Garmin nuvi comparison chart
IMPORTANT: See our improved Garmin nuvi comparison chart. Due to space constraints on GPS Tracklog, I’ve taken the nuvi comparison chart elsewhere. Comments are now closed on this post, but you can comment and ask questions at the new Garmin nuvi comparison chart.
There are a plethora of nuvis entering the GPS marketplace, and I can see that there is going to be a lot of confusion among would be buyers. In light of that, and despite my admittedly limited technical skills, I’ve put together a Garmin nuvi comparison chart. It may not be the prettiest HTML table in the world, but it should serve the needs of confused consumers. The chart only covers models designed for North American consumers, though it does include units with both North American and European maps — the x70 models.
Before we get into all the details, here’s a brief look at the various series in the U.S. nuvi lineup:
200 series – This budget, entry level lineup includes the nuvi 200, 250, 260 and 270. All have a 3.5″ screen. A relatively new series, these units have an internal antenna, giving them a less obtrusive profile.200W series – The 200W, 250W and 260W are also entry level units with limited features, albeit with a 4.3″ screen.300 series – With more features than the 200 series, this set includes the first two nuvis ever released, the 350 and 360, along with the newer 370.600 series – More feature laden still, this line includes the nuvi 650, 660, 670 and 680.700 series – The newest additions to the nuvi family, these units incorporate the high-end features of the 600 series, with the internal antenna found on the 200 series.x70 models – The tranatlantic 270, 370, 670 and 770 models have maps of the U.S., Canada and Europe.
| nuvi model | Maps | Screen size | Speaks street names | MP3 player | Traffic | Blue- tooth |
FM trans- mitter |
MSN Direct |
| nuvi 200 | 49 states | 3.5″ | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| nuvi 200W | 49 states | 4.3″ | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| nuvi 250 | U.S. Canada | 3.5″ | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| nuvi 250W | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| nuvi 260 | U.S. Canada | 3.5″ | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| nuvi 260W | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| nuvi 270 | U.S. Canada Europe | 3.5″ | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| nuvi 350 | U.S. Canada | 3.5″ | Yes | Yes | Option | No | No | No |
| nuvi 360 | U.S. Canada | 3.5″ | Yes | Yes | Option | Yes | No | No |
| nuvi 370 | U.S. Canada Europe | 3.5″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| nuvi 650 | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Option | No | No | No |
| nuvi 660 | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| nuvi 670 | U.S. Canada Europe | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| nuvi 680 | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| nuvi 750 | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Option | No | Yes | Option |
| nuvi 760 | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Option |
| nuvi 770 | U.S. Canada Europe | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Option |
| nuvi 780 | U.S. Canada | 4.3″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| nuvi 5000 | U.S. Canada | 5.2″ | Yes | Yes | Option | No | Yes | Option |
| nuvi model | Maps | Screen size | Speaks street names | MP3 player | Traffic | Blue- tooth |
FM trans- mitter |
MSN Direct |
I am still confused by the traffic capabilities. It seems to me that the 370 has a built in FM receiver that requires no subscription while the 660 requires a subscription. Is that true? How much of a compromise is there in the smaller screen? Is it worth the $220 difference between these two models….I think one of these is going to be my purchase point…but I am not sure which. The link I am using also makes it appear that the 660 does not have a windshield mount? while the 370 has the stiff glass mount that seems to be recommended by most sites….please help. thanks.
Lynn-
All the nuvis that come with an FM traffic receiver also come with a 3 month free trial subscription. I don’t know that the big screen is necessary, especially if it’s the main factor in a $220 difference!
All nuvis come with both a windshield and dash/disc mount.
By the way, you mention the 370 and 660. All the x70 models have U.S. and European maps. A better comparison might be the 360 vs. 370 or the 660 vs. 670.
Hope this helps.
I love the Garmin Nüvi comparison chart, but it would be MUCH BETTER if the power supply were listed. For example, the question would be:
Standard mini USB power supply = yes / no
The reason this is critical important for all modern electronics is that a single mini USB power adapter can power your cellphone, your earbud, your mp3 player, and your GPS unit. In my case, I refuse to purchase any GPS unit that isn’t powered by mini-USB (and AA batteries).
So, I’m asking that your chart add the power supply and battery type column.
sarah
Sarah,
Thanks! I’m glad you find it helpful.
I don’t believe any nuvis have this capability. None use AA batteries, and while they can all be charged via USB, they use the proprietary Garmin cable connection to do so.
Great chart. It would be nice if the MSRP was included. Although street prices vary widely, it would give a general idea of the price differences between models.
Thanks Gary. I’d like to add that, but chart width gets to be an issue. I’ll have to take a look on smaller displays and see what happens.
hi, can someone me tell if i buy nuvi 660, so i’ll not be able to use it in europe, i cant dowload europe manps in it???
thanks in advance
as, you can buy European maps for the 660. I’d compare the cost of the 660 + European maps with the cost of the 670. The 670 may end up being less.
Can the Garmin GPS nuvi’s show you names of streets in theme parks such as universal, disney, etc…
Can the GPS nuvi give you directions based on street names for theme parks?
Linda,
You can use the Map Viewer, (click the link in the upper right corner of this page http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/citynavnt.jsp#) to see what roads are included. At Disneyland, many roads are just labeled “road,” but S. Disneyland Drive, W. Magic Way and Downtown Drive are named. Any roads shown can be routed along.
You might also be interested in this… http://gpstracklog.com/2006/03/theme_park_maps.html
Are the nuvi 350 or 650 able to load Europe maps when needed? (I think so just making sure)I travel there but not often, so the x70’s I really don’t need, if I am able to switch from America to Europe.
Is there a jack to plug into ext speakers? ex. ear for mp3 and car speakers while driving.
Is the internal speakers loud enough? I understand there is no vol. control on the 350 or 650
Thanks
Yes, you can get an SD data card with European maps, but I would compare the cost of a nuvi 350/650 plus maps with the cost of a 370 or 670.
There is an audio out jack. I believe that all nuvis have volume controls; my nuvi 660 does. Having said that, the quality of the speakers is find for directions, but not for MP3s.
Can the Garmin 350 be powered and operated using a mini usb car
power adapter plugged into the mini usb port on the side? I have
been informed that a Motorola Razr telephone car adapter can be plugged
into the garmin 350’s usb with satisfactory results
Lincoln,
I don’t believe so. Here is a UseNet thread on the subject:
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.satellite.gps.garmin/browse_thread/thread/ebf5958007aac191/03142535e5bb7439?lnk=gst&q=mini+usb&rnum=3#03142535e5bb7439
I can tell you that my 660 will not function as a GPS while being powered by mini-USB, and that it has only one mini-USB port.
Garmin 350 using mini USB socket
Thanks for the feedback,Rich. I have what I believe are some interesting observations:
After posting my msg, I went to Best Buy and spotted that they had a 350 displayed and it was powered into the mini usb on the side. I was informed the power came from an adapter for a Motorola Razr telephone.
I then called Garmin and found that I could charge the 350 using the mini usb port on the side but they wouldn’t confirm or deny it would operate as a GSP.
They would only say it was meant for exchange of computer data and USB charging.
I figured I couldn’t break it by trying. I plugged the Garmin automobile in the side mini usb with the antenna already opened. It displayed the symbol that it was using external power.
It worked as a GPS displaying a msg it wasn’t properly hooked up to receive info from a computer. (not exact statement) After driving around for about an hour, I unplugged it and a message popped and after a message about diconnect from the usb info line, it automatically turned itself off with its 30 second countdown.
Other observations: I scoured a lot of sites and Ive come to the conclusion if you use a regulated/IC protected 5 volt 1000 mAh (1amp)mini USB there will be no harm to the 350. Most adapter have the straight 180 degree plug (vs. the garmin’s right angle plug)so you can lay the 350 on flat surface with the power plug an extension plug and even an external antenna all coming out of the same side. I’ve placed my 350 into an Office Max mesh business card holder. It leans
the vuvi 350 at a nice angle, doesn’t block the speakers and can be velcroed on the bottom to keep it in place moving it to different cars as needed. I like the versatily. I don’t know if its my imagination, but the 350 seems to work better when I’m using external power rather than its internal battery. The built in antenna seems more sensitive. (This is an antedotal observation, I haven’t done a A vs. B test.)
I hope my observations will be useful to some and am looking forward to anyone elses observations on this subject,…………Lincoln
Lincoln,
Thanks for the detailed report. That kind of reader supplied information goes way beyond what I am able to provide here. I appreciate you taking the time to share it!
I have trouble with my suction cup sticking. Are there other options such as bean bag holder…?
Yes, there was a good post on the beanbag mount the other day on GPS Magazine…
http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2007/08/dont_like_the_windshield_mount.php
I have read your comments on the NUVI 600 series with interest. The 650 looks like it would do what I need. When I went to the sample map coverage page at Garmin I saw that most of their units come with their “City Navigator” maps. When I zoomed in on my home location I was surprised to not see any local roads, yet we’re only five miles from a large city in WA. Doos Garmin offer any maps that have better rural coverage? Or, are there any other options for better rural coverage, including a different brand of unit?
Thanks,
Thor West
Thor,
Did you zoom in as far as possible? Are these newer roads? Rural roads are usually included unless they are new. It is always possible that Garmin’s Map Viewer is not showing the latest edition of CN maps.
The only other option would be to go with someone that uses TeleAtlas maps like TomTom. I don’t know any way to check those out online. Perhaps you could go to a retail store that carries TomTom and pan the map to find them.
You were correct – I didn’t zoom in far enough. I thought .5 mi would be sufficient, but not.
It’s a shame that Garmin, Magellan and TomTom can’t handle customers questions. We’re glad we have you and your readers to help.
