760 = Mistake

 

Hi All,

I just bought a Nuvi 760, after trading in a 680 i bought a week ago and what a mistake. Guess i'll be going back later this afternoon to switch em back out. I can't believe that paying more nets you less? No weather, no msn, no zoom on map pages, not even the leather carrying case, no indoor charger, for that matter, no indoor satellite reception... . The mounting hardware is not as snug as on the 680 as far as the swiveling action. The screens layout is a bit confusing and less user friendly in my opinion as well. I am sure it navigates like all the rest of them. I know it has some new routing features which I will use rarely. I just didn't expect to be giving up "anything" for 699. plus tax. Anyone have any opinions on this model?

Kerry

Conclusion:

After having a convenient trip to Austin TX from Dallas TX dropped in my lap at the last minute yesterday and after having had time to evaluate the 760 on the road I've decided to go back to the 680. The only things I found I really appreciated about the 760 was that the roads speed limit was displayed on the map screen (in route) and the FM Tuner has an auto tuner that seeks out a better station (once prompted by user) for you you and tells you what station to turn your radio to. Other than that? I still think the overall functionality of the unit is hampered by a poorly designed menu system and I still think some of the most commonly used features are buried three or 4 selections deep in the menus and are not readily accessible at 75 mph. The biggest disappointment was losing MSN, power adapters, leather case, and indoor antennae functionality with the 760. I would not have expected to has lost any of the perks by paying out even more money.

680 is top of the line

From what I ma reading The 680 is the Nuvi to Own.The 7xx series are starting to cheap down, I do like that they take Multiple routes,But the 750 is cheaper here than the 680. I just bought the 650 and from what I see I am not giving up much on the 7xx series and mine was 299

--
Dave_ Nuvi 660 , 760,1490LMT Wooster, Ohio

I just got a trip dropped in my lap...

I'm going to Austin for work to pickup a Bentley that broken down for a customer who lives there. I'll be leaving dallas in the next hour. I'll take the 760 with me and see what I think after tonight before I return it.

Kerry

My Opinion

I have a nüvi 760 and am very happy with the unit. Although I have not used the MSN traffic, many of the reviews I have read say that the TMC performs the traffic functions more timely and has a better method of gathering information. I do not have a need for the movie, gas or weather information that MSN provides, so that is a personal choice. I wanted to focus on the navigation, multiple via point and route saving functions that are available on the nüvi 760.

My mount seemed to not be as tight as the one for my nüvi 660 when first installed, but was fine after a few days and no longer an issue for me.

The leather case was a disappointment, but not a deal breaker. I bought another Garmin case, but it is the same one sold for the 660/680 and the 760 is thinner and can easily drop out of the case. I now use a 2.5" external hard drive case with a full zipper instead. At $9.00, it is a reasonable adjustment. The Nintendo game cases are also a good alternative in the $10.00 range.

Although my GPS stays charged while using it in the car, I do have the AC charger from my nüvi 660 for the rare times I use the unit in the house and it is not connected to the computer. That is also available for a nominal fee for those who need it. I think it was a decision to make them available to those who need them rather than provide them with every unit and not be used by some, as has been noted in this discussion group.

The reception indoors is possible in some parts of my house and not in others. It does, however perform flawlessly in the car or anywhere outdoors.

After a few days, the differences in the menus, etc between the nüvi 660 and the nüvi 760 were no longer an issue. I don't feel that any functionality was lost, but just accessed in a different manner. I have +/- zoom on the maps and auto zoom while navigating, so I'm not sure what is meant by no zoom on map pages.

I certainly enjoy my nüvi 760 and do not feel that I have lost anything over my other units to gain the route features and tracking that I wanted in this newer unit. Each unit that I have owned has been unfamiliar at first due to changes/improvements, but once I become familiar wiht the unit, I have never wanted to go back to a previous model.

In short, my opinion is that the nüvi 760 is a great device.

Bill

--
nüvi 880 - nüvi 760 - nüvi 660 - StreetPilot 2620 - Portland, Oregon

.

Zecpull wrote:

From what I ma reading The 680 is the Nuvi to Own.The 7xx series are starting to cheap down, I do like that they take Multiple routes,But the 750 is cheaper here than the 680. I just bought the 650 and from what I see I am not giving up much on the 7xx series and mine was 299

The nüvi 750 does not have bluetooth or traffic. That is why it is cheaper than the nüvi 680 that has both.

