Garmin StreetPilot 7500

If you are a real GPS manic, you’ll put a big attention for this Garmin 7500, It has HUUUGE screen…., however its not equipped with high sensitivity receiver like SIRF III, only 12 parallel channel GPS receiver, the same receiver with Garmin 12XL that I used 10 years ago. I still can’t believe how this US$ 1300 product used the same receiver as US$ 150 product, if the costumer want to spend 1300 bucks, they will happy to add 50-60 bucks for high sensitivity GPS receiver. And this giant GPS only can memorized 2000 track log points (instead of 10,000 in most GPSMap). In this situation Garmin 7500 will facing lot of competitors in 7” size screen, especially with China’s product integrated GPS and DVD/CD player in 2 DIN size which is easily mounted in your dash, this product price ranging from US$ 550 to US$ 800.

Feature
* WAAS enabled; 12 parallel channel GPS
* Antenna: Built-in GPS patch-style antenna; MCX-type connector for external GPS antenna
* Unit Dimensions: 7.5”W x 4.5”H x 2.2”D
* Display: 7” (16:9) WQVGA, 480 x 234 pixel, color TFT with automatic dimming backlight and touch screen
* Weight: 1.4 pounds
* SD card slot and internal memory provides storage for MP3, audio books and additional MapSource products
* Built-in speaker for radio and navigation instructions
* Composite video input for external analog source such as backup camera
* Send audio to the car stereo through the integrated FM wireless transmitter or 3.5 mm stereo headphone/line-out plug
* User-selectable languages for voice and text
*Battery: no
*Battery life: external power only
*Waterproof: no
*High-sensitivity receiver: no
*RoHS version available: yes
*Basemap: yes
*Preloaded maps: yes
*Ability to add maps: yes
*Built-in memory: internal solid state
*Accepts data cards: SD card (not included)
*Waypoints/favorites/locations: 2000
*Routes: 50

Product Description
The StreetPilot 7500'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, 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. All of this, combined with the StreetPilot 7500's dead reckoning capabilities, makes it one powerful urban navigator.

The Latest Traffic Technology The 7500 offers a choice of mobile traffic information options. First, you can choose an optional GTM 10 or GTM 11 FM antenna that allows you to get traffic alerts broadcasted by Clear Channel in select U.S. cities. This 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.

If you want to step up to the next level of driving data, choose the optional GXM 30 antenna, which provides compatibility with XM satellite radio services. XM NavTraffic is the first nationwide satellite-based data traffic information service to enable an onscreen overlay of current traffic conditions. The 7500 uses this data to automatically calculate and suggest faster alternative routes long before traffic starts backing up. Accidents, road construction, or other incidents affecting traffic are graphically represented as icons on the navigation map. Precise information relating to a traffic incident is also available, including the exact location of the incident, the lanes affected, and the predicted duration. What's more, roadways are color-coded to indicate directional traffic flow speed.

The 7500 can also keep you up to date on weather conditions, thanks to XM weather data. Current weather conditions for over 2,000 locations and weather forecasts for 162 cities are displayed on the screen. United States county storm and flood warnings are also highlighted, giving you the best and latest information available for your travels.

The 7500 can also serve as a powerful entertainment device, as it offers more than 150 channels of XM satellite radio channels, featuring 100-percent commercial-free music, as well as more than 30 channels of news, sports, and talk. You can send XM and navigation audio to your car stereo through the StreetPilot's integrated FM wireless transmitter or via an integrated 3.5 mm stereo headphone/line-out plug. And if that's not enough, the 7500 also comes equipped with an MP3 player that lets you take your personal music collection on the road. Loading music from your computer is drag-and-drop easy, and there's no need for special software. The 7500 also works as an audiobook player; you can download books from audible.com and enjoy your favorite authors on the road. Plus, thanks to the 7500's AV in connector, you can connect and play a portable device, such as a DVD player, on the unit's massive screen. For safety's sake, entertainment audio is muted when navigation instructions are given.

An integrated dash-mounting system provides easy adjustment and quick release, while an integrated speaker enables the 2730 to deliver voice prompts (or, as mentioned, you can use the built-in FM transmitter to route commands to your vehicle stereo system.) An internal antenna that communicates with up to 12 GPS satellites is provided, as is a USB port for PC connectivity. There's also an MCX-type connector for hooking up an optional external GPS antenna, as well as a SecureDigital (SD) memory card slot and a headphone jack.

Another time- and frustration-saving feature of the 7500 is the database of preloaded maps and points of interest. Gone are the days of uploading partial maps from your computer to your GPS device: the 7500 has them all built in. The unit comes preloaded with Garmin's highly detailed MapSource City Navigator NT North America maps of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Finding points of interest along your route is made easy with the 7500's huge built-in database of nearly six million hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions. Garmin has also made it easy for users to upload custom points of interest--now you can add school zones or safety cameras to your database. You can even turn on a proximity alert to notify you of upcoming custom points of interest.

