Garmin nüvi 775/775T 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth, Free Traffic and North American & European Maps

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The Garmin nuvi 755T, nuvi 765T, nuvi 775T and nuvi 785T are the member of the high-end nuvi 7x5 series, a second-generation nuvi 700 line that adds media player, and FM transmitter for transmitting audio--including directions and MP3 music, audiobooks, lane assist, 3-D buildings to an already significant feature set. The nuvi 755T, nuvi 765T, nuvi 775T and nuvi 785T have a 4.3" wide touch-screen and text-to-speech, so you"ll hear "drive one-half mile, then turn left on Oak Street," instead of just "drive one-half mile, then turn left". nuvi 765T, nuvi 775T and nuvi 785T have stereo Bluetooth which does not include in nuvi 755T. All of them are pre-loaded maps of the U.S. and Canada and additional Europe map in nuvi 775T. The Garmin nuvi 785T differs from the other units in the new 7x5T series in that it doesn’t offer lifetime traffic like others. Instead, it comes with a three month trial subscription to MSN Direct. The advantages are that traffic coverage is offered for more cities, and you get extras like gas prices and weather, as well as the "Send to GPS" feature.

Let’s look at the newest features on the nuvi 7x5 line…

Lane guidance (available on nuvi 755T, nuvi 765T, nuvi 775T and nuvi 785T)

To me, the lane guidance feature is the nicest addition to the the 7x5 series. It shows up in two places on the device. The flashiest is for major freeway interchanges, as shown below. This screen appears as you approach your exit.

3-D buildings (available on nuvi 755T, nuvi 765T, nuvi 775T and nuvi 785T)

This feature adds some flash, but in my mind is less helpful than lane assist.

A2DP stereo Bluetooth (available on nuvi 765T, nuvi 775T and nuvi 785T)

The 7x5T series brings us the first nuvis with A2DP stereo Bluetooth, the exception being the nuvi 755T, which doesn’t include Bluetooth at all. This allows for a number of interesting things. For example, you can stream music via the nuvi’s MP3 player to a stereo Bluetooth headset. At the same time such an audio link is established, you can connect your phone to the nuvi as well.

Yet what impressed me most about the 7x5T’s Bluetooth feature was how good the sound quality was of calls made from the nuvi. It has nothing to do with A2DP, but rather with dramatic improvements in Garmin’s echo-cancellation technology. Units I’ve tested in the past have been pretty bad for the person on the other end of the call. But the sound quality using the 7x5T was quite good.

Ad-supported lifetime traffic (available on nuvi 755T, nuvi 765T and nuvi 775T)

Without a doubt the most controversial feature on the nuvi 7x5 series is the ad-supported lifetime NAVTEQ traffic, yet I found the ads to be low key and unobtrusive. I only saw ads appear when my vehicle was stopped; they showed up in the following places:

• On startup at the top of the main menu
• At the bottom of the traffic menu screen
• On the map once you have reached your destination

If you touch the ad, you’ll go to a screen showing the nearest locations for that advertiser. Selecting a location will take you to the detail screen. In the case of the BP gas ad below, a click on the coupon gave me a number to text to enter the contest.

If you enable the traffic map, the moving map screen goes to greyscale, so that traffic flow (indicated in yellow or red) will show up better.

New customization options (available on nuvi 755T, nuvi 765T, nuvi 775T and nuvi 785T)

New to the 7x5 series are customization options for the lower right field on the map screen. Press this field to bring up the options listed below. When not navigating, the options are:

• Direction of travel (default)
• Elevation
• Time of day

When navigating, the options are as follows:

• Estimated time of arrival (default)
• Distance to destination
• Estimated time to destination
• Direction of travel
• Elevation
• Time of day

Garmin nuvi 7xx series mount

The nuvi 7x5 series mount have an integrated power/traffic receiver connection, so you don’t have to plug a cable into the device each time you mount it. Unlike the nuvi 2x5 series, all you need to do is snap it into the mount.

Other nuvi 755T features of note available on nuvi 755T, nuvi 765T, nuvi 775T and nuvi 785T

The nuvi 7x5 series has inherited some other features of note from the nuvi 255w. These include a redesigned map screen that adds a third data field (current speed). And while photo navigation is not a feature that I find useful, you can download Google Panoramio pictures via Garmin Connect Photos and navigate to them. Finally, as I mentioned earlier, the nuvi 755T has all the great features already found on the first generation nuvi 700 series. These include:

• Multi-destination routing
• Automatic sorting of multiple destinations to provide an efficient route/li>
• Tracklog recording/li>
• Speed limit display for many interstates and highways/li>
• Automatic marking of your last position when the unit is turned off (to help you find your car in mega-mall parking lots)/li>
• A “Where am I” safety feature that gives your current location, nearest address, nearest intersection, along with quick access to POIs for the nearest hospitals, police stations and gas stations

Conclusion and recommendation

nuvi 755T, nuvi 765T, nuvi 775T and nuvi 785T are a superior navigation devices and I highly recommend them. The only caveat is that it is more appropriate if you are in an area with NAVTEQ traffic coverage. The lane assist feature is the best reason to upgrade from the 2x5 series which also has the lifetime traffic feature. Like all Garmin nuvis, they are intuitive and a joy to use. Garmin has created yet another excellent product, and it’s no wonder that they dominate our top ten GPS list.

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It seems that Garmin is trying to create a nuvi for everyone, but with so many models in the marketplace, they’ve also created quite a bit of confusion. To help you navigate your way to the ideal nuvi, buyer guide written below will be useful starting point.

First of all, Garmin nuvi can be categorized into these groups.

