Garmin nüvi 785/785T 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth and Maps of U.S, Canada & Puerto Rico
- NOTE: The MSN Direct receiver with integrated vehicle power cable is one device that is BOTH the MSN Direct Service (traffic) receiver and the car charger
- Bright, 4.3-inch diagonal color WQVGA TFT touchscreen with 480 x 272 pixels and white backlight
- Preloaded with City Navigator North America NT
- Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling
- High-sensitivity GPS receiver for improved performance and reception
- NOTE: Model number on the box is 785T because the traffic receiver is included; however, the model number on the device itself is 785 as the “T” in 785T refers to the additional component
Product Description
Directionally challenged? Many people lose their sense of direction. Getting from point A to Point B can be so stress provoking that you hardly want to leave point A. The Garmin nuvi 785T helps get you from one point to another and helps you have fun at any point you choose. And you’ll never be lost. The nuvi 785T offers full coverage mapping for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The preloaded map data features nearly six million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs and attractions. The map data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. It features 3D buildings, lane assist and lifetime traffic alerts from NAVTEQ. Take advantage of Garmin’s first premium traffic service without subscription fees. 3D navigation with lane assist provides drivers a clear picture of what lies ahead on their route, including road sign detail and arrows indicating the proper lane for navigation. Some areas even offer a 3D view of buildings. Steer clear of traffic with nuvi’s integrated FM traffic receiver. Receive alerts about traffic delays and road construction that lie ahead on your route. The nuvi 785T features an MSN Direct receiver with a 3 month trial subscription that includes updated information about traffic conditions, fuel prices, weather reports, movie listings, headline news, stock quotes and local events. Auto time zone will automatically adjust your time zone while navigating Garmin Connect Photos – associate your favorite images with saved locations DEM maps show you shaded terrain contours at various zoom levels High-sensitivity GPS receiver for improved performance and reception Turn-by-turn directions with voice guidance Easy-to-use, Touchscreen interface Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time and more Simplified PC connectivity, using USB mass storage Configurable vehicle icons allows users to select a fun, and cus
Garmin nüvi 785/785T 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth and Maps of U.S, Canada & Puerto Rico
This is the third Garmin in our family. We have an 880 and an 250. This is the slowest to load maps at start-up, slowest to acquire a satellite at start-up and slowest to re-draw the map when the car makes a turn (I’ve already completed the turn before it begins re-drawing)…this is a very disappointing unit. To test a theory that it may not be the unit, I purchased an antenna extension from Garmin and temporarily installed it outside the car; this had no affect in speeding up the problems listed above, thus telling me it was clearly the unit and not a poor satellite connection.
I contacted Garmin who informed me that they are aware of the problems and should be sending a software update shortly. That was 3 weeks ago, perhaps indicating a declining focus on customer support.
It appears Garmin rolled this out before the problems they were conscious of were solved, just to get a new unit into the marketplace (similar strategy used by Microsoft). The price and problems associated are not worth the (slightly) enhanced graphics; given you only glance at the screen periodically, you really don’t notice the difference in graphics between this and the 880/250. The much touted “lane indicator” graphics does not surface at every highway turnoff where multiple lanes are involved; perhaps that also might be included in the update we are still waiting for.
If I had it to do over again, I would purchase a Nuvi 760 and a MSN Direct receiver on line. By buying the two parts separate, it becomes the same thing as a Nuvi 780 at much less cost. The 760 is a much better unit at half the price of the 785t or 880.
Perhaps Garmin might spend less on marketing flawed products and reallocate those funds to contracting their immense line, better products at roll-out, and more responsive customer service.
I would stay with Garmin or Tom Tom products as they use established mapping companies; Garmin has the edge on the map system they use while Tom Tom recently purchased their own exclusive mapping company (GPS for Dummies).
Dec 11, 2008 update: I recently updated the available software and firmware from the Garmin site. Screen refresh is no faster and it seems that when you first turn on the unit and the satellites are acquired, the screen position has you facing in a different direction than I am in reality. Apparently the CSR with whom I spoke in November was given wrong information; no fix to the problems of which Garmin “was aware” has been provided to date. Judging from other “t line” reviews, the 785t might be the only “lemon”. I guess you have to decide how important is MSN Direct in making your model selection.
Jan, 2009 update
A CSR at Garmin made arrangements the exchange my 785t for another one. No luck…still slow. ex: I completed a left turn yesterday before the unit told me to make a left turn and before the screen icon indicated I was making a turn. Hope they know enough to not save money by using a slower microprocessor, especially for what they charge for their units.
Rating: 2 / 5
**Update 8-13-09**Don’t let the recent software glitch scare you off from this unit. By now many people have heard that a software problem caused all 885T units (and several others) to malfunction. Although it was a bit of a hassle, Garmin replaced my unit (and everyone’s elses) promptly. New units purchased now will not have that problem.
**Original review**I had a C550 and loved it but it got stolen so I had to buy a new GPS. I started with a Nuvi 885T because I was intrigued by the voice activation. The good news is that the voice activation works very, very well. The bad news is that I found the overall operating feel to be slow and choppy, a fact that is mentioned in several other reviews. Also, I had some issues with the unit locking up, so back it went.
