to further identify waypoints on the map display.
 

• Waypoint MARK  is available in the SP-2610.  Waypoint AVERAGING is available in 2.20 software and later.
  

• The SP is rated submersible to one meter for 30 minutes like all current Garmin handheld GPS receives in accord with IEC-529 IPX(7).
 

• You can FIND waypoints by NAME, and you can review the "most recently used" waypoints.
 

• The SP display can only be operated in the HORIZONTAL display mode which is in keeping with its design an automotive GPS mapping receiver.
• 
  
• There is a neat "zoom in" feature in the 2610.  you can "draw a rectangle" with your fingertip so as to zoom the map in.  This is very handy.  Just push the scale button in the lower left (this brings up the tool palette along the left side), then press the bottom icon to change it from a "hand" to a "Magnifying Glass".  Now, put your fingertip on the screen, and move it diagonally.  This will draw a rectangle, and when
  you release your fingertip, the screen automatically zooms in on the rectangle you have drawn.
  

I have tested the SP on  roads and highways of North Georgia and Atlanta including several interstate trips.  Our SP has worked properly at all times as far as we could tell..  Generally, tracking worked well.   No 3rd party support software or map software is compatible with the SP-2610/2650 at this time. 

The SP performed on a par with other GPS units in every test for lock stability,  multipath performance, re-lock after an underpass, and ability to suddenly change direction without loss of lock. The SP laid down smooth tracks on our highway maps during all tests.  No gaps, jumps, etc. (The SP-2610  has data smoothing like the SP-III.)

We note that all SP models including the SP-2610 have a form of "dead reckoning" for moments when signal dropouts occur. For instance, if the SP-2610 is tracking along and just before a sharp turn you invert it and block its antenna, it will continue to track straight for about 30 seconds.  It also provides a very good data smoothing filter to throw out random fixes that are way off track. This results in an exceptionally smooth track on a moving map display even with the "road lock" option turned off.  Even with this filter,  there was no overshoot apparent during quick stops, sharp turns, and similar maneuvers when normal continuous tracking was taking place.

SP-2610 performance under tree cover and city canyon conditions was about the same as the earlier SPs, G-V, G-II+, G-12XL,  and we rate that as very good.

We found the display controls easy to learn and use.  The overall 2610 system is quite comprehensive and complex.  However,  what the average user has to work with on a day-by-day basis is very simple to understand and manipulate.  Users will find it much easier and faster to use than similar data entry features on the SP-III.  The menu system and arrangement is generally quite intuitive and easy to learn to use.  

Since the SP-2610 and SP-III exhibited essentially identical tracking performance in our tests,  we did not perform the extensive field trials we made with the G-12XL,  EE, and others.  For more information on tracking results with our testing of the G-12XL, and the G-II+, etc., see our reviews at: http://gpsinformation.net

Summary

Our overall impressions are that the StreetPilot 2610 is a new generation of low cost Automobile Navigation Systems. While it is not the least expensive of the truly automatic self contained address-to-address car navigation systems (SP-III,  Quest, iQue 3600, G-60C, "GO" and some other PDA based systems are less expensive), we consider the SP-2610 to be the best full featured performer in the low price class of Car Navigators.   At about US$800, (Check Latest Prices Here.) we think the SP-2610 is a great product for the money.  In fact,  we think the GUI is the easiest to use of any car navigator we have tested with the exception of the  Magellan Roadmate which has fewer features. With the SP-2610 and its optional 2GigaByte CF Map Memory Card,   I believe we can eliminate having to use paper maps for automobile road navigation (in the covered areas of the world).  The Street Prices for the SP2620  with 2.2Gbyte Hard Drive and USA+Canada maps already installed is in the range of $1100 to $1200.

What DON'T we like about the StreetPilot 2610? 1)  As with other Garmin Car Navigators,  entering street names can be a problem.  You might know a street name as AC Lewis Road, Ac Lewis Road, or A C Lewis Road  or Baywater or Bay Water or Baewater and the spelling may/may not match the local convention.   The user MUST spell it like the Garmin/NavTech database or the address cannot be found.   This can lead to not being able to find a street that you know is there.  NavTech tells us that their convention is to run initials together and use caps, so you might try that if you get stumped with a street name with initials.   2) POIs are often in "groups".  There may be several groups of restaurants by the same name (different franchises I am guessing) and you do not readily know in which group the closest store can be found.  3) POI groups are incomplete (though they are VERY helpful).  I find that some post offices and libraries in my local area are not included, but MOST are.   4)  On occasion, we see the router generate "funny routes" such as taking a busy numbered federal highway instead of a nearby freeway.   Overall,  the SP-2610 performs as well or better than other Car Navigators we have used.  NavTech tells me that these problems WILL be looked at if users will go to http://update.navtech.com and fill out the report form.  Lets ALL do it!     5) During Installation, you MUST install the MapSource software BEFORE you plug in your GPS or things will not go smoothly.   It is also necessary to handle each disk more than once during installation.

Which GPS do I like to use now when I go on automobile trips?  The StreetPilot 26xx. Would I take it hiking or boating? No.

If anyone has any additions, questions,  suggestions,  error corrections other comments, please feel free to Email.

Joe Mehaffey

Notes:   (*) Freshly changed items.
               (**) means Garmin Won't Say.