• Basic Model (nuvi 2xx)
• Crossover model (nuvi 5xx)
• High end without voice control model (nuvi 7xx)
• High end with voice control model (nuvi 8xx)
• Portable GPS navigators (nuvi 12xx,13xx,14xx,16xx,5000)
• GPS navigators for RV and truck drivers (nuvi 5000)

Basic Model (nuvi 2xx)

• It has maps of the entire U.S., except for Alaska (49 states). Like all the nuvis, the it has around 6 million points of interest (POIs), name of geographic point that may be of interest to you.
• 3.5 inches screen size
• Track display – See where you’ve been. It can be helpful in finding your way in unfamiliar areas.
• Speed limit display – First implemented for major highways, we’re now starting see it on other thoroughfares as well.

• Live traffic – A nice feature that isn’t quite ready for prime time. Expect lots of inaccurate reports as well as incidents that aren’t reported. Delivered via FM, this service is provided by the Traffic Message Channel, hence you will sometimes see it referred to as FM-TMC. Unlike most other brands, Garmin traffic receivers are incorporated into the vehicle power cable. Also see MSN Direct for another traffic option.
• MSN Direct – This service provides gas prices, live traffic, weather and movie times. For nuvi 7xx and 8xx series models, second-generation MSN Direct adds even more features, including “Send to GPS” via the Internet. In terms of which is better for traffic, MSN Direct or FM-TMC, this often depends on which metro area you are in.

• Maps of all 50 states and Canada.
• Speaks street names – Formally known as text-to-speech, this function allows the device to call out the name of the street for upcoming turns, so you’ll get “in one-half mile, turn left on Oak Street,” rather than just “in one-half mile, turn left.” A very helpful feature.

• Live traffic
• Bluetooth for hands-free cell phone use

Crossover model (nuvi 5xx)

High end without voice control model (nuvi 7xx)

• MP3 player – Some people don’t like this, but I really do. It’s nice to have the name of the artist and song on the GPS screen. Though it varies by model, typically the music is paused or the volume reduced when navigation instructions are given.
• FM transmitter – This can work well enough in small cars in rural areas, but expect problems in urban areas with a crowded FM band. The distance to your antenna impacts reception quality, which can be problematic in larger vehicles with the antenna embedded in the rear window.
• Multi-destination routing – A very nice feature, but not a critical one. if the model doesn't have it, you can only enter one destination and one via point. This isn’t problematic since you can easily find locations under Favorites or Recently Found.
• Lane Guidance - With the new Lane Guidance feature built into the nuvi 7x5 series, you'll never question which lane you should be driving in again. It provides you with a view of what lane you should be in for upcoming turns. And with the 3D Lane Assist Junction View, you'll be able to see a photo-realistic screen that shows you both the road detail as well as the signs as you will see them on the road. The signs that aren't needed for navigation are faded compared to the appropriate lane signage. This features is included in TomTom One 140-S which is the budget model of TomTom. However this feature isn't included in basic model of nuvi.

High end with voice control model (nuvi 8xx)

• 3-D buildings
• A2DP Bluetooth
• ecoRoute
• Recent cities and streets folders that speed searches (though these aren’t really necessary if you’re using voice commands)
• Customizable data fields

• Removable battery
• Dual speakers
• Voice command
• Custom avoidances (avoid specified streets or areas)
• Backup camera input

Portable GPS navigators (nuvi 12xx,13xx,14xx,16xx,5000)

GPS navigators for RV and truck drivers (nuvi 5000)

• External analog video (e.g., a back up camera)
• Customized routing to avoid select roads and areas
• Digital elevation maps that shows details about the surrounding terrain

Discontinued model which I don't recommend

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At the risk of upsetting the nice PR folks who provide me with review units, I've decided to share my thoughts on what brand of GPS is best. Clearly this is subjective — its my opinion and mine alone. And things do change. However, based on models I've tested over the past year, this is how I see things shaking out.

• Garmin – Garmin receivers are intuitive, easy to use units with an uncluttered interface. If you want a simple out of the box solution that just flat out works, this brand’s for you. They are easy enough that your parents or even grandparents can use them. While Garmin isn’t always the first to introduce new features, they generally nail them when they do. Finally, all their nuvi units have around six million Points of interest (POIs), name of geographic point that may be of interest to you, whereas most other brands will drop the numbers on lower level models.
• TomTom – The one place TomTom out paces Garmin is on customization. If you want to tinker with your device, get under the hood and play with settings, a TomTom may be your best choice. That flexibility can cost you though – there are more menus to navigate and a more cluttered screen. Having said that, TomTom does the best job of balancing lots of options with an intuitive interface. TomTom often leads the way in innovation too, though first to implement doesn't necessarily make for the best implementation. One other note — TomTom uses Tele Atlas maps while Garmin uses NAVTEQ. Both do well in urban areas, but in my experience, Tele Atlas maps underperform NAVTEQ in rural America.
• (TIE) Magellan and Navigon – These brands will perform basic navigation and get you from point A to point B, usually as well as a Garmin or TomTom. But along the way you may experience frustrating things like confusing interfaces, excess steps, lockups, etc.
• Mio – Before switching to the Navman interface, I would have ranked Mio higher. They dropped some advanced features in the changeover though, and I found routing problems in recent review units. Perhaps next year’s switch to Windows Embedded NavReady will improve their rankings.
• All the rest – Don’t go there. Stick with one of the companies above that have been doing this for years. Check the GPS rankings on Amazon and after scrolling way down to find the off-brands, read their reviews and you’ll see that the problems just get worse.

Car GPS Brand Summary

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