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I have a 3 year old Navtech based CD GPS system in my Volvo and purchased this device to use in my older SUV that has no GPS system installed. I first tried using the new Streetpilot on a recent trip to Dubuque Iowa from Chicago; using it and the in car systems simultaneously to compare them. The Garmin SP 2620 outperfomed the Navtech installed system hands down. Although the in car system found satellites instantly the Garmin only took about 10 seconds to find them on start up. And it is MUCH faster on route calculations and more importatnly recalculations, about 3x faster. The in car sytem could not locate the exact street address in Dubuque even though I had the Iowa CD disk installed. The Garmin unit did. The details on local businesses was MUCH better with the Garmin. The map was clearer and was better illuminated. Only things I'd like to have in the Garmin would be a two map display option (for differing zooms of the the same route at the same time) and a display of the remianing miles on the main route display, you can get it but it's on another routing description page. The Garmin does display more immediately useful info such as time and distance to next turn so this is a very minor quibble. It is solid, extremely well built unit and mounts very nicely. It tilts and twists to optimize viewing. The "beanbag" friction mount works very well. The nice thing about the portable system is it's portabilty to other cars and rentals, for instance you can loan it to friends and family if you wish! Furthermore, upgrading is very easy via the Garmin web site whereas updates for my Volvo Navtech in car system have been rare and expensive. The hard drive in the Garmin is a memory card which I can see being enlarged if necessary but the current 512mb card has plenty of map details on it. A new CD disk set for my in car system costs over $200, the Garmin updates so far are free. Overall a stellar value and a device that exceeded my expectations in every way. If you travel by car (and who really likes flyng anyway?)in the US and/or Canada, get one, you'll love it.

Love this thing!!!!! We took a road trip from Illinois to Tennessee, then on to Florida and back without ever having to look at a map. It led us everywhere we wanted to go flawlessly.

I got this as a birthday present from my beau in May and during that time, I was moving to be with him from Houston to The Bay Area, California. We drove for 3 days with the Streetpilot from state-to-state... we had no problems with it. It was helpful as it found our hotel/motel rooms, places to eat 50 miles away, rest areas and more!

It's very very easy to use and with it being a touch screen, it's a no-brainer...

However.. the reason I gave it 4 stars out of 5 is because now since I live in The Bay Area and want to explore new restaurants (instead of frequenting at the same ones), the GPS had given me 3-4 restaurants that are no longer there. It gets frustrating when you see a busted building... TWICE when HUNGRY. We settled for Red Lobster (the joy.). Since learning this, I now have a tendency to call them from my cell phone (the GPS will give you street address and phone number).

ALSO, as I took my family to San Francisco, the GPS lost it's satellite quite a few times. I think it was because of the tall buildings.

Also, when we tried to go to Golden Gate Park from Sausalito, the GPS kept telling me to "go OFF ROAD". I wasn't too sure if she was right, but I kept driving and found the exit a mile later.

The good outweighs the few bad -- plus it's a WHOLE lot better than using printed out mapquest directions.

Since the beau and I relied so much on Hertz Neverlost (compact cars start off @ $39.99/day for A COMPACT plus $7.99/day for the Neverlost), we could go with a cheaper rental car company and bring our own GPS. Plus, we plan on taking more in-state trips with this baby.

Anyway, if this is worth anything, my sister was so impressed with my birthday toy that she bought one too because she vacations alot to different cities.

This is worth the money if you:
1) Love traveling
2) Travel Frequently
3) Moved to a new city
4) Plan to do more short local weekend vacations
5) Are a road tripper!

I see this 2620 lasting many many years...