Garmin nüvi 785T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review
September 18th, 2009
Garmin nüvi 785T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review from Cyrano1818 cyrano_d. Slow to operate, 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.
To check price or purchase Garmin nüvi 785T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator.
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Posted in Garmin | Tags: Antenna, Bluetooth, Customer Support, Cyrano, Enhanced Graphics, Garmin, Gps Navigator, Gps Review, Inch Widescreen, Map, Maps, Marketplace, Microsoft, Nuvi 760, Portable Gps, Responsive Customer, Satellite Connection, Turnoff, Widescreen Review
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