0ur opinion:

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The nuvi 780 4.3' GPS Personal Travel Assistant has advanced navigation features, a widescreen display, preloaded maps, an FM transmitter and hands-free calling, plus real-time local weather, traffic, movie times, stock information, gas prices, news and local events. lts premium navigation capabilities, like route planning and a handy locator, give you peace of mind on the go. With next-generation dynamic content from MSN Direct, nuvi 780 is one resourceful personal travel assistant. You'll always get the big picture with nuvi 780's widescreen display. View map detail, driving directions, photos and more in bright, brilliant color. lts sunlight-readable, 4.3' display is easy to read from any direction. ln addition, nuvi 780 accepts custom points of interest, such as school zones and safety cameras, and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming P0ls. nuvi 780 includes advanced navigational features to take the worry out of traveling. lt also comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map. High-sensitivity receiver Built-in memory - lnternal solid state with optional SD Card Slot Voice prompts Speaks street names Auto sort multiple destinations (provides most direct route) Auto re-route (fast off-route and detour recalculation) Choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road) Custom P0ls (ability to add additional points of interest) MSN Direct for U.S. compatible MP3 player Audio book player Configurable vehicle icons (select car-shaped icons for map navigation) World travel clock, currency & measurement converter, and calculator Headphone jack/audio lineout Unit Dimensions - Width 4.8 x Height 3.0 x Depth 0.8 (12.2x7.6x2.0cm) Weight - 6.2 ounces (176 grams)

-- January 8, 2008:
The nüvi 780 adds enhanced MSN direct content to the multi-destination routing and 'Where Am l?' features and gorgeous widescreen display of other nüvi  700s to create a superior navigation device for business as well as casual drivers. As with all nüvis, you get Garmin reliability, the fast satellite lock of an integrated high-sensitivity receiver, a slim, pocket-sized design with a gorgeous display, an easy, intuitive interface, and detailed NAVTEQ maps for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico with more than 6 million name-searchable points of interest. All of the 700-series navigators also feature a rich array of features including spoken directions in real street names, integrated traffic receivers, MP3 player and photo viewer, and an FM transmitter that will play voice prompts, MP3s, audio books, and more, directly through your vehicle's stereo system.

Which nüvi is Best for You?: Click here to see a quick, simple comparison of features for all Garmin nuvi GPS navigators

Garmin's nüvis pack top of the line features into a slim form factor.

New Features -- Enhanced MSN Direct Content (3-month free subscription)
An integrated receiver allows you to access enhanced dynamic content from the MSN Direct service. Check the weather, avoid traffic backups, compare local gas prices, get enhanced movie listings, stock information, news and local events when you travel with your unit. Even plan trips from the convenience of your computer, via Windows Live Local, and wirelessly send custom to your nüvi.

Check out a full description of MSN Direct content features, or a coverage map for MSN Direct services.

A 3-month subscription to MSN Direct is included with the device. After that, subscription fees are $49.95 per year, or $129.95 for a lifetime subscription.


Multi-Destination Routing

Wider screen lets you see more of what's around. Compare these actual size views of a 3-inch (diagonal) screen and a 4.3-inch diagonal widescreen

This lets you enter several spots into the device (day care - supermarket-cleaners - office - day care, for example) and it will plot the fastest route. And once you've found the best router, the 'Route Planning' feature lets you save up to 10 different routes, Garmin touts the feature for providing, 'the most efficient route for errands, deliveries and sales calls.' The feature also makes this an instant essential accessory for anyone who shops garage sales (you know what we're talking about).

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.




Where Am l? Where's My Car?
The nüvi 700 series is the first to answer two common questions: 'Where am l?' 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 vast parking lot, the nüvis in the 700 series automatically mark the position in which they were last removed from the mount.

See Better, See More
The super-bright, 4.3-inch (diagonal) touchscreen display gives is anti-glare for ease of viewing during the day and automatically changes its color profile for easy viewing at night or in dim light. lt offers 2d or 3D perspective views.


The widescreen format gives you 70% more actual screen area than a 3.5-inch screen. Primarily this translates into a better view of the area through which you are driving. This is especially useful in showing you what parks, restaurants, ATM, gas stations, etc. are nearby, or in letting you know whether a detour is a good idea. Also, the device itself is larger, meaning controls on the screen are more widely spaced and somewhat easier to push.


