Garmin StreetPilot C310

Garmin StreetPilot C310:
The affordable StreetPilot c310 offers the same features as the StreetPilot c320 but comes with one European region.
The c-series range provides premium in-car navigation capability with automatic route calculation to any destination, turn-by-turn voice-prompted directions along the way and a three-dimensional navigation view. The c-series offers all of the functions of a premium in-dash system at a fraction of the cost.

As an added benefit, you can import customized points of interest with the help of Garmin's free POI Loader software. The possibilities are endless - upload safety cameras or school zones, and you will receive a warning if you are traveling too fast. In addition, an optional proximity-alert feature notifies you of upcoming custom POIs.

For the ultimate out-of-the-box convenience, the StreetPilot c310 comes preloaded with highly detailed MapSource City Select Street data of one specific region on a 256 MB SD card with our new NT (New technology) mapping format. The database features an industry-leading millions-plus point of interest - including hotels, restaurants, petrol stations, and attractions.
What are Points of Interest?
POIs include restaurants, hotels, post offices, emergency services, entertainment, plus much more, and are represented by small icons on the maps displayed on your unit. Many of our mapping products, such as MapSource City Select or City Navigator, include a database of nearly 6 million points of interest. With POI Loader, you can now add additional points of interest to your compatible Garmin. This means you can upload custom POIs to supplement the nearly 6 million points of interest that are already in your unit. Traveling on holiday? Upload the POI for that bed & breakfast that just opened or the new restaurant that your guide book recommends.
Custom POIs can also include .bmp images, as well as speed and proximity alert information. These POIs can be created by you, your friends, or third parties. There are several free and subscription services on the Internet that also provide POIs.
Import customized points of interest created by others with the help of Garmin's new POI Loader software. In today's fast-paced world, points of interest are ever-changing. With the help of POI Loader, you can now add your favorite new restaurant, or that supermarket having the grand opening, as points of interest (POIs) to your compatible Garmin GPS. The possibilities are endless - upload safety cameras or school zones, and you will receive a warning if you are traveling too fast. In addition, an optional proximity-alert feature notifies you of upcoming custom POIs. Our free, new POI Loader software lets you personalize your GPS, giving you the freedom and flexibility to literally go anywhere.

As an added benefit to our customers, you can download the latest version of POI Loader software for free from Garmin website.

How Does POI Loader Work?
To search and navigate to personalize POIs, you must first upload points of interest from comma-separated text files (.csv) to your compatible Garmin GPS or onto an SD card.

With POI Loader, you can configure your unit to alert you when you are within a certain distance of a point or if you are driving over a certain speed near a point - perfect to warn you about upcoming school zones, red lights, and speed cameras. For more information on POI Loader, see the help file that is included with the
free software download .

These screens illustrate the proximity alert feature in action:

What is WAAS?

You've heard the term WAAS, seen it on packaging and ads for Garmin products, and maybe even know it stands for Wide Area Augmentation System. Okay, so what the heck is it? Basically, it's a system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections, giving you even better position accuracy. How much better? Try an average of up to five times better. A WAAS-capable receiver can give you a position accuracy of better than three meters 95 percent of the time. And you don't have to purchase additional receiving equipment or pay service fees to utilize WAAS.

The origins of WAAS

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) are developing the WAAS program for use in precision flight approaches. Currently, GPS alone does not meet the FAA's navigation requirements for accuracy, integrity, and availability. WAAS corrects for GPS signal errors caused by ionospheric disturbances, timing, and satellite orbit errors, and it provides vital integrity information regarding the health of each GPS satellite.

How it Works

WAAS consists of approximately 25 ground reference stations positioned across the United States that monitor GPS satellite data. Two master stations, located on either coast, collect data from the reference stations and create a GPS correction message. This correction accounts for GPS satellite orbit and clock drift plus signal delays caused by the atmosphere and ionosphere. The corrected differential message is then broadcast through one of two geostationary satellites, or satellites with a fixed position over the equator. The information is compatible with the basic GPS signal structure, which means any WAAS-enabled GPS receiver can read the signal.

100 meters: Accuracy of the original GPS system, which was subject to accuracy degradation under the government-imposed Selective Availability (SA) program.
15 meters: Typical GPS position accuracy without SA.
3-5 meters: Typical differential GPS (DGPS) position accuracy.
< 3 meters: Typical WAAS position accuracy.

Who benefits from WAAS?

Currently, WAAS satellite coverage is only available in North America. There are no ground reference stations in South America, so even though GPS users there can receive WAAS, the signal has not been corrected and thus would not improve the accuracy of their unit. For some users in the U.S., the position of the satellites over the equator makes it difficult to receive the signals when trees or mountains obstruct the view of the horizon. WAAS signal reception is ideal for open land and marine applications. WAAS provides extended coverage both inland and offshore compared to the land-based DGPS (differential GPS) system. Another benefit of WAAS is that it does not require additional receiving equipment, while DGPS does.

Other governments are developing similar satellite-based differential systems. In Asia, it's the Japanese Multi-Functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), while Europe has the Euro Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). Eventually, GPS users around the world will have access to precise position data using these and other compatible systems.

The StreetPilot c310 also includes the standard base map covering all of Europe, so users can still travel outside the programmed card's coverage area using major roads.
StreetPilot c310 Features:
WAAS-enabled; 12 parallel channel GPS
Built-in patch antenna; MCX-type connector for optional external GPS antenna connection
Removable preprogrammed 256 MD card for one region, with our new NT mapping format
Audible and visual navigation instructions and warnings
Display: 2.8" W x 2.1" H (3.5" diag.), 320 x 240 pixels; bright, automotive-grade 16-bit color LCD, with white backlight and touch screen
Unit dimensions: 4.4? W x 3.2" H x 2.8" D
Weight: 269 g
Built-in lithium ion battery for trip planning
Integrated dash mounting system provides easy adjustment and quick release
USB interface