GPS question- Garmin StreetPilot 2720 Or Ique5

[FrankieCrabs]

Hello, all.

I've been considering purchasing a gps unit to use primarily on my job. I work in the field all day, and drive a few hundred miles a week, constantly using MS Streets & Trips in my office to arrange my calls, and a street atlas out of the office. I've been considering either a StreetPilot 2720, or an iQue5. The portability and multiple functions of the iQue make it very desireable, esp. if I could carry around reference documents in html format, but perhaps the 2720 would be better suited for a heavy driving situation? For the moment I work in a mostly suburban setting, but I may be moving to a somewhat more mixed region [suburbs/rural area].

Also, which might be more useful, the City Select North America v7 software [iQue5] or the City Navigator North America v7 [2720]?

Thanks for your input,
Frank

 

[ralphtt]

I'm retired, but still do quite a bit of travelling. Have used a Streetpilot 2720 for about nine months now and can heartily recommend it. It's very accurate and after a few days is relatively easy to use. Becomes almost intuitive. Thing that impresses me most is the ability to recalculate enroute if you make a wrong turn. It will get you back on route very quickly.

That said, the maps are sometimes incorrect because of new construction and this can cause an occasional 'misrouting'. There is one place locally where a road is fifty feet below a popular four lane highway and the 2720 will suggest you should turn onto the road fifty feet below. Obviously impossible, and the 'rerouting' feature handles it quite nicely after you do not make the recommended turn.

I know nothing of the iQue 5. The Garmin 2720 generally works as advertised.

 

[FrankieCrabs]

Thanks, Ralph.

How is it to enter addresses and such? Is it easier to use the touch screen or the remote? Can it be done fairly quicky with practice? Also, do you leave it in your car during the day? If it can't be left on my dashboard in the heat of day, I'll be taking it in/out of my car about 6-10 times per day :barf: on my job to avoid high temperatures. Does it take long to start up, let's say, perhaps, a minute or so?

Thank you again for the fast reply. I posted this question on the geocaching.com forum 2 days ago, and haven't gotten one reply yet.

Frank

 

[shaldag]

I have an Ique (older model). I find that when used with its cradle (bought separately) it is fine-- except that you might also want to get the external antenna (bought separately) as reception is lost quite easily.

NOTE: if you use the GPS function without external power, it drains the battery unbelievably fast. You cannot buy spare battery packs (at least on my model). And if the momory is completely lost, you have to restore everything from the backup.

Given those limitations, it is fine.

 

[ralphtt]

Entering addresses is straightforward. Takes a little practice and at first, some attention to the manual, but doesn't take long to become proficient.

Use of the touch screen is required when entering addresses. I use the remote primarily for paging up & down when hunting an already entered waypoint or address. The ability to see what businesses are at an interstate exit is also quite useful and the remote is handy for paging up and down til you find your target. Once you're familar with the procedure, you can enter an address in about one minute. Then, hit the 'go to' button and you're on the way.

I'm in northeast Tennessee and we've had a helluva' hot summer. I have left the 2720 on the dash most of the time. Only time I remove it is when I'm away from the truck for a while in a crowded parking lot. Then, I place the unit on the floor behind the drivers seat. Don't want to tempt the thief or breakin artist.

For a couple hours in the heat, you should not have to remove the unit from the car. If you're in the wrong part of town, you might want to remove it. Only requires you unplug the 12v plug from the outlet. Startup from dead cold requires sixty to ninty seconds and has not been a problem for me.

One caveat . . . the Garmin 2720 is good at what it does and the name 'Streetpilot' says it all. It handles the mapping function very well. But, off road, it only traces your route and when you activate the map function from off road, you can get a route recommended that is impossible to follow. It will generally plot a straight-line route from off road and won't hesitate to send you thru a gully or over a mountain or thru a creek or lake (same as a portable GPS would do). You might be able to follow on foot, but I wouldn't count on it.

For your business use, the 2720 should be well-nigh perfect. Sure wish I had enjoyed one some years ago when I was flying to California 8-10 times a year. I spent lots of time plotting routes using maps and still got lost in Watts once when in LA. Got out without incident, but there were some suspenseful moments.