Garmin nuvi 780 Review

What the reviewers like:

• Uses enhanced MSN Direct traffic service
• Excellent navigation
• Easy to use

What the reviewers don't like:

• MSN Direct not available in all areas
• Outdated traffic and gas-price information
• Can't exclude specific roads from a route
• Expensive
• Difficult to route the unit's audio through a car stereo

Garmin nuvi 780 review highlights

Reviewers routinely recommend the Garmin nüvi 780 along with the similar nüvi 760, but few have thoroughly tested the enhanced MSN Direct features that make the nüvi 780 different. GPSMagazine.com and GPSLodge.com cover the regular MSN Direct features fairly well in their thorough road tests of the nüvi 780, but they only touch briefly on the new "enhanced" features. Money magazine's review doesn't mention MSN Direct at all, but it is helpful because it judges the nüvi 780's basic navigation and usability head-to-head against four competitors. GPS Tracklog does not conduct a full road test, but this reliable site does recommend the nüvi 780 as a good alternative in the high-end category. Consumers who post at Amazon.com have detected some problems in real-life use that didn't show up in expert tests of the nüvi 780.

Experts say enhanced MSN Direct is a good reason to spend extra money on the Garmin nüvi 780, but some consumers aren't so sure. MSN Direct is a service that provides traffic alerts, weather, local gas prices and movie times. Garmin first included it on the nüvi 680 (*est. $395), but the nüvi 780 - besides offering the multi-point routing that was introduced with the 700 series - now offers "enhanced" MSN Direct, with stock quotes and news headlines. Experts don't spend much time analyzing the usefulness of the new "enhanced" services, but they do especially like the traffic alerts and gas prices that come with all versions of MSN Direct. However, consumer reviews are mixed. Some say they've gotten outdated traffic information and gas prices, but others report no problems. Reviews note that MSN Direct isn't available everywhere (visit MSNDirect.com for a coverage map before buying), and it costs extra after the three-month trial period. If you don't want or need MSN Direct, the Garmin nüvi 760 (*est. $425) costs less and is the top-rated GPS in its price range. But both consumers and experts complain that the nüvi 760/780's FM transmitter feature, which is supposed to allow users to route its audio through their car stereos, is staticky and weak.

Also see full report: Auto GPS

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. GPSMagazine.com
Garmin nüvi 780 GPS Review
Editors of GPSMagazine.com
Apr. 19, 2008

This e-zine publishes extremely comprehensive reviews, and it is one of the most reliable sources for GPS information we've found. The Garmin nüvi 780 is named an Editor's Choice, based on a thorough road test. The lengthy review is lavishly illustrated with photos and screen shots, and it analyzes every feature of the nüvi 780, including MSN Direct.

2. GPSLodge.com
Garmin nüvi 780 Full Review - MSN Direct 2
Scott Martin
Feb. 24, 2008

This complete test covers all of the nüvi 780's major features but concentrates on what differentiates it: MSN Direct. Although reviewer Scott Martin acknowledges that the nüvi 780's "enhanced" MSN Direct offers some information you can't get on regular MSN Direct, he doesn't provide in-depth analysis of any of the new features.

3. Money Magazine
>> Details/Subscribe
GPS that puts you in the fast lane
Charles Passy
May 2, 2008

Money magazine tests five GPS models from five manufacturers. The Garmin nüvi 780 wins, due to its superior navigation and usability. Reviewer Charles Passy lists each model's key features and price and assigns it a letter grade. The review is comparative and balanced, but provides far fewer details and discussion than those found in other reviews.

4. GPS Tracklog
Garmin nüvi 780 review
Rich Owings
Feb. 23, 2008

The Garmin nüvi 780 is an alternate high-end recommendation in GPS blogger Rich Owings' buyers guide. The guide includes pricing information and it links to this dedicated nüvi 780 page, which displays Owings' brief description of the unit's features and links to reviews from outside sources.

5. Amazon.com
Garmin nüvi 780 Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

The Garmin nüvi 780 gets good reviews from consumers at Amazon.com, but fewer than 20 have been posted - versus more than 100 for the nearly identical (and cheaper) nüvi 760. The reviews are helpful, though, because several users have found shortcomings with MSN Direct that didn't appear in expert tests.

Also see full report: Auto GPS

Garmin nuvi 780 Review