Nuvi 700 series

        Why aren't we reading reviews about the 700 series? I've been
debating in my mind about updating to one from my 360 but I want to
hear if they are all that first.

I was going to wait a few days, but since you asked...
My 750 arrived today. So far I've only taken it out for a short drive in the
neighborhood. My main basis for comparison is a Street Pilot 2720 purchased
earlier this year, and the Hertz NeverLost system, used many times over the
years.

The 750 acquires the satellites much more quickly than the 2720. Even when
it was first turned on and thought it was in Taiwan, it locked on in less
than a minute. I haven't tried the FM transmitter, but I think the audio
from the built-in speaker is adequate. It's not high fidelity, but it's loud
enough and intelligible. I have no interest in using the FM, as that would
preclude listening to the radio.

One function in the 2720 that is either missing or well-hidden in the 750 is
the ability to draw a "no-go zone" rectangle. There are a couple roads I use
frequently that have gaps in them that none of the electronic maps know
about. With the 2720, it was easy to block off these gaps, but I've been
unable to find that function.

The security lock is a bit disconcerting at first. You can program it so
that if it is turned on in a certain location, it won't prompt for a
security code. However, it still displays the prompt for the security code,
and then a few seconds later it realizes it is in the magical location, and
it enables itself.

Mounting and removal are much easier than the 2720. I guess this is to be
expected. The 2720 is not portable, but the 750 is so easy to just pop out
and carry in your pocket. I would have liked a carrying case to protect it
in the pocket.

The built-in battery is a welcome improvement. It's frustrating to enter
your route and have the GPS all fired up and ready to go, and then start
your engine and have the GPS reboot because of the couple seconds it wasn't
getting power. It can also draw power and charge up from the USB. However,
it doesn't function as a GPS while connected to the USB. There is no AC
adapter.

I had no interest in the music playing or photograph display features, but
now that I have it, and I'm likely to be carrying it everywehere I go, I'm
starting to realize that it might actually be handy to put in a big memory
card and be able to listen to audio content - especially since I don't own a
music player.

Is it worth what I paid for it? Probably not. Do I regret buying it?
Definitely not.

Wow, those cheap bastards eliminated the case. It comes with some of the
cheaper models, (the 350 for example) but for $250 more for the 750 they
eliminate that handy item. Available as an accessory for $18.

Ingenuity prevailed. An old sock did the job nicely. You can't hook it on
your belt (well, you could tie it on, but it would look strange), but I
never did like having all my geekware attached to my belt. I just want
something to keep it from getting scratched up in my pocket.

A review of the Garmin Nuvi 760.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2214159,00.asp

Bruce.