After comparing: Garmins “City Navigator North America”, Garmins “TOPO U.S. 2008, and Microsoft “Streets and Trips 2007″, I find for my use a combination of City Nav and Topo 2008 would work best. I tried to call Garmin to se if it could be loaded with their installed City Nav…but was informed of a 30 to 35 minute phone wait so I gave-up. You can’t contact them by e-mail for general questions – only for their pre ordained question areas.
So, finally, my questions are, 1. Can you load Garmins Topo 2008 on a NUVI 650/660?
2. Is there any way to use a NUVI or a Garmin 296 as a gps source for a laptop with MS Streets,,,?
I’ve noticed after reading many reviews that very little emphasis is placed on the one product quality that I consider primary – screen readability. That’s why I would like to be able to add topo maps to a 660 or a TT 720 or anything with a sharp readable screen.
Thanks for your help-again.
Thor,
I’m glad you’re finding the site helpful.
You can load Topo to a nuvi, but you can’t view topo maps and highway maps at the same time. And you can’t autoroute on a topo.
Nuvis do not stream NMEA output, so you cannot use it connected to a laptop as a GPS for another program. You can with the 276 if that is the unit you are referring to.
Rich,
Am I correct in thinking that an advantage of (other than Garmin) units is the cost and small capacity of Garmins memory cards?
But, is Garmin’s customer service better than the other manufactures? It matters. I just spent forty minutes on the phone speaking with four different Indian gentlemen, repeating the same information to get an in-warranty replacement for a bad Compac notebook harddrive.
Thor,
I’m not sure what you mean about the cost and small capacity of Garmin memory cards. Unless you’re wanting pre-loaded maps, I wouldn’t buy the cards from Garmin anyway. You’re right that they do have a good reputation for customer service, but as they say, your mileage may vary.
I was wondering if any of the Nuvis, esp. the newest 700 series, have a built-in traffic receiver, so that you don’t have to use that power cord with the three lights on it. Have they integrated the traffic receiver into any of the models to eliminate the need to use that cord?
Clint,
It’s still the same setup, as far as I know.
It’s mentioned about map updates, and thought they were free from Garmin. Is it true that you have to pay for every update, and if so, how often are updates available, and what is the cost. I tried to find that on the Garmin website, but in order to proceed further, you need a Serial Number of your Garmin unit, which I don’t have one yet. I’m still debating on which one to get. Looking at the 360 or 370. I know the 370 has the Europe maps, but don’t know when I’ll be going back. If I’m not going back for awhile and have to pay for an update for the 370, I may as well get the 360 and when I do go to Europe, purchase the Europe map, that hopefully, has the latest updates.
Updates are generally available annually, and they are not free. Having said that, it’s worth a call to Garmin to check on their current policy if you buy a product with an older version of their maps. In the past, they have offered free upgrades in this circumstance.
Ordered a Garmin nuvi 660 today from Amazon
After making two road trips this week without a GPS , I made my way to alt.satellite.gps and found some
Ordered a Garmin nuvi 660 today from Amazon
After making two road trips this week without a GPS , I made my way to alt.satellite.gps and found some
Ordered a Garmin nuvi 660 today from Amazon
After making two road trips this week without a GPS , I made my way to alt.satellite.gps and found some
Can your passenger program Garmin and Magellan GPS systems while actually driving? Or do you have to stop.
Also, For usability is Garmin better or Magellan?
Yes, they can be programmed while the vehicle is moving. And Garmin has a much more intuitive interface than Magellan.
Great site, thanks. I am hoping that you can recommend one that will remember a route taken. There are times when I drive dirt roads out in desert – obviously no street signs – so having a way to backtrack ,if necessary, would be helpful. Suggestions?
The nuvi 700 series, which is just starting to show up in stores, will have tracklogs. Whether or not it will be able to navigate (backtrack) a tracklog, I don’t know.
Regardless, the 700 series should show the track you’ve taken, so you could just follow that out by watching the screen.
The comparison chart is agreat idea. Would you consider expanding it to include features that are of interest to business users, such at log book replacement functionality or max previous destinations memory?
I’m trying to decide whether to purchase the Garmin Nuvi 350 or purchase the TomTom system for my Treo 700P. Any thoughts or experiences are welcome.
Thanks
Marsye
To a great extent, I think that depends on whether you want one device or two. I think the nuvi will be much more user friendly and easier to deal with on the road.
Great advice and a great site. I am in the market for a Nuvi and like many, am a bit confused. Is the only difference between the 350 and 650 the screen size? Also I have read some reviews that say that the Nuvi does not trip plan (multiple waypoints along an extended road trip). Since we take driving trips often, I’d like a GPS that can do that. Does the 650? Any other Nuvis? Thanks.
Eric – Yes, the only difference between the 350 and 650 is screen size. The 700 series will do multi-destination routing. The 750 is a deal…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/10/deal-on-a-garmi.html
I recently bought a garmin 370 and have plugged in the traffic receiver, but when I do it states it needs an external power source. The only problem is the traffic receiver is plugged into the place where the external power such as the cigeratte light cable goes. I can’t seem to find anywhere else where an external power supply can be plugged in. Can anyone help?
The cable should supply power to the GPS and the traffic receiver. One end goes in the cigarette lighter, the other end attaches to the mount.
If someone steals your GPS out of your car, they will have the POIs like Home and Work. Do any of the newer nuvi’s (660+) have passwords or encrypted databases in case of theft? Also, what is the top size limit of the SD cards that these newer nuvi’s will handle?
All nuvis come with Garmin Lock, which allows you to use a 4 digit PIN to gain access.
Some nuvis (e.g., the 660) officially support 4GB SD cards; others do not. I would suggest a search for whatever model you are interested in + the term “4GB SD” and see what comes up. Some people report problems with off brands.
I appreciate your chart and reviewers’ comments. It is helpful as I am deciding on a GPS unit. I am leaning toward Nuvi 680. Thanks.
K
I’m glad you found it useful. I think you’ll really like the 680.
What is the difference between a NUVI 350 and a 350 C ?
What is the difference between a NUVI 350 and a 350 C ?
Sorry, but I’ve never heard of a nuvi 350 C.
Your chart does not include the Streetpilot series The Streetpilot 550 seems to have more comparable features to the 600 series at a cheaper cost. Comments?
Your chart does not include the streetpilot series. The Streetpilot 550 seems to have many of the features of the 600 series at a lower cost. comments?
You’re absolutely right. I think the nuvi is much more popular solely due to its form factor. My wife just drops it into her purse when we leave the car.
Do you recommend any voice activated models? My husband is handicapped (but drives) and I would like one that is voice activated. Do these work as well as the others?
Another question: Does the GPS need to be up on the dask or windshield or can putting it in the cup holder work as well?
The TomTom 920 has some voice commands and is getting good reviews. It’s new though, so the jury is still out on it…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/11/tomtom-go-920t-.html
I’d stay away from the Magellan with voice commands.
Sorry, I didn’t answer part two of your question. Here are some alternative mounting options…
http://www.proclipusa.com/?sectionpath=127&pageid=8799&processor=content
Does the Garmin Nuvi 750 come with a trial subscription to either the FM traffic feature or MSN?
Thanks
No, they are options. The 760 has a trial TMC subscription included. Here’s info on a deal on the 750 + MSN…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/11/price-reduction.html
Very useful site.. thanks for doing this
what is this NAVTEQ I’m reading an advertisement about. Is this something I should be looking for in a GPS?
Thanks Peter. Glad you’re finding it useful.
Tom, there are two main mapping companies whose data comes on most auto GPS — NAVTEQ and TeleAtlas. Garmin tends to use NAVTEQ and TomTom uses Tele Atlas. NAVTEQ used to be superior; both are pretty much on par with each other at this point. I’d say don’t even worry about it.
I am looking at buying a GPS unit and have been researching but so far haven’t seen my question(s) addressed. I’ll try to be clear, but my ignorance will show.
I would like an auto GPS for street navigation and also a GPS unit for hiking. I like the electronic compass and barometric altimeter on the handhelds but don’t find those features on the auto model. I also like the voice direction on the auto but don’t find it on the handheld. Can a person get one model to do both, perhaps with some downloads, or do I need to get two GPS systems?
Kathryn,
You questions are perfectly clear. Unfortunately, you won’t find voice directions on a handheld. Either you need to make some compromises, or get two different units.
Hi
Will the Garmin 660 bluetooth work with the new LG Shine series of bluetooth phones?
Thanks
Peter in Halifax
Peter,
Thanks for your comment. I don’t know if the 660 will work with that
particular phone or not. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
My fiance and I are considering purchasing a Garmin 650 for a great price of $299. My primary concern is battery life. Is it possible to replace the internal battery? I heard a rumor that garmin charges $300 for this service (oviously not worth it). I have also heard that we should expect the battery to only last about a year and a half. If the battery dies can you still use the device when plugged into a power source (my laptop worked this way)? Thanks in advance for your help. We don’t want to make such a big purchase if it will only last a little over a year.
Eric,
I’m sure i’ts happened, but I’ve never heard of battery problems with a nuvi. Yes, I’m sure it will run off another power source regardless. I’ve had my nuvi 660 for a year with no problems. In reality, most people don’t use a GPS much when it isn’t plugged into the car charger. You will likely use it a little outside the car for trip planing though. I have seen other GPS receivers with weak batteries, but not a nuvi.
Hope this helsp.
Great chart & message board, especially for 1st timers. How about the 330 model differences between it & the 350? Is there a 340? Thanks, Steve
Thanks Steve. I’m glad you’re finding it helpful. BTW, you may be asking about the Garmin StreetPilot c330 and c340. These are several years old and use out of date technology. There are no 330 and 340 nuvis.