The nüvi 650 does not have bluetooth or traffic either.

These things have to be compared feature to feature to fairly compare price. The Garmin site has a good tool to do this if you are interested.

Cutting things like the AC power and the case are attempts to reduce cost and remain competitive while still offering enhanced functionality. We all want more for less and I would rather go without accessories than core functionality. Not everyone uses the accessories.

Bill

--
nüvi 880 - nüvi 760 - nüvi 660 - StreetPilot 2620 - Portland, Oregon

Nuvi 7XX

I bought the Nuvi 750, because I didn't need traffic or Bluetooth. I sold a Nuvi 350 (which, in my humble opinion - was one of the best devices Garmin ever made). Before my 750 ever arrived, I sent an e-mail to Garmin indicating my disappointment that the device did not ship with a case. Before the 750 was delivered, the case was (free of charge). I have not been at all disappointed with the 750. It navigates as well as the 350 did, and I love the tracklog and the routing feature.

Joel

--
"Sometimes, when I look at my children, I wish I had remained a virgin". Lillian Carter (Mother of Jimmy Carter)

Multiple routes

Ok, so how does the nuvi do multiple routes, rather what does that exactly mean...sorry for being such a dunce!

--
Charley - Nuvi 350 - Bel STI Driver - Cobra 29 w/ wilson 1000 - AIM: asianfire -

Route Function - nüvi 7xx

asianfire wrote:

Ok, so how does the nuvi do multiple routes, rather what does that exactly mean...sorry for being such a dunce!

For a desired route, you can enter a start point, several via points (up to 50 total?) and an end point for a specific route. The unit will optimize the route for you by automatically moving the order of the via points or you can manually move the via points to the desired order. It works great for things like winery tours, covered bridge tours and even has great uses for multiple destinations related to work such as sales calls or location visits.

Up to 10 routes can be saved in the GPS for future use without having to re-enter the information for those routes.

It is the same functionality that was on added with the 26xx series and was absent from the nüvi series until the nüvi 7xx series units.

Bill

--
nüvi 880 - nüvi 760 - nüvi 660 - StreetPilot 2620 - Portland, Oregon

Gee! Thanks a bunch, got it

Gee! Thanks a bunch, got it now. That would be useful if you desired to go on a route other then it calculated.

--
Charley - Nuvi 350 - Bel STI Driver - Cobra 29 w/ wilson 1000 - AIM: asianfire -

Added Flexibility

asianfire wrote:

Gee! Thanks a bunch, got it now. That would be useful if you desired to go on a route other then it calculated.

The route feature allows you to force the route to specific roads that you desire by adding waypoints that may be cities, towns, intersections or POIs.

One of the things that I carry is a pocket atlas that I think I got at Office Depot. It is not much bigger than my GPS and has one page per state and gives the larger view of the area so that you can reference specific waypoints that will force the route to the roads that you desire. The atlas also has all of the scenic roads highlighted to help direct you to see the sights when you are vacationing or not in a hurry.

It's the best of both worlds to get the GPS to calculate the route that you had a hand in creating rather than just going via the fastest or shortest route selected by the GPS. Those are good point A to point B routes meant to get you there, but the sales persons route or the sightseeing route needs your input.

Like a lot of the features that you think you might not need you find very useful when they are available to you.

Bill

--
nüvi 880 - nüvi 760 - nüvi 660 - StreetPilot 2620 - Portland, Oregon

never say never

I would stick with the 680!
For me, giving up on good HARDWARE (flip-up antenna, AC charger, leather case) only for some SOFTWARE tweaks (qwerty keyboard, setting 10 routes, auto sort multiple destinations), is plainly not worth it...
If, by any chance, Garmin will decide tomorrow to enhance the 6xx's interface as the 7xx's is, they can do it in a snap via a free SW update; but I really doubt they'll ever be sending, for free, those accessories to the 7xx's owners!
Of course, for many people out there, being able to easily program complicated routings may be very important, there is no doubt about.
Also, many posters have stated they never use (used) the AC charger; well, never say never...
So, in my opinion, it all boils down to the most desired functionality: I can live with the painful typing process to input 10 scenic routes, thru 10 waypoints each, one-by-one on my 660 and, on the bright side, I like to know I always have a slightly better satellite reception and I can always charge the unit in any hotel room.
Just my 2 cents...

