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Cracking Open the Garmin StreetPilot c330

By // November 29, 2007, 5:54 AM PST // HuTerra

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  • The Garmin StreetPilot c330 mounted in a vehicle, using the windshield suction mount.

    By Nicole Bremer Nash

    The Garmin StreetPilot c330 is a great GPS navigation device, that's been getting rave reviews. One thing the reviews don't mention is the c330's rugged toughness - something we had to tackle in order to crack it open.

    Read my Geek Gift review of the Garmin StreetPilot C330 GPS Navigator.

  • Included components

    The c330 comes with an AC cord for plugging into a car lighter, a suction mount that allows the unit to be mounted on the windshield or dashboard, and the unit itself -- a small T.V.-like touch-screen unit.

  • Side view

    The c330 has a volume wheel, USB port, and power button on one side.

  • Other side view

    This model features an SB memory card slot, and one speaker on each side.

  • Back view

    A simple nut and bolt on the back is the first step to cracking the c330 open.

  • Sawing on the c330

    Removing the nut and bolt from the back did not allow the unit to be opened, so we had to get creative and saw all the way around to open the case.

  • Cracking the StreetPilot c330 open

    Unscrewing, sawing, and prying didn't work, so we decided to try driving over the unit. The c330 is built super-tough, with screws and glue points inside that cannot be accessed from the exterior.

  • Crack!

    Backing over the c330 with a mini-van finally cracked it open!

  • Fizzle!

    When the c330 finally cracked, there was a flash of orange and blue, and a good puff of smoke.

  • Partially open side view

    At this point, the unit is still stuck together along one side.

  • Partially open other side view

    The power and volume switches and USB port have been successfully released from the housing.

  • Prying open

    A considerable amount of force still had to be applied in order to force the unit apart.

  • Shattered screen

    The screen did not hold up well to being driven over.

  • Inside the unit-- battery and speakers.

    Notice the blackened wires coming out of the battery. That's probably what created the sparks and smoke when the unit was cracked open.

  • Covered circuit board

    The metal plate in the middle is probably supposed to protect the circuit board from being touched by the battery wires. Note the blackened mark on the bottom left of the metal plate. That is probably where the batteries hit during the crack, causing the sparks and smoke.

  • Crushed USB port

    Note the crushed USB port -- it held up surprisingly well.

  • Exposed circuit board

    The protective metal plate is easily lifted off the circuit board.

  • Exposed circuit board, close-up

    A closer look at what the metal plate protects.

  • Lifting off the circuit board

    Three screws removed, the circuit board still must be pried off due to glued bolts on all four corners.

  • Circuit ribbons under circuit board

    Prying up one side of the circuit board reveals circuit ribbons that will need to be detached.

  • Pre-pried circuit board

    A look at the interior side of the circuit board before the hard prying begins.

  • Control locations

    The power button is still mostly intact. The StreetPilot c330 is surprisingly tough.

  • Circuit board removed

    The circuit board is pried off, and flipped over here. You can see how it would fit back into the monitor side of the unit.

  • Circuit board fully exposed

    The monitor side of the circuit board also had protective metal plates that were easily lifted off.

  • Screen and monitor

    The screen did not hold up to the cracking, but the monitor looks as if it might still work if put into a new unit.

  • Fully disassembled

    Though difficult to crack open, the Garmin StreetPilot c330 is fairly simple inside.

    Read my Geek Gift review of the Garmin StreetPilot C330 GPS Navigator.

The Garmin StreetPilot c330 mounted in a vehicle, using the windshield suction mount.

By Nicole Bremer Nash

The Garmin StreetPilot c330 is a great GPS navigation device, that's been getting rave reviews. One thing the reviews don't mention is the c330's rugged toughness - something we had to tackle in order to crack it open.

Read my Geek Gift review of the Garmin StreetPilot C330 GPS Navigator.

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About Nicole Nash

Nicole Bremer Nash is Director of Content and Social Media for HuTerra, where she uses SEO and social media to promote charitable organizations in their community-building and fundraising efforts. She enjoys volunteering, arts and crafts, and conduct...