For Kathryn, probably you would like to see if Magellan CrossoverGPS is suitable for you. There is an in-depth review in this location http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2007/02/magellan_crossovergps_indepth.php?page=1
Dodi,
You’re right, the Crossover is an option. I guess I’ve successfully blocked out my experience with it!…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/01/magellan_crosso.html
I recently purchased the nuvi 360. while reading the user manual (which is also the UM for the 370), it talked about being able to enter just a zip code or an intersection to find a map. I’m trying to verify if this works only on the 370 as it does NOT work on the 360. This is a nice feature to have and I am considering returning and upgrading if the 370 can do maps by zip and intersections.
Lynn,
The manual is for the 310/360/370. The 310 is the European model. Zip code search is not available in North American nuvis.
You should be able to search for intersections though. Choose “Where To” > “Intersections”. Is this not available on your screen? You might have to scroll down to see it.
I am new to the GPS world and I have just purchased 2 units. Both cost me $349 CDN each.
The 1st is the Garmin 650 and the other is the TomTom 720 GO.
I am beyond confused as to what one I should keep. I am hearing so many ppl say go Garmin, I have also not heard anything bad about the TT720. The bluetooth is a bonus on the TT720.
I have tried both units out, they both seem to route nicely and re-calculate fast. I will say that the TT720 has a much smoother sounding female computer voice wher the garmin sounds kinda 1990 computer voice.
any help would be nice
Chad,
They are both great units. If you have the luxury of trying them out for awhile, I’d do that and then keep the one you like best. The only major problem I recall with the 720 was the traffic receiver, but if you aren’t going to use that, then it’s not an issue. Do you like using the Bluetooth? How is the sound quality for the person you’re speaking with?
I do like the Bluetooth option. I am able to hear them good and they say they can hear me fine.
Been doing some more reading but still unsure.
I have read the POI’s onthe TT are not as good as the Garmin. I have also read that there are duplicate in Garmins Database. also that when some ppl had used them it sent them no where near the POI.
I do think perhaps I will test them some more. but the more I use boththe more I get confused LOL.
The advantage to the Garmin is that is was Costco bought, so the return policy is far better then the 30 day I got from Future Shop on the TT720
Checking out POIs is a good idea. Have any favorite chains, restaurants, etc.? Know of any new stores in your area? Places you like to travel to? Plug them in and see if they are there?
Ok I have tried the Garmin out a bit more on its own and would just like it to be known that the feature I have read about on numerous sites about how the Garmin will tell you what side the destination is on etc…
Please dont put to much faith in that little addition. I set it to HOME and when I was driving up to my house it says arriving at destination on the left. Well my house was on the right. It has done this a few times to me in the last 24 hours.
Thats all for now. just thought I would share this.
I just found this site of which I think the comparison chart is extemely helpful! I’m looking to purchase a GPS and would like your recommendation. I don’t know much about them so bare with me here.
I want a GPS that…
~ has voice prompts that will tell me the road name and exactly when to turn (not just turn left in 500 ft).
~ is portable enough to switch from car to car if need be.
~ has a decent battery life (at least a few hours). Also, I’m not sure if they all come with this or not but I definitely want to be able to recharge in the car.
~ is reasonably priced. Basically I want to find a GPS that has all the features listed above in the least expensive unit.
What do you recommend? …maybe the NUVI 350?
Thank you in advance!
Nikki,
Just about all GPS receivers will give some advance warning of a turn, and then repeat the turn instructions as you approach the intersection. A model with text-to-speech will call out the street names at turns. All auto units come with a car charger. The nuvi 260 will do all that, but won’t have the 360’s MP3 player. Here’s a deal that’s going on right now…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/11/more-holiday-de.html
i love sites where i can understand what is being said.
thanks.
does the nuvi 660 come with a car charger?
Thanks Ron. Simple but high praise! I like that.
Yes, the 660 does indeed come with a car charger. I think need to add an “In the box” section to the reviews.
i had purchased Garmin 650 but later relizised that it does not have traffic conditions. Can you let me know how can i get traffic condition which is optional and secondly does the GPS needs to be updated by a computer I mean to say new maps as well as how can i download from google maps multiple destinations.
Jose,
You need a GTM-20 traffic receiver (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=403) but it only works if you are in an area with TMC coverage.
I don’t think you can download an update; you’ll have to buy an update disc.
Here’s info on how you can transfer data from Google Maps…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/07/transfer-google.html
Hope this helps.
I’m glad I came accross this website. It has been very helpful to me in choosing which type/model of GPS I purchase for my husband. This will be a Christmas gift from our kids and me. I have narrowed it down to the Nuvi 670 or the 700 series. I have one question; which model has a reverse route feature? Please help! Thanks
Veronica
Thanks V. The nuvi 670 doesn’t do routes. You can have a destination and one via point. The 700 series does have routes, but I don’t believe there is a reverse function.
Just purchased the GARMIN nuvi 750, I’ve had it for almost a week. I’ve really given it the test and it does everything well. I am a bit confused about something though; I had down loaded the owner’s manual and I read that the battery is a non-replaceable type lithium-ion battery and that we should contact a local waste disposal department for informatioin on properly desposing of the unit. Is this fairly expensive nuvi unit just a throw away?? Tell me this isn’t so!
Conserned,
William Clark
My husband and I each purchased a GPS for our daughter. He bought the Magellan 3225 from Costco and I purchased the Garmin 650 also from Costco. Which is the best unit? Which one would you keep?
William,
Garmin will replace the batteries, for a fee. I’m betting you get several years use out of it and want a newer model long before it dies. I’m sure it happens, but I’ve never heard of anyone needing to replace a nuvi battery.
Scarlet,
Even though it doesn’t have Bluetooth or traffic, I can say without hesitation that I would keep the nuvi. It is that much better.
Thank you for addressing my concern of the GARMIN nuvi 750’s battery replacement issue. I do have a question though…
Is it OK to leave the power cable connected to the cradle for everyday use or is it best to leave the power cable off until the nuvi 750 is fully discharged before connecting the power cable to the cradle?
William, that’s a good question. Here’s a Wikipedia page on li-ion batteries that says they do not suffer from the memory effect…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_ion_battery
A section on prolonging battery life says they should be “charged early and often.” I do leave mine connected when in the car, BTW. Interestingly, it sounds like it is deleterious to leave them in extreme cold or heat.
Thank you very much, you have been a big help and I’ll visit this site often for more tid-bit of info.
Thanks again,
William
Can someone please help – I want to buy a GPS and have read all the info available – I’m still not clear which system to go for. I am leaning toward either the Nuvi 680 or the 760 – can anyone give me a recommendation or tell me how they compare.
Val,
They are both great units. The 760 will be better for planning detailed trips (multiple stops) ahead of time. The 680 will have MSN Direct, instead of TMC traffic.
MSN Direct comes with one year of free service vs. 3 months of free TMC traffic service on the 760. You can always add MSN Direct to the 760 later though. These are the main differences.
Hope this helps.
Do you have any information on the Tom Tom 920 and 920T? I especially like the listed feature on the 920T that allows you to navigate by “motion” even if a satellite signaal is not available.
Thanks for all the great info on your site.
Anjellea,
Thanks! I do indeed have a review of the TomTom GO 920/92T posted. It looks like a great unit…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/11/tomtom-go-920t-.html
I just recently bought a 650 and can’t find the spot to charge it with the car charger….Where do you plug it in? No spot big enought….Thanks for the help
Debbie,
The charger plugs into the mount.
Thank you…Wow didn’t even see that, Didn’t bring the mount with me…Have you heard about this> The first time I used it we were off the highway and it still had us on the highway, it was like 10 minutes behind?
One more question with the 650, does the usb to the computer charge the unit? thanks
Debbie,
The first time you use it, it often takes quite a while to lock satellites, but that does sound weird indeed.
Yes, the USB will charge it.
Thanks for the site big help. One thing to add difference on chart not shown. The 260, 250 does not come with Ac adapter, Case, or usb cable. The 350 comes with all of this for about $50 more than the 260. The cost of these is about $50. For about $35 more you can get 360 and blue tooth if you need it.
Mark, Great tip!
I just order a garmin 650. Is there a way to make the sound come through my car speakers.
Patty,
You should be able to buy a separate FM transmitter and hook it up to the headphone jack.
The 660 has an integrated FM transmitter but many complain that it is weak. It works well enough for me in a Toyota Camry, but the antenna is pretty close by.
Whew-whee. What a lot to sort out. Thank you for this site and your time. Now:
After reading David Pogue’s column in this week’s NYTimes, my wife and I are leaning toward the Nuvi 680, mostly because that’s the option that “speaks street names” and has the MSN direct service for traffic and weather. And I gather from this and other sources that we can add Europe when the need arises (like if we go back to Ireland in the spring).
The problem I’m having is: how do we get the features we want without also getting a boat load of features we don’t need?
We don’t need an MP3 player (that’s what our iPods are for); we don’t need a book reader (ditto, iPod); we don’t need a bluetooth hands fee capabiity (that’s what BT headsets are for).
But we would like the FM transmitter that can send the nav instructions into our car radio.
So, can you help us through the maze? Is there an model that has the top-of-the line Navigation features that is NOT loaded with all the other multi-media crap we’ve already got covered in a half dozen other gizmos?
If not, then I guess we’ll just have to spring for the 680 and “lug” all those other features around with us…
Thanks,
–PS
Paul,
First of all, beware because some people don’t find the FM transmitter very strong. It works fine in my Camry, as the radio antenna is relatively close by.
Also, you won’t find that exact combination of features. You might want to consider this deal on the 750 which has everything you want (and no Bluetooth)…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/11/price-reduction.html
I’ve got an iPod, but love the MP3 player since it puts the track title, etc., on the nuvi screen.
If you are going to Europe in the next couple of years, consider the 670 or 770, which are cheaper than buying another nuvi and maps later on.