First Rate Map Data
The nüvi 780 is preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps for the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This map database features nearly six million points of interest (P0ls), including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions. Garmin gets its map data from NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping.

lmportant note about map updates: Due to our high volume of sales, almost every Garmin portable GPS navigator sold by will come with the most recent map version. lf you ever do need a map update, you can purchase one from Amazon.com at our Garmin Store.

Hands-Free Calling
ln more and more places, it is becoming illegal to use cell phones while driving without a hands-free kit. The nüvi 780's Bluetooth capability, microphone and speaker lets match it to any bluetooth-capable phone to make hands-free mobile phone calls. Simply dial the phone number with the nüvi's touch screen keypad to make a call on a compatible phone. To answer an incoming call, just tap the screen and speak into the built-in microphone. Making and taking calls on the road has never been easier, or safer. ln addition, Garmin makes it a breeze to look-up and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or even tap into your cell phone's call history log.

Garmin Lock
Garmin's patent pending theft prevention system that disables the unit from performing any functions until the user types in a specific 4-digit PlN or takes the unit to a predetermined secure location


Easy To Use lnterface
Garmin's interface is a key to their success and one of the things that makes their devices such a pleasure to use. Simple controls and sub-screens make it easy to enter or search for destinations and get data about your trip.


Beyond Navigation

Browse your stored pictures with an easy-to-use JPEG viewer.

A handy MP3 player lets you play songs stored on SD memory cards.

nüvi accepts custom points of interest (P0ls). View larger.

Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 780 features travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, MP3 player, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. lt also comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map.




This device is compatible with optional content plug-ins available via SD card, such as the  Garmin Travel Guides and Garmin SaversGuide provide detailed data for attractions and information on nearby merchants offering discounts, so you can customize nüvi for your travel needs.




Garmin has also added the ability for customers to add custom points of interest (P0l’s) from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras.

Trick Your GPS Ride

Custom vehicle icons let you ride in style, at least inside your GPS. See more icon option

Like all nüvis, the 780 supports configurable vehicle icons. These fun, customized car-shaped icons come in a variety of colors to add a personal touch to your vehicle's position on the map.



With this GPS system on board you'll be prepared to steer clear of traffic with the integrated FM TMC traffic receiver. The nüvi is designed to receive alerts about traffic tie-ups and road construction that might lie ahead on your route. All you have to do is simply touch the screen to view traffic details and you'll be ready to detour around any problem area. And if you end up missing a turn, or you're forced into a detour that is not relayed through the traffic receiver, the nüvi's sophisticated automatic routing will get you back on track in no time.









What's in the Box
nüvi 780, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America*, MSN Direct receiver with integrated vehicle power cable, 3 months free MSN Direct service*, Vehicle suction cup mount*, USB cable, Dashboard disc, Quick start manual




Notes

• 0ptional software for language translation, detailed travel guides, and savings programs allow you to customize your nüvi to fit your travel needs
• The FM transmitter feature is only available in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
• This nüvi comes with a free, three-month trial for MSN Direct services.
  
• Like most USB Mass Storage Devices, the nüvi is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.

Which nüvi is Best for You?


Which nüvi is Best for You?
Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.

	Screen Size inches (w x h)	lncluded Maps			Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names)	Traffic	Bluetooth	Media	FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system)	Multi- Point Routing	Battery life (hours)
		Cont. U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico	AK and Canada	Europe
nüvi 200	2.8 x 2.1							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 200w	3.81 x 2.25							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 250	2.8 x 2.1							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 250w	3.81 x 2.25							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 260	2.8 x 2.1							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 260w	3.81 x 2.25							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 270	2.8 x 2.1							Photos			up to 5
nüvi 350	2.8 x 2.1					FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 8
nüvi 360	2.8 x 2.1					FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 8
nüvi 370	2.8 x 2.1					FM (receiver included)		Photos, MP3s			up to 8
nüvi 650	3.81 x 2.25					FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 7
nüvi 660	3.81 x 2.25					FM (receiver included)		Photos, MP3s			up to 7
nüvi 670	3.81 x 2.25					FM (receiver included)		Photos, MP3s			up to 7
nüvi 680	3.81 x 2.25					MSN (receiver included; 1-year free); FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 7
nüvi 750	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 5
nüvi 760	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 5
nüvi 770	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 5
nüvi 780	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (receiver inc.; 3 months free) receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 5
nüvi 850	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 4
nüvi 880	3.81 x 2.25					MSN-enhanced (receiver inc.; 3 months free); FM (with opt. receiver)		Photos, MP3s			up to 4
nüvi 5000	4.5 x 2.7					MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver)					external battery only

