A couple of Garmin 2730 questions

[TheAxeman]

:help:

I was driving around with the 2730 in my pickup today just to get a feel for how it works and just have a couple of questions (and observations) for those of you in the know. When the unit loses satellite signal, shouldn't it lose the map completely? It lost it a couple of time today and the track continued for probably 1 1/2 miles, showing that the truck was continuing on a road that I wasn't even on. The XM continued to play but the GPS was showing a loss of signal. I did just have the antenna on the dashboard but I wouldn't think this would make a difference.

Does anybody use the XM weather and if so what plan did you go purchase and how well does it work?

Unlike the Sirius in my truck which also transmits through the FM radio and has no distortion, when I run the XM through the FM transmitter the amount of interference is enormous no matter what FM frequency I am on, almost like a badly tuned radio station...any suggestions?

I want to run the GPS through my Starcom and I also have an X-50 radar detector. Will the GPS voice take priority over the X-50 alert or vice versa? Will they both drop the music out? Should I just plug the Starcom isolated cable into the side of the GPS or should I plug it into the cord supplied with the Garmin motorcycle mount? Thank you for your support.

Das ist alles.

 

[Ignacio]

The unit tends to pretend you're on the same course and direction as it last had satellite signal. When it regains your position will jump. I think this is better than taking the map away. Inaccurate information that I know is inaccurate with the flashing ? symbol is better than no information. Get a supplimentary antennae, reposition the GPS for a better view, or take off the hood if you're using one to improve signal.

XM weather Overview. I haven't ordered because it looks excessively expensive to me and activation price seems high. The XM Radio part does have channels with regional weather and I can listen to those and put weather in my minds eye.

As for GPS and Starcom with a radar detector......talk to Jeff at SportBikeeffects.com for full details assuming you bought your Starcom with him. If not, talk to whoever you bought it from if they'll help. Jeff set me up and I have a V-1 set in my primary position and it mutes everything else. It's the port that overrides not the device. Whatever device is plugged into that one mutes the others. I have mine plugged into the side of the GPS.

 

[TheAxeman]

Thanks for that Iggy. I'll check with Jeff on the cabling. I did check with XM about the weather and I'm going to try the Aviator LT package. It runs $29.99 a month with a one time $75.00 activation fee. However, you can turn the service on or off when needed without incurring a reactivation fee. For instance, I can activate it if I know I have some long trips planned and deactivate it when I don't. I would want it primarily for the Nexrad radar. I'll give it a try and report back.

 

[rickcorwn]

XM weather Overview. I haven't ordered because it looks excessively expensive to me and activation price seems high. The XM Radio part does have channels with regional weather and I can listen to those and put weather in my minds eye.

That XM weather service is not available for the 2730 that service is for the weather capable X78 series of Garmins. What you need with the 2730 is the NavTraffic service https://www.xmradio.com/navtraffic/index.xmc Unfortunately they don't even mention the weather service here, go figure :blink: It's $3.99 a month on top of the regular XM service or $9.95 stand alone. It is not as complete as the more expensive XM WX service the major differance is the lack of radar image. It will give you weather info in text and with icons on a map. I feel that it's a good and worthwhile service especially for $3.99. If you want I can give you a much more detailed description of the service which XM doesn't even attempt to do :angry:

 

[RenoJohn]

A few comments

Rickcorwn is correcct on the weather.

The weather you get (via XM) on the 27xx is just forecasts (basically, a page or two that gives you the current conditions and the short term forecast). To get the "marine" weather packages which offer nexrad weather radar, satellite imagery, lightning strikes, pressure fronts, etc all in "real time" overlaid onto your map you need the 376/478. Garmin considers these "marine" units and marine and aircraft units are the only ones that work with this extended weather data.

I have fair/good but not great experience with the FM transmitter on my 2730, however it does get static on occasion. I've heard MANY reports such as yours where it does not work well. I'm assuming that the FM transmitter is very weak.

I use and autocom (not starcom) so can't really comment on the starcom.

However I prefer a visual alert (clicky)

on my excort vs having the audio wired in with everything else. just a thought.

..renojohn

 

[05fjrman]

Does the 2730 have an input for an aux. MCX antennae? If it does, get one. I have one for my iQue, and it's at least twice as strong as the internal. plus it catches more sats and locates them faster.

 

[RenoJohn]

Does the 2730 have an input for an aux. MCX antennae? If it does, get one. I have one for my iQue, and it's at least twice as strong as the internal. plus it catches more sats and locates them faster.

yes, it does. same connection (mini usb) as you use for hooking up to computer.

 

[Bike Effects]

Thanks for that Iggy. I'll check with Jeff on the cabling. I did check with XM about the weather and I'm going to try the Aviator LT package. It runs $29.99 a month with a one time $75.00 activation fee. However, you can turn the service on or off when needed without incurring a reactivation fee. For instance, I can activate it if I know I have some long trips planned and deactivate it when I don't. I would want it primarily for the Nexrad radar. I'll give it a try and report back.

Give me a weekend phone number and I'll call you.