I want to use GPS to navigate RV trips. For this, I suspect that trip planning computer software with lots of options (e.g., allowing selection of a scenic highways, defining lots of side trips around a chosen RV park, and downloading planned trips to GPS) is the way to go. Which GPS units have this software, and how good is it? Are any GPS units compatible with Microsoft Trips or Co-Pilot?
I’ve had the Garmin nuvi 650 for several weeks now and I’m disappointed. I traded in my Magellan 4040 because I couldn’t enter intersection info without knowing the town or city in which it was located – Garmin allows me to do this. However, the map info e.g., street names is not as good as Magellan. Also, the accuracy of the routing leaves a lot to be desired – it takes you down non-existent streets and often fails to accurately locate your final destination. For example – last week we entered the address of a motel in South Carolina. As we stood exactly on the doorstep of the motel it was still telling me to travel an additional 4 miles down the road to make some additional turns. It is marginally useful if you know where you are going but if you are really without a clue then watch out!
-And by the way, I forgot to mention that while the Magellan 4040 reads the street names accurately (giving street names, route numbers, etc., exactly as they appear on overhead traffic signs and street corners the Garmin Nuvi almost never gives the nmaes as they appear on street signs. This leaves you wondering if you are indeed on the right course.
>>If you are going to Europe in the next couple of years, consider the 670 or 770, which are cheaper than buying another nuvi and maps later on<<
Neither of those models has the MSN Direct feature, right? But both have the FM traffic feature? How does that work, exactly, and what’s the difference between the FM traffic feature and the MSN traffic feature?
If the FM works as well as the MSN direct (at least, in a major metropolitan area?) then maybe the 670 is what we want. What else does the 770 offer?
Thanks,
–PS
Marvin,
Thanks for sharing that. I am surprised, but it does happen. Both use NAVTEQ data. Sometimes these things are just flukes attributable to a specific location, but I can’t deny personal experience.
Paul,
Both the 670 and 770 have FM/TMC traffic, and MSN can also be added to the 770. In addition to traffic, MSN has gas prices, weather and movie times. Some people think it is superior to TMC (FM) traffic, but it is very much location dependent. Read this post and the comments for more on that…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/11/is-msn-direct-t.html
My nuvi 750 and 760 reviews lead with the differences between these units and the 600 series.
Hope this helps!
Alphecca,
This is a complicated question. The trend is to make GPS units easy enough that you don’t have to turn to the computer. In this regard, you might want to consider the nuvi 700 series which does multi-destination routing. You could also then use Garmin MapSource to plan trips on a PC, though you’ll have to request the disc from them and pay shipping.
There are simple GPS receivers that work with MS Streets & Trips, but then you lose the ability to use a GPS touch screen en route.
You might also want to look at the Garmin StreetPilot 7200 / 7500.
HTH
Phone interface, best audio and mic options?
Rich
I recently purchased a TomTom 720 for a cross country trip. After taking a day or so to figure it out, I found it pretty handy. Only problem was the audio for phone use. I found that with my old car, the interior noise was a problem and I had a hard time hearing the phone caller though the unit’s built-in speaker. I thought I could route their voice through the FM transmitter but that would only work for verbal navigation instructions, not a phone call. Also, the caller could not easily hear me through the built-in mic.
is there a unit out there which might use a direct line out option instead of relying on FM transmission? Also, any better options for a built-in mic?
thanks!
Dave,
I’m not a big fan of Bluetooth on a GPS for those reasons. You should be able to do a direct line out via the headphone jack. The mic problem remains though, and I have not found a solution. What I want is a unit that will let me dial and receive calls via the GPS, but route the audio to my headset,. But I guess that requires a 3-way BT connection, and I don’t *think* that’s possible.
Thanks for all the helpful info! Before I hand over my credit card for the nuvi 370, just wondering how the traffic data is displayed? Are the highways shaded with different colors that represent different speeds or is there numeric speed data that is display on-screen?
Or possibly none of the above??
Thanks!
Jeff,
Though it’s the 360, this post has a description and screen shots of the traffic features. I believe they will be the same on the 370…
http://gpsinformation.info/nuvi360/nuvi%20360.html
Has anyone compared Garmin 760/770 to TomTom 920.???
Does TT also charge for Map updates??
Does 920 support multi destinations??
Although , Garmin Menu Navigation is lot better than TT, I believe, 920 has more features.
first, this site is a great resource, thank you for putting it together.
I am new to the GPS market, and am a little confused as to the right model for me. I would like the text-to-speech feature, and I think the traffic feature would be ideal. I was thinking either the Nuvi 370 or Nuvi 660. Is the only difference between the 2 basically the screen size & FM transmitter?
Also, with the great deal @ Costco on the 350 ($299), would this be a better value all together?
Or would you recommend any other options?
I know this is a lot, but I could really use the guidance
Thanks
Scott,
The nuvi 370 has European AND North American maps. The nuvi 360 might be more what you had in mind.
Keep an eye on Costco. They have had the 650 for $300 on and off recently. Of course they have a liberal return policy, and you may be able to exchange it should the other one go back on sale later.
Sathish,
Yes, TomTom charges for map updates. The 920 does indeed support multi-destination routing. I’m hearing good reports about the 920. You’re right, the TomTom 920 has more features than the nuvi series.
thanks for the insight, I really don’t have a need for the European maps. I had just 1 more question, both the 360 & 650 have the traffic listed as “optional” whereas the 370 & 660 have it listed as “yes” what is the main difference and benefits?
thanks again
If its optional, you have to pay extra for the traffic receiver. If the chart says yes, it comes with it. If it says no, you can’t even add it later.
I have heard good things about the Garmin models, and am looking at either the 650 or 660, but saw a great deal on a “Navigon 5100″ ($199.99). It states that it has:
- text-to-speech feature
- lifetime subscription to traffic out of the box, etc..
However, I am nowhere near as familiar with this brand as I am with the Garmin.
do you have any experience with the Navigon models or this one in particular?
thanks
Scot,
I’m traveling, so this will be brief. I tested the Navigon 7100 and wasn’t impressed…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/10/navigon-7100-re.html
Thank you for your help with choosing a GPS unit, you and this site have been invaluable.
I think I have narrowed it down to the Nuvi 660 or 680 b/c of the traffic features.
I have seen the 660 for as low as about $435 and the 680 at Costco for $479.99+ tax & shipping (so, total cost would be: about $525).
In your honest opinion, for the $90 more is the 680 worth it? or should I just go for the 660?
thanks again for all the help.
Scot,
That’s a tough call. Things to consider…Do you have both TMC (660) and MSN (680) services available in your area? Also, the 680 comes with a one year subscription, the 660 only has three months. It’s hard to say which is better for traffic. Probably depends on your metro area. Personally, I really like the 680’s traffic reporting style and the weather feature. Costco has a great return policy, so you could always take a chance and return it if you have to. HTH.
What a great service you are offering to people here! My comment concerns the Garmin 650. My Garmin 650 always “snaps” to the nearest road in my direction of travel when I am off the road in a parking lot, in a driveway, etc, rather than simply showing me my true off of the road location like my 350 did. For instance, when I pull into my driveway, the GPS suddenly shows my location as being on a road parallel to my driveway that is located 250 feet from my true location. I experience the same affect in parking lots, etc. The unit simply marks my location as being where I am not. I don’t see a way to turn “snap to road” off. Is this a problem in other Garmin series GPS’s as well? As mentioned, I don’t have that problem on my Garmin 350. Can Tech Support address the problem?
Mark,
I find that really interesting because my nuvi 660 doesn’t do that, and I would expect them to use similar firmware. I can’t find a setting that would affect that either. I’m using version 4.10, not the latest (4.20). What version are you running?
I am trying to buy a good garmin gps with good satellite signals.I already had streetpilot C 340 but it is not acquiring proper signals in cloudy days, so I am looking for another GPS which can work in any type of weather by acquiring satellite signals.Please guide me best of either nuvi 350 or nuvi 650.Thanks in advance.
Gavini,
Both the nuvi 350 and 650 (actually all the nuvis) have high-sensitivity chipsets, and will have dramatically improved reception over the C340.
Thank you for your quick reply.
My help screen tells me that I am using Software Version 4.20, and GPS SW Version 3.00. Since writing this note, I did find another web site where users were complaining about this “feature”, but can’t seem to get back to it now. I’m considering returning the 650 because of several reasons.
1. This “Snap to Road” feature
2. The lack of an arrow to indicate North on the map screen like my 350 used to have.
3. The lack of a “Miles to Destination” gauge on the Dashboard that was on the 350.
That’s unfortunate, since I really like many of the features. I like the wide screen, easy access to Audible, better menus, etc.
Mark
Hello,
Many thanks for all your great advice…
I have been looking at these units and the confusion level has been high. I was trying to decide whether 2 walk in and buy at Garmin Nuvi 260 at Office Depot for 299.00 or order the Garmin Nuvi 650 for the same price form Costco…
thanks… I think the on line order is a much better deal… do you agree… seems like a no brainer – all too often I connect the dots a bit late.
Thanks, Kathy
Kathy,
I would definitely go for the 650, if for no other reason than the widescreen.
Hi,
Thanks for the great info. My husband has the garmin 660. We were wondering if the 680 power cord (with the MSN built in) can be used on the 660 to receive msn traffic/gas prices. If not, is there another way to receive up to date gas prices on the 660?
Hi Shayla,
I’m afraid not. You can do it with the 700 series, but not the 660. And no, there’s no other way to do it. Sorry.
Very informative site. I read many of your comments and decided to buy the nuvi 650 for my husband for Christmas. I was very surprised when I opened his gift to me, a nuvi 200W. Since we do not need 2 units I am thinking it best to return the 200W and keep the 650. The main difference I see is the 650 speaks the street name (a feature I believe would be useful) and the 200W does not. What would you advise?
