Garmin StreetPilot i2 2.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

by Garmin

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 2.2 x 2.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000ACGQI8
• Item model number: 010-00433-00
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (131 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

No larger than a baseball and priced with affordability in mind, the StreetPilot i2 GPS navigation system is a great fit for commuters, college students, and corporate travelers looking to experience the ease and enjoyment of satellite navigation for the first time. Don't let the small size fool you; the i2 boasts many of the same powerful functions as Garmin's premium vehicle GPS navigators.

The StreetPilot i2 features a unique and convenient click-to-enter scroll wheel and a back button that makes it easy to select a destination from the unit's menu-driven interface. It also offers voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions through a built-in speaker, and should you miss a turn, the i2 will automatically recalculate the route to put you back on course. And perhaps most conveniently, the unit moves easily from vehicle to vehicle thanks to the integrated suction cup mount, so you don't need to go through a cumbersome process each time you change cars.

The StreetPilot i2 is the monochrome-screened version in the i-series.

Voice prompts and a destination flag help you get to your next destination quickly and effeciently.

A convenient click-to-enter scroll wheel and a "back" button make it easy to select a destination.

To get you from point A to point B, the StreetPilot i2 includes a MapSource City Select North America NT DVD, which contains mapping detail of the entire U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. The DVD's nearly six million points of interest range from hotels and restaurants to gas stations and ATMs, along with local attractions such as amusement parks and museums. Simply load the City Select data onto the included 128 MB Transflash data card via a fast USB connection and you're set.

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

Maps are displayed on the i2's high-contrast backlit FSTN monochrome display, which includes a backlight for difficult lighting conditions. Motorists even have the choice of multiple perspectives--either a 3-D mapping angle or an overhead bird's-eye view. For added convenience, drivers can power the unit with either two AA batteries (six hours, typical use) or the included 12-volt adapter cable.

The StreetPilot i2 measures 3 x 2.74 x 2.15 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
StreetPilot i2, America's Lite Routable base map, City Select North America DVD, PC/USB cable, 12-volt adapter cable, vehicle suction-cup mount, dashboard adhesive disk, 128 MB Transflash data card, setup guide, user's manual.

Product Description

The StreetPilot i2 is an extremely compact, affordable automotive GPS. This affordable navigator offers automatic routing capabilities with turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance. The StreetPilot i2 offers the same great navigation features as the i3, but it has a high contrast, FSTN, monochrome display. The StreetPilot i2 includes a compact vehicle windshield mount that allows for easy transfer between vehicles. The StreetPilot i3 is powered externally with the included 12-volt power adapter cable or using 2 AA batteries. The StreetPilot i2 comes with a MapSource City Select North America NT v7 DVD providing mapping detail throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico (including rural areas). Map data can be loaded onto the included 128MB TransFlash card, which allows the unit to display residential streets, addresses, business listings and more. The database features nearly six million points of interest ¿ including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions. Map data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic value, June 5, 2006

By 

domeboy "domeboy" (Rochester, New York United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Garmin StreetPilot i2 2.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I have had a Garmin iQue 3600 for over 3 years. I recently bought the i2 for my wife. We just used it in Phoenix for a few days and I must say I'm considering getting the i2 for myself. The suction cup works well and it is very compact and connects to the DC power via the mini-USB port. It makes for a very compact traveling companion.

At first, I felt that the hard button controls and no touch screen would make the interface difficult to use. To be honest, it works better in most cases! The thumb wheel/button works great and the back button is intuitive like a browser. It picks up the sats fast and gets great reception. The B&W screen is easier to see in sunlight and is pretty sharp and surprising usable for the small size. The voice is loud (and adjustable) and we had little or no issues. I like the 3D mode but you can switch to 2D if you like that better.

I agree with other reviewers about one way streets and occasional longer than needed routes. Also, U turns are a fact of life in Phoenix and it usually doesn't factor in U turns as a possibility so it takes you down and around instead. However, adjustments can be made in the settings to look for or avoid highways and not to ignore U turns, so look there.

I find that mounting my iQue is a pain so I use an external antenna and a sand bag mount. Having to haul all that on trips was a pain. I'll take the i2 from now on as it is all in one and very packable. I can see how there would be issues on windshield placement so think about that before you buy. I had no trouble on 2 different rental cars. Make sure you press solidly in middle of back before flipping lever and it wont go anywhere.

