Garmin 7200 and 7500 Announced

[PanEuropean]

This is the GPSR I have been testing recently - I couldn't say anything about it in the forum before, but as of this morning, Garmin has the details listed on the public website at this link: Garmin StreetPilot 7200. There is also a 7500 model that supports dead reckoning, just like the 2650 and 2660 did.

I've driven about 1,500 miles so far with a 7200 and I am VERY impressed with this GPSR. I love the big screen, and can't say enough good things about the screen size. At first I thought it would be too big for a car, but it's not too big at all - here are photos of it in my North American VW and my Swiss VW. Later this week, I will mount it on my Honda PanEuropean and see how it works. It's not waterproof, but I am sure it won't be too difficult to protect it from light moisture with some strategic placement of clear tape.

The user interface is identical to the 2720 in every respect, so, if you know how to work a 2720, you will be an instant expert with a 7200.

Michael

PS: Did I mention it does everything the 2720 does - speed cameras, traffic reports, and even XM satellite radio reception (XM in America only, that's where the satellite is). It also includes a MP3 player, and a slot on the side that takes a SD chip to hold MP3 recordings, etc. Plus, it accepts a video feed, though I don't think that will be of much use on the moto.

Garmin 7200

 

[Wolfman]

Holder on dash

Hi Pan,

I haven't used the seperate holder on the dash, as I am worried it will damage the dash, when I have to remove it.

I know there are two types, but does the tempory one stay fixed, without damaging the surface (Drive Mondeo 04)( I know, but someone has to drive them and the Estate is a fantastic work horse).

Gary,

"I'd rather be riding my 1100GS, but have to earn the money, so I can ride It!!!"

 

[PanEuropean]

Hi Gary:

Actually, in my humble opinion, the 'temporary' sticky pad is far more effective than the 'permanant' sticky pad. The temporary one sticks like shit on a blanket, and never lets go. If you do want to remove it (and get rid of all evidence of it), you pry it off with a hard plastic tool such as a kitchen spatula - or cut it off using dental floss - then use 3M Adhesive Remover to get rid of any residue. You can buy a can of 3M Adhesive Remover at any stockist that supplies materials to the auto repair trade. It's not cheap (about USD $20 for a can), but once you have had it around the garage for a few weeks, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. It also works wonders for removing road tar, stains from fabric, stuff like that.

The mount you see in the picture of the Golf above (the Golf is the VW without all the wood trim) is held in place with the 'temporary' sticky base - I think I installed it in 2001.

Michael

3M Adhesive Remover

 

[oddball]

But does it do postcodes?

I am struggling to make a decision on which unit to go for as I prefer 3d mapping with full postcode recognition. I like the ruggedness of the Garmin units but most fail the postcode and 3d test - exception of the new replacement for the 2610 which does have 3d mapping.

I have built in gps in the two BMW cars I have (both 2005) and frankly its not as good a the TomTom Navigator 5 I run on an HP PDA. In fact, it looks a lot like the gps you have in your VW (phaeton?) in so much as the mapping is crap and the views are not very good. And before anyone asks why you by £2500 worth of gps thats crap, you do not buy a luxury car without putting certain options in that make it more desirable when you come to sell it.

I saw the TomTom rider at the NEC and it looks pretty good. Not due for release until, ah who knows as the date keeps going back and back and back. Im not sure what the problem is they are having as the unit and operation seem identical to the "Go" product they have. Other big negative here is they are talking £600 ish for the unit, thats before you buy additional mapping for Europe etc.

 

[PanEuropean]

Hi:

The Garmin 27xx series (so far, the 2720 and 2730 have been announced) and the Garmin 7xxx series (7200 and 7500) all support 3D presentation of maps. My own guess is that Garmin will be providing 3D presentation of maps in every GPSR they produce from now on. It seems to be a feature that many people like.

I know what you mean about the OEM automotive GPSRs. They all seem to be about 3 years behind current aftermarket technology. The only OEM unit I have seen that competes with Garmin's current products is the nav system in the new Mercedes S series. OEM nav comes standard on the VW Phaeton in North America - you get it whether you want it or not.

I'm not at all familiar with Tom Tom products, so, I can't comment on them.

Michael

 

[Keyframe]

Cooooool wheels Pan

Is that a VW Phaeton

?

 

[cookie]

Is that a VW Phaeton

?

i believe it is, very nice car.

i know the bloke that bought the other one as well

 

[PanEuropean]

i know the bloke that bought the other one as well

That is funny. They are not selling well in North America, but they do seem to be selling quite well in Europe. It is a nice car. The fuel mileage from the W12 is a little worse than what I got before from my Golf TDI, though.

Michael

 

[NA1959]

Pan European

Hi Pan

You call me thick if you want too!!!!

But in your 1st pic you would apper to have two Sat nav systems. Am I correct?

How does the in built car system compare?

 

[PanEuropean]

The VW in the upper photo came with a built-in nav system. Like the car, the nav system was designed during 2000 and 2001, and went into production in 2002. By 2002 standards, it is a superb piece of work, very well integrated into the car, very well thought out. It is better than any other 2002 era OEM automotive system.

However - by November 2005 standards - well, let's just say that a SP III could run rings around it.

Michael

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

how much and whens it out?