2. Unboxing

Figure 1: The Garmin c550 Retail Box

Figure 2: StreetPilot c550 Retail Box, Opened

When you first open the Garmin, you see the main unit, protected against scratches in shipping with a removable adhesive sheet.

Figure 3: What's Included with Garmin's StreetPilot c550

Here's everything that's included in the c550 box: the main unit itself, carrying case, manuals, USB cable, suction mount, permanent mounting disk, integrated 12v adapter/traffic data receiver.

Figure 4: The manuals (in English, Spanish, and French), Accessory Guide, Garmin Lock (more on this later), and warranty information.

Figure 5: Garmin's GTM-20 12v cigarette lighter adapter and integrated traffic updates receiver

I was very happy to see that the Garmin can receive traffic updates without having to connect a phone via Bluetooth, although it would be nice if the receiver were built-in to the unit -- I mean check out the size of this adapter!

Figure 6: Garmin's included c550 nylon carrying case

At first I couldn't figure out why the included nylon crying case had a hole cutout where the ball-mount on the unit is, but then I figured there may be times when you want to leave the cover on the unit even when it's connected to the windshield suction mount.

Figure 7: Garmin StreetPilot c550

The display is 2.8" wide, which is 30% smaller than the 4" wide TomTom GO 910 display. It will be interesting to see if the smaller display impacts the overall experience much.

Figure 8: Garmin StreetPilot c550, Rear

The unit has a microphone input jack for connecting an optional external microphone when using the handsfree phone feature (via Bluetooth), an audio out jack for connecting the c550 to your car's line-in (if you're lucky enough to have one in your car), and power connector.

Figure 9: Garmin StreetPilot c550, Left Side

On the left side of the unit you can see one of the two speakers, the SD card slot for loading additional software / mapping data / mp3s / photos, and an MCX-type connector for using an optional external GPS antenna.

Figure 10: Garmin StreetPilot c550, Right Side

On the right side of the c550 we see the second speaker, volume control, USB adapter, and the on/off button.

Figure 11: Garmin's Windscreen Suction Mount

It's pretty simple, which is probably a good thing given all the issues TomTom's been having with their crummy mount. Not too much to go wrong here -- no cables to connect to the mount, and the suction cup seems to be well made and keeps a solid connection to the windshield. Although I sort of wish Garmin had made the 12v adapter connect to the mount instead of directly to the unit. It would make for easier / faster connecting and disconnecting of the unit from the mount.

Figure 12: Included Adhesive Mounting Disk

If you want to mount the StreetPilot c550 to the dashboard instead of the windshield, you can use the included mounting disk to do so (certain U.S. states have laws that prohibit mounting anything in the windshield that obstructs your view, so if you live in one of those states, this disk's for you).

Figure 13: USB Data Cable

Included USB cable for connecting the StreetPilot c550 to your computer for firmware updates.