Consumer Product Review: Garmin Nuvi 750 Piano Black GPS Receiver

GPS navigation systems are currently the hottest thing going for the tech-obsessed. Greater than expected discounts on these units from such companies as Garmin and Magellan helped to make GPS navigation the hottest seller of the Christmas season. Since things have cooled down somewhat, it's time to consider purchasing GPS if you didn't get it for Christmas. The Garmin Nuvi 750 GPS receiver, despite its relatively high price, is strong for its category. Its "piano black" finish is very appealing, particularly if your vehicle has a black interior or even is painted black, the striking black finish of Garmin's Nuvi 750 GPS receiver will blend well, creating the impression that the unit is not an aftermarket accessory, but is straight from the factory.

Operationally, the Garmin Nuvi 750 gets high marks for ease of setup and use, relying on simple touch screen operation to input destination and scroll through menus. Maps of North America are pre-loaded, so as soon as you fire the unit up, you'll be off and running. Turn-by-turn voice prompts help to guide you to your destination, offering such pertinent information as lane changes, as well as impending construction information. Route calculation gives you an idea of the best roads to reach your destination safely, and a speed limit indicator will help prevent unnecessary brushes with the law.

At an MSRP of $549.99, the Garmin Nuvi 750 isn't the least expensive portable GPS device you can purchase, but it isn't the most expensive, either. At $899.99, Garmin's own GPSMAP376C eclipses the price of the Nuvi by three hundred and fifty dollars. For the style and ease of use, however, it's tough to beat the Nuvi 750. With a range of features, and a not too bad price point, this GPS unit will more than fit the bill for those who didn't have on-board accessory GPS unit installed when they purchased their car.

Using the Garmin Nuvi makes one feel like you're playing with the coolest new toy on the block. The computer voice let me know exactly where my turns were, and even gave me an expected arrival time based on the speed I was traveling, and the planned route. Unfailingly, I arrived precisely on time. It helped make a particularly long drive much, much easier, not only for the interest that the unit provided, but by allowing me to not have to think much about which way I was going, but instead to finally learn all the words to some Jimi Hendrix songs that I'd been singing wrong for a very long time.