The Garmin StreetPilot 7200 is a new wide-screen GPS navigation device with a 7" display, designed for larger vehicles such as RV's, semi-trucks and buses. The 7200 includes an audio book reader, an MP3 player and XM satellite radio. With XM radio, you not only get music, but also weather and real-time traffic conditions that overlay maps in major metropolitan areas in the U.S. The StreetPilot 7200 uses this data to automatically calculate and suggest faster alternate routes before traffic starts backing up. Of course this is all in addition to pre-loaded maps of North America, a touch screen interface and voice-prompted routing.
So what distinguishes this unit from those above and below it? The primary difference between it and the StreetPilot 2730 is the big screen on the 7200. Step up to the StreetPilot 7500 and you'll get a a dead-reckoning feature that allows drivers to continue receiving navigational cues when GPS signals are obscured – such as in tunnels – through a built-in solid state gyro and a connection to a vehicle’s odometer system.
Here's what Amazon.com has to say in their review:
"...The 7200 is a high-end GPS navigation device with text-to-speech functionality that allows the unit to audibly announce the names of upcoming streets and points of interest. This lets you keep your eyes on the road while navigating through busy traffic and tricky roadways. The 7200's 480 x 234 widescreen, automotive-grade touchscreen display automatically dims and brightens based on ambient light conditions. An included wireless remote control can be used to operate the device's functions..."
Here's what others are saying:
- If early reviews are any indication, the 7200 is going to be incredibly popular. At the time of this posting, five customers have reviewed it at Amazon, and they all gave it a perfect five star review. Here are their StreetPilot 7200 reviews .
- GPS Information.net has also posted their StreetPilot 7200 review.
- PCMag.com reviews the StreetPilot 7200, giving it 3-1/2 out of 5 stars
Listed below are some other helpful resources:
- A link to a PDF version of the StreetPilot 7200 owners manual.
- Want to see how the 7200 stacks up against other units? Use this Garmin mobile GPS comparison tool.
- I know of no active and spam-free message forum devoted solely to the StreetPilot series, but there is an excellent UseNet group devoted to Garmin products in general at alt.satellite.gps.garmin.
Compare prices on the Garmin StreetPilot 7200 at these merchants:
- Check the current StreetPilot 7200 price at Amazon.
- Find the low price for the StreetPilot 7200 at GPS Now.com, where shipping is free on orders over $99 (and the upgrade to overnight shipping is dirt cheap!). Order by 5 p.m. Central Time for same day shipment.
- Get the Garmin StreetPilot 7200 for an amazing price on eBay.
From the official Garmin StreetPilot 7200 web page:
The StreetPilot 7200's huge 7-inch touch-screen display means you'll always see where you're going — from anywhere in the vehicle. Designed for larger vehicles such as RVs, semi-trucks, and buses, our 7000-series are premium automotive units that come preloaded with City Navigator NT detailed maps and display navigation, entertainment, traffic and weather on a grand sunlight-readable display.
Traffic
With the purchase of an optional sensor, the StreetPilot 7200 and its counterpart, the StreetPilot 7500, notify you of accidents, road construction, and weather-related traffic delays before they are encountered, and then offer an alternate route. This optional traffic management capability makes driving with GPS essential, even if you know where you're going.
Traffic is delivered to the 7000 series through the GTM 10, GTM 11 or GXM 30 antenna (purchased separately). Get traffic alerts broadcasted by Clear Channel in select U.S. cities with the GTM 10 or GTM 11 FM TMC traffic receiver. Traffic services accessed with the GXM 30 Smart Antenna require a subsription to XM NavTraffic.
Weather
View real-time weather conditions with the optional GXM™ 30 Smart Antenna and a XM NavTraffic subscription. Find out the local forecast for your route or campsite down the road. Available weather information includes current conditions, city forecasts, and warnings for tornados, thunderstorms, and floods.
Entertainment
The StreetPilot 7200 and 7500 also include a host of features to keep you entertained during your travels, including an internal MP3 player, XM radio, and audio books. The built-in MP3 player lets users browse music by artist, album, song, or genre. Music can be loaded onto an SD card and is “drag-and-drop” easy – no special software is required. The XM Radio (with the optional GXM 30 Smart Antenna and XM Satellite Radio subscription) features 150-plus channels of commercial-free music, sports, news, talk, and entertainment. The StreetPilot 7200 and 7500 are also compatible with www.audible.com, a subscription-based audio book service. All music or speech files can be emitted over the vehicle’s existing speakers, through the StreetPilot’s built-in FM wireless transmitter or via the unit’s headphone/line-out jack. The entertainment audio is muted when navigation instructions are given.
Street Navigator
The StreetPilot 7000 series contains all of the features you've come to know and love in a Garmin, including intuitive navigation with automatic route calculation; voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions; 2D or 3D map view; and automatic rerouting if a motorist strays off course. The unit speaks street names, so users will know to “turn right on Main Street.” Enter a series of destinations, and the unit will automatically sort them to provide an efficient route. With its POI Loader software, Garmin has also made it possible for customers to augment pre-loaded maps with custom POIs such as school zones and safety cameras.
The face of the StreetPilot 7200 and 7500 only has one button — an on/off switch. The side and back of the unit houses integrated internal speaker, mini USB port, AV input, SD card slot and 3.5 mm audio jack. A wireless infrared alphanumeric remote control that allows easy operation of the device from a distance is standard equipment.
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