cool new GPS from Garmin

[alexei]

Here is the review of the new Garmin GPS 2820

Very cool features - i especially like the BlueTooth connection with headset and phone, build-in MP3 player and trafic reports through additional service.

http://blogs.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/05032006102410MWEBV6.htm

[VTX RUDY]

Wow that is very cool I like the way it shows all the differant screen shots.

[NGK]

I tested one of those about 2 weeks ago it was very user friendly and vrey nice, lots of features that I liked, the MP3 player was nice. Not cheap but a great product. One of my distributors is a goverment contractor for garmin and several others he lets me try stuff out :)

[jrhodus]

I ordered mine last Monday. Planing a trip to Washington state for later this month and wanted to be certain I could find my way up and back. I think this unit is going to do the job for me. :D

[RickDVTX1800]

Mine is due in before 3pm tomorrow... I get to wait on the nice white FedEx truck all day, but I think it will be worth it! Ive got the scala-rider headset and my phone all ready to pair up with it and Ive got the cyclegadgets.com RAM mounts on order for the 2820 and Ill be good to go!

[xxxrider]

I bought the Garmin 2730 unit instead of the 2820 because it came with the GXM30 XM Radio antenna which would have cost another $250 with the 2820 unit. I didn't care about Bluetooth because I don't answer my cell phone when riding because I am riding for recreation and not to be bothered.

So I got all of the amenities of the 2820 but for $250 cheaper and I still have Bluetooth capabilities thru my Autocom Super Pro AVI if I want to buy that additional unit (which I don't need at this time) plus I can listen to MP3s from my Samsung SCH-I730 PC SmartPhone or listen to XM Radio via the 2730 and also have additional MP3 listening from my 2730 with 750 MB of storage capacity. I would probably use that for long trips, downloading alot of maps into storage so I don't have to bring my PC.

Can't wait to hook this puppy up next Thursday and try it. It also has noise cancelling features via the Super Pro AVI so that will be nice because it has an ambient noise filter and many other features and many more inputs. A little pricey but I saved about $4000 on the bike so I can afford to spend a little more to get it to the point where it is FUN, SAFE, FUNCTIONAL, FAST and I can listen to my wife as she yells "A$$HOLE, you are going too fast!!!" at the exact time that I hit mute and say "What did you say HONEY?". LOL!!!

[Themobb]

Looks interesting...

I like my 276c, but bluetooth, mp3 and xm in one box sounds good.

The only question I have is what is the capacity of the mp3 storage?

I went through the manual at Garmin's site and it pointedly avoids specifing the storage available for mp3/audible content...

Anybody know?

Lance

[jrhodus]

My 2820 came in Wednesday. So far it is everything I expected it to be. We will be traveling to Washington state beginning this weekend so it will get a good workout on that trip. I'll let everyone know when we return how it preformed.

[xxxrider]

You have 750 MB of memory which is for maps and MP3s if I read it correctly. It doesn't say like the Lowrance does that 10 gig is for maps and 10 gig is for MP3s, it just states that you have 750 gig of memory so I guess it is for both. Since it already contains all of the maps of the U.S. you just have to use very little memory for storing tracks and routes.

I don't need the Bluetooth because when I occasionally use the phone it will be when I am getting gas or taking a breather.

The XM Radio requires an additional GXM30 antenna which is $249.95 if you buy the 2820. It is included with the 2730 so I think for $850 that is a better unit if you can live without Bluetooth. I can't figure out how to get it into my helmet anyway.

Being able to record 200 to 250 songs in the Garmin gives you alot of music when you don't want to listen to XM Radio or can't get a signal. You don't need to store your whole music collection for playback on a bike. Most poeple also have an MP3 player that they can add into the mix. My Samsung SCH-I730 has a 2 gig memory card that has about 25 CDs on it so I have plenty of music to listen too. Also, sometimes you just want silence and to hear those loud pipes making music to your ears. It is pretty awesome and I can't wait to get the 2730 installed on my bike.

[VinceA]

Although I like the idea of integration of GPS and MP3 (and XM radio) the lack of reasonable disk space for the actual MP3 files would be my biggest purchasing hesitation (of course Garmin GPS units per se are second to none). I have a dedicated 40GB MP3 player that even at 1/3rd full (which it is) holds all my CD's -- about 3,500 songs. I LOVE having them all. But I don't think ANY of the multi-tasking GPSs or XM/MP3 Players (i.e., Pioneer Inno and their ilk) have any amount of MP3 space to speak of. You can put on wha- 7 CD's...?! (I'm just guessing)

Also, considering those other shortcomings concerning the separate antenna price and this Bluetooth thing (and I have an Autocom too and never use my phone on the bike -- sorry, but for that you really should stop and talk at a rest stop) -- the 28xx series Garmin seems not to be a wise buy. But if you must have the latest unit (until the inevitable upgrade next Summer) and have money to burn, enjoy! Right now my non-cutting edge separates work fine for me.

[xxxrider]

I have my Samsung SCH-I730 PC Smartphone plugged into my Autocom Super Pro AVI so I have another 2 gig for MP3s in addition to my 750 gig on the Garmin StreetPilot 2730. That's about 24 CDs and that should be plenty because I will be listening to XM Radio unless I can't get a signal so then I'll switch over momentarily to listen to those 24 CDs. Also, I delete the songs that I don't like so I can get more CDs on it with just the songs that I want to hear.

Who need Bluetooth? It is mono and not stereo and I agree that if I have to talk on the phone I can pull into a gas station and talk while getting gas.

I also may add another MP3 Player into the Mix if I need more MP3s than that.