Customer Reviews

Garmin StreetPilot 7500 Portable GPS Navigator

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I decided to buy the Garmin StreetPilot 7500 GPS Vehicle Navigation after I was cheated by the salesperson who swore me that the Audi Q7 I was buying him could have a dealer installed Audi original GPS. That was a lie and I bought the 7500 because I wanted a big screen device, similar in size to the original Audi one. And this is correct: the size is HUGE (7 inches screen and almost 4 pounds)! But the manufacturer and Amazon do not hide these facts to you. This device is good for a big SUV or truck where you have plenty of space on your dashboard, but it will obstruct your driving view in a regular car. The software -as it is in all the Garmin devices- does not show a beautiful image but it complies with its duties reasonably well. The interface is user friendly and very easy to use. The voice directed instructions helps you in fixing your attention on the road most of the time. If you are a MP3 fan this option will like you, but the device does not have Bluetooth connection, which will not allow you to hear your cell phone through the device speakers.
Overall, I am satisfied with my Garmin StreetPilot 7500 GPS.

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

I purchased this product as soon as it hit the market. In fact, I impatiently waited as the release date kept getting pushed back. And I forked over 1310.00 for this unit, which was a good deal at the time.

I get lost if I'm spun around too quickly. Unfortunately, I have to drive to places I've never been before, as part of my job. I started with a Garmin receiver for my laptop. After making hundreds of unnecessary U-turns when a signal was lost, I thought the StreetPilot 7500, with it's dead reckoning, was made for me. So I DID read the manual online, and started saving my pennies.

One thing I saw in the manual concerned me. "Do not store the unit where prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can occur." I called Garmin. I explained that I would not STORE the unit in my car, but expressed my concern that I live in Florida and the unit may be in my car for 6-8 hours a day some days. I was assured that wouldn't be an issue, and the manual states an operating temperature of up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit.

In just over a year, the heat had taken a toll on the unit, even though it was not used for weeks at a time, on and off. When I left the car, I draped a towel over the unit to keep it out of direct sunlight. The sticky tabs on the cables inside had delaminated. I had no video signal. Garmin wants a flat rate 325.00 to fix the unit, and would not sell me a video cable.

In addition to the cost of the unit, I wasted another 120.00 on installation of the dead reckoning, 200.00 on the XM antenna, about 75.00 on my XM radio subscription while the unit was inoperable, I purchased a case, and I spent the $ on the RAM Mount. Great unit when it worked, but a bit pricey at over 1700.00 (including accessories) for ONE YEAR OF USE. I wouldn't be so ticked off if I hadn't tried to avoid the problem in the first place by expressing my concern directly to Garmin, and being assured it wasn't an issue. SHAME ON YOU GARMIN!

This unit is as represented but I think the graphis could use some help. It doesn't clearly define exit ramps from major roads. As in the name of them prior to exit.I was a little disappointed that the graphics were not on par with Garmin aviation GPS units.

Garmin makes registering and using their gear unnecessarily complex, with the arcane requirements, difficult to navigate validation, registration, and implementation interfaces, with all the registration codes, keys, and poor to non-existent customer support. When I went to register my Streetpilot 7500, I listed the product line ("On the Road"), check, StreetPilot, check, 7500, check, serial number, check, date of purchase, check, Merchant, check, and, then... their web site asks for a "Registration Code," which, they say, is on a little yellow slip of paper "found in the box." Needless to say, I could not find the little slip of paper with the registration code, which has made getting support difficult. Added to this, the Garmin web site does not have an e-mail product support capability that I could find, but only telephone 800 numbers which only operate on business days during business hours, and always seem to be busy then. Also, if you order this GPS unit, there is no indication that you will not be able to load much in the way of mapping software (once you can figure out how to do that; the map unlocking and loading interface is terrible, and seems to be aimed at allowing the consumer to get as little value for their money as possible) without an SD (Secure Digital) data card, which does not come with this extremely expensive unit. Then, there is nothing on the Garmin web site indicating whether the Garmin unit will accomodate High capacity Secure Digital cards, like 8 GB, so that one can keep all one's maps loaded in the unit, and not have to be keeping track of, and switching out, the small and fragile SD cards, each loaded with only a portion of the mapping software one uses. High priced, arcane, baffling, and redundant security requirements, and poor customer support make a bad combination for Garmin. Garmin needs to re-orient their entire approach to the business to be more user friendly and toward providing more customer support. Meanwhile, I have a $1,300+ paperweight on my desk at home. It is no wonder that all of my friends use GPS units made by Tom-Tom.