New Nuvi 700

Releases of new units is a great time for Garmin to shine.

I truly hope Garmin uses the introduction of a new series to correct what I consider to be technically solvable shortcomings in earlier/other units - lack of storage (for maps), quality issues with MP3 playback and the FM transmitter, and unbundles the trafic receiver. I think they could solidly position themself with offering units that speak street names (TTS) throughout the line, rather than playing the dumbed-down game.

I wouldn't think they would come out with something similar to the 6xx series. There's not a lot of difference in them now, except some cost to use the feature. How many more features can you stuff into these boxes? I have more now that I need or will ever use. However some people use it all which is good. You just have to have a need for some of it.
I look for it to compete with the Rand McNally. That's a nice looking GPS, but does not have all the 6xx's have.

Just checked the Garmin site. They have three new 700 series. 750,760 and 770. They will be availabe 4th Quartet 2007. On comparing the models, the major difference I could find is the MSN® Direct for the new Nuvi's.

The 750,760,770 are capable of 10 routes and, a trip log provides an electronic bread crumb trail of up to 10,000 points, so you can see where you've been on the map.

750 no hands free
770 transatlantic maps

The 700 series allows users to truly enjoy the best of both worlds in personal navigation," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "Whether you're exploring an unfamiliar city or looking for a new restaurant in your neighborhood, this line of nuvis is the perfect combination of power and portability. And with the nuvi 760 and nuvi 770, you can locate a restaurant, find its number, call in reservations and then hide the nuvi away in a pocket or purse."

More than ever, the nuvi 700 series is there to help when drivers need it most, answering two of the most common questions: "Where am I?" and "Where's my car?" At any time, with a single tap of the screen, drivers can display their exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and gas stations. And to help drivers find their car in an unfamiliar spot or crowded parking lot, the nuvis in the 700 series automatically mark the position in which they were last removed from the windshield mount.

Each nuvi in the 700 series has a built-in FM transmitter, allowing users to wirelessly transmit turn-by-turn directions and street names, MP3s and audio books through their vehicle's stereo, and the 760 and 770 offer Bluetooth(R) wireless technology for hands-free calling when paired with compatible phones. The 760 and 770 also feature Garmin's FM traffic receiver, helping drivers avoid gridlock and adjust routes accordingly. Available in dozens of major metropolitan areas, the traffic service includes a free three-month trial subscription. Each model in the 700 series displays speed limits for many interstates and highways.

Through Bluetooth compatibility and touchscreen technology, the nuvi 760 and nuvi 770 make reaching and enjoying a destination easier than ever. By simply tapping nuvi's screen, users can find and dial phone numbers (specifically supported phones can even access their history log of received, missed and dialed calls) or nuvi's points of interest database (hotels, restaurants, stores and more).

Like other widescreen nuvis, the 700 series boasts a bright, sunlight-readable 4.3-inch color touchscreen display (480x272 pixels). Evolving from the design of the popular 200 series, the nuvi 700 series incorporates a high-sensitivity internal GPS antenna that makes it thinner and easier to mount in a car. At startup, users are presented with Garmin's intuitive "Where To?" and "View Map" welcome screen, allowing for quick searches of addresses or nearly six million points of interest like restaurants, hotels, attractions, gas stations, and more. Turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions guide drivers to their destination, announcing streets by name along the way. If they miss a turn, the nuvi automatically recalculates a route and gets them back on track.

The nuvi 750 and nuvi 760 come preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps for the entire United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. In addition to those maps, the nuvi 770 provides detailed mapping of Europe.

The nuvi 750, nuvi 760 and nuvi 770 also feature extras such as a built-in picture viewer, calculator, currency converter, unit converter and world clock. Owners can also purchase invaluable Travel Guide(TM) and SaversGuide(R) databases to make their time on the road even more enjoyable and economical. For additional security, Garmin has included Garmin Lock(TM), an innovative patent pending theft prevention system that disables the unit from performing any functions until the user types in a specific 4-digit PIN or takes the unit to a predetermined secure location.

Garmin has also added the ability for customers to augment the preloaded maps with custom points of interest (POI's) from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras. The nuvi 770 comes preloaded with European speed camera information.

The nuvi 750, nuvi 760 and nuvi 770 are expected to be available in September 2007 at an MSRP of $599.99, $799.99 and $999.99, respectively.

Each version includes a vehicle suction cup mount, vehicle power cable, USB cable, dashboard disk and quick start manual. For more information, visit http://www.garmin.com.

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While this sounds like it has some nice additional features like KNOW WHERE YOU ARE, who would of thought a gps should tell you that, it may not be a an improvemnt over the 6xx series. Do the features listed actually work? Is the FM transmitter any better, does the traffic work any better and since there is nothing mentioned about interface to a computer I bet we would be stuck with the same wimpy crappy interface that has a lot of limitations it shouldn't. Sorry but you got me last time around but not this time around. Either there is really more beef than the 6xx series or this is more of the same. See my review of the 680 posted at:

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=81395&...

Also note there is no 780 or MSN version? WHy is that????

