Garmin 010 00400 20 StreetPilot 7500 Portable GPS Navigator
Garmin 010 00400 20 StreetPilot 7500 Portable GPS Navigator
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.
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Star Owned it for a year and haven’t been able to use it
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.
4 Stars Complies with its duties reasonably well
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.
4 Stars Garmin StreetPilot
I ordered the navigator to assist me with my out-of-town, large city driving directions. When I received the system it appeared to be the greatest device, but provided more information than I really needed.
I was going to put it in the car to give it a try but the charger was not included. I did attach it to the computer and I’m sure would have been pleased with this system.
Ordering online is new to me and my experience wasn’t the best with the missing item, however, this was truly a human error and I will probably order online in the future.
I did go to a local store (Circuit City) and purchase the Garmin StreetPilot that was a little smaller and had bluetooth capability. I am extremely pleased with the navigator and it was a wonderful companion during a recent trip to Cincinnati & Cleveland. I felt secure knowing I was always going in the right direction.
Thank you for your follow-up and interest.
Sincerely,
Sue Totten
My overall experience
4 Stars 7500 gps
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.
5 Stars Good GPS
I really like my Garmin StreetPilot 7500 GPS. I think the 7200 would have been adequate for my needs, but the 7500 is great. I like the quick touch screen features. The only situation I am dealing with is its size and safe mounting. Otherwise, a very good purchase.
Filed under: Portable GPS Reviews