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CNET editors' rating:
3.0
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 23 reviews
- See all user reviews
Product summary
The good: The Garmin Nuvi 750 portable navigation system features text-to-speech functionality and useful location features that help you find nearby services. The system also has a wide screen, a built-in transmitter, and other travel tools.
The bad: The Nuvi 750 was occasionally sluggish to alert us to turns and with route recalculations. It's also a bit pricey.
The bottom line: The Garmin Nuvi 750 delivers beautifully on almost every front, but the portable navigation system hits a speed bump with its sluggish performance.
Specifications: Destination: Automotive ; Weight: 6.7 oz ; Audible assistance: Street name announcement , Navigation instructions See full specs
Price range: $178.95 - $399.99
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 03/05/2008
- Released on: 01/01/2008
The Garmin Nuvi series has earned a reputation as a solid line of portable navigation systems, offering accurate routing, good design, and ease of use. We've seen it in the entry-level Garmin Nuvi 200 and the more advanced Garmin Nuvi 660. So we expected much of the same from the Garmin Nuvi 750, and for the most part, it delivered, but it also disappointed us in some ways. The simple design and interface are still there, and we were happy with the text-to-speech directions and accuracy of the routes. We also really like the added "Where Am I?" location feature, which helps you pinpoint your position and nearby services in case of emergencies. That said, we weren't expecting the sluggish route recalculations and upcoming turn alerts. It didn't happen on every instance, but enough to make us take notice. And at a pricey $535.70, we expect a bit more. As such, we think we'll stick with the Garmin Nuvi 660 for now.
The Garmin Nuvi 700 series also includes the Nuvi 760 ($749.99) with integrated Bluetooth, the Nuvi 770 ($964.27) with added European maps, and the Nuvi 780 ($857.13) with MSN Direct services.
Design
The Garmin Nuvi 750 has the signature look of the Nuvi line of portable navigation systems. The silver, rectangular device is slim and lightweight at 4.8 inches wide by 3 inches high by 0.8 inch deep and 6.2 ounces. It's just slightly bigger than a deck of cards, so it's easy to travel with and transport between vehicles.
Like the newer models, the Nuvi 750 features a wide 4.3-inch (diagonal) touch screen with a 480x272 pixel resolution and white backlight. Maps, text, and images looked sharp on the display, and we were able to see the screen in various lighting conditions. The touch screen itself is responsive, and the menu icons are big enough that most users should be able to use without mistakes. Some may find the onscreen keyboard to be slightly cramped, but we like that you can choose between a QWERTY and ABC format. The overall interface and menu system are simple enough that you should be able to start using the Nuvi 750 right out of the box, though you may want check out the owner's manual for more specific settings.
While you handle most of the device's operations via the touch screen, there are a few other controls and design elements on the Nuvi 750. The left side holds a 3.5mm headphone jack and an SD expansion slot for loading additional maps or media files. There's a power/lock switch on top and a mini USB port on the bottom. Finally, the speaker and external antenna jack are located on the back.
The Garmin Nuvi 750 comes packaged with a car charger, a USB cable, a vehicle mount (windshield and dash), and reference material. The car mount is simple and easy to install, and the cradle securely held the unit in place during our road tests.
Features
The Garmin Nuvi 750 comes preloaded with City Navigator NT maps of North America and about 6 million points of interest (POI). Trip preparation can begin in a number of ways. You can enter a specific address, choose a POI, or select a location from the Recently Found or Favorites list. We're also happy to see that the Nuvi 750 now supports multidestination routes, which was lacking in the Nuvi 660. Once you have your destination set, the system can generate directions by fastest time, shortest distance, or off road, and you can instruct it to avoid certain road types, such as toll roads and highways. There is also a detour function if you want to avoid a certain part of the given route and if you happen to get off track, don't panic, as the Nuvi 750 does automatic route recalculation. Finally, there are bicycle and pedestrian modes, so you're not restricted to using the device just in the car.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 23 reviews
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 3 of 23 user reviewsSee all 23 user reviews
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
"Horrible Signal if you live in Capital City with big building, trees, and big houses!"
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8 out of 9 people found this review helpful
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
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Where to buy
Garmin Nuvi 750: $178.95 - $399.99store | price | in stock? | rating |
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$209.99 | Yes | |
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$399.99 | Yes | |
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$199.99 | See Site | |
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$209.99 | Yes | |
Amazon.com Marketplace
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$184.99 | Yes |