Orbitcast

The Garmin StreetPilot 7200 and 7500 each have huge 7-inch touch-screen displays so you'll always see where you're going — from anywhere in the vehicle. Designed for larger vehicles such as RVs, semi-trucks, and buses, the Garmin 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.

Like the StreetPilot 2730, the 7200 and 7500 offer real-time XM NavTraffic, XMWX Weather and XM Satellite Radio capabilities in a single package. One thing to note though, the GXM 30 "Smart Antenna" - the XM receiver and antenna combination that make these units XM-Ready - is an optional accessory for the StreetPilot 7200 and 7500.

The GXM 30 antenna option retails for an estimated retail price of $249.99.

Both are expected to be available in December, with the StreetPilot 7200 running an estimated retail price of $1499 and the 7500 at $1800.

Find out more here. 

Posted at October 31, 2005 04:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Garmin StreetPilot 2730 is truly an amazing device. It's a compact portable GPS unit with a 3.8" touch screen that can easily be placed on the dashboard of any vehicle for quick and simple installation. Garmin is also the first to offer portable navigation devices with real-time XM NavTraffic, XM WX Weather and XM Satellite Radio capabilities in a single portable product.

The XM capabilities are delivered through the new GXM 30 "Smart Antenna" from Garmin included with the StreetPilot 2730. The GXM 30, designed and developed by Garmin, is the most advanced XM receiver and antenna combination to date. For maximum portability, the magnetic, waterproof, puck-sized GXM 30 can be placed on the dashboard or the roof of the vehicle.

Wow, talk about amazing.

The Garmin StreetPilot 2730 includes:

• StreetPilot 2730 receiver with built-in GPS antenna,
• City Navigator North America NT preloaded
• GXM 30™ antenna
• Integrated FM wireless transmitter
• Alphanumeric remote control
• External speaker with 12-volt adapter cable
• USB interface cable
• A/C power adapter
• Dash mount
• Portable non-skid mount (friction mount)
• Protective cover

With an MSRP of $1292.29 - it's not necessarily the cheapest thing in town, but considering all the incredible things this device has to offer, it's well worth every penny. It's expected to be available in December.

Learn more here. 

Posted at October 31, 2005 04:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Garmin GPSMAP 3005C is targeted towards the serious boater or fisherman who wants to have cutting-edge GPS and optional weather data at their finger tips. While it's hard for me to consider a $1000+ unit "affordable" I'm also not a serious boater, so what the hell do I know.

What I do dig is that this waterproof unit has two optional XM Satellite weather accessories to choose from. First you can get the XM WX Satellite weather receiver (GDL 30), so you can geek out with your fishing buddies showing off your NEXRAD goodness while kicking back a few tallboys. Or, you can be the real uber-angler with the GDL 30A Weather/Audio receiver that allows for both the XM WX Satellite weather goodies, plus XM Radio that you control via the user interface. Dope.

Specs:

Manufacturer: Garmin
Available Date: Now
MSRP: $1066.65
Size: 7.8”W x 4.7”H x 3.0”D
Weight: 1.8 lbs.
Screen Size: sunlight-readable, 5-inch Diagonal, 256-color, 640x480-pixel VGA display

Accessories Included:
• Basemap: Worldwide Marine
• GPS 17 WAAS-enabled, 12 parallel channel sensor with 30-foot cable
• Power/data cable
• Bail mounting bracket
• Unit cover

Accessories Sold Separately:
• GDL 30 Marine Weather Satellite Receiver ($642.84)
• GDL 30A Marine Weather + Audio Satellite Receiver ($857.13)
• GSD 20 SONARtransmitter remote sounder; dual-frequency, 500 watts RMS ($266.65)

Posted at August 10, 2005 09:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Orbitcast was the first to show you the XMWX enabled Garmin GPSMAP 376c for your car or boat, but somewhere admist all the excitement we missed the Garmin GPSMAP 396C and 3005C. First, let's cover the 396c though.

This thing is a portable GPS navigation system for aircraft, boat and car featuring integrated XMWX Satellite Weather services and XM Satellite Radio audio capabilities. The water resistant WAAS-enabled, 12 parallel channel GPS receiver uses a GXM 30 Smart Antenna for XM audio and data services to display real-time weather information overlayed on top of your map. Very cool, but not for those living paycheck to paycheck as this thing will run you $2,695 MSRP.

You can run this baby for 5 to 15 hours (depending on backlight settings) off it's rechargeabale lithium-ion battery, and she'll give you voice-prompted road guidance when you connect her using the power/speaker cable. The only bummer, which I truly truly hate, is the proprietary Garmin data cards that are used for transferring pre-programmed map information and other goodies. I understand it's an extra buck for Garmin, but those data cards suck.

Anyway, here's the specs you're lusting after:

Manufacturer: Garmin
Available Date: In stores now
MSRP: $2,695
Size: 5.7”W x 3.2”H x 1.9”D
Weight: 14.2 ounces with battery
Screen Size: 3.8”Diagonal, 480 pixels W x 320 pixels H
Accessories Included:
• GXM 30 smart antenna – delivers XM WX and XM audio services
• Yoke mount
• Cigarette lighter adapter
• AC adapter cable
• USB-to-PC interface cable
• Low-profile remote GPS antenna
• Carrying case
• MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager CD-ROM

Posted at August 10, 2005 01:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)