Garmin's nuvi 265WT and nuvi 760 currently cost about the same amount. So which one should you buy? The short answer is that most people will be better served by the newer nuvi 265WT. However, the 760 does offer some specific features that might make it a better fit, depending on how you'll be using the GPS.
What a timely post. I was researching between these models and you have posted a comparative analysis.
I have the Garmin 750 and while the 265WT may have a better map, I like how my 750 unit attaches to the mount. It is more secure and easier to remove.
Good comparison artcle though!
Fletch, I often see "text-to-speech (speaks actual street names" in your reviews (and other places).
Exactly what 'street names' are spoken? I certainly would not want to be driving and have my GPS speak the name of each street I come to on my route (my current Garmin C530 shows on the top of the LCD each street I am approaching). I sure wouldn't want to hear the GPS speaking each of these street names!!
Thanks
Robert
It does not speak any of the cross streets. It only speaks the street names that you will be turning on. For example; "Turn right on Main Street, then turn left".
Fletch,how do i change the speaker voice on my new 780 as i can't understand the way she pronences some street names here in north ga.
I agree, I'm from Augusta, GA. We need a Blanche Dubois type of voice, "Sugar, please turn right on Maple. THanks sugar".
Seriously, have you tried to download some other voices from the Garmin site? Emily is a good one.
does the 265 have a UBS jack for computer connection. can't see it in the pics.
Yes - it's the combination data/power USB port on the back of the device.
thanks for the answers to my questions,one more.
today i bought a kingston 2 gb sd for the nuvi 780 at radio shack. is it compabile. also got a universal screen protector, is anybody using them, pro & cons ???
so far the 780 is working great,locks on in 5-10 seconds
charlie
Great Review
jawhite
how do i pull up the software to change the voice.
sorry i'm so dum
charlie
So which of these would be good for foot traffic? I'm traveling to Italy and don't want to get lost when walking around Rome, Florence, and the rest of the Cities I visit?
It will also be used in our rental car.
thanks for the comparison...I still can't decide which to get. Have been leaning toward the 265wt.
I have a nuvi 760 and contrary to what you indicated it does shows in the screen my next turn.
so helpful! thanks!
I'm hoping you can answer this question: I just bought the 760 and am finding the speaker volume to be incredibly low. Even at 100%, I have difficulty hearing it in the car with the windows up, air on, and the radio low. It's such an issue, in fact, that I'm thinking about returning it and purchasing another GPS.
Can you tell me if the 265's speaker volume is louder than the 760? If it is, by a factor of what? I used to have a nuvi 260 and the volume went so loud that I rarely had it above 80%. I then had a Sony 74t and, while not as clear, was loud enough to hear with my top down on the highway. The 760 is just too low!
If the 265's speaker isn't any better, do you have a recommendation for a GPS with a loud speaker (and TTS and traffic)?
Thanks.
I find the speaker volume to be roughly the same on all the nuvis you mention (265, 760, 260). I'm surprised you found the 260 louder.
Hi there, does anybody recommend a model number of an external speaker I can use for my nuvi 760? They can't hear me on the phone. this is an iphone I've paired to nuvi 760. Please help!!! Thank you.
You could also buy a casette tape adapter and use the headphone out on the nuvi 760 to play the sound through your car's tape deck. This works better than the underpowered FM trasnmitter.
Thank you, I will try that. Best regards.
Why not use the FM transmitter to broadcast through your car radio? That, after all, is the point of the FM transmitter.
If you do have some reason, try any battery powered speakers for a laptop.
The FM transmitter is woefully underpowered and, truth be told, I like to listen to talk radio while I'm driving. I don't want to be worried about missing a turn because I forgot to flip back to the station that my GPS is tuned to.
As far as the speaker go, I'm trying to keep my car as clutter free as possible, that's why I went with the nüvi. The one-wire solution (no external TMC antenna) and a power port on the cradle were a perfect fit for what I wanted. I also feel that I shouldn't spend over $200 on a device and immediately have to buy something else to make up for its deficiencies.
