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| Garmin 010-00400-20 StreetPilot 7500 Portable GPS Navigator | 
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| Brand: Garmin
Category: CE
List Price: $1,799.99
Buy New: $690.00
You Save: $1109.99 (62%)
New (17) Used (2) Refurbished (3)
Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 19927
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Native Resolution: 480 x 234
Includes MP3 Player: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 4.5 x 2.2
Array:
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: 010-00400-10
Model: 010-00400-10
UPC: 753759048006
EAN: 0753759048006
ASIN: B000BXVWG2
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
StreetPilot 7500 August 14, 2006
7 out of 10 found this review helpful
This is a great GPS navigator system. Especially when it come to navigate without the satellite, it is great. However, some of the base map that comes with this unit is outdated but for the most part it is quick and responsive when you missed a turn or two. The large display makes it easy to work with. Overall very easy, straight forward to work with and has lots of options. I took this unit on vacation to mid west and it worked as good as northeast. Just type in the address and few seconds latter you are ready to go.
I highly recommend this unit
 Navagation system on steroids!!!! August 7, 2006
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
First off, not for the faint of heart, this is one heck of a GPS unit. Too big for most cars, but one you would love to have. I have a Mistubishi Montero 04 and it fit perfect in the dash, however to veiw movies I had to tilt it making the install look less professional than if I placed it in the center console exciting angle. I love the XM radio which I already had, and the features aren't the best in garmins package, but it functional. Viewing videos are a nice touch, I purchased a vehicle DVD player for it also, but the angle to view is limited in a fixed install. All in all, love it, great deal on Amazon on price, but didn't like the cost of the add on XM antenna, $250.00 bucks more. but my savings on Amazon made the bitter taste easier to swallow.
 Consider the 7200 July 22, 2006
149 out of 149 found this review helpful
I bought the 7500 after much research. It's the most expensive unit, but Garmin seemed best, and the 7200 and 7500 have the largest screens. I only rate it two stars not because of technical short-comings, but rather because it's not what I expected.
The Pros -
* All the maps (US) are included. No need to pay for extra unlocks and deal w/ getting them going.
* Truly did work right out of the box.
* Works well with XM (I pay $17/month for XM Radio and Nav Traffic service, both of which interface seamlessly w/ the unit) (You also have to purchase a Garmin/XM satellite antenna for this, but once you do, you essentially have a portable XM unit as well as a Nav system. )
* Easily plugged into my computer, for loading of mp3s and books.
* Interface is probably not the easiest, but that's because there are so many ways to do what you need to do. If, however, you don't want to muck w/ anything, it's ready to go, and you could just go w/ the default interface.
The Cons -
* Calling customer service is brutal. Once I reached them, they were absolutely knowledgeable and easy to understand. But reaching them meant several failed attempts over several days. If it's not busy, and they're open, you'll be on hold for a long time. After the first few tries I went with their email support. They do respond after 2 days, but after our 3rd back and forth, they told me to call because I had complex questions. I wrote them back, told them calling was difficult, and never heard back. So I did call.
* At issue in that call was the fact that the 7200 and the 7500 are identical except for the couple hundred dollar price tag and the dead-reckoning (ability to calculate where you are even if you lose satellite signal). Reading the online descriptions mentioned nothing about installation. Garmin's own site said that it "requires minimal installation". When I got the unit, the owner's manual said that installation of the dead-reckoning cable must be performed by a Garmin-authorized, licensed technician, and basically involves connecting one wire to your car's speed sensor, and another to the cars backup light wire. So my portable GPS unit is slightly less portable, and `minimal installation,' which I agreed w/ customer service is relative, involves getting behind your car's dashboard, and probably a couple hundred dollars more if you choose to go the Garmin-authorized route, as they suggest. The customer support rep told me that was just to cover themselves, but while I'm not entirely thumbs, I'm not comfortable drilling around in the dash of a new car. Incidentally, the Garmin rep (again, knowledgeable and helpful) told me that I should have read the owner's manual BEFORE buying, online. Ironically, I had browsed through it, and attempted several times to call Garmin to ask them about the dead-reckoning before purchasing. In the end, I did what most people do, and just bought.
* Because of its excellent screen size, don't expect to just let this sit on a bean-bag on your dash; better be ready to bite the bullet and put the adhesive mount on your dash, or buy one of the smaller units.