--
“There is always a solution; the only challenge is to find the best one”

my trip idea

Nuvi Addict wrote:

So, in my opinion, it all boils down to the most desired functionality: I can live with the painful typing process to input 10 scenic routes, thru 10 waypoints each, one-by-one on my 660 and, on the bright side, I like to know I always have a slightly better satellite reception and I can always charge the unit in any hotel room.
Just my 2 cents...

You could create custom POI named MyTrip.csv and save the waypoint in there, and 1 2 3 4 and such. I reach my first destination and when time to go to the second I just bring it up again and hit 2, it goes on and on till I am finished. It's just an idea.

--
Rodney.. oditius.htc@gmail.com BMW Zumo 550 HTC Touch Pro - Garmin XT

Good point!

Oditius wrote:

You could create custom POI named MyTrip.csv and save the waypoint in there, and 1 2 3 4 and such. I reach my first destination and when time to go to the second I just bring it up again and hit 2, it goes on and on till I am finished. It's just an idea.

Thank you, Rodney!
Besides the tip, you're making a very good point: it's easier (...and less costly...) to go around a SW glitch than a HW one.

--
“There is always a solution; the only challenge is to find the best one”

Personal Decisions

Nuvi Addict wrote:

I would stick with the 680!
For me, giving up on good HARDWARE (flip-up antenna, AC charger, leather case) only for some SOFTWARE tweaks (qwerty keyboard, setting 10 routes, auto sort multiple destinations), is plainly not worth it...
If, by any chance, Garmin will decide tomorrow to enhance the 6xx's interface as the 7xx's is, they can do it in a snap via a free SW update; but I really doubt they'll ever be sending, for free, those accessories to the 7xx's owners!
Of course, for many people out there, being able to easily program complicated routings may be very important, there is no doubt about.
Also, many posters have stated they never use (used) the AC charger; well, never say never...
So, in my opinion, it all boils down to the most desired functionality: I can live with the painful typing process to input 10 scenic routes, thru 10 waypoints each, one-by-one on my 660 and, on the bright side, I like to know I always have a slightly better satellite reception and I can always charge the unit in any hotel room.
Just my 2 cents...

Selecting a GPS is certainly a personal decision and not inexpensive one either. The decision to upgrade is even more difficult when you may already own a great GPS. Then you are justifying the expense against only the added functionality to the GPS you already own.

I would not hold my breath waiting for Garmin to send out emails telling 6xx owners that they are sending an upgrade to 7xx software and functionality. It's not what they do. They release new units with added features. I made my decision based on personal needs/desires when buying the 760. I kept my 660 because it is a great GPS and I have use for keeping it around.

The battery capacity of the 660/760 is greater than the hours I spend awake in a hotel room, should I plan a route while inside. The rest of the time the unit is in the car and on external power. If I use it in the pedestrian mode, the AC charger is nice to have if you run down before returning to car power. I have the charger for my 660 and they are available for under $30 while the software changes in the 760 are not available at all for a 660.

If people are looking at a new device, it is a good exercise to carefully evaluate your needs/desires first and talk to people who have used the devices you are interested in buying. I would recommend buying the most features you can afford. I never imagined that I was actually going to use every feature on either the 660 or the 760, but I have used and really appreciate all of them.

I too used to create multiple numbered favorites on the 660 because it was the only solution available for multiple via points beyond one via point. I missed having the multiple waypoints on a route that my 2620 has available and is now available to me on my 760. It works, is not painful but does not provide all the same features as the routing on the 760. If that is not a needed funtionality worthy of an upgrade, it doesn't make the 760 a bad unit, just not necessary for everybody.

I can put my 660 and 760 side by side and get the same reception; just my experience. The 760 aquires satellites in well under a minute every morning and has accuracy that is less than the length of my car. In the house, it depends upon where I am located. This is the same for XM radio in the house. Satellite signals don't like to be blocked. I really don't care for the flip up antenna on the 660, but that's how that unit works. It does not, however, get better reception than my 760.

Get your friends and family excited about owning a GPS. They are a great resource for you when you want to upgrade and need someone to buy your current, well cared for GPS.

We have to keep in mind that these devices are not the necessity that we have grown to think of them. They are great tools, a lot of fun and really help me get through my day. I have to remember that I was able to find things using maps, big green freeway signs, and when things reeally got tough, I broke down and actually asked directions.