Thanks Millie. That’s a good plan. Text-to-speech is very helpful. Sounds like you both were on the same page!
Help, I am new to the GPS world. I have my purchase narrowed down between the Nuvi 650 and the Nuvi 200w. Is the price difference on the 650 worth it ?
Thanks,
Steve,
It all depends on what you want. The spoken street names feature is helpful, but not necessary. And if you live in a large enough metro area, the 650 gives you the option of adding traffic later.
I received a 350 for Christmas. I’ve been doing some research, and I think I might want to take it back and upgrade. The 680 is what I’m looking at. The FM transmitter sends the nuvi voice to your car radio, correct? So you can set your car radio to an unused frequency, set the 680 to send on that frequency, and you’ll hear the nuvi MP3 player (if you wanted to) and voice commands from the nuvi both on that radio station. If I wanted to just listen to a local FM station, does the nuvi have an FM receiver that I can set to, say, 100.9, set the FM transmitter to 87.9, turn the car radio to 87.9 and receive the local 100.9 station? Point is, when the nuvi gives voice commands, it pauses your nuvi MP3 player, speaks directions, then resumes play. I am wondering if you can run local FM stations through, so that it would pause the radio when giving directions. Or, can the nuvi not receive local FM stations? In this case, you wouldn’t be able to use the FM transmitter from the nuvi and listen to the radio at the same time.
Lastly, what does the 700 series have as additional functionality over the 600 series? Your insight is appreciated.
My Nuvi 350 lost its map data. How can I get them back without a disk/card?
Tim,
You have to set the transmitter and your radio to the same frequency, one where no station is transmitting. The nuvi doesn’t receive FM broadcasts; it merely transmits them. So no, you can’t use the FM transmitter as described.
My nuvi 750, 760 and 770 reviews all start with a breakdown of the new features that have been added on top of the 600 series features. Here’s the 760 review…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/10/garmin-nuvi-760.html
I’d call Garmin support. You should be able to get them to send you a free City Navigator map disk.
Wow, great site with loads of info.
I have two questions, does Garmin Map source work with all of the nuvi series, like the 260?
And I’m looking for all of the nuvi 260 options but with a wide screen? (text to speech, uploadable maps & reasonable price)
Thanks in advance
Anthony
Anthony,
Yes, MapSource works with all nuvis. You can transfer waypoints with it.
Sounds like you should be looking at the 650 or 750.
I’m very sorry for asking, I know lots of people ask. But I have been looking into GPS reviews for weeks and I still don’t know what to buy. Could I please get some suggesions?
Situation: I need a GPS mainly for city & rural areas (OH) but do travel out of state from time to time. No travel out of the country.
Preferences: Voice-”Turn right on Main Street”, ability to avoid areas or to re-route as needed, abilty to add own POI’s, smaller width to fit in purse, under $300, internal antenna, ease of use, at least 3.5″ screen, good readability, up-to-date maps.
Things that would be nice but not necessary: Bluetooth ability, traffic updates.
Could I please get some suggestions?
Thank you!
Garmin is really a great company, their customer support is top notch. They actually sent me a replacement power cable for free after I lost the original one.
In your table above you state that the Nuvi 200 does not speak- but it does :
Overview Specifications Options Reviews(9)
Navigate without breaking your budget with the Nuvi 200 from Garmin. This affordable entry-level Personal Travel Assistant comes preloaded with City Navigator NT map data for the continental United States, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, as well as regional coverage in other areas. Simply touch the color sunlight-readable screen to enter a destination, and this unit takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. In addition, the Nuvi 200 accepts custom points of interest (POIs) like school zones and safety cameras and allows you to set proximity alerts to warn you when they are coming up.
jtriggs,
The nuvi 260 will handle all your basic requests. But the TomTom ONE XL-S will give you more flexibility for avoiding areas. The nuvi will only give a simple “detour” option. The TomTom is running about $360 at Amazon now though, nearly $100 more than the nuvi 260.
Here’s my TomTom ONE XL-S review…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/11/tomtom-one-xl-s.html
and a PDF manual where you can check out the route alternative features…
http://www.tomtom.com/lib/doc/onexl/refman/ONE_XL_S_US.pdf
Mary,
The nuvi 200 does turn-by-turn voice directions (e.g., “turn right in 200 feet”).
It does not call out street names, AKA text-to-speech (e.g., “turn right on Main Street in 200 feet”).
Thanks, Rich. What about GPS Magazine giving the XL only a 60 out of 100 & the 260 isn’t even listed there?
http://www.gpsmagazine.com/buyers_guide.php
It says the XL’s routing engine is only fair, the battery life is poor and the POI content is poor. Should I worry about those?
Yeah, I know Fletch isn’t a big fan of TomTom. I would read other reviews and compare notes. Battery life isn’t an issue for most people, unless you use a unit for hours at a time outside your car. Assuming an adequate number of POIs, the quality of POI content is very location dependent and will influence the reviewer. Ditto for routing.
The simple truth is, with a Garmin you get an intuitive interface and limited options. With TomTom you get an intuitive interface and more options. With Mio you get lots of options and an unintuitive interface. I can’t speak to recent Magellans as I haven’t yet tested a Maestro x2×0 series unit.
HTH
I am looking for a gps that includes Mexico. Any help?
thanks
Michael,
Magellan is coming out with the Maestro 3220 and 4220, with maps of Mexico, but it’s unclear when.
Regardless, you may want to consider a Garmin and add maps to it. See the Mexico maps section of this post…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/12/international-m.html
And check this out too…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/12/free-maps-for-y.html
HTH,
Rich
Rich,
First of all – Happy New Year! Great site! Keep it up!
OK, my question: I just bough my gf TomTom One 3rd ED and we used it on our trip to Pittsburgh. I do have to say that this “little” thing is awesome! I told her that I like it so much that I am considering getting one for myself (I got her a GPS since she’s horrible with directions – HA!). However, after speaking with some of my friends they said that Garmin is way better and more “accurate” – is this true?
I am thinking about buying Nuvi 650 or maybe 660 (I would use the bluetooth feature), but other than the screen size I don’t see why would Garmin be better than TomTom? I am also thinking about using my future GPS in Europe, so I would need one where I could load EU maps on it.
Can you shed some light on this, please?
Thanks,
-Sam
Sam,
I don’t think one brand (Garmin or TomTom) will be more accurate than the other when reporting your position. However, they use different data providers and one may route you better than the other. Unfortunately, this depends a great deal upon where you happen to be traveling, and there does not appear to be a broad consensus that one is better than the other.
TomTom has more options and can be customized more, so if you like the interface and don’t find it overly involved, you may want to stick with TomTom.
Unless you go for a low end model, it is usually cheaper to buy a GPS with European maps than add them later. The TomTom GO 920 has European maps included, as does the Garmin nuvi 270, 370, 670 and 770.
HTH
Rich
Rich,
I am still leaning toward Nuvi 650 since I could put EU maps on a SD card later on. However, since you have used many of these GPS’ which one would you prefer between Nuvi 650 and TT GO 720 and why?
Looking on your website, you have a link to a very good deal for TT on Amazon for $350 vs Nuvi for some $30 less at Costco.
I have been following this website for some time now and have been leaning toward Nuvi, but after buying TT One I really liked it!
Please help!
Thanks!
-Sam
Sam,
You can buy European maps for the TomTom too…
http://www.tomtom.com/products/accessories/index.php?Lid=4&AccessoryCategory=3
I think you’d be happy with either one. Just remember, the Garmin will not give you the flexibility of the TT. The nuvi is a joy to use though, and you could have fun comparing it to your GF’s TT. Check Costco’s return policy, but if you try the nuvi and don’t like it, you may be able to return it.
I just received a Garmin Nuvi 200w. Can it be used for hiking? Can you add Topo maps to it? Thanks
Yes, you should be able to add topo maps to it, but you may need to download the latest version of the nuvi 200W firmware and the latest version of MapSource.
Thanks so much for this site! I have studied it carefully and haven’t seen an answer to this question….I had a Garmin Streetpilot 530c, which I loved. Long story short, I plugged in the charger one day and smelled something burning. It was dead after that. I am real estate agent, and a GPS is one of the most important tools I can have. I want to purchase a Nuvi, and want to know if they all have the same options the 530c has? I believe I have used every option it has, and don’t want to do without any of them.
Thank you in advance for your advice!
PS: I need US and Canada maps, and would like them to be updated – the c530 maps were outdated and I could never find the new-build homes.
I just received info from COSTCO, re Garmin Nuvi 200W, which they are selling for $199, after $50 rebate, no shipping and just tax. Sounds like a good deal for a basic unit. The US and Hawaii maps are included, but I want Europe, too. Two questions. Can this unit accept and SD card with other maps? What is the best place to buy other maps?
Thanks
Teresa,
It sounds like the nuvi 250 may meet your needs. It has maps of the U.S. and Canada. I expect that it will have most if not all of the same menu options. To have the most up to date maps, you will need to buy a map update annually. HTH,
Rich
Michael,
Yes, you can add European maps, but the list price is $299. Consider buying a nuvi 270, 370 or 670 with pre-loaded US and European maps instead.
I know nuvi 350/360/650 doesn’t have FM transmitter. Is it possible for me to connect the unit to car stereo without FM transmitter (unvi 660)?
Thank you for your help in advance.
Bryan,
They all have a headphone jack / line out, so if your stereo has an auxiliary input, yes. You can also buy a separate FM transmitter that will connect to the headphone jack.
Thank you very much for your quick response. Sound-quality wise, which method is better?
How would you think nuvi 260W, which you didn’t include in your chart?
Thank you again.
