Garmin StreetPilot 7500 Portable GPS Navigator

by Garmin

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.5 x 2.2 inches ; 1.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BXVWG2
• Item model number: 010-00400-10
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

With a massive, seven-inch touchscreen display and groundbreaking traffic information, weather and entertainment features, the Garmin 7500 is the essential tool for all your travels. Plus, the 7500 features dead reckoning technology that makes it supremely accurate in all conditions. Garmin has designed the unit specifically for larger vehicles such as RVs, semi-trucks, and buses, and it offers premium features for those who spend lots of time on the road.

The Garmin 7500 is ready to go right out of the box.

Navigation begins with a simple screen. View larger

Thanks to XM- or GTM-powered traffic data that is integrated into the unit's 3-D map display, you can see what hazards or traffic disruptions are in your area. View larger

Load up your favorite MP3s and play them. View larger

Or, listen to programming on XM radio. View larger

And don't forget to check the weather, which is also powered by XM. View larger

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.

Top-Tier GPS Performance
The 7500 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 7500's 480 x 234 widescreen, automotive-grade touchscreen display automatically dims and brightens based on ambient light conditions. Meanwhile, an included wireless remote control can be used to operate the device's functions.

Finding your way with the 7500 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 and when to turn and in what direction. And if you happen to miss a turn, don't worry--the 7500 automatically calculates a new route to your destination. In addition to point-to-point navigation, the 7500 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 7500, you have the option of choosing from a three-dimensional mapping perspective or from one of several 2-D overhead viewing options. What's more, audible and visual navigation instructions and warnings help you navigate more quickly and keep your eyes on the road.

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.

What's in the Box
StreetPilot 7500, MapSource City Navigator NT North America maps, integrated FM wireless transmitter, alphanumeric remote control, 12-volt adapter cable, USB interface cable, A/C power adapter, quick-release dash mount, quick reference guide, and owner's manual.

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

Traffic
With the purchase of an optional sensor, the StreetPilot 7500 and its counterpart, the StreetPilot 7200, 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 7500 and 7200 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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

159 of 159 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Consider the 7200, July 22, 2006

By 

Johnny V. Shumaker "jshu" (East Coast) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Garmin StreetPilot 7500 Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

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.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for navigating in a van or SUV, June 22, 2006

By 

T. Leary (Ashburn, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Garmin StreetPilot 7500 Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I have been using the garmin 7500 (without the dead-reckoning cable attached, with the XM Radio Antenna) since March 2006 and have loved the unit. The screen is large and very easy to read.

I've used the unit mounted on a dash-board and sitting in our cup-holders. In both cases the system found my location with at least 3 or 4 satellites and worked well. While driving through the mountains, in tree covered roads I will often lose the XM signal, and occasionally lose the GPS. I believe the GPS would be improved once I install the dead-reckoning cable.

I greatly appreciate the ability to connect directly to my computer and download updates, languages, points of interest, extras, and the ability to change the start-up screen to an image of my choice. It has also helped to have the SD card for storing music and audiobooks while driving.

While the navigation system is excellent, the XM interface and MP3 player is only average. The MP3 player has no way to fast-forward or reverse within a track, which is ok for music but hard for audiobooks. The XM service would be better if it stored the last 30 minutes of audio (as most units do today) and it was easier to switch between preset channels (it currently requires about 4 clicks, and you can only store 6 channels per preset).

The navigation has been excellent. The maps are up to date and I believe updates will occur when synchronizing with the computer.

It is essential to read the manual. Most features come as extra downloads when connecting to the Garmin service, which isn't clear from working with the unit.

The large screen makes the 7500 a bad choice for cars and SUV's with small front windows. The screen blocks quite a bit of the window. This isn't the case in our minivan, but would be unusable in vehicles with less window space.

Overall this is a great product, and I recommend it to others.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Navagation system on steroids!!!!, August 7, 2006

By 

Vincent Kaniatobe "Vince and his dog Spock" (Santa Fe NM) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Garmin StreetPilot 7500 Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

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.