Garmin 7200 review

Here I put together some snippets of reviews and comments that users of garmin 7200 have made. I hope this will help you make an informed decision when you consider buying it.

General overview, covering a lot of the features

" Just purchased, only used on a few trips, but want to give you my first impressions, which are very positive.

First, the ads say that this is designed for larger vehicles. Not agreed. The impression from the on-line descriptions is that the screen size is HUGE, for example, the same as your office PC. Not true, it is a 7 inch diameter screen, so it is still relatively small, the same size as most current built in expensive auto GPS screens. Compared to the 2730 model, the 7200 has perfect size touch screen inputs while on the go. For the extra money, recommend the 7200 with the larger screen over 2730 which has the same features. So, the touch screen size of the model 7200 is great for viewing and input of addresses on any size vehicle.

I was very impressed with connectivty during heavy weather and recommend the external antenna option (sticks to the inside windshield by suction cups).

The voice commands are excellent with advance warnings of upcoming turns and then the next anticipated turn.

Screen is bright and automatically adjusts to light.

No need to change anything in the initial settings, they are great. Just plug in and go. User friendly screens.

Easy to upgrade to the latest software as shown on the garmin web site from your PC to the unit. No need to insert update chips.

The on/off switch. Should press and hold down. Just a light press does not do anything.

I was disappointed that the software bundle included in the package did not include the NT navagation database software, and had to purchase it separately. The PC software allows you to pre-plan your route on your PC and download this to your 7200 so you do not have to load addresses on the go. I tested this and it works great.

If you are in a traffic jam, press "Detour" and you will taken around the jam to your destination. Be prepared however to go through back roads and areas that you may not know.

I did not test the special features of sat. nav. traffic, audio, nor books yet.

Update: I have used this now on a dozen trips and the navigation is very trustworthy. My wife is a Realtor and she loves it."

Some helpful insight on whether to purchase the external antenna or not

"I'm a truck driver, I drive all day, every day. So I needed a GPS that had an option for truck routing. I found this, and it offered just that and so much more..

First: it's so easy to tell it where I'm going - I just type in the address, city, state ~ BAM! I'm already routed and ready to head down the road. I just listen to where it tells me to turn. Also the big display makes it easy to see exactly which road to take, which is real nice for those big cities like New York and Chicago..

Second: I bought the GXM 30 XM antenna - through that I get weather for where I'm at, where I'm going and anywhere else. It also tells me before I run into heavy traffic and safely detours me around it. The XM radio isn't bad either, in-fact it's pretty much priceless compared to the days when I'd have to try and find a good station, only to have it go out a couple miles down the road - the sound quality is quite impressive too.

I gave this a 5 out of 5 because it deserves it. This is a very well made, VERY easy to use product, that I wouldn't work a day without.

I'm just glad I could finally say goodbye to the big atlas and map reading/routing, as it was very time-consuming.

My only complaint is that the software that came with it wasn't Mac compatble. No biggie tho', because I can run Windows XP on my Mac too..

Final thoughts: Buy this little bugger, it's worth every penny!"

Neat feature of inputting multiple addresses

"Because I need to visit 8-10 properties on average each day,I simply enter each address into the system (it also will complete the street name for you as you're entering it so you don't need to type it all in) and then have reshuffle the addresses so that it will take the least amount of time to get to all of them. You can also choose to have the addresses shuffled to cover the least distance possible- Simply take your pick. I've mapped out my destinations like this many times now and I haven't had any problems at all. If you miss a turn, the computer will recalculate (within a couple seconds) your route to get you back on track."

Nice list of pros and cons

" Likes:

* The big screen. It is easy to glance at the screen without diverting your attention from the road.
* The clear voice directions. The speech emulator trips over some words a bit, but for the most part all directions and street names are quite clear.
* The touch-screen interface. Easy to read action buttons and a direct-to-music short cut make the unit very easy to operate.
* XM Radio. Technically this is an add-on. You have to purchase the (rather expensive) XM antenna separately, but it is really worth it if you like a variety of nation-wide programming.

Dislikes:

* Satelite reception is a bit tenuous. I drive in some rural and heavily wooded areas and I sometimes loose satelite reception. There is an external satelite antenna available, but it hasn't been enough of a problem so far that I have bought one.
* Unit maintenance. Firmware, software and map updates are only available via computer download (USB). I would prefer that these updates were distributed via satelite directly to the unit.
* Construction projects. While this is not Garmin's problem, major redesign of highways will wreak havoc on the unit's ability to provide accurate directions. The nav system always knows where you are, but if the maps don't show a street there, things get a little messy.

When I decided to drop Onstar directions, my intent was to buy the best navigation system possible. I think I got it."