Basic MSN Direct Content Features
	Traffic Reports Find the best route through traffic. Your GPS device uses MSN Direct traffic data to select the best route for you to avoid traffic congestion. Check traffic flow. Know at a glance where to expect slowdowns in traffic. Get accident warnings. Receive warnings about accidents, road closures, and construction in the area that may affect you.
	Gas Prices Compare local gas prices. See a list of recent gas prices in your area and an indication of how recently the prices were reported. Find your way to the savings. 0nce you find the best price in your area, use your navigation system to guide you to the gas station.
	Weather Reports Stay on top of current conditions. View the current weather conditions in your area, including today's high and low temperatures, chances of precipitation, and more. View the three-day forecast, Plan ahead by checking the three-day weather forecast for your area. Check weather in other cities. See current weather conditions in major cities across the country.
	Movie Times Search for a movie. Find the theaters in your coverage area that are showing the movie you want to see. See which movies are playing. View which movies are playing in your coverage area or at your favorite theater. See show times and get directions. 0nce you find a show you want to see, check the show times and use your GPS device to guide you to the theater.
Enhanced MSN Direct Content
	Web Favorites (Send custom destinations to your GPS with Live Search Maps) Powerful trip planning: Use Live Search Maps on your computer to look up an address, search for a business, or plan a trip Choose your favorite location, and then MSN Direct delivers the address, phone number, and more straight to your navigation system. Visit Live Search Maps at http://maps.live.com.
	Local Events See what's happening near you. Find nearby events to see what's happening in your area. Find the events that interest you. Browse events sorted by category. Search for an event. Get details about a particular event.
	Stock Quotes Watch the stocks that interest you. Select stocks that you want to keep an eye on, and then see regularly updated stock prices and daily changes. Get a little more detail. Touch a stock in your list to see daily highs, lows, and trading volume.
	News Headlines Browse the headlines at a glance. See breaking news and other major news stories of the day. Read more details. Select a headline to read all the details about the news story on your navigation system.
MSN Direct Coverage Map -- get detailed info for your Zip Code at the MSN Direct website

Some more accessories for this product for you:
     click 4 more

Some more accessories for this product for you:

• Magellan 64MB Secure Digital Memory Card
• Garmin 010-10052-05 GA 27C Remote Antenna with MCX Connector
• SanDisk SDSDB-128-A10 Secure Digital 128MB (Retail Package)
• SanDisk SDSDB-64-A10 Secure Digital 64 MB
• Lexar Media 128 MB Secure Digital Card

Piece Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

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Buyer's feedback: - * Garmin Nuvi 780 ...
The GPS Garmin Nuvi 780 is an amazing device. Offers great traffic routes, easy to operate, good battery power and a very reliable holder when placed on a flat surface (such as a window). The only downside is the MNS Direct Network feature. During my researching of GPS', I failed to explore if the MNS Network was availalbe in the city where I reside. It isn't however, may be in the near future. I could have purchased the Nuvi 760 and saved $$. Nevertheless, the 780 meets all the requirements I had anticipated. Highly recommend the 780 (or the 760).

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Buyer's feedback: - Great Navigator, Wish I could customize more...
I bought this before a drive from Virginia to Texas and it was a great comfort and aid. Looking up hotels, food and gas was quite helpful. The MSN direct helped around traffic and in finding weather. After trying myself then contacting Garmin I was very discouraged to find that the gas prices MSN Direct finds are only for regular unleaded. My truck is diesel so that feature, one I bought this model to access, was of no use. Around town the MSN direct is great if you live in a major city as I have found the traffic warnings, the location more so than the time of delay, to be very helpful and accurate. It also helps with simple tasks like checking movie times and stock prices if you can't already get those on your phone. As with every GPS I have found, sometimes the directions have you doing loop-de-loops because it sends you to U-turns where they are illegal or tells you to cross a median to turn left when there's a curb in the way etc. On military based it does not take into account the limited access through gates so you need to know your way around. Overall, good navigator but you still need to pay attention to where you are going so it doesnt get you in trouble.