Unless I have overlooked something (and it's probable). I can't see where anymore has been added than what's in the 6xx series except the 10 routes, and trip log providing the bread crum trail. That could have be an update to the 6xx series. Thinner, new look, who cares?
Just something else to entice new buyers, or old users to buy up. My 660 does all I need, so will keep it.

New look, same guts?

we all know FM traffic and MSN hasn't gotten any better. The route capability will be nice.

Only .1 inch thinner, .1 less on width and .1 more on height.

No mention (that I could find) about the antenna, flip up or built in.

If I had a 660 I'd keep it too.

Any wagers on who's the first to buy one?? (nickjr) lol!

just got the nuvi 660 a week ago, and is it worth for me to return and get the 760? I got 5 more days to return and get charged with 15% restocking fee....

Maybe it's me, but I don't see a whole lot to justify a new line.
Anybody find anything?

It's built-in. Here's a thread with a picure at GpsPassion

Its form factor is based on 200-series (wide).

That would take all of the fun out of making strangers jump as you wondered around looking for the car you parked and can not locate any other way but to make it honk when you get close enough for the lock button on your keyring to activate.

I can't wait to see that feature shown in the comercials, kid on one hip and she has her gps to guide her back to her car:) that is really a cool feature.

I can usually only find my car by following Jon back to it. I once played a practical joke on on Jon where I went to the airport and moved his car over a few rows while he was on a business trip. It only took him about 10 minutes to find it and didn't even realize that it had been moved.

My best friend and I had invested at least 3 hours pulling off that prank and it didn't even work.

Ya I know I'm mean:)

Miss Poi

Garmin should add a media player. It seems that all the technology is there, including the wide screen. It would be nice to watch movies on the airplane. Would also be easy to disable video playback during mapping and navigation.

Jen

I have the Nuvi 350 and sometimes I forget where I park my car. So what I usually do before I leave the car is that I go to my Nuvi's My Locations > My Current Location and Save that Location and name it "Park". Of course, this only work on one level parking lot outside. It *might* work on multi-level parking garages, but it will definitely not get any signal from subterranean parking structures. Also, with multi-level, you'll still have to remember which level you parked your car. Unless of course the new Nuvi's can tell you what level you are on...

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you guys do realize that fm transmitters suck due to the fm radio stations on either side? the traffic information will only be as good as what is broadcast.

I took a quick look at the specs and don't see anything to distinguish the 700 series from the 660 I am currently using.

Multi-destination routing, route optimizing, multiple waypoints, and 'breadcrumbs'...

They can hold 10 routes.

If the hardware for processing routing is the same as the NUVI 350 maybe someone could hack the software of the 700 series and tell us how to reprogram the 350 to hold ten routes.

Before anyone here goes ballistic and starts in about hacking, let us remember we own our units and if we want to reprogram it to do what we want it to, it is our business.

Double Tap

And render your hacked 350 little more than a brick, don't come here asking for help on how to fix it...

Hackers know the potential problems and plenty of other Hackers that can help them. Why would anyone experienced in hacking think they would be able to get help here ? Lets face it, MOST (but not all) of us here, including me, do not have the skills necessary to hack the unit and would not attempt it.

My point is, that someone that does have the skills would do it, and for a small fee tell us how to or actually modify the software for us.

Double Tap

Screen size is same, adds 10 routes, antena is within = more of an update to the 6xx series without making our 6xx units obsolete.

Ok, so do any of us know anyone who could "hack" into one of these and enhance some of the base programming? Someone who could do that and effectively create 3rd party applications would find themselves a whole new career... Can't be that hard (not that I could do it)...

Time zones can't be that difficult and a more precise compass (something Garmin's older units used to have) must also be easy. I would pay a C note or two just for these 2 improvements alone!

I noticed in the accessories for the 750, 760 and 770, you can buy the MSN receiver. It says:
Receive real-time MSN Direct content including local weather, traffic, movie times and gas prices with this integrated receiver and cigarette lighter adapter.
Only $125. Probably no subscription, but is does not say.

If I was going to release new models in time for Christmas, and could not figure out what traffic technology to use today, I would make my new units capable of using all technologies and sell the receivers seperately. I would set my standard to Clear Channels FM, which is what Garmin did. Is that their plan, I hope so.

Also, I tried to download the owners manuals and they are not available as of this morning. I am hoping they improved the UI.

The big question for me is "will Garmin sell a patch" to bring my 660 and 670 up to the functional spec of the 7xx series. I really want the routing functionality!

My fingers are crossed for a patch to the 660 too.

If you didn't need it right away I would return it if I were you. Sure not much has changed but I do like the changes that are there like the integrated antenna, the 10 routes, and the route sorting. Here is the comparison

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare.do?cID=134&compare=compa...

Can I get a patch to integrate the antenna?

Yup...Returned over the weekend....so hoping to get the 760 model as soon as it comes out, who knows when Q4 they'll sell

I'd be happy with 1 route, and a QWERTY keyboard.

Does anyone know if I can make my nuvi 680 keyboard QWERTY? It's frustrating to use the alphabetic keyboard when I'm so used to qwerty.

Jen

what you see is all you can get.

I keep hearing about 10 routes. What does that mean? Will it make trip planning easier or harder (more to specify)?

thx,
Jen