Garmin Nuvi 780
Jan
1
2008
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| Store | Rating | Best Prices |
|---|---|---|
Compare all prices on the Garmin Nuvi 780 Auto / Road GPS ranging from $50.00 to $705.00. | ||
 |  In stock at RadioShack.com | $219.99 |
 | In stock at HSN.com | $299.95 |
 | In stock at MemorySuppliers.com | $705.00 |
 |  In stock at Buydig.com | $198.97 |
 | In stock at Meijer.com | $229.88 |
 | In stock at Newegg.com | $209.99 |
 | In stock at AVALON TRONIX | $182.01 |
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Having subscibed to this site for the last week as I was looking to replace my Garmin c550 with possibily a Tom-Tom, I have finally made my decision. I bought a Tom-Tom 920 to try out and returned it in 12 hours. Then, I bought a Garmin Nuvi 780. Folks, I am convinced Garmin makes an easier to use GPS unit. The interface Garmin has is much easier to use. Part of that is familiarity but when compared to the Tom-Tom, it’s obvious. Also, Consumer Reports new guide is out this month and they rated it #1. So, my advice is to try one out and you’ll see!
Brian, How’s the MSN traffic? Where about are you? That seems to be the reason to get the 780 over the Nuvi 760. I also wonder if the Nuvi 880 can improve anything, other than add speech recognition…….
The MSN is very good. The free service lasts for 90days, than you have to pay a lifetime fee (I think its around $50-60). The nice thing is, if you are planning a trip it can tell you if there is a traffic problem anywhere along your route. It knows where its at and can suggest routes way before you get to the problem. I doubted it once, said there was a problem 60 miles up ahead. I ignored it and sat in traffic for 30min stopped. I have learned to listen.
I need to know if the Garmin nuvi 780 has the car locator in it & also on the text to speech. Does it state street names & distance ex: turn right 500 yds on White St?????
Yes to both.
Please advise me, On the chart here on the left…tell me where or what in it tells me that a GPS has car locator or not. So when I want to look at other models to see if they have the car locator I will be able to check for that on my own without having to email you.
It isn’t a feature many people use, so it isn’t tracked in our database at this time.
Comparing the nuvi 780 and the nuvi 265WT. Which unit would you recommend? I have found both at the same price point.
I just purchased the nuvi 780. I am trying to use the bluetooth function with my AT&T Tilt phone. The nuvi 780 doesn’t find the phone. Is the nuvi 780 compatible with the AT&T Tilt?
Bought a Nuvi 780 four months ago:
Things I like:
- Came with 3 months free MSN Direct
- Traffic feature is nice, it warns you about congestion (also provides time it takes to clear for the congestion to clear), desperately tries to re-route you before reach the congestion area – listen to it.
- Locator feature will only work if you remove unit from the cradle before shutting of the power.
- MSN service $50/yr or $130 one time charge, it also service may not be availabe after year 2014.
_ You can arrival time by default, touch arrival time on the screen it’ll dispaly lot of information about the trip including distance.
- Bluetooth feature works fine with both of our phones LG Vu and Shine, we use FM transmitter/car stereo to make phone calls and listen to built in MP3 player
Things I did not like:
Transmitter outside the unit (in car adaptor), if it goes bad will cost ~$120 to replace.
Looks like 780 is disconitnued, does not show up in Garmin site anymore
New features like Flight status/weather doppler are not avaialable in this unit.
780 can be found at Garmin site by clicking On The Road > Automotive and then on left side Discontinued. Also can search “780″ for various links.
hi, i would like to know can 780 display the miles to destination rather than ETA? i have a magellan and it has both. also, does 780 have an arrow sign to tell your next turn? will it tell you your destination to be on your left or right hand side? thanks
Hi, I have the Nuvi 780. I know it has car locator. It states in directions to turn unit off in car when you stop, then take it with you. States you can then locate your car from where ever you are. I tried but can’t seem to do this correctly. It states it will find your car in a parking lot. Will it show you where your car is in the parking lot & how do you use this function?
I believe you have to dismount it before turning it off….
I am new to a GSP, I am researching but would like to know your expertise for:
wide screen, voice, get me there, don’t get me lost in detores no nonsense unit.I like the MSN feature
I don’t need music, phone or pics
just get me there @ $300 if possible
many thanks
Is this an easy system for someone like myself who is new to this? I am basically looking for something to help me not get lost and speak clearly road names.
How come some sites state the 780 has no msn?
Yes, it is an easy system to setup. I don’t know why some sites would list it without MSN except that it comes with the hardware and a trial subscription. Perhaps they just mean the full subscription (yearly) doesn’t come with it.
just ordered one. looking for experience
I have just purchased the nuvi760 and made a believer out of my geography award winning husband after a trip to Hilton Head. This stated it comes with the MSN trial but I found out the receiver that comes with the unit, looks like a cigar, is not the receiver needed for MSN you need to purchase a GDB 50 that looks like a gun. the cigar type is a GTM20 and is traffic receiver. Also the dash/bean bag mount makes it very easy to hide the whole unit instead of the window mount for quick in and out of the car. A quick print out of the manual online is very helpful as a reference when you need to ask a question on the fourm.
I’m researching to buy my first GPS. Is an MSN subscription a must in order to access the traffic feature? Thx!!!
What is the use of buying a product that Garmin has dicontinued? Does that mean the product is no longer supported by Garmin and map updates are not available? This product is available from Amazon for $200, but not sure if it is worth it if map updates are not available anymore or if the product is unsupported.
Jeff, see our article “Garmin Discontinued Status“. It is still supported and map updates are still available, just no longer in production.
I have been using a Garmin \Where2\ gps in my Avis rental car. It works great. I don’t see this model on the list of models available.
I would like to by a small self-contained untit (no external antenae or transmiter), just the cig lighter power cord. I travel a lot by plane and rental car.
Any suggestions?