new garmins!!!!!! (coming Oct 15, 2008)

You got your computer and television for free? Where? What models? I need new ones and I agree that I only want the ones that do not have ads.
Us old timers thought the internet would come to an end when sites started using advertisers and ads. We all said we would stop using the internet if it went commercial. We lied. We grumble, but we tolerate it just as much as we tolerate commercials on TV and radio. Might work out for the best. With more funding, they could afford to add more features and services.

I wonder what the future holds then for the older TTN based devices. Does this mean that soon it may not be possible to purchase a new one year subscription for TTN services on the older models?

Sadly, neither Navteq or TTN has a lock on coverage. For my use, TTN is missing Buffalo but has Syracuse, Binghamton and Rochester. Navteq has Buffalo but is lacking central New York. For most people, the switch is probably meaningless.

I don't remember making any comment about computers or televisions in my post regarding advertising on the new Garmin GPS devices.

What's an "oldtimer"? Am I one? If I am, I'm not sure why you would assume I would subscribe to your "we" comments.

My computers are home built and run fine without any "vendorware" or advertising hooks to sign up for software or services. I install what I want to use and I can assure you that I don't have an ad cluttered Yahoo, MSN, Comcast, AOL, etc. home page.

I spend very little time watching TV. I have always understood and accepted that TV, like many other things, has always been supported by advertising. I choose whether or not, what and when to watch.

I have taken two 6,000+ mile trips this summer while listening to ad-free satellite radio and navigating confidently with my ad-free Garmin GPS all the way.

Just in case my point was lost in my original post, I will not be buying any GPS devices that include the display of advertising. It's just my opinion and contributuion to the discussion. It is in no way intended to influence the decisions of others, "oldtimers" or not.

Bill

. . . Just in time for Christmas! But then I read about the ads. I think I'll wait until Garmin does away with that little feature.

I looked at one of the models (first one on Amazon) and it indicates free traffic is for first three months, thereafter there is an annual fee. So it looks like the ad supported version is not uniform across the new line.

Bill, you obviously missed the smiley. I meant no offence but it looks like you took some. I apologize if my tone was misleading. My post was talking about myself and my peers as the old timers. I was on the Internet before there was a Web, FidoNet before that, and individual BBS systems before that, coupling a phone handset to a modem to connect. There was a fair amount of moral outrage from purists in my group when graphics (Web) and ad-supported sites first appeared. Your comments just triggered memories of that. And yes, we are all still on the ad-supported Web in spite of what we said, and yes, you have already purchased devices that have ads.

Seriously, there are hardly any web sites without ads, so it's hard to truly avoid the ad-supported business models of internet, television and radio. I have a suspicion that the fee-based traffic model might eventually go away and our only choice will be an ad-supported model. We'll just have to wait and see.

On the other hand, judging by the fascination ?obsession? we sometimes see here with setting alerts and notification icons for every store or coffee shop, some folks might actually LIKE getting popup ads while they are driving around, especially if you could customize the preferences for interest categories. Interesting times are ahead...

Going back to the new Garmins...I don't know which features already exist on the current Nuvis (I've got a 2-year old c550), but reading about them takes my breath away. Lane guidance! Junction view! Garmin Connect photos! I love the interface with the speed limit and your current speed. Wow! Does any current Nuvi have that feature?

Very interresting - -

my 760 has speed limit, only shows speed when not in navigation mode

The screen shots show a round green icon with two cars on it. Wonder what that indicates? Is that the quick access to traffic info?

I am sure there will be many others like you. I also bet Garmin is finding that the sell-through rate for subscriptions is low. Being able to promote lifetime traffic AND generate revenue from ad sales is a win for them.

It would be nice if there was an ad-free subscription option. That would accommodate all their customers.

As much as I like the traffic service I sometimes question its value to me. I will be happy to live with small ads in exchange for saving $60/year. I guess we all have our price.

I beleive they will be still using the Navteq maps which are not updated.