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Buyer's feedback: - * GARMAN 780 ...
JUST THE BEST ON THE MARKET. EASY TO USE LOTS AND LOTS OF INFO TO GET YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE GOING. EASY TO SEE ,

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Buyer's feedback: - if only it worked it would be worth the money.
for those of you who just want the basic problems without the detail: voice prompt always late, voice often cuts out, routed to wrong destination on several occassions.

want details?? here goes:
well i sneared at my wife's magellan maestro 4250 (i wanted a high end unit & i wanted a Garmin.) so the nuvi 780 price was at the high end of what i was willing to spend. i read over the reviews; it seemed the perfect gps for me. it came about 5 days after i placed the order. it looked and felt great. i loaded some music on it. the playback sounded good. but then it froze. i couldn't shut it off' so i just left it alone until the battery died. i recharged it and everything worked great, except when i made my first trip using it the navigation proved worthless.
so what was wrong you ask?? the navagation prompts were late, not occasionally, but always. let me give you three examples of the late prompts:
a) the 780 prompt, "in .3 miles turn right on 95n _J ...(inaudible)".
well i saw a sign up ahead maybe about .1 of a mile, so i'm thinking that can't be it. But as i get about 100 feet away from the entrance and can now start reading the sign, i realize that's the turn i need to make. thankfully seeing no one was behind me, i was able to brake hard and then make the turn.
b) on the way home, when i was in an area i'm familiar with, i know i have to get to the right and take the next exit. and that's the route that shows on the map (the purple line) and at the top of the screen the next turn 'prompt, and yes i got a prompt about 2 miles back. so as i'm approaching the exit i wondering:am i doing something wrong, am i mistaken about the prompts being late, am i not listening close enough, how could it be that the prompts are late, it 's a garmin, the're the industry leader, when am i going to get a voice prompt for the next turn, i'll pay close attention to make sure it's not me screwing up. so i'm approaching the exit, about 3/10 of a mile away -- no prompt. so i get to the exit, but still no voice prompt. i exit and get to the bottom of the exit ramp, but still no vioce prompt. i go about another 200 feet along the street; now i get a voice prompt to exit right.
3) so i'm going along the street as i mentioned above. i get a voice prompt, "in ??? make a left at foster rd. (i don't remember the distance it gave), but i was about 1/4 of a mile, maybe a more, from foster rd when i got the prompt. so i continut along the street, i get to foster rd and make the left turn. as i'm about 1/2 way through the turn, yes, you guessed it, i get the voice prompt telling me to turn.

unfortunetly still more problems: the several times the unit would route me to the wrong location, i.e.:
i enter a street number for second ave, new york city, new york (i'm entering the data while i'm in staten island, ny.
i basically know where i'm going, except i'm not sure where the specific number address is on second ave. the unit directs me over the vz bridge and onto the gowanus expwy (which is in brooklyn) (so far so good) so i'm on the gowanus expwy and i know i have to continue to the battery tunnel. but the little man that lives inside the garmin 780 prompts me to get off at 36th street exit in brooklyn. now i know that's not right, so after several "recalculating" i shut the gps off and i continued going the way i knew to get to second ave new york city(nyc, as in manhattan). the gps unit was trying to take me to second ave in brooklyn.

garmin tech support -- no help. they told me to download the latest firmware. i checked on the garmin site; my unit already had the latest firmware.

needless to say i'm very disappointed. this i my second garmin unit. the first was an ique 3200 (i think that's the right model number). come to think of it that unit wasn't exactly trouble free either. well i returned the 780 and i am waiting for my refund.

now what unit will i get. well i think i'll get a magellan maestro 4250.
we used it on our trip to fl., to ga. and continously near and around new york. the navagation has always been perfect. the prompts always timely.
the one small problem the voice command function something speake to you when not spoken to. but it gets you to your destination. oh! and it cost about $200 less than the nuvi780.
sometimes less is more.
and one more "Oh." and here goes: Oh! by the way, i'm getting the magellan so i wont have to keep hearing my wife say, "you should have gotten the magellen."

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Buyer's feedback: - * Garmin 780 ...
Large screen makes it easy to read and see all the detail. Free update of 2009 maps a plus! No ability to select WAAS, but it seems to be accurate to within a few yards. Can't turn sound up without accessing touch screen, could use a scroll volume control like my other Garmin products. The "Where am I now" function is a definite plus! Overall a very good purchase.