All in all, when you factor in the small size, nice usability and the price, this one is definitely top of the list! If you want a unit you will likely use in your own car all the time, I would suggest the iQue in a hard mount or the C300 series. These have touch screens and allow you to slide scroll and such. But they are twice the money!

50 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Form Factor, Good Features, Unsafe Routing, November 30, 2005

By 

Robert Salita "Software Developer" (CHI PAR PHX SYD PDX CLD NKC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Garmin StreetPilot i2 2.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

Love the price point and features. Size of a tennis ball. Monochrome screen is quite readable although color would help (Garmin i3 model). Streets appear clearly and correctly. Voice volume setting can be set to loud. Input is sufficiently easy and responsive. Rerouting is fast (5 seconds). Satellite signal sensitivity is good when suctioned to windshield. I like that it uses two AA (rechargable) batteries.

The unit's routing performance in Chicago is very disappointing both in terms of routing and safety. It has consistantly failed to take one-way streets into account while routing. Worse, it consistantly commands you to turn the wrong way into one-way streets. This is a major safety hazard. All the one-way streets in this area have been so for at least 15 years. I don't understand this failure. Also the routing has been quite poor. It has us unnecessarily zig-zagging through streets. My routing woes are consistant with other reviewers (see Garmin i3 reviews).

Price and features make this unit worth recommending but given it's unsafe behavior, I recommend using with caution. If Garmin corrects its routing, I shall keep the device for years. Otherwise, it's just an interim solution.

23 January 2006: Very pleased with routing in Phoenix and Portland, OR. I'm appreciating the device the more I use it. It's a great value with well implemented UI and features.

21 February 2006: Worked in Las Vegas pretty well although newer areas weren't fully accurate.

2 September 2006: Thought I had bricked the unit during a failed firmware upgrade. The screen showed "System Software Missing" and couldn't be turned off. Turns out I only needed to download "Unit Software Garmin i2" from [...]. It brought the unit back to life. Another indicator of thoughtful engineering. Congratulations to Garmin engineers for sidestepping failed firmware upgrades.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Product for the money., May 4, 2006

By 

A. Gowda - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Garmin StreetPilot i2 2.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I got Garmin I2 after extensive research online and feedback from friends who use GPS. I narrowed it down to Garmin I2 or I3 for the reasons
1.That you can get a 1gb transflash card for $45 and load the enitre map of USA and Canada and never have to go to your PC to load anything for the rest of the products lifetime.
2.I wanted a GPS unit to navigate, i.e some of the newer and more expensive units have options of loading pictures and MP3(I got myself an Ipod for the money i saved getting by getting an I2)and yes some of the units have a remote control.
3. Touch screen was one of the tougher decision I had to make. Its faster than the scroll wheel on Garmin I2, the cheapest garmin unit with a touchscreen was more than twice the price of Garmin I2(about $300 more). But they are bigger, i can slide I2 in my trouser pocket. Well, the trade off is it takes 30 seconds longer to type an address.
Now that I had it down to two units(took me two weeks of research!), I chose Garmin I2 over I3 bcz
(a) Its cheaper by about $85.
(b) I had problems reading the color screen with my sunglasses on in a friends car, he told me the same too.
(c) I think the battery might last longer on monochrome screen(not 100% sure).
(d) The pixel count is higher on garmin I2 monochrome screen when compared to I3 color screen.(240 x 176 pixel VS 176 by 220 pixels)
Pros of Garmin I2:
1. Its small.
2. Its as accurate as more expensive GPS units out there(it uses the same map software as other Garmin units use and its got pretty descent reception)
3. The speaker is pretty clear and loud. You can hear it with windows down at 65 miles an hour and listening to music.
4. Screen is very clear, I love the monochrome screen. It dosent fade in sunlight.
5. Very easy to use, its one of the few electronic gadgets you dont need a manual to operate.
Cons:
1. I wish they had a rechargable battery, this thing sucks up AA's.I am forced to use 12 volte adapter cable(comes along), and i dont like wires running around.
2.The suction cup is lousy, it keeps falling off the windsheild. Now i have it mounted on dash, its not so bad anymore.

Overall its one of the better purchases I have made in years. Its got the value and looks good.