According to pcmag.com review of the Garmin nuvi 755T, The “dual auto” green icon in the upper right corner on the map view screen slideshow takes you directly to the traffic menu.

I'm heading to Germany for a few weeks next spring, and I'm tempted by the one with dual Euro and US maps.

But a still little too pricey right now....

You might want to look at the 770. It is currently on sale at Costco for $400, which is a steal.

id rather wait till they come out with a more uber 800 series version

I like them but I will wait until my "old guy" wears out. Can't buy a new one every time they get a new one!!

Lots of nice new potential toys, but as has been said several times, Garmin needs to thin out it's line!!!!

That should reduce costs (h/w and support) and therefore ruduce selling prices.

They could show ads even with the MSN option...

I want to see in person how these ads look and when/where they appear. I've seen the screen shots but I'll wait to decide. It's not like the 750 or 650 or even the 350 are bad models. I found my destinations with those and before, AAA maps.

I agree with those who say it should be an option. Where is the 755? I don't need traffic, even if they want to call it free.

Let's hope they didn't build the new models around software version 4.0

No doubt we will be able to turn traffic mode on and off so if you don't like the ads it can be off and if you want to get out of a traffic jam you can turn it on for a few minutes.

Any word on the FM transmission feature? Is that any better then in the current models? I sure hope so.

I would not bet on such. If, as some have said, they make little money on the ad-free subscription model, there is no incentive to keep it as an option.
I can imagine the distraction that ads would cause. Much like reading your email while driving. Another potential hazard on the road. Maybe not.

I like the new features coming out, especially the free traffic feature. I currently have the C330 which is about a year old and it works fine but I might just upgrade it because of the free traffic feature. I also like the feature of sending addresses directly from Google Maps or Mapquest to the GPS. I can't wait for these Garmins come out.

I'd like to see one that can detect radars, how tight would that be.

This new series does in fact have an MP3 player.

600 series is being discontinued...I had thought about going with the Navigon because of the free lifetime traffic, but reviews...not so nice. Now I'll be switching over to the 755t as I don't use the bluetooth on the 660, no one can hear me even with a microphone...meh. An ad on the bottom of the screen surely won't bother me to save the $60/year fee. I like the fact there are more traffic viewing options than the 660 has.

I just downloaded the manual for the 7x5 series. The cover shows the manual covers 715,755,765,775 and 785. Is the 715 a non-US version?

tvnav.com has the 765t in stock for $600 with free ground shipping

Disclaimer: I am not an employee of or in any way affliated with tvnav, just a satisfied customer

If past is right, a Europe version is usually around those numbers: 605.

Daniel

You are right, way to many models

My Navigon Does, and I love it, But now why in heck would anyone pay Garmins price. They need to have there britches busted. Don't buy any new GPSr's until Black friday to see what the competition has in store for Garmin. Lane assist is nothing new Garmin just figured it out, and now the Garmin loyals are going to pay out the wazoo for old technology. Go figure, and there really is life beyond Garmin and a pretty good one, where you don't have to grease your butt just to buy a decent GPSr

Really just one basic model in the new 7X5 series with the exception of bluetooth added on the 765 and above. Most of the model number changes just denote options included like which mapset it comes with or which type traffic receiver is included.

Lane assist sounds great. User configurable data fields is something I've had in my 76CSx forever - it's about time the automotive models got that feature although it looks like it's only partially implemented.

As for the 3D buildings - what's the point? I can't really see that they are of any use to me. Ad supported traffic? No thanks. I don't like ads at all. As for the television argument - I turned off my satellite service 2.5 years ago. I don't have an antenna so I don't get ANY television channels. I don't miss it at all. There's a great library in town and I get to choose what my entertainment is with no ads at all. I can still watch movies from Netflix and I can skip the "ads" (previews) if I so desire.

I think I'll stick with my 760. It does everything I need and it's not worth the money to me to get a new unit just to add the lane assist feature.