In the 'old days' I was not able to talk to someone, on my cell phone that is connected to my GPS Bluetooth, while in route to their house in another state and accurately tell them that I would be arriving at 5:38 pm. When the call ended, the GPS would resume the music being played from it's Mp3 player, pause the music to give an instruction and resume the music again without missing a note, all playing through a dirct connection to my car stereo.

Enjoy whatever GPS you have or plan on getting. We are fortunate to have such great extras in life.

Bill

--
nüvi 880 - nüvi 760 - nüvi 660 - StreetPilot 2620 - Portland, Oregon

I agree w/PaintballCFO above

I was blissfully ignorant with a Nuvi 350 until a few short weeks ago when it was stolen. It is by far the most functional, accurate, user friendly bang for the buck in the Garmin line. Once I found myself GPSless I explored the ever changing Garmin line and decided to take advantage of the theft and upgrade to something with more bells and whistles, but had the 350 never been stolen I would still be happily using it.

Kerry

Is there any way to force a

Is there any way to force a software update for the 7XX series onto a 6XX series GPS? This way you could have the hardware and the software.

Just wondering.

I highly doubt it. Surely

I highly doubt it. Surely Garmin is smart enough not to allow someone to step up to a new line of product without shelling out more money. Maybe someone can hack it, but I won't be trying any time soon on my 660. There's probably something encoded in the hardware that tells the software what hardware the unit is...

--
Newest to oldest... Nüvi 660, Street Pilot 2720, Magellan SporTrak Pro, Lowrance Global Map 100

.

bown wrote:

Is there any way to force a software update for the 7XX series onto a 6XX series GPS? This way you could have the hardware and the software.

Just wondering.

I think the most current way to do that is to force $699.00 into the hands of a smiling retailer and they hand you a box with your brand new nüvi 760. You get to keep your nüvi 660 too! wink

Bill

--
nüvi 880 - nüvi 760 - nüvi 660 - StreetPilot 2620 - Portland, Oregon

760 = Mistake

I have both and have been using the 760 since the unit first came out. The 680 overall is a better unit. If you have had the 680, you will likely not be happy with the 760.

They both have their advantages but the 680 gets my vote as the best Nuvi.

--
Mark Ball Ground, GA

verrykerry wrote: Hi All,

verrykerry wrote:

Hi All,

I just bought a Nuvi 760, after trading in a 680 i bought a week ago and what a mistake. Guess i'll be going back later this afternoon to switch em back out. I can't believe that paying more nets you less? No weather, no msn, no zoom on map pages, not even the leather carrying case, no indoor charger, for that matter, no indoor satellite reception... . The mounting hardware is not as snug as on the 680 as far as the swiveling action. The screens layout is a bit confusing and less user friendly in my opinion as well. I am sure it navigates like all the rest of them. I know it has some new routing features which I will use rarely. I just didn't expect to be giving up "anything" for 699. plus tax. Anyone have any opinions on this model?

Kerry

Conclusion:

After having a convenient trip to Austin TX from Dallas TX dropped in my lap at the last minute yesterday and after having had time to evaluate the 760 on the road I've decided to go back to the 680. The only things I found I really appreciated about the 760 was that the roads speed limit was displayed on the map screen (in route) and the FM Tuner has an auto tuner that seeks out a better station (once prompted by user) for you you and tells you what station to turn your radio to. Other than that? I still think the overall functionality of the unit is hampered by a poorly designed menu system and I still think some of the most commonly used features are buried three or 4 selections deep in the menus and are not readily accessible at 75 mph. The biggest disappointment was losing MSN, power adapters, leather case, and indoor antennae functionality with the 760. I would not have expected to has lost any of the perks by paying out even more money.

I am glad I kept my 680. Been to San Francisco twice with the 760. Big disappointment. 680 overall is a LOT better. Especially when navigating the feeder roads and the roads around the airport.

--
Mark Ball Ground, GA

Same internal HW?

bown wrote:

Is there any way to force a software update for the 7XX series onto a 6XX series GPS? This way you could have the hardware and the software.

Just wondering.

If Garmin changed the internal HW (processor or radio) at all, you could make an expensive brick out of your 6XX by forcing SW on it designed for the 7XX. I am sending a purely cautionary message to be careful (because I don't know). But I would also love to know if anyone successfully does it!

--
--- GPSmap 60CS, Nuvi 650 & Nuvi 1490T---