The Bottom Line
Pros
- Gets you to the track and home again with less stress
- Easy to move between vehicles
- Touch screen data entry significantly speeds up and simplifies use
Cons
- Built-in antenna doesn't work in some newer vehicles
- Canadian mapping not yet complete
Description
- Built-in basemap covers major highways, airports, lakes, rivers and some roads in metro areas.
- City Navigator includes virtually every street in the US including back roads near the race track.
- Touch screen controls allow you to easily enter data and interact with the menus.
- Includes remote control with alpha-numeric keypad so backseat navigators can play with the unit too.
- Provides voice prompts for next turn so you never have to take your eyes off the road.
- Uses standard CompactFlash type 1 and 2 cards for map storage. Includes 128MB card.
- Built-in GPS antenna means you only have one cord to mess with.
Guide Review - Garmin StreetPilot 2610
The included City Navigator maps know every race track I've tried to find and have been able to get me in and out. Simply use the touchscreen keyboard to enter in your destination and hit "Go To." The 2610 will create a route and give you voice prompts all the way to your destination.
Hit a traffic snag? No problem, just hit the "Detour" option and choose how much of the route to avoid. The StreetPilot 2610 will automatically recalculate a route that swings you neatly around the problem. This is very useful in race traffic.
The only negative experience I've had with the StreetPilot 2610 is that it will not see satellites while in my Buick Rendezvous. Apparently the windshield is coated with a thin metallic layer which prevents the signal from getting through. This is easily solved with an external antenna, but it caused me some frustration until I figured out what was wrong.
I have used (and liked) other automotive GPS units in the past but the new Garmin StreetPilot 2610 is easier to use, more capable, faster, smaller, more portable and cheaper than any other comparable unit.