I was new to the GPS world last year and bought a 750 unit for Christmas. The sales person showed me that it had the latest maps (2008). In less then four months a new map was issued (2009). They wanted me to pay another $70.00.

This time, if I upgrade, I will wait until the spring to buy a new unit. The price will be less and the new map update included.

Garmin can fool me once but not twice. I would suggest to anyone thinking of buying a new unit to hold off until the 2010 map release is announced.

I love this new model.

The new view of the highway signs looks pretty cool......but I don't think I can part with the money now......

edit

265T Travel will be best choice for my budget.

Anything more than a 350 is just bells and whistles for me.

On the other hand, judging by the fascination ?obsession? we sometimes see here with setting alerts and notification icons for every store or coffee shop, some folks might actually LIKE getting popup ads while they are driving around, especially if you could customize the preferences for interest categories. Interesting times are ahead...[/quote]

I also hate ads, but if I could get Starbucks popups & would LOVE it! I think the "customized preferences" for ads is a fantastic idea.

Then buy a Navigon and get those great screen features, they have had them for two years, so nothing really new there except the high price, I bet other company's will come out with those features also.
As far as advertising goes you can bet Garmin is checking the waters on this one. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see ads on all gps's soon, especially the Garmin line, they like to suck every buck they can out of their products just look at the Nuvi line and how many models there are, they could scrap half of them and combine features into the others and still have to many models.

And if you don't like ads you can always open the glove box and unfold the maps, I've got the feeling your going be using one sooner than we all think.

Don't buy anything for month , wait for Black Friday
and see what all the offerings are from other manufacturers.

Bob

i hate how i see the price tag AFTER i see the specs...

So I've had this for a few days now. Got it for wife's birthday. Only used it once so far as I've been spending time with a newborn and also figuring out a stealthy mount for her Forester. When I did use it, I didn't even notice the ads though I know they are there somewhere. I can't compare to other units as this is my first GPS but it seems pretty quick. Map refreshes fast, it reroutes fast. I like the lane assist and the highway sign previews. And I was able to mount it very stealthily finally in her car. Alls good with me! Hey first post!

having used the Tom Tom's and then the 750 I prefer the Garmins. My year old 750 was gifted to my mother and replaced with the 760. Picks up the satallite's well and does everything a navigation device should.

Lane assist seems like too much information added. As for the traffic.. I'd like to be able to use my XM subscription with it but alas.. even though I have a reciever in the car there is no way to "patch" the info to the 760. But then, XM would probably try to charge me (like they did to use it on my cell phone).

Dear DT,

Although I agree with the premise behind your position, my old eyes do like the larger screen on my 650.

david

I couldn't agree more. I am still amazed at what my 350 does. Would I like traffic and some of the new features, sure, but at what price. Garmin is just capitalizing on the trend of people paying anything to have the latest.

Maybe Santa will find a Christmas special and bring me a 265. (This is a hint to Santa).

As others are finding out:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2008/10/free-traffic.h...

It is not so free. You will be targeted with ads and other junk.

If you go to this thread and go to about the 10th posting that was just posted today in that thread it actually has a screen grab of the ad that appears after being stopped for 10 seconds. Certainly would not bother me if I got free traffic.

Link:
http://www.gpsreview.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9023

The traffic ads are small and unobtrusive right now, but who knows what they will look like in six months. Remember, you are at the mercy of Garmin and NavTeq. If they decide to make the ads full screen, there will be absolutely nothing you can do about it. And trust me, they are going to get greedier and try to make the ads appear more often. That is the only way they can increase ad revenue, by ensuring a sufficient number of ads appear per trip.

My guess is that these small "only appearing while stopped for 10 seconds" ads are just the tip of the iceberg.

You can turn ads off by turning off "Traffic" in avoidances and buying your own traffic reciever of course you then have to pay the subscription.

I have a 755, has anyone with the new 7x5 series noticed the darker screens? They have a dark/black filter on them like the new TomToms and it's not a good combo with polarized glasses. I like the screen on the 750 much better.