All that being said, I did fix the issue. I found a 'volume hack' on another site that instructed me on how to change the 'voice volume' in the code with a hex editor (Google nuvi 760 voice volume and you'll find it). By default, the voice volume is set at 65. I boosted mine to 90 and can now here the GPS with the radio on at highway speeds (even with the top down!). Now, the sound is definitely not as 'clean' as it was at the lower volume (the speaker is straining a bit and there's some crackling on certain words), but it's not bad and I'll take it.
I think that Garmin should put a little effort into improving their speakers. My iPhone has a smaller speaker than my GPS, but it's three times louder and twice as clear!
I need to find the instructions to raising the volume from 65 to 90 like you did. I have the nuvi265WT. Could you either direct me to the web-site that tells you how, or could you indicate how to me.
I need to find the instructions to raising the volume from 65 to 90 like you did. I have the nuvi265WT. Could you either direct me to the web-site that tells you how, or could you indicate how to me.
I'm not so sure why you make such a big deal about the upcoming turn arrow at the top of the 265. My 760 shows me a big white upcoming turn arrow right on the map itself, along with notifying me in the status bar. Seems like the 265 is just doing the same thing in a slightly different way.
You don't see the arrow on the 760's map until the actual turn. When you're driving on a highway and want to know which side to exit at, you need more advance notice. On the 760 you have to browse the list of turns to see it. The 265 has the turn arrow right on the map.
Any help comparing the 255 vs. the 265t? Do they use the same GPS receiver? If so, then the only difference is basically the traffic receiver included with the 265t??? Same interface, etc...
I have a 265WT and so far it has exceeded my expectations. Only one thing has me a bit spooked and that is the SD card function. I've used SD cards for several years with my camera and my laptop so I'm quite familiar with them. The issue I have with the 265WT is that when I insert the card the entire unit shuts down and it's quite an ordeal to get it to come on again. The card will only go in one way and it appears to be the wrong way, that is the the tiny goove in the SD card to assist with it's removal ends up being on the wrong side. Maybe something is wrong with my unit? It's brand new. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Is there a way to connect nuvi 760 hard wire to radio for clearer fm transmission and where i can purchase it.
I was hoping someone could help me out with my purchase.
I am in between the nuvi 770 (760 with Europe) and nuvi 265wt.
My question is if I have the maps updated on the nuvi 770, does it improve the layout or does it just update the newer areas?
By 'layout' i mean would the maps look more like the 265wt layout.
Thanks
Upcoming turn arrow: The turn arrow is very useful. Years back I used GPS (Garmin) in rental car (Hertz) and I remember that unit showed arrow like shown in 265wt screenshot.
How is the volume of 265WT, is that audible when the windows are open and with the Music?.
The real choice now is between the 265WT and the 780. I have the 780. It does have quick sat acquisition as well as 3 months of free MSN Direct. So you have to decide if you only want free traffic (with ads) or pay for MSN ($50/yr) which offers much more. The other good choice for those who don't need traffic or an FM transmitter (or audio jack) is the 255W which is about $30 less. It also has the new interface.
Thanks for all the reviews. They have helped me make several choices in purchasing GPS units.
One comment regarding the debate of the 265WT vs. the 760. I have owned the 760 for over a year now and recently bought the 265WT for my Dad, figuring that he didn't need the bluetooth or the FM transmitter. However, I noticed one thing right away when using the 265WT while driving. The display is considerably less bright and much harder to read while driving in all but the most optimal conditions. Don't know if anybody else has had this problem but I would choose the 760 over the 265WT based on this, given the similarity of price (these days anyway).
Thanks again for all the work on the reviews...
About a year ago I purchased a nuvi 760 for my wife. I have used it on and off and was happy with it (as is my wife). A few weeks ago I purchased the nuvi 265wt for myself as the prices had dropped to about $200. Overall, I like the display and function of the 265 better than the 760.
On the Traffic though, I find the traffic service through Clear Channel on my wife's 760 to be far superior to the free service through NavTeq. I have not had a good experience with this service in the SFBA region, updates are very slow, and outdated by the time received. I am considering checking into if the 265 can be switched to Clear Channel. I have not tried MSN.