Garmin nüvi 785T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Garmin nüvi 785T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Stay ahead of the curve and connected with n?vi 785T, featuring lane assist and MSN Direct content. The 785T guides you to the proper lane for navigation while delivering real-time local weather, traffic, movie times, stock information, gas prices, news and local events. It also includes hands-free calling, preloaded maps and turn-by-turn directions that call out street names.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Best GPS !!!!
Despite the poor reviews I still ordered this unit. I have to say it is awesome. I love it!!! The unit is fast accurate and right to the point. All the features are perfect. If you want a great GPS packed with features this is it. I use the Bluetooth calling everyday on it. People can hear me clearly and have no clue that I am talking through a GPS. I have even driven on the highway with the windows down and people have no idea that I am talking from the car, its all where you mount the unit that makes the difference. MSN Direct is really cool its great having weather, movies, especially GAS prices (not to mention they are accurate) and more and your fingertips.
3 Stars Be Careful with Amazon Pricing
If you are set on buying this (or any other GPS) from Amazon, wait for the right price. Amazon will periodically throw some loss leaders out at $350, You have to be quick before they jack the price back up to around $500 or try to direct you to one of their other vendors. Right now you can by this unit for $399 at Adorama, so be patient and wait for the $350 price.
5 Stars Best Bang for the Buck
I checked out the Garmins starting with the 265 & up to this one. I made the decision to buy one that filled my important needs: lane info & the MSN was built in. So far, so good. I’ve been able to find places on our cross country trip without having to stop & ask where is the nearest….? The Garmin has the answer all the time & the phone numbers. The lane info has also been a saver when it comes to traveling out of our elements. **I can not stress enough that you still need to have a idea of the area you’re traveling!!** As my not directionally challenged husband say’s, “Garmin wins two & I win ten.” About 90% of the time it has you getting off 1 exit before the one you really need. Not sure who’s’ fault that is. As the saying goes, is it real or is it Memorex. I would buy it again!! It has gotten me home no matter where my husband tries to drop & loose me.
1 Stars This GPS has locked up on my wife 3 times
This GPS has locked up on my wife 3 times now. Last time was yesterday. It still hasn’t started working again from the last time. I want a refund.
4 Stars Nice GPS. Some Flaws. Recommended
I had a C550 and loved it but it got stolen so I had to buy a new GPS. I started with a Nuvi 885T because I was intrigued by the voice activation. The good news is that the voice activation works very, very well. The bad news is that I found the overall operating feel to be slow and choppy, a fact that is mentioned in several other reviews. Also, I had some issues with the unit locking up, so back it went.
I’ve had the 785T now for a couple of days.
Here is what I like:
* Quick to lock in satellites, even on cold start
* Accurate directions
* Smooth scrolling
* Customizable display
* Lane Assist works nicely and I like it. Useful feature.
* Junction View works nicely and I like it, but in my opinion it is not nearly as useful as Garmin would lead you to believe. A photo realistic image of upcoming street signs flashes across the screen for about 5-8 seconds, with an indication as to which lane you should be in.
* Bluetooth connected with my Blackberry no problem
* Ability to send addresses from my computer to the unit wirelessly. I’ve used it. It works.
* Small/lightweight (unlike my old C550)
* MSN Direct works well. MSN Traffic seems to work well, although some other reviewers prefer Lifetime Traffic. I think that is a matter of personal preference, and also depends on where you live. I live outside of Washington, DC, so MSN coverage is strong.
Here is what I do not like:
* Speakers barely loud enough. My C550 had rich, deep, loud sound. The Nuvi 785T, like all the Nuvi’s, has shallow, slightly tinny, not quite loud enough, sound. I am really surprised that Garmin has not addressed this, as this is probably the number one complaint that I have, and that I have seen in other reviews. Unlike some other reviews, this wasn’t a deal breaker for me, as I find the volume and clarity to be basically acceptable, but just marginally so.
* The underpowered speakers make the Bluetooth component less than perfect, but still useable
* The distance remaining and arrival time are slightly smaller than my C550, but it is noticeable and slightly irritating (only slightly). I wear reading glasses, so sometimes I have to squint at the screen a bit
* I am constantly taking the unit in and out of my car (don’t want to have this unit stolen like my last one). Almost every time I have to fiddle with the mount so it clicks in. It has to line up perfectly, or it won’t click in, which requires 2 hands and a bit of concentration. Should be easier and more intuitive than that.
* Updating the maps was an adventure. I don’t believe this was the fault of the unit, but rather Garmin’s website. The map updates are a HUGE file (192 mb), and twice it hung at about 180 mb requiring me to start all over. A little frustrating, but again, I don’t fault the 785T for this, and eventually I got it all squared away.
Overall, I give it 4 stars. Not perfect, several flaws, but overall, I like it and recommend it.
By the way, here is a buying tip if you are interested in this unit….keep your eye on it and check the price daily. Amazon changes their prices dramatically from day to day. They do that on all of their products, but I seem to notice it more on GPS units. One day this might be $500, then the next day it might be $350, then the next day it might go back up to $500. My bottom line? Anything under $400 is a buy, and a good value for the Nuvi 785T.
Filed under: Garmin GPS Systems