Figure 3: Garmin nuvi 750, Front

Except for the power switch on the top of the case, there are no visible controls on the nuvi 750. All operations are performed via the 4.3" color touch screen.

Figure 4: Garmin nuvi 750, Top

The power switch is located on the top of the nuvi 750. Sliding the power switch to the left turns the unit on or off, and sliding the switch to the right locks the screen.

Figure 5: Garmin nuvi 750, Left Side

The left side of the nuvi 750 is home to a headphone/audio out jack and an SD memory card slot (SD memory cards can be used to store photos, music files, or additional maps).

Figure 6: Garmin nuvi 750, Rear

The speaker and external antenna connector are located on the rear of the 750. Most people probably won't need the external antenna connector, especially given the nuvi 750's high-performance internal GPS antenna.

Note that the nuvi 750, like the 200-series nuvi models, has an internal GPS antenna instead of the fold-out patch style antenna used on the older 300 and 600-series nuvis. The internal antenna means there's fewer moving parts to break, and also makes it easier/faster to dock and undock the nuvi 760 from the windshield mount.

Figure 7: Garmin nuvi 750, Bottom

The bottom of the nuvi 750 is home to the mini-USB connector (used both for data transfer between a PC/Mac and the GPS as well as charging the nuvi's internal battery), and the multi-pin connector that connects to the windshield mount.

Figure 8: Garmin nuvi 750, Side

Figure 9: Garmin nuvi 750 Windshield Mount

Garmin consistently does a better job with its mounting hardware than its competitors, and the nuvi 750 is no exception.

The nuvi 750 is mounted in the windshield using a suction-cup mount and quick-release cradle (shown below) that snaps onto the end of the mount, forming a ball-and-socket type joint that allows the GPS to be easily angled into the desired viewing angle.

This ball-and-socket style mount has proven very effective for Garmin, and is used on all new nuvi and StreetPilot GPS units. Garmin's well designed mount is easy to use and holds the unit firmly in place and vibration-free while driving.

The suction mount is secured to the windshield by lowering the lever on the mount into the locked position.

Figure 10: nuvi 750's Docking Cradle, Front

Nuvi's cradle provides power to the GPS and makes it easy to dock and un-dock the GPS from the windshield mount. Note that the 12v power cable connects to the cradle, and not the nuvi directly. So there's no need to re-connect any cables when mounting the nuvi in the car; just snap the nuvi into the mount and you're ready to navigate.

Figure 11: nuvi 750's Docking Cradle, Left

The nuvi 750 shares the same mounting hardware as the more expensive 760, 770, and 780 nuvis, which explains why the docking cradle has a microphone input even though the nuvi 750 doesn't have bluetooth. The upside? Some users have reported success boosting Garmin's underpowered FM transmitter by connecting headphones to the microphone jack and laying the headphone across the dashboard. More on this later in the review.

Figure 12: nuvi 750's Docking Cradle, Rear

The mount has a socket at the rear that snaps onto the ball of the suction mount. Squeezing the button on the bottom of the cradle releases the nuvi 750 from the mount.

Figure 13: nuvi 750's Docking Cradle, Right

The nuvi 750's windshield mount is powered, meaning that the 12v cigarette lighter power adapter connects to the right side of the cradle rather than the GPS unit itself. So once the mount is in setup in the car, you don't have to worry about the connecting or disconnecting any cables before using the GPS; just snap the unit into the mount and it's powered and ready to go.

This is a slight design change from previous nuvis which had the power connector located at the bottom of the cradle. I found the new location of the power connector an improvement over previous version, as the power connector is now easier to see and to connect. Also, the previous design was cumbersome for those using a friction mount, as there was barely enough clearance between the cradle and the dashboard.

Figure 14: nuvi 750's Windshield Mount and Cradle

The beauty of Garmin's windshield mounting hardware is its simplicity. With almost no moving parts to break, this mount is economical, simple, small, and highly effective.

Connecting the cradle to the mount is simply a matter of pressing firmly on the mount until the ball snaps into the socket on the cradle. To remove the cradle, simply twist the cradle to the right or left until it snaps off the mount.

Figure 15: 12v Power Adapter

Figure 16: USB Cable

The included USB cable is used to update the nuvi's internal software and to transfer music and photos from a Mac or PC to the GPS.

Figure 17: Adhesive Mounting Disc

Garmin provides an adhesive mounting disc as an alternate to the windshield mount. By sticking the mounting disc to the vehicle's dashboard, it's possible to mount the GPS on the dashboard instead of the windshield. If local laws prevent you from using the windshield mount, I recommend a friction mount instead of the adhesive mounting disc option -- it's easier to move and you don't have to stick anything permanent on your dashboard.