I’ve had the 785T now for a couple of days.
Here is what I like:
* Quick to lock in satellites, even on cold start
* Accurate directions
* Smooth scrolling
* Customizable display
* Lane Assist works nicely and I like it. Useful feature.
* Junction View works nicely and I like it, but in my opinion it is not nearly as useful as Garmin would lead you to believe. A photo realistic image of upcoming street signs flashes across the screen for about 5-8 seconds, with an indication as to which lane you should be in.
* Bluetooth connected with my Blackberry no problem
* Ability to send addresses from my computer to the unit wirelessly. I’ve used it. It works.
* Small/lightweight (unlike my old C550)
* MSN Direct works well. MSN Traffic seems to work well, although some other reviewers prefer Lifetime Traffic. I think that is a matter of personal preference, and also depends on where you live. I live outside of Washington, DC, so MSN coverage is strong.
Here is what I do not like:
* Speakers barely loud enough. My C550 had rich, deep, loud sound. The Nuvi 785T, like all the Nuvi’s, has shallow, slightly tinny, not quite loud enough, sound. I am really surprised that Garmin has not addressed this, as this is probably the number one complaint that I have, and that I have seen in other reviews. Unlike some other reviews, this wasn’t a deal breaker for me, as I find the volume and clarity to be basically acceptable, but just marginally so.
* The underpowered speakers make the Bluetooth component less than perfect, but still useable
* The distance remaining and arrival time are slightly smaller than my C550, but it is noticeable and slightly irritating (only slightly). I wear reading glasses, so sometimes I have to squint at the screen a bit
* I am constantly taking the unit in and out of my car (don’t want to have this unit stolen like my last one). Almost every time I have to fiddle with the mount so it clicks in. It has to line up perfectly, or it won’t click in, which requires 2 hands and a bit of concentration. Should be easier and more intuitive than that.
* Updating the maps was an adventure. I don’t believe this was the fault of the unit, but rather Garmin’s website. The map updates are a HUGE file (192 mb), and twice it hung at about 180 mb requiring me to start all over. A little frustrating, but again, I don’t fault the 785T for this, and eventually I got it all squared away.
Overall, I give it 4 stars. Not perfect, several flaws, but overall, I like it and recommend it.
By the way, here is a buying tip if you are interested in this unit….keep your eye on it and check the price daily. Amazon changes their prices dramatically from day to day. They do that on all of their products, but I seem to notice it more on GPS units. One day this might be $500, then the next day it might be $350, then the next day it might go back up to $500. My bottom line? Anything under $400 is a buy, and a good value for the Nuvi 785T.
Rating: 4 / 5
I ordered this product from J&R Music through Amazon. The first unit powered off whenever a map attempted to load. I called Garmin and they had no answers as to why this happened, and advised me to exchange for a new unit, which I did. The second unit had THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. Again called Garmin and let them know the same problem occurred with a new unit. They were unaware of other users experiencing the same problem, but would look into it. When asked when I could expect a software update to fix this bug they said a couple of months. I can’t wait that long so I will be going with the 765T (nearly identical in features minus MSN traffic, and cheaper).
Rating: 1 / 5
Sound quality is low…
Screen refreshes more frequently blacking out the display…
Lane assits stays only for few seconds…
Delay in voice prompts during turnings…
Rating: 3 / 5
**Update 12/18/09** I still like this gps. I was happy when I paid $349.00 for it. The price is now about $220.00 which makes this unit an incredible value. I just wish I could return mine and get the new lower price.**End of update**
**Update 11/27/09** I am very happy I bought this unit. It seems to do everything you would expect a nav system to do, and then some. This unit has one minor flaw. The touchscreen keyboard is not as accurate as it should be. When typing anything, like a street name, house number, etc, odd letters will sometimes pop up – letters that you did not push. It is a minor and only occassional annoyance, but one Garmin should address. In their defense, I have been able to install three software updates and two map updates in the last two +/- months that I have owned the 785T. The first update mentioned below in the original review was a bit tedious. The two more recent updates were much simpler. I have had no problems with the unit freezing or causing problems in any way. If you read any problem reviews, you should ask the reviewer if he/she installed the latest software updates from Garmin. I give this unit 4 stars because of the keyboard glitch, but would still buy it again. Recommended! **End of Update**
I own a 2005 Ford Expedition with the in dash factory nav system. The problem is that Ford stopped making updates for the maps in 2007. Well, I’m a REALTOR in the DC area where new neighborhoods pop up and roads change on a regular basis. Map updates that date back to 2007 (meaning the information on the update likely dates back to 2006 or earlier) just won’t work for me. So after much research including reviews on Amazon, Consumer Reports and a few others, I decided on this model. What a pleasant surprise it turned out to be! This thing works far better than my $1,500 factory installed nav system ever did. I have to say that when I buy my next vehicle, I will think twice before buying another factory system. Now that my rant is done, I’ll address some of the features, some of the many complaints I’ve read in other reviews and what it took to setup my 785T.