Yes, it looks like I need to add the 260W since it is already shipping from some vendors. It should work the same way. A direct line out to the stereo will give you the best sound quality.
Ok, Rich, you’ve conviced me to go Garmin…I currently have a Magellan Roadmate 6000T that would rate ok, but not great. I will hand that down to one of the kids. But now I am torn between the 680 and the new 780. your thoughts, please.
PC,
There are some great new features on the 700 series for route planning, etc. Reports are that MSN v2 is available for any 700 series unit…
http://gpstracklog.com/2008/01/free-upgrade-fo.html
You may be able to buy a 760 and a separate MSN receiver for less than the newly released 780. It is the exact same setup you would have with a 780.
BTW, I think you will love the nuvi, no matter which one you get.
I am looking to buy a Garmin, I like the Nuvi 260 and 350. I have seen the feature “PC Connectivity” listed on some sites, what is this feature, and how important is it?
Also, a pamphlet I got on Garmin machines lists that the Nuvi 260 does not have the anti-theft feature, can you confirm this, because I read in a previous post above that “all Nuvis come with anti-theft” function?
Thanks, this is a great site and there is a lot of great information here.
Ever heard of the Nuvi 360? I only have seen the Nuvi 350, but I have found a really good deal on the 360. Do you know what the difference is?
Chad,
The nuvi 260 does have the Garmin Lock anti-theft PIN feature. The 360 has Bluetooth for hands free cell phone use (check for compatibility); the 350 does not.
PC compatibility allows you to plan trips on your computer and transfer waypoints to the nuvi. Once you buy your nuvi, you’ll need to get Garmin to give you a copy of City Navigator to do this. They’ll probably just charge S&H for it.
thank you sir!
Great comments and I’m sold on Garmin. I’ve narrowed my search down to the 260W and 650. There appears to be little or no difference…which way do I turn?
You’d be happy with either I’m sure. Depends on price, and if the MP3 player and optional traffic is important to you or not.
Is there any difference between the 260W and 650 on how they plug into the charger?
They look like there may be some minor differences…
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1350 (260W)
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1371 (650)
Hi! I’m on the verge of getting a new Garmin Nüvi 370 for my upcoming honeymoon to Europe. I’ve done a lot of research on other units and Garmin seems to be the best. Do you know off hand whether the 370 will display the poseted speed limit and if it will warn you of traffic cameras? Many of the European models do (e.g. Navigon), but I’m finding the ability to load US maps on a European unit may be problematical. Thanks for your great website!
Roger,
First of all, congratulations!
The nuvi 370 will not display the posted speed limit. The nuvi 770 will in the U.S. (on some roads) but I have my doubts about it in Europe. There’s an add on safety camera database, but it looks like you may have to pay for it country by country…
http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/us/services/safetycamera#fragment-2
You may find other alternatives here…
http://gpstracklog.com/2006/03/custom_pois.html
and here…
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=51627
HTH
I am in need of a mobile GPS for my Fire Investigation business. I have been looking at the nuvi 650 from Costco. Then I spied the Garmin 18 review on this site. I have a 15″ unused laptop that was going to go to Goodwill. In terms of features, would the Garmin 18 serve me as well as the nuvi 650?
I thought I had it all figured out…but: I like the multi-destination planning option of the nuvi 700 series along with the traffic reporting/rerouting for my commutes to NYC, but with the FM transmitter do you have to listen to the directions over a FM station or will it also speak from the unit. I listen to both AM and FM stations going to work and cannot dedicate the radio to the GPS. THANKS.. GREAT SITE!!
Thanks Jeff. You can use the FM transmitter or the internal speaker. It’s your choice.
I’m planning a trip to Thailand in May. What model of Garmin should I buy?
Thanks,
Suchart,
Any unit Garmin lists as compatible with City Navigator Thailand NT, if you want a car unit.
Please help I Just got the garmin 260 and tryed to get an extra off the garmin sight and pluged in the garmin to my computer tryes to figure how to get the extra on the garmin could not figure it out them when I turned on the garmin it says no detaied maps found that support routing the nuvi cannot be used without them.
Thankyou to anyone who can help!!
Laurie,
I think you better call Garmin tech support on this one. Most of their folks are pretty good. I’m sure they can help.
I just found this site today. It’s great.
I have just purchased a Nuvi 360 which is being delivered today. Outside of the car, what will its capabilities be? Will I be able to locate myself in open areas, such as large parks where there are only walking trails?
Jim,
There are lots of ways to use your nuvi outside your car. The MP3 player, currency converter, etc. As far as navigating, it will show your position in open space, but will not show trails. You may be interested in adding Garmin’s topo maps to your unit; then you’ll be able to see contours and some trails, though it still won’t route you along trails.
Of course, if you love your nuvi but do a lot of hiking etc., you may end up wanting a handheld designed just for that purpose!
I don’t get it…
why does the price fluctuate on the gps as there is little difference??
Such as the 200 to the 270??
Please ive looked at their website and that doesnt even give a difference besides the fact the 270 has more maps…
ughh im confuseddd
thanks for the help
Jack, the main difference between the 200 and 270 is the cost of the additional maps of Europe. You can buy them separately but they will run $200 to $300.
Ohh wow I didnt realize the maps were so expensive…
Well, then whats the difference between the 200 and the 250?
Thanks for your help!
–Jack M.
P.S.- The only difference between the 200 and 200w is the screen size. Correct?
Jack,
The 200 includes all states except Alaska. The 250 adds Alaska and Canada. Yes, you’re right, the W models just add a wide screen.
Hi Everyone, I had a question about my Nuvi 260. Is there any way that I can download maps of Costa Rica unto it for my trip next month? Is there a website where I can buy the maps or something? Thanks in advance
Garmin lists a third-party provider for Costa Rica…
http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/mpc/#Costa%20Rica
Hi Rich,
Great website! I applaud your efforts in keeping up with all the user comments.
GPS used to be so simple in the past, but now I am having the devil’s own time trying to decide which one to buy.
I am interested in finding a GPS which will allow me to do the following:
1. Give me route direction, both in highway and within cities, in Europe (I am going to be on vacation in Barcelona next month), in the USA, and in Canada.
2. Will allow me to walk around with it (in cases that I decide to use public transport) – i.e. fit in the palm of my hand.
3. Will allow car-mounting, so in the case that I rent a car in the USA, I will be able to use it. I usually rent a Camry.
4. I am not interested in any online services, such as MSN, Traffic Updates, because I don’t fly to the US often enough to use. Bluetooth is not a factor for me.
What do you recommend?
Thank you in advance for your time and attention.
Rimon
Rimon,
Thanks for the compliments. It sounds like the Garmin nuvi 270 will fit the bill. BTW, none of these car units are that great for pedestrian use. That doesn’t mean they won’t be helpful; it just means they aren’t really designed for that as their primary purpose (no compass screen, etc.).
Hi, Rich
After trying out 650, I ended up buying 360 for CAD290. I have tried to connect 360 with my Samsung M500 without success. I have checked the Garmin website for bluetooth connection, and my Samsung was not one of bluetooth compatible model list.
Do you think this is the casue of the problem?
Thank you for your help in advance.
Bryan,
It may just not be compatible. Before you give up though, make sure you have the latest firmware update for the nuvi and then try again.
I have had the TomTom One for over a year and it has operated very well. It does not have Text to Speech ( speaks Street by name ) and occasionaly does not have the exact location , but aside form that I have been very happy with it.
Now, I am looking to get a new GPS to have Text to speech. I may be interested in Traffic , but my experience with XM Traffic has not been luke warm. I live in Philly PA and I normally listen to a local traffic report that is every 10 minutes.
Does anyone have experience with MSN traffic or other traffic services with GPS ? ( XM is powered by Traffic.Com )
Nuvi 780 Vs TomTom 720 ?
If not interested in Traffic which TomTom and which Nuvi would be best.
I read some reports from GPS Mag.com but it seems they are Anti TomTom . I did not see any of the problems they reported with Tomtom. The Directional Engine seemed to work fine and was very fast and always told me my turn ( more than enough times , and when I needed it )
I mainly drive in the Philadelphia Metro area.
I know these are semi general questions, but just looking for some feedback,
Great Site and please keep up the good work. !!!
Thanks
Jerry
Jerry,
In general, I think TomToms are very good. There have been reports of problems with some of their traffic receivers though, which I experienced when I tried the 720.
In terms of traffic service, much depends on your location. Your best bet is to talk to MSN vs TMC users in your area. Here’s something I came across today that may be useful…
http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/general-discussions/230-better-tmc-msn-direct.html#776
HTH
Rich
Thanks for the feedback and the link. I found it helpful.
I need to research where TMC and MSN get their data from. However , the one real helpful news I found from the link you provided is that MSN has this Map that shows the entire area color coded to show the current “flow of Traffic”. Now that is well worth it for me to go to MSN if that is accurate.
Traffic.Com says they were adding sensors which help them know where the tie ups are , but either the data is not getting transmited back quickly, or not being reported quick enough, or they just don’t have the sensors where they need them yet ( at least in Philly ) the local KYW news and traffic on the radio broadcasts every 10 minutes and seems to report things earlier ( in general ) than Traffic.com thru XM radio.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read my posts and I might just go with the Tomtom 720 anyway. I am used to the Tomtom and it seems to be very reliable for what I need. I just wish I could have both the Nuvi 780 and Tomtom 720 side by side for a month or so. I just dont want to pay for them both and have to return one.
Thanks again Rich, and Great site !!!!
Hello, Great Site.
How well does a Garmin 650 or 660 recieve a signal if it is not put on the car window or dash? I have a great spot for it under the radio in my car but do not know if it will get a strong enough signal.
I haven’t decided on which unit I am going to purchase today.
Thanks.
