Whistler WGPX-550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

by Whistler Radar

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 8 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000F8TTI6
• Item model number: WGPX-550
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,040 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Whistler WGPX-550 GPS offers advanced features that help you arrive quickly and safely at your destination. This portable unit is ready to go when you are--no downloading or PC connection required. Exceptionally easy to use, this system gives you quick access to pre-loaded maps of the United States and millions of points of interest. The WGPX-550 features a large, 3.5-inch color TFT LCD touch screen with turn-by-turn directions, as well as audible and visual prompts to get you where you need to go easily and safely.

The WGPX-550's mapping software (preloaded on a removable SD/MMC card) shows detailed maps of the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, so you can navigate cities and streets while finding your way to restaurants, hotels, post offices, and other key sites. Canadian maps are included on DVD.

When it comes to entertainment options, the WGPX-550 won't let you down. It boasts both a picture viewer and an MP3 player you can access via the digital multi-media card slot. These features allow you to play your favorite songs or view your travel photos on the color screen. Mounting is a snap, too--just use the included windshield mount to keep your unit exactly where you need it. When it's time to move the WGPX-550, it dismounts quickly and easily, so you can plug it in at home or put it in your rental car. For added convenience, this system runs on an internal lithium-ion battery and external 12-volt battery, has a flip-up antenna, external earphone jack, and is WAAS (Wide Area Augmented System) enabled for accuracy in coastal areas. The automatic route re-calculation function even handles unexpected traffic delays or other problems by taking you on an alternate route to your destination.

What's in the Box
WGPX-550 GPS unit, windshield mount, interface bracket, mounting cradle, DC power cord, AC adapter, USB/power cable, SD memory card, battery, DVD, quick guide, and stylus.

Product Description

The Whistler WGPX-550 has a 3.5 inch color TFT LCD touch screen with turn by turn directions, audible and visual prompts to get you where you are going easily and safely. The Whistler mapping software (preloaded on a removable SD/MMC card) shows detail maps of U.S. (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands included) cities, streets, and millions of special points of interest. Canadian maps are on the included DVD. The WGPX-550 has a picture viewer and MP3 player accessed by the digital multi-media card slot. These features allow you to play your favorite songs or view your travel photos on the color screen. Also included are: AC Adapter, Cradle, DC Power Cord, wMap Software DVD, Quick Start Guide, SD/MMC Card, Stylus, USB CAble, and a Windshield Mount.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good., October 16, 2006

By 

Michi (Ohio, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whistler WGPX-550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I was a little suspicious at first, with very few reviews around and Whistler not exactly being a known GPS maker.
However, I am glad to say that I am very happy with this purchase. It comes with a 1GB SD card which is filled with all of USA Navteq maps (Canada is on a included DVD if needed).

The receiver is very good, it locks on inside my house where other units have not. It does however take on the longish side to lock-on at cold start.

Routing is good, and re-routes are instantaneous. It's pretty easy to select an address or POI's. It has the usual route customizations like include/exclude ferries, highways, toll roads, and you can select shortest, quickest, major, local etc... routings. You can select to avoid certain roads or make intermediate stops.

The display is bright and easy to read (and cutomizable with different colors), however it is not non-glare.
The touch screen works very well, including touch panning and such.

I wish the actual display screen was more customizable, like expensive Garmin units, I would like to see altitude at all times for example, but you can't ask for everything I suppose. The altitude is visible on the GPS Status screen though.

It has a built in battery which seems to last for a few hours, so you don't need to always plug it in or you can take it "for a walk".

The fact that it plays MP3's and displays pictures is nice, but I will not use that function.

In order to turn the unit off you need to exit the GPS function rather than just shutting it down, sort of like Windows (I believe it runs Windows CE or a version thereof) and that's a little annoying.

I sort of surprised myself by buying this since I have always had Garmin units before, but I have to say that I am very happy and would buy this again.

And commenting on the other reviewer, my unit does not seem to be off by a certain amount of feet, however, if you are in a driveway, it does want to lock on a road until you are about 20 feet away, but I believe this is normal for automotive GPS units.
And about the speed issue, mot cars show a slightly faster than actual speed, so I would say your GPS is the one that is accurate, not your car speedometer.

Just heard back from Whistler customer support. They say they will have map updates about every year. I also asked if they would have European maps, and they said most likely not...

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good, small, portable, inexpensive., July 8, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: Whistler WGPX-550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I just purchased this item locally for $399.99. Item is not available on E-bay.

DESCRIPTION: The unit is well designed, built on the Windows CE operating system, with a 200 Mhz processor, 20 parallel channels, and a battery for remote (out of vehicle) operation. Display is not the brightest, has good sharpness, easy to read text, good for car use, and viewable in direct daylight. Does not have an anti-glare screen so that can be a problem. Finger prints show up when using touch screen (GPS comes with a stylus, but it is easier to use finger). Has MP3 player, and photo viewer, remember all maps on the included SD card, there is no or little room for music and photos on the included card, you have to get a 2 Gb card to load US and Canada maps and have a little room for music, and photos. (Remember this is a GPS, not a music player or photo viewer).

MAPS: All US maps are loaded on an included 1 gb SD card. Canada maps are available on the included DVD (which also has the manuals).

The device is easy to use, easy to find POI (points of interest) and has lots of POIs. You can direct input addresses, names, cross streets, or by city. (this is a feature you think would be in all GPS devices but it is not. POIs take up memory). I always look for a local zoo, restaurant, and a Las Vegas hotel or two. This device had them all.

EASE OF USE: Very easy to use. If you have ever used a GPS then you will not have any trouble using this unit. After you install the battery, and the sd card, you just power it up and find a location to go to.

COMPARED TO OTHER DEVICES: I have used the Sony u-70, Garmin c330, Myguide 3200. All about the same price. The Sony lacked POIs (lots of them), the Garmin had little memory and little POIs, the Myguide han only western states in the memory and I could not get the software to work on Windows XP or 2000. Called customer support and got no support. The Myguide is good, but no support, unable to load additional maps, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT. Sony has no upgradeable memory (hardware 1 GB).

IN A NUT SHELL;

THE GOOD: small, light weight, good build (plastic), good battery life (4-8 hrs), lots of POIs, all US maps installed, comes with car charger, cradle, window suction mount, should have a case.

THE BAD: not a very bright display (Sony was the sharpest, Myguide was the brightest). Not the fastest (Myguide the fastest 400mhz processor).

THE UGLY: plastic body, (one drop and I am sure it will break), no anti-glare screen (will scratch, will smudge, will cast reflections, lots).

The gps is good, not great. Has lots of useful POIs, and for the price it is not a bad unit. Get it on sale and you will be happy with it as long as you don't drop it.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I ran this thing through the Gauntlet, October 23, 2006

By 

S. Cronin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Whistler WGPX-550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I love my Whistler GPS, I went and did a lot of tests - from everything to taking completely wrong turns, stopping at places not on the programmed route, finding a local supermarket via the way points, going to work while skipping a traffic congested highway, navigating to another state without hitting any tolls, I even went on a really bumpy road to test the holding bracket. Everything was right on! It absolutly amazed me, each time the unit got me right back on track, and the bracket held up to everything I could throw at it. I am going to buy this again for my extended family!