Garmin 2610 vs 2720?

[CarSalesman]

I can see that the 2720 is the updated current unit in this series, but I can't figure out what the improvement is. I'm not interested in XM, weather, or traffic input. Looks like the 2720 is about $250-$300 more than a reconditioned 2610. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like I would need to add $80 for a 2gigabyte CF card to the 2610, bringing the price difference to $170-$220. What do I get for the extra $200?

[Rocket_Cowboy]

The 2720 doesn't have XM, it's the 2730 that added that. The interface is different between the 2610 and 27xx ... the 2610 still has all the configuration options, where the 27xx is a little more dumbed down. My personal preference would be the 2610 if you're comparing it to the 2720 or 2730. The only time the 2730 wins out in my mind is when you add in XM functionality. That's why I have the 2730.

[messenger13]

Don,

I owned and loved my 2610 for about 18 months. While at CCR, the screen failed on me but Garmin replaced it with the 'new & improved' 2720. The 2720 is not "dumbed down". :( I've read that several times and I can't figure out for the life of me how that's true. I've owned and used both units, I should know. The 2720 does everything that the 2610 does, and more. So much more!

The 2710's 3D view is so much more useful, readable and comprehensive that it's not even funny. I now have all 2D views turned OFF, that's how good the 3D view is. And the whole user interface is WAY more intuitive. If you're talking $200 more here, it's a no-brainer. Get the 2720!

Lastly, the 2720 doesn't have any other extra bells or whistles, other than TTS (text to speech). And that one added feature is absolutely awesome as well. The 2720 now talks to you in complete sentences. You practically don't ever have to look at the unit. Unlike the 2610's short, uninformative directions. Unfortunately for Charlie, his 2730 does not have TTS. :p

[STARFIGHTER]

The 2720 also has text to speech capacity.
Instead of saying "turn righ in 200 yards" it says "turn right in 200 yards on Elm st"

[meese]

A lot of the newer GPS units have text-to-speech now. My iWAY 500c does, and it works great. Even the portable unit I got with my UK rental car last month had it, though it was a bit more clunky. It was pretty funny hearing it try and sound out Welsh road names though. :D

[messenger13]

A lot of the newer GPS units have text-to-speech now.But one can't assume. For example; the 2720 does have TTS, while the 2730 does NOT. :eek:

[Texas42]

The Zumo however is dumbed down too much to be really useful, I asked Cindy for it thinking it was going to be an upgrade from my 2610, it does have some really cool features but the main thing that you want a GPS for; to help you find those back roads, stay off off the slab it can't do, no matter what it is going to re-route you back to the 4-lane.

Now I'm stuck with it because Cindy gave it to me as a gift, she is so proud of how she surprised me with a gift that I really wanted. A true case of be careful what you wish for.

[messenger13]

Are you 100% certain that you can't setup road preferences, or road "avoidances"? My new 2720 is so much smarter and/or more intuitive with on-the-fly routing, it's hard for me to believe that Garmin took 2 steps back with the Zumo. :confused:

[meese]

TomTom has done something similar. Their standard car units are loaded with features, while their motorcycle-specific Rider GPS has a lot of things disabled. The Rider is waterproof though, and with a more secure mounting system. I guess you can apply makeup, finish breakfast, and read the paper in your cage, but on a bike it's just "follow the little line."

All of Lowrance's GPS units are waterproof, as they started out making fish finders for boats. I'd love one of the large screen Garmin units, but not until they are waterproof and have Mac software available.

[messenger13]

I'd love one of the large screen Garmin units...I fell in love when I saw the 7500 with it's huge 7-inch touch-screen display for the first time. Then was heart-broken to find out that it was not waterproof. http://users.pandora.be/eforum/emoticons4u/sad/787.gif MORONS! :mad:


http://www.garmin.com/products/sp7500/gallery/pt-sp7500DYN-LG.jpg


...but not until they are waterproof and have Mac software available.As much as I could care less about Mac software, it boggles the mind that Garmin seems to have shunned the Mac users for so long. I just don't 'get it'.

[reelman]

I have the 2720 and it is indeed a great unit. I really like it!

There is one difference between the 2610 and the 2720 that will matter if you ever want to use it for off road riding. (GS riders take note) The 2720 comes preprogrammed with detailed road maps throughout the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. There is also approximately 700 MB of additional memory available for supplemental map storage.

Unfortunately, the 2720 is NOT COMPATIBLE with the MapSource United States TOPO CD-ROM maps that are similar to U.S. Geological Survey topographic paper maps. So if you want to view highways/roads, and also forest roads, hiking trails, snowmobile trails, backwoods trails, elevation contours, point elevations, summits, some bathymetric contours, geographic names, etc.; you are out of luck. I had to purchase another GPS just to have these maps.

Here’s the MapSource Map Transfer Compatibility Table: http://gpsnow.com/gmmstbl.htm

[Lonewuff]

Ken,

The 27xx and 28xx series say they are waterproof up to one meter.

[messenger13]

Jerry, Ken knows about the 26xx, 27xx, and 28xx units. He's referring to the LARGE screen units, like the one in my post (7500) or even larger.