Amazon deserves a plug here. They had the best price I could find. I paid as much as $150 less than on other sites.
Garmin does seem to have a few quirks in the setup process. Here’s what I did to set mine up with little or no problems. I bought the travel kit which comes with an a/c charger. So, I plugged it into the wall and my 785T to charge for a while. I later figured out that the included USB cable will charge the GPS when plugged into my computer. After turning on the unit, it prompted me to select the language and a few other basic settings. Then it displayed a message telling me to go to a My Garmin (Amazon won’t let you type a web address in the review) site to register the unit and check for updates.
This web site seemed a little buggy at first. I had to hit the refresh button a few times throughout the process before everything seemed to work properly. (I’m doing this by memory and will try not to miss anything. If I do, please forgive me.) The My Garmin site wants you to setup an account and then register the unit. After setting up the account, I logged in. At this point, you should turn your Garmin on, plug the USB cable into it and then into the computer. The website will try to communicate with your Garmin. It won’t work. You should expect a prompt to download and install software that will allow the web site to communicate with your unit. After installing it, close your internet window, open it again and login back into your new account at the My Garmin site. Now the site should be able to communicate with your Garmin. You may or may not have to type the serial number to register your unit.
Once registration is complete, search for updated software (not maps). There will likely be an update that, if you load this first, will prevent you from having the problems that other reviewers are reporting. (This one statement should address any complaints or concerns you have developed after reading about problems in other reviews.) Make sure you follow all directions on the site. Garmin did a really good job with them. You will need to disconnect your unit from the computer and turn it off and on again after the update has finished.
The next step is to search for map updates. You should plug the USB cable and unit back into the computer. In my case, it auto detected that a map update was available. To download the maps, you will need to install another Gamin program that manages the download for you. Map updates are quite large (2 gigs). The download program is pretty cool. In the event of problems or if the computer gets turned off, the program remembers where you were in the process and starts up again from that point. If you have a broadband connection, the download will likely take 20 minutes or so. A slower connection could take MUCH longer. Make sure you have time to complete the process. I can’t remember all of this. I think there was an opportunity to close and reopen the internet window after installing the download manager. I just don’t trust Windows. Doing this “should” allow the new software to start and function properly. If you restarted the internet window, you’ll need to login to your Garmin account again. Download the update and let it install. The only glitch I ran into was a delay in the install process once the download had completed. I pushed the button to start the map update and nothing happened for what seemed like two minutes. Then, everything simply started and the map update completed with no problems. I recommend paitents here. You are dealing with a VERY large file. Delays in working with a file this size is not inappropriate. I have a pretty new and fast laptop. If yours is older or slow, your wait time could be longer.
The final step in the process was to activate my free MSN Direct subscription. Garmin provides easy instructions for this. I plugged my unit into my truck and turned it on. The software for the MSN Direct service auto installed. It took a few minutes, but there were no problems. I followed the included directions to activate the free 3 month trial online. This led me to yet another Garmin program to install and a final chance to check for software updates for my 785T. It’s called the web updater. I had to install this program, and then reconnect my unit to the computer. I ran the web updater program and found still more software updates to install. Note: I was given a checklist of updates I could choose from. I found that by highlighting each update, very clear instructions were given that told me if I should install that particular update or if it had already been installed. I chose only the updates I needed and let the program run.
I strongly recommend you follow these instructions, take your time and READ THE DIRECTIONS on the web site/s. While it was a tedious process, I believe that these steps will prevent you from having the problems other people have had and allow your Garmin to work the way it was meant to. I know it seems like a lot. Computer equipment and maps all need to be updated from time to time. Technology and roads change too frequently. Without the updates, the shelf life of your equipment would be greatly reduced.
I love my 785T! It works flawlessly. It is not necessary for you to watch the on screen directions when navigating because this unit will quite clearly tell you where to go and when to make the turn including the street name. If you do watch the screen, it is easy to read with plenty of detail. I wear reading glasses. I was concerned that a 4.3 inch screen would be too small to read without my glasses. I was wrong. I have no problems and don’t need my glasses. There is even a day view and a night view that changes the screen to make it easier to read as day turns into night. It starts and refreshes really quickly, much faster than my factory system. The sound is plenty loud. No, it’s not a great speaker. If Garmin reads this – Yes, I would pay a few extra dollars for a better quality speaker. With that said, it is louder than the level where I usually listen to my stereo and quite easy to hear and understand. So at 100% volume, I have no problems. If I don’t listen to the stereo, I think the 80% volume would be acceptable. This unit is supposed to have the ability to play sound over my stereo. I haven’t figured out how to make that part work yet. While I’ll be disappointed if I can’t make that work, it won’t be a deal killer. This little GPS has lots of features and works VERY well – like you would expect it to work. One last thing is the Garmin Garage. If you like to tinker, there are many, many neat add ons you can choose from to customize your device. I gave the customer service 3 stars because the stories about 30 minute wait times are real. I started to make a call, then decided against it. The My Garmin site answered all of my questions. If I have problems in the future, I will update my review. For now… Highly recommended, I would buy it again!
Rating: 4 / 5