Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is my first GPS unit. Having used and loved the Magellan units in Hertz rental cars, I watched and waited for prices to go down below the $1k mark. These are my first impressions:
The 2730 worked right out of the box -- I just plugged the power cable into the cig lighter, removed the 2730's snap-on screen protector, slid the unit into the weighted base, placed it on the dashboard and powered it up. In spite of the car being parked in the shadow of a 10-story high-rise, the unit quickly locked onto multiple satellites and gave an accurate location textual and graphical readout.
The included manual could be better organized and have more detailed explanations, but the 2730's front panel button controls are fairly intuitive for basic tasks. Menu navigation is easy. (Note, I did download and skim the manual from Amazon before purchasing the unit. I suggest you do the same.) Haven't used the included remote control yet, and at first glance there may not be much need for it.
The screen is a bit small (for my middle-aged eyes), but once you learn its layout, a quick glance at appropriate spots on the screen gives you useful reference data: next turn instruction (text), distance to next waypoint (number), speed, ETA, etc. Within the menus the display and choices of data can be modified.
With my wife driving, I entered our travel destination in Tribeca -- lower Manhattan / NYC (40+ miles away). Using the touchscreen was easy and intuitive. The unit's routing calculation was fairly quick. However, we checked the traffic report (on the old fashioned AM radio news station!) and found that the 2730's selected route would take us down the FDR drive which had some congestion. Moreover, the FDR is on the East side, whereas our destination is closer to the West side. The 2730 couldn't be faulted for the congestion, but the East side routing seemed strange. We started off by followed the unit's initial routing instructions (to stay on I-95 south), but soon veered off onto familiar local parkways which we knew would take us over towards the West side of NYC. As soon as we got off-course, the Garmin quickly recalculated, and anticipated the route we intended (which turned out to be a tad longer -- perhaps why it was not chosen in the first place).
The speaker volume (with clearly-spoken instructions) was adjustable to suit our car's noisy interior. Driving down the West Side Highway, the 2730 did not give us sufficient SPOKEN warning to prepare for an upcoming left turn -- however, the left turn instruction was clearly laid out in text on the screen. I got the impression at that particular point that our physical location was a few 100 feet ahead of the GPS coordinates (perhaps due to limited GPS reception from our location in NYCity).
I am sure there is much more to discover about the 2730 (I haven't tried Points Of Interest or the XM Satellite radio options). After the first trip, I would say I like the unit, find it to be very high-quality, and sold in a convenient bundle with all of the accessories needed (at least those that are apparent now). Some critiques are that the 2730:
1) screen is small
2) is very expensive
3) no internal battery for portable operation (needs to be plugged in to 12v source)
4) instruction manual has extremely limited information. Lots of hidden functionality i.e. difficult to find out how to input locations without a specific address (to mark, name and save a current location -- like a camping spot -- in memory).
Bottom line is if you can spend $800 - $1k, it's a very good GPS bundle. (Note: as of 2007, price is about half!)
ADDENDUM from Trips 2 and 3 (commuting to and from work):
The routing software chose the fastest, most direct route, using a combination of highway and back roads -- impressive and efficient. The map accuracy is very good, except for a few quirks like calling a company campus entrance road an "alley."
Mounting on the dashboard is good for a heads-up navigation display. The beanbag-style weighted portable base is suitably heavy, BUT the unit can go flying off the dashboard during a sharp turn.
Turning on the WAAS function (for more accurate location reading) significantly slows down initial satellite capture.
The trip computer offers lots of functionality as well sa quantitative and predictive data.
2007: I still use the unit regularly, find it useful and reliable, although a bit bigger and bulkier thatn some of the newer Garmins (but with smaller screens).
Telephone support by Garmin has been very good.
Have not used the XM Radio option for traffic -- have not heard that traffic info in the NY Metro area is sufficiently real-time or comprehensive.
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Garmin StreetPilot 2730 3.8-Inch Portable GPS NavigatorKnowledge is power, and thanks to the advanced technology packed into the Garmin StreetPilot 2730, you'll get plenty of both. The big news about this model in comparison to its predecessor, the 2720, is the addition of XM radio capabilities. With a subscription to XM radio services, you'll get real-time XM NavTraffic, XM WX Weather, and XM Radio service. What does all that mean? When coupled with Garmin's legendary GPS technology, it means you'll always know not only exactly where you are, and but also what lies ahead.
The Power of XM Radio XM NavTraffic is the first nationwide satellite-based data traffic information service to enable an onscreen overlay of current traffic conditions. The StreetPilot 2730 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 precise 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 2730 also keeps 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 travel plans.
The 2730 is also 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 2730 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 StreetPilot 2730 also works as an audiobook player; you can download books from audible.com and enjoy your favorite authors on the road.
An included GXM 30 antenna receives and processes all XM traffic, weather, and audio data. For maximum portability, the magnetic, waterproof, puck-size antenna can be placed on the dashboard or the roof of the vehicle.
Top-Tier GPS Performance Don't forget that the 2730 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 you navigate through busy traffic and tricky roadways. The 2730 also features a widescreen, automotive-grade touchscreen display that automatically dims and brightens based on ambient light conditions. And an included wireless remote control can be used to operate the device's functions.
Finding your way with the 2730 starts with inputting a location on the touchscreen. Next, the unit's text-to-speech feature speaks to you just like a back-seat driver, telling you the names of streets, when to turn, and in what direction. And if you happen to miss a turn, don't worry--the 2730 automatically calculates a new route to your destination. In addition to point-to-point navigation, the 2730 can calculate the most efficient route between multiple destinations--a real time-saver for realtors, salespeople, and errand runners. You can also tell the unit to avoid specific areas or road segments when calculating a route. With the 2730, you have the option of selecting a three-dimensional mapping perspective, or one of several 2-D overhead viewing options. What's more, audible and visual navigation instructions and warnings help you navigate more quickly while keeping your eyes on the road.
An integrated dash-mounting system provides easy adjustment and quick release, or you can use the included "bean bag" mount if you don't want to add a mount to your dash. An included speaker attachment that is built into the 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter enables the 2730 to deliver voice prompts. 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. And if you need waterproofing, the 2730 is up to the challenge; it meets IEC 60529 IPX7 standards, which means it's submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
Another time- and frustration-saving feature of the 2730 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 2730 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 2730'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.
Note: Subscriptions are required for XM NavTraffic and XM Radio services.
What's in the Box StreetPilot 2730 receiver, MapSource City Navigator NT North America maps, GXM 30 antenna, integrated FM wireless transmitter, 12-volt power cable with external speaker, alphanumeric remote control, PC/USB interface cable, AC power adapter, beanbag mount, dash mount, protective cover, owner's manual, and quick-reference setup guide.
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