Garmin StreetPilot 2720 Review

To call this GPS award winning is no overstatement. The Garmin StreetPilot 2720 was recognized in Popular Science as one of the best of "what's new for 2005" and it's also a winner of PC Magazine's Editors' Choice award.

The StreetPilot 2720 updates the older StreetPilot 2620, adding an improved, higher resolution screen and optional FM traffic services (see below). It also adds text-to-speech functionality, so it can call out upcoming street names and points of interest (POIs). Step up to the StreetPilot 2730 and you get XM radio compatibility, including weather and XM NavTraffic options.

There are dozens of reader reviews of the StreetPilot 2720 at Amazon, where the editors had this to say...

Compare prices on the Garmin StreetPilot 2720

"...Garmin really kicks the power of the 2720 up a notch with the addition of real-time traffic information. This optional service will display congested areas on a color-coded map, allowing you to avoid traffic by simply pushing a button that calculates a new route. All this wizardry is made possible by the new Garmin GTM 10 receiver that connects to the 2720 and other select Garmin products. Note that while the GTM 10 receives digital data from specific FM broadcast stations in select major metro areas throughout the United States and Europe, these traffic services are available only in select cities where coverage exists. The service requires the GTM 10 FM TMC traffic receiver and, in some cases, a subscription to enable these traffic capabilities."

Here's what others are saying:

• PC Magazine, as mentioned, gave the Garmin 2720 their Editors' Choice award.
• Meanwhile, here is Popular Science's 2720 review.
• Over at ZDNet, 19 users gave an average of 6.4 out of 10 rating in their Street Pilot 2720 GPS review.
• GPSinformation.net, a great GPS website, also has a review of the Gamin StreetPilot 2720.

Here are some additional resources:

• A PDF version of the StreetPilot 2720 manual.
• Want to see how the StreetPilot 2720 compares to other models? Check out this Garmin mobile GPS comparison tool.
• The alt.satellite.gps.garmin Usenet discussion group.

Compare prices on the StreetPilot 2720 at these merchants:

• Check the current StreetPilot 2720 price at Amazon.com.
• Find the low price on a StreetPilot 2720 at GPSNow.com.
• Get the Garmin StreetPilot 2720 for an amazing price on eBay.

From Garmin's official Street Pilot 2720 page.

The StreetPilot 2720 is a premium GPS automotive navigator that offers text-to-speech and traffic interface capabilities.

In addition to the turn-by-turn voice prompted navigation available in earlier StreetPilot models, the 2720’s text-to-speech functionality allows the unit to audibly announce the name of upcoming streets and points of interest (POIs), letting drivers keep their eyes on the road while navigating through busy traffic and tricky roadways.

For drivers in congested metropolitan areas, Garmin is offering the GTM 10, an optional FM RDS-TMC traffic receiver that receives digital information (where available) on traffic, road construction, and weather-related tie-ups. The GTM 10 receives data from selected FM broadcast stations in select cities throughout the United States and Europe. This optional feature lets drivers see congested areas via a color-coded map. When connected to the GTM 10, the StreetPilot 2720 uses this data to automatically calculate and suggest alternative routes based on the traffic information.

The StreetPilot 2720 also boasts a new WQVGA, color, automotive-grade, sunlight-readable,  touchscreen display that automatically adjusts the unit’s backlight for optimum viewing in any amount of light. Drivers can view the map in a three-dimensional perspective, or a top-down track-up or north-up view.

The StreetPilot 2720 comes preprogrammed with City Navigator™ North America NT maps—containing detailed road maps throughout the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This map database features nearly six million POIs —including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions.

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

In addition to point-to-point navigation, the StreetPilot 2720 can calculate the most efficient route between multiple destinations—a real time-saver for realtors, sales forces, and errand-runners. Drivers can also tell the unit to avoid specific areas or road segments when calculating a route.

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