Sunday, March 18, 2012

Garmin StreetPilot 2730 Review

Streetpilot_2730_2

UPDATE: Most of the several generations old StreetPilot series, including this model, has been discontinued. For a more current recommendation, check out our Auto GPS buyers guide or go straight to our Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

 

The Garmin StreetPilot 2730 is part of the popular 2000 series of auto navigation systems. The 2730 adds a couple of major new features — an MP3 player and XM satellite radio. With XM radio, you not only get music, but also weather and real-time traffic conditions that overlay maps in major metropolitan areas in the U.S. The StreetPilot 2730 uses this data to automatically calculate and suggest faster alternate routes before traffic starts backing up. Of course this is all in addition to pre-loaded maps of North America, a touch screen and voice-prompted routing.

Compare prices on the Garmin StreetPilot 2730


Here’s what Amazon.com has to say in their review:

"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…"

If early reviews are any indication, this unit is a winner. At the time of this posting, over a dozen people have reviewed it at Amazon, giving it very strong ratings. Here are their Garmin 2730 reviews.

I’ll be posting more hands on reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some other helpful resources:



Compare prices on the Garmin StreetPliot 2730 at these merchants:

From the official Garmin StreetPilot 2730 web page:

The StreetPilot 2730 offers real-time XM NavTraffic, XM WX Weather, and XM Radio capabilities. It comes ready to go, right out of the box—there’s no need to download maps from your PC.
 
  The XM Traffic, Weather, and Audio capabilities give the StreetPilot 2730 great utility, even when drivers know exactly where they are. XM NavTraffic is the first nationwide satellite-based data traffic information service to enable an 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. Roadways are color-coded to indicate directional traffic flow speed.
 
  Additionally, the StreetPilot 2730 can also receive XM weather data*. Current weather conditions for over 2,000 locations, and weather forecasts for 162 cities, are displayed on-screen. United States county storm and flood warnings are also highlighted, allowing motorists to make prudent driving decisions.
 
  The StreetPilot 2730 also offers more than 150 channels of XM satellite radio**, featuring 100-percent commercial-free music, as well as more than 30 channels of news, sports, talk, and entertainment. Users can send XM and navigation audio to their car stereo through the StreetPilot’s integrated FM wireless transmitter or 3.5 mm stereo headphone/line-out plug.
 
  The StreetPilot 2730 also comes equipped with an MP3 player that lets users take their personal music collection on the road and browse music by artist, album, song, or genre. Loading music is drag-and-drop easy—there’s no need for special software. The StreetPilot 2730 also works as an audio book player, with content available for purchase from Audible.com—featuring more than 70,000 hours of audio programs from more than 200 content partners.

In addition to the turn-by-turn voice prompted navigation available in earlier StreetPilot models, the 2730 actually announces the name of upcoming streets and points of interest—letting drivers keep their eyes on the road while navigating through busy traffic. Highly-detailed maps featuring nearly six million points of interest (POIs) throughout the U. S., Canada, and Puerto Rico (destinations like hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and attractions) come pre-loaded on the unit’s solid-state memory. If a driver strays off-course, the StreetPilot 2730 automatically recalculates a new route.
 
  With POI Loader, users can also augment the pre-loaded maps with custom POI’s—such as school zones and safety cameras. In addition, a proximity alert option can warn the driver of upcoming custom POI’s. (This safety feature is designed to help reinforce the importance of traveling at appropriate and legal speeds.)
 
  Garmin’s GXM 30™ antenna, which is included with the StreetPilot 2730, receives and processes all XM traffic, weather and audio data. For maximum portability, the magnetic, waterproof, puck-size GXM 30 can be placed on the dashboard or the roof of the vehicle.
 
  The StreetPilot 2730 boasts a WQVGA automotive-grade color TFT display with touchscreen that automatically adjusts the unit’s backlight for optimum viewability in any amount of light. Drivers can also view the map in either a three-dimensional perspective or a top-down track-up or north-up view.

*XM NavTraffic subscription required.
  **XM Radio subscription required.

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About Rich Owings

Rich is the owner, editor and chief bottle washer for GPS Tracklog. Connect with him on Twitter, Facebook or Google Plus.

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