In my experience, yes, it will get a signal. Not as quickly though. And urban canyons will be more difficult.
You might want to check out this deal on a nuvi 660…today only…
http://gpstracklog.com/2008/03/deal-of-the-day.html
Your reviews and responses are great! I’m still a little confused on the differences between a nuvi 750 and 760. Besides bluetooth, I think one website said the 760 has a built-in traffic receiver, and the 750 does not. So if you had a 750 and wanted traffic, would you have to buy the $180 receiver and also a subscription? Also, if I went with the 760, do you have any idea how much a traffic subscription would be after the 3 month trial period? Thanks for your help.
Thanks Mel. You’re right, the 750 doesn’t come with a traffic receiver. If you buy them separately, they come with a 12 month (MSN) or 15 month (FM/TMC) subscription. TMC renewals are $60 per year.
HTH
Rich
what happens if i go to a country that i dont have maps for?
does the gps still work?
Colin,
It will work but it won’t do you much good without maps. Check out these posts for more info…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/12/international-m.html
and
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/12/free-maps-for-y.html
This is a great site for GPS. Iwish you update nuvi 800 series.
Question…My military fire department just purchased six of the 650’s. I planned on putting one on each vehicle then loading all of our address into the “favorites” this would help my new guys find their way around the base easier. The problem, the installation roads are not loaded on the units. As soon as I leave the front gate the unit picks up the off base roads but as soon as I get back on base, nothing. We have all of our base maps through the GIS program; can this be used to create maps for use with our units? Or did I just buy six 650’s for nothing?
Sean,
Theoretically, yes, you could create a base map using cGPSmapper. But getting it to autoroute properly might be complicated and expensive. And you would have to switch to another map when you went off base.
I purchased a Garmin 260 recently and have now downloaded the software to upload POI’s and extra vehicles. But I can’t seem to find any clear instructions anywhere on how to get the info from your computer to the Nuvi. Is there a USB wire that will work or do you have to purchase a card reader of some sort and use the card. You would think the Garmin site would be clearer about this. What’s curious is I don’t see anyone else asking this so now I’m starting to think it’s me.
Brian,
Use the Garmin POI Lader to load POIs…
http://www8.garmin.com/products/poiloader/
There is a standard mini-USB connection in the rear. You’ll need a cable for that to load vehicles. POIs can be loaded to the device or to an SD card.
Hope this helps.
I have a nuvi 5000. I am tryig to load my music from my computer. What power source do I use while plugging the Nuvi into the laptop with the mini USB. The only power cord supplied is for the cars ciggarette lighter. The manual says to plug the nuvi into the computer and turn it in. It will not turn on with out power. Is it supposed to? My daughter has a lower cost model nuvi that is powered by battery as well as the cr charger.
I have a nuvi 5000. I am tryig to load my music from my computer. What power source do I use while plugging the Nuvi into the laptop with the mini USB. The only power cord supplied is for the cars ciggarette lighter. The manual says to plug the nuvi into the computer and turn it in. It will not turn on with out power. Is it supposed to? My daughter has a lower cost model nuvi that is powered by battery as well as the cr charger.
Lyn,
The nuvi should power on when you connect the mini-USB, allowing you to drag MP3 files onto the nuvi. Or you can put them on an SD card. I have no idea why Garmin didn’t include a battery in the 5000. I guess they thought it was too large to be a pocket device.
Thanks, went out and purchased the mini USB today after work. Not real cheap but a good USB cable never is. Anyway, I’ve loaded the vehicles and will start checking out POI’s tonight. Thanks for the advice!
THANKS!!!! This chart was a lifesaver. I was totally at sea trying to figure out the differences between dozens and dozens of units.
I haved decided to get either the Garmin 670 or the 770 unit, but the other thing I see diiferent in the comparison is the 770 ability to subscribe to MsN, first is MSN really worth subscribing to, and second is the $200 dollar difference worth it, we are going to italy so I did want the Europe maps, the majority of the rest of the time this is strictly for local use. Thanks for any help
Jamison,
Are you in a metro area that has MSN coverage, and is traffic an issue? If so, you may want to consider it. You would be getting access to enhanced MSN Direct, so you could send search results to your GPS via the Internet. More here…
http://gpstracklog.com/2008/01/free-upgrade-fo.html
I think you’re the only one that can answer whether or not it’s worth it. It’s nice, but $200 is a lot for one feature.
I have narrowed my search to purchasing either the Garmin Nuvi 660 or the Nuvi 260W. Both units are the same price. Would there be any advantage to purchase the 260W? The 660 has bluetooth (which I already have). The MP3 and traffic would be helpful). Is there any difference in the quality of the map features of the 260W over the 660? That would be the only reason I could see to purchase the 260W over the 660.
Mark,
The maps should be the same. The 260W will have an internal antenna, vs. the flip up style on the 660. I’d go with the 660 if you will use any of the additional features.
Love your site!
I have been on the fence about getting a GPS for awhile, and am pretty much sold on a Nuvi. I was considering the 770 but now that the 800s are out, do you know the specific improvements, and would you recommend the 800s over the 700s?
Also, I’m pretty confused about the traffic info systems. I have XM satellite on my car, so what improvement would there be with the MSN traffic system?
Thanks!
Chris,
Glad you enjoy the site. The 800 series adds voice recognition, a very cool feature. But the price will be quite high for several months following their release. Also, if you are after European maps found on the x70 series, there has been no 870 announced yet. Otherwise, I think you would be very happy with either a 700 or 800 series model.
Traffic reporting quality varies greatly by the provider / city combination, so I can’t really draw any broad generalizations there.
Question: Which is the best GPS for a car and a motorcycle?
I want to buy one for my husband that he can move between his car and motorcycle (he drives a GS). He uses the motorcyle for communting and for roadtrips.
Thanks
sp
I suggest the Garmin zumo 450 or 550…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/03/garmin_zumo_450.html
http://gpstracklog.com/2006/11/garmin_zumo_550.html
I am looking for a GPS that can be used for road navigation here in the US, but also pedestrian navigation in Europe (particularly England, Spain, France). Do all the Nuvis have a pedestrian mode? Are some better equipped for walking purposes than others? Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!
Bethany,
Yes, all nuvis have a pedestrian mode, but I find auto navigators to be poorly designed for pedestrian use (they have no compass screen pointing the way to your destination, just a map screen). Still, it is workable, though I would practice some stateside first. You should look at x70 model nuvis, which have European maps built in. The models are the 270, 370, 670 and 770.
Chris,
Thanks for your comments. If you feel that auto navigators are not the best choice, it there something else you recommend for pedestrian use in Europe? We’d love to not have our noses stuck in a map.
Thanks,
Bethany
Bethany,
Rich here, not Chris (TypePad’s comment layout confuses folks). Neither a handheld designed for backcountry use, nor an auto GPS, will give you the ideal experience. I will try to get out with both and test them in this manner, but it will likely be weeks before I have the time to. Plus, I’d have to travel to a city I am unfamiliar with. I found this thread on GPS Review’s forums which may be helpful…
http://www.gpsreview.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5564
All things considered, I think I would be inclined to go with a Garmin nuvi 270 or 370.
What is the difference between the Nuvi 660 and Nuvi 760?
The bullet points at the beginning of this post lay out the key differences…
http://gpstracklog.com/2007/10/garmin-nuvi-760.html
I just purchased a nuvi 770 and leaving for France.
I cannot find anything that recommends what additional travel software – if any – I should purchase for the trip.
For example on the Garmin site they display a porduct called “Garmin Travel Guide – Rich Points of Interest France”. Is this a good product? Is it worth the $75?
Or should I just input POI’s into Google and download them?
Guy,
I’d be inclined to say no. The North American version received a less than stellar review at http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2007/05/review_garmin_travel_guide_fod.php
On your nuvi, you can select a location in France (where you’ll be staying perhaps) and search for nearby POIs. Then compare that to Google Maps or another source. Then you might be better situated to make an informed decision.
Thanks, BTW, this is a great site. I bought the 770 because of the easy to use comparision chart.
I read the FODOR’s review. The product for France doesn’t mention FODOR’s so I asusme it’s GARMIN’s?
In any case – one other key question – do you recommend the low-profile remote antenna for Europe for traffic. It’s recommended for Europe but nowhere does it say why?
Can’t seem to find any information on this at all. Garmin must be afraid of describing the products with more than the barest details!
Thanks
Thanks Guy.
Regardless of who the data comes from, the Travel Guides may all suffer from an inability to show POIs by proximity to you.
I know nothing about the antenna, but I’m guessing the TMC antenna on your power supply doesn’t work there.
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I’m in search for a good deal on Garmin Nuvi 680. The lowest price I could find on the net is $.300+SH. I still doubt that is it genuine product & brand new?. Could you please look in to the above mention URL & give me an advice.. please!!
Thanks in advance
R Thomas.
I’ve read a lot of the comments on your site and on others and I’m still not sure which GPS to purchase. The nuvis have some great features but can get pricey for the ones that I want. The TomTom 720 seems to fit the bill for me except I’m not crazy about the issues with the TMC and would prefer MSN. Is it possible to add MSN to the TomTom?
Preferences: Text to Speech, ability to avoid areas or to re-route as needed, multi destinations, MSN Direct, abilty to add own POI’s, ease of use, at least 3.5″ screen, good readability, up-to-date maps or inexpesive annual upgrades.
Can you help to narrow down which nuvi would work? Or would the TomTom be a better choice for me?
I’m confused. Does the NUVI 760 come with european maps or not? Do I need to buy the NUVI 770 to get the euro maps?