So the long and short of this is that unless dead-reckoning is an absolute must, and you're willing to do the drilling, go with the cheaper but otherwise identical 7200. Even the owner's manual is the same.
A final note, if you're thinking about buying one, try to figure out when their next update is due. They update once per year, usually in the summer. If you purchase within one month before they come out w/ their new release (Aug 2006) you are entitled to a free update. If not, you either run w/ the software shipped, or you pay $75 to upgrade.
Garmin = Solid Equipment...!!! July 16, 2006
20 out of 27 found this review helpful
I have both a Streetpilot III+ (still works like new) and a Streetpilot 2620 which I use now. Both of those products have convinced me to stick with Garmin since neither one has ever given me a minute's trouble! I have done a lot of research and have read pages of complaints about Magellan's lack of quality in both their products and their service - a shame since they have some really good features, so my next unit will likely be the 7500. There are a few things I don't like about the 2620 that have been fixed (???) in the 7500. Points of interest can now be added without having to update the entire map database. Dead reckoning has been re-released in the 7500 (it was also included with the 2660, but that unit was pulled off the shelves before I could buy it; hence the purchase of the 2620). The display is much larger and offers both 2D and 3D. I am hoping that the power cord fits better: my 2620 cord comes loose mighty easily. Satellite acquisition sometimes takes a long time with the 2620, but the newer units such as the Nuvi have improved in this area...I wonder if the 7500 is also improved in that respect??? I don't really care about listening to music through the GPS since I have an in-dash AM/FM/CD player that I am sure sounds much better. I have gotten used to audible prompts for upcoming turns not speaking the street name and have no trouble with that approach...still, it might be nice to hear the name of the street.
I can't really comment on Garmin's service and support because I have never needed either. The two units I own have never failed me. Firmware updates are available free of charge through Garmin's web-site and are easily installed. Just follow their advice about using the right ones for your unit and you won't have any problems. Map updates are one of the gripes I have with Garmin (and, I suppose this goes for all the major GPS vendors): they cost way too much! There needs to be a better way to keep the maps up to date. If someone comes out with a GPS and allows free map updates for their customers they will OWN the market! All the latest features and gadgets can't compare to accurate map data...anyone listening???
One reviewer wants a qwerty keyboard displayed onscreen. I have been using Streetpilots for over six years and their display is so intuitive that I never thought about a qwerty arrangement. The alphabetic arrangement makes finding letters a breeze, in this man's opinion, and I hope they never change it.
The ability to add multiple waypoints in a route merits a mention; but, as many of you are aware, it is not a cure-all. Until the unit announces your arrival at a point it will not guide you to the next point. This becomes a sizeable issue if, for instance, you select a town as a waypoint. Since the unit cannot read your mind it assumes you want to go straight to City Hall (literally) or else, if no City Hall, to the geographic center of town. In a very small town this is no inconvenience, but imagine using Philadelphia as a waypoint!?!?!? You can use waypoints to great advantage when you have actual addresses to visit: for instance, if you are employed as a delivery person and must visit several locations while out just add the addresses and go. Or, you may be planning a trip and have your stops neatly planned. Input the addresses of each Motel you plan to stay at in the proper order and let your Garmin do the rest.
In terms of quality of construction I doubt you will do better than Garmin. I am judging the competition purely by the reviews I have read, but the negatives are out there in force so I feel justified. Now that the 7500 is priced at a more affordable level I expect to own one. My other units will be passed down to family members with full assurance that they will continue to provide good service.
Everyone should have one. July 15, 2006
23 out of 28 found this review helpful
This GPS is worth every dollar.
If you don't have $1000 dollars to spend, invest in Garmin stock (GRMN) and you soon will have. I did.
Garmin could produce it for less and greatly improve it by eliminating the cigarette lighter/bracket combination and providing a small power inverter to use the also provided DC in cord and transformer.
Furthermore, they should do a deal with RamMount (expressmounts.com) and provide a windshield suction cup mount. The adhesive backed mount provided by Garmin is useless.
I told these things to a Garmin customer service representative, but I doubt he passed it on or followed up.
So, when you order yours also order a RamMount from expressmounts.com. You will be glad you did.
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