Garmin nuvi 785T reviewed

Garmin launched its updated 7x5 series of nuvi navigators back in August, but the high-end MSN Direct-equipped 785T is just hitting stores, and GPS Magazine says it's a solid improvement over previous nuvis -- but if you're not willing to pay the $50 / year for the MSN service, you're probably not going to miss it. The 785T drew high marks for its fast frame rate, nice 3D lane guidance / upcoming turn features, and semi-realistic building displays, but the MSN Direct traffic implementation was less accurate than the free traffic service built into lesser T-series nuvis, and download speeds for the service weren't particularly swift. We're not all that sold on the connected GPS concept yet, so we're inclined to take the reviewer's advice and pick up the otherwise-identical non-connected 765T, but click on for the full exhaustive review to decide for yourself.

[mikeb @ Oct 26th 2008 1:23PM]

Is it $50 per month or $50 per year. That's a big difference.

[Patrick @ Oct 26th 2008 1:30PM]

dude...read the article

"especially not at $50 a month"

[Larry @ Oct 26th 2008 1:38PM]

The linked review and the Garmin web site both say $50 per *YEAR*, not per month. The Engadget summary is wrong.

[broli @ Oct 26th 2008 1:39PM]

Patrick...read the original article

"and requires an annual subscription ($50/year)"

[BillyR @ Oct 26th 2008 2:30PM]

It's $50 per YEAR.

From the original review: "Ultimately you'll have to decide whether the additional services MSN Direct provides beyond traffic are worth $50/year."

[thethirdmoose @ Oct 26th 2008 1:50PM]

It's per year, or at least it has been for previous garmin models. There's also a lifetime subscription for $130 or something.

[cesium @ Oct 26th 2008 1:42PM]

Engadget fails at reading

[Reader @ Oct 26th 2008 4:52PM]

They probably just read the title, then went to the comments. Or at least that's what I do...

[Mile @ Oct 26th 2008 2:16PM]

I can't bring myself to think of paying more than $300 for a GPS. And I think they should really be half that.

[dt3k @ Oct 26th 2008 2:39PM]

$699 for the GPS + 50 a year?

SUCKERS!!

You can build a carpc for that, tether ur phone to it while your driving, have internet access, traffic updates, etc, or get a router with a ev-do/3g/gprs whatever expansion slot and mount it in your car for permenant conectivity for that price.

[Metkis @ Oct 26th 2008 2:45PM]

I'm a little confused at what this thing does more than a standard old GPS. I think these things are getting a little out of hand and going past their original design mentality.

Also - does it have a sexy female voice or the James Bond-y type? XD

[Jack @ Oct 26th 2008 3:37PM]

I have the 880 and love it. It has the voice commands, which is so much safer and better than trying to tap out addresses at 70 mph. I got a lifetime subscription to the MSN Direct services for 120 dollars, which is a MUCH better deal.

Cheerio!

[srw @ Oct 26th 2008 4:03PM]

Hm, I was also thinking about that, but then I noticed that the lifetime subscription is for the device in question, and it is not transferrable to another device. I.e. if your Garmin packs it in before 2.6 years has passed, I'd be loosing money. And I can't honestly say I expect to use this GPS for much longer than that even if it is still functioning...

[o29 @ Oct 26th 2008 4:12PM]

I just got the 760, and while it would be nice to have voice recognition, I haven't really found any situations in which I needed it. I always knows where I'm going before I start driving, so I always just plan my route first.

I do love my nuvi though. They're all great devices.

[Bob @ Oct 26th 2008 5:06PM]

I have the Garmin Nuvi 265 wt with the free traffic updates and it is fantastic (and 1/2 the price).

[Mac @ Oct 26th 2008 5:30PM]

that's a year not a month, Hello! Check your info before print and the 59.95 plan is the most expensive there are cheaper plans...

I have it on a Nuvi and it works great, best thing is the gas prices it has saved me a bundle already which pays for itself that way. Then again i drive about 50,000 miles a year...

[Gazoogleheimer @ Oct 26th 2008 11:17PM]

It will be impressive when they are able to bring the price down in the realm of handheld high-accuracy GPS units (like my Garmin GPSmap 60CSx with a routine accuracy of 12')

[inteller @ Oct 27th 2008 9:20AM]

MSN direct is -ok-. In my metro area it is completely useless since traffic is not a big issue. However, when I was in Houston it routed me great around traffic. I couldn't figure out why it was sending me on back roads until I went and looked at the traffic screen and the beltway was all backed up to hell. Thanks MSN!

The gas prices are a nice feature, especially when the prices are rising or falling fast you can take advantage of the stragglers who change their price late. The movie times are useless. Now My c580 doesn't do the new feature where yo ucan send directions to the unit via Live Maps, but I would think that is the best feature of the bunch.

[inteller @ Oct 27th 2008 9:24AM]

The problem with MSN Traffic is that they just get the stream from NAVTEQ's Traffic.com and traffic.com has horrible traffic network aggregation. For instance, in my city they have local street traffic accident warnings but traffic.com only plugs into the network that feeds in accidents from the State Troopers. That will only cover major highways. Crap.

[inteller @ Oct 27th 2008 9:24AM]

The problem with MSN Traffic is that they just get the stream from NAVTEQ's Traffic.com and traffic.com has horrible traffic network aggregation. For instance, in my city they have local street traffic accident warnings but traffic.com only plugs into the network that feeds in accidents from the State Troopers. That will only cover major highways. Crap.

[Me123 @ Oct 27th 2008 10:35AM]

Umm ... I know this is irrelevant.
But the Apple Store has their "We'll be back soon" thing on! Anyone know why? =/

[sfokevin @ Oct 26th 2008 1:59PM]

Yes... irrelevant...