Dead Reckoning
As a step-up feature from the 7200, the 7500 includes dead reckoning sensors to track your vehicle's course when the GPS signal is blocked, which can occur when driving in urban areas or tunnels. If you lose GPS coverage in areas with tall buildings or tunnels, the StreetPilot 7500 keeps on navigating. This feature requires professional installation.

Note: Subscriptions are required for XM NavTraffic and XM Radio services. A subscription may be required for use of the GTM 10 or GTM 11 traffic services, which are not available in all areas.

Garmin GPSMap 276C

Price: (12 January 2008)
Amazon.com : US$ 460

Garmin.com: US$ 642.8
Otomasi.com : Rp. 5.900.000

Together with Garmin 12XL, Garmin GPSMAP 60csx, the GPSMap 276c is one of my favorite GPS for outdoor activities. It has a rugged body, large and clear screen and weather/waterproof.. I used to install the 276c in my motorbike or in dashboard of my jeep while traveling out of town. The tracking capability is up to 10,000 points, this feature will not found in most of the new and stylish Garmin Nuvi series (except some series). If you living in a country with lack of GPS map availability, Garmin GPSMap 276C is one of the choice. The 276C also supports external NMEA sources for water depth, water temperature, and water speed through two serial interfaces.

Product Description
This WAAS-enabled, 12 parallel channel GPS receiver provides color chart plotting for both land and sea, making it an excellent addition to any boat or automobile dashboard. Its display-- 3.8-inch, 480 x 320 pixel, 256-color backlit TFT--provides enhanced sunlight-readability, and its adjustable quad helix receiving antenna with remote antenna capability delivers superior data reception.

Used with your car, the 276c's auto routing capability lets you select a destination and get turn-by-turn directions. There's even voice prompt guidance; just hook up a 12-volt speaker cable (sold separately) and the GPSMAP 276C will audibly tell you when you need to turn and how much farther you have to go.

Data provided with the unit includes 3000 user waypoints with an expanded list of waypoint symbols; 50 reversible routes with 1,200 waypoints per route; 10,000 point automatic track log with 15 saved tracks and 700 saved track points each; position formats including Lat/Lon, UTM, Loran TDs, Maidenhead, MGRS, User, and more; a large numbers option for easy viewing, and much more.

In addition to its built-in basemap detail (cities, interstates, coastline detail and US tide stations), the GPSMAP 276C accepts data from MapSource CD-ROMs, including BlueChart for offshore detail, Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots for detail of selected inland lakes, and City Select for street-level maps. The package includes the GPSMAP 276c, USB interface cable, power/data cable, marine mount, Trip & Waypoint Manager CD, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, owner’s manual, and a quick reference guide. Manufacturer rating of the battery lists it at up to 15 hours of use depending on backlight setting.

Product Features
10,000 point automatic track log; 15 saved tracks
WAAS-enabled, 12 parallel channel GPS receiver
Built-in basemap with automatic routing and turn-by-turn directions
Accepts standard Garmin data cards and pre-programmed data cards
Large numbers option for easy viewing

Technical Details
Receiver: WAAS-enabled, 12 parallel channel GPS
Screen resolution: 480 x 320 pixels
Display: 256-color, sunlight readable TFT with adjustable backlight
Receiver dimensions: 5.7 x 3.2 x 1.9 inches
PC compatibility: Loading and PC downloading of waypoints/routes, tracks and device configuration
Waterproof: IEC 60529, IPX7 (Submersible to 1 meter at 30 minutes)
Waypoints: 3000 user waypoints with an expanded list of waypoint symbols
Routes: 50 reversible routes with 1,200 waypoints per route
Tracks: 10,000 point automatic track log; 15 saved tracks, 700 saved track points each
In the Box: GPSMAP 276C unit, USB interface cable, power/data cable, marine mount, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, owner's manual, quick reference guide, MapSource Trip, and Waypoint Manager CD-ROM

Free Maps

The following links are sources of free various maps including GPS map.

http://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com : a place where you can share your maps for Garmin GPS receivers and find maps created by other GPS enthusiasts from all over the world. All uploaded maps that can be found here are free at least for personal use and are ready to be uploaded to your Garmin receiver

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/EART/MapCollections.html: Unlike the United States (where digital maps are readily available), in other parts of the world, accurate maps are considered essential to national security and can be difficult to obtain. You can download topographic maps for many countries

http://www.doylesdartden.com/gis/ : David Doyle is an environmental geologist who maintains an extensive list of U.S. digital map resources. His list at this site is organized by state. You’ll find hundreds of links for aerial photographs, topographic maps, geological maps, and many other different types of digital maps.

http://www.macgpspro.com/index.html: James Associates makes MacGPS Pro, a product for interfacing GPS receivers. The company hosts a list of United States and international free map
sources.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/: other favorite academic map site is the University of Texas at Austin’s Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection. This site has an extensive collection of online maps (as well as links to sites that host maps) for countries and places all over the world.

http://oddens.geog.uu.nl/index.php: The most comprehensive collection of map links on the Internet is Odden’s Bookmarks. This European Web site has over 20,000 links to maps and map sites all over the world.

* some of the information for the free maps link are modified from GPS for Dummies Books by Joel McNamara