JS,
No, you can’t add MSN to TomTom units. One option would be the nuvi 750, plus an MSN receiver, which will get you a year of service, rather than 3 months. If you can live without multi-destination routing, and can wait a month, the upcoming nuvi 2×5 series may meet your needs…
http://gpstracklog.com/2008/03/garmin-nuvi-2×5.html
Moises,
No, only the x70 models come with European and U.S. maps. You could get the 270, 370, 670 or 770.
good night i want yo know if the nuvi 660, vas spanish support, i mean software and voice indications, if isn’t avaliable its exist any way to change the language to spanish? It work with iphone?
Yes, you can set the language to Spanish. I don’t know if there is iPhone support, though I did see a report that it works with the new nuvi 880.
Garmin Nuvi 800 series is coming ut and they incorporate voice fuction ability
And I just received the 880 today. I hope to have a full review posted within a couple of weeks. Of course the chart is getting so big that I’m going to have to do something else with it!
I am looking for a Garmin that comes with maps of Continental US,Hawaii and Guam.
Which Garmin product contains these areas?
It appears that Garmin maps do not include Guam. TomTom (TeleAtlas) may, but I would check before buying…
http://weblogs.asp.net/jasonsalas/archive/2005/08/04/421564.aspx
I work in the rural areas of tex panhandle and surrounding areas . Many of the long time exhisting rural roads dont appear on my nuvi 650. Is there anyother maps i can download that show rural roads?
Terry,
It’s a huge file, but you could try this…
http://www.ibycus.com/ibycususa/
There is a discussion at http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=189762
My Garmin Nuvi 650 is less than a year old and now will not power up. Does anyone know the # I can call for help?
Thanks
Tammy
1-800-800-1020 (U.S.) as posted at http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/home/support/supportcontact
I am looking at the Nuvi 770. We are traveling to Greece this fall and I would like a GPS for my car and one I can walk/site see with. It appears from your comparison chart (thank you) that the 770 may be better than the 670 due to the antenna. Please comment.
Scott,
The 770 has an internal antenna. It’s nicer looking and more convenient than the flip up type found on the 670, but it may not lock on as fast, and it may not perform as well in challenging environments, such as an urban areas with tall buildings.
My wife and I have been using Garmin C320 GPS in each of our cars since 2005. It was time for an upgrade. I purchased the Garmin Nuvi 760 and we love it. Here is a little overview about how I decided what to get and some of the key features we had to have.
My “must haves” in the new GPS were “Text To Speech”, Traffic, Bluetooth, no flip out antenna, and a 4.3” screen.
I did a lot of research on Magellan, TomTom and Garmin models meeting my “must haves”. My conclusions were as follows: The Magellan incorporates AAA and that I feel is a really nice touch. The TomTom’s come pretty loaded but seem a bit more complex. The Garmin’s interface hasn’t changed form the C320 but Garmin has added a slew of additional features in comparison to my C320.
Since the new GPS wasn’t only for me but for my wife, I decided to keep the learning curve to a minimum and decided I would choose another Garmin model since we are both experienced with them. Now, which one? I looked at all Nuvi units. I narrowed my choices down to the 255W, 760, and 780. Each of these include 4.3” screens, “Text To Speech”, Bluetooth, no flip out antenna, and are Traffic ready. The 255W does not include either the FM TMC Traffic or the MSN Direct power adapter. The 760 includes the FM TMC Traffic power adapter while the 780 includes the MSN Direct power adapter.
When I started to check pricing I was noticing that the 255W is the same price as the 760 but did not include any Traffic power adapter. I also noticed the 255W power is connected directly to the unit. More on this in a moment. I decided it was off my short list and my choice was now between the 760 and the 780. I decided on the 760 since the price was more that 100 dollars cheaper then the 780. I can always ad the MSN Direct power adapter later and I will have the FM TMC Traffic power adapter as well.
Another reason I decided against the 255W is that the power is connected directly into the unit and not the mount. It is so much easier to remove the unit from the mount and not have to worry about disconnecting the power cord as well. Convenience is another key factor I should have mentioned.
The first thing I did once I got the 760 was register it at the Garmin web site. Once I did I was able to update the unit’s software and Maps. Garmin has a “Web Updater” software download on their web site. Connect the 760 via the supplied USB cable and run the Web Updater Software. The software will check for the latest version of system firmware/software and update the 760. That worked very well I might add.
The 760 came with 2008 Maps but the 2009 Map update is available via Garmin’s web site. If you buy the 760 now you can call to get the 2009 Maps free if it does not come with them. Garmin uses NAVTEQ Maps and from what I have read, are more accurate for the USA. The web site was telling me to buy them but I made a quick phone call to Garmin and verified my purchase via email with one of their support staff. A few minutes later I was able to either download or get a DVD with the 2009 Maps. The DVD is $10 and that is for shipping. I opted for the download. The 2009 Map file is large, around 2 Gigabytes so it took about 20 minutes to download via my cable modem. Once downloaded I ran the setup and it updated my 760 to the 2009 Maps. It was pretty easy but including the download it took about an hour. I also created a DVD with the 2009 Map file for safe keeping. The map is the Complete North America Maps. On the C320 the maps had to be uploaded and not all of the USA would fit. The 760 is fully loaded with the USA and Canada. Very nice!
While I was online I looked at the Garmin “Extras” available for download and decided to add a few new Vehicles. Pretty cool.
Once I finished updating the 760 I took it to my car and mounted it. The mount is just a couple of pieces and the 760 mounts securely in seconds. The power cable connects to the mount and not the unit so that the unit can be removed from the mount easily with no wires to disconnect. The mounting is excellent. I also purchased the optional “Portable Friction Mount” which sits on the dash. I highly recommend this so that you can easily hide the 760, mount and all, on the cars floor. Very easy as compared to the supplied suction cup mount and doesn’t leave that suction cup ring on the windshield. Seems thieves love to smash and grab navigation units so the Friction Mount is great as it leaves no evidence visible you have a 760 in the car.
I am amazed at how quickly the 760 acquires Satellites. When I did the software/firmware update it installed SiRF Star III Quick Fix. This allows the 760 to acquire satellites very quickly. So far every time the unit has been off to powered on it has acquired satellites as soon as it is booted up. Total time from off to “Ready to Navigate” is about 30 seconds.
The Nuvi 760 has a beautiful, bright, and crisp looking 4.3” display. The fonts have been updated and the graphics are much better than my C320. I really like the new Automatic Zoom in and out based on distance to the next turn and destination. You can see the destination Checkered Flag and Via Point Flags are Orange. A nice touch is that your Personal Addresses display on the Map.
The 760 speaks street names “Text To Speech”. Nice feature instead of turn right in 200 feet. There is no maneuver Ding like on the C320 but I’m not sure it is needed with the additional spoken information.
The 760 includes Bluetooth so I was able to pair the wife’s phone in about a minute. Really simple. The Phone Book from the Phone transfers to the 760 along with Recently Dialed, Recently Received, and Recent Missed calls. Very cool. Once you start populating the 760 with your “Favorite” destination addresses you can manually add Phone Numbers to your Favorite addresses if needed. This is very nice since you can touch the Favorite you want and touch the little phone icon and dial that number. You can talk “Hands Free” via your 760 and I was pretty happy with the voice quality. I read a few instances where people say it doesn’t work well or sound good. This isn’t the case for us as I find it to work very well and sound really good. A valuable and convenient feature. On our first trip together we needed a certain item and we were able to pull up stores we thought would have it and simply touched the phone icon and called them to see if they carried what we needed. Once we found the store that had what we needed we were able to easily navigate to it. Very convenient and easy to use. I recommend the 760 with Bluetooth. Very nice.
Searching for any of the included 6 million Points of Interests is easy and the POI Search displays Names and Addresses in the results. The additional address is a nice touch to see just how far away a result is if you know the town and how far away it is from you. The keyboard can be set to QWERTY and that makes typing so much easier if you are familiar with a PC keyboard. And who isn’t now a days. Another nice feature is there is a drop down that will allow you to access and insert recent Searches without having to retype them since they are remembered by the 760. Another nice feature.
Another very nice feature is you can create multiple destinations and have them automatically sorted for the optimal route. You can keep adding stops or via points and you can even remove them. You can manually reorder them to your liking or let the 760 automatically reorder the best route for you. Great if you need to run some errands at two or three different stores. The 760 will get you to each in the most efficient way.
The 760 has a “Where Am I” feature that is very nice. It will show you Hospitals, Fuel, and Police stations that are near to where you are at. It will also indicate the nearest Address and nearest Intersection. This is great to see just where you are and can be provided to law enforcement in an emergency or to tell someone exactly where you are in an unknown area. Your Elevation is also indicated.
As you drive there is an icon that will display the Speed Limit for the road you are on. A little reminder to check your speed and keep it safe.
Maybe on of the best features are the Real Time Traffic updates. The 760 comes with the FM Traffic power adapter. The Traffic adapter is in place of a regular power adapter so the only thing different is it is it has some LED’s and it is a little larger where it gets plugged into the car’s power. Of course you need to be in an area that is covered by FM Traffic. If you are in a covered area than it can take about 10 minutes to get traffic data. Once data is in the 760 it will display on the map and on a separate Traffic screen. One bad thing is once power is lost so is the traffic data. It may take another 10 minutes or so the acquire traffic data again. Traffic issues are displayed on the main map screen with different colors and an appropriate traffic icon on your route as you approach them. An icon in the lower right will also show you how much time traffic is causing your delay. This time is automatically added to your current route. If the traffic is deemed too much then the 760 will recalculate a new route almost seamlessly to divert you around the traffic. There is plenty of traffic related detail on a separate screen if you want to access it. You can also touch the “Avoid” or “Detour” to force the 760 to reroute around traffic. The included FM Traffic comes with a 3 Months free Trial then it is $60.00 per year. Worth it if you are on the road a lot and your travels are within the covered areas.
I think I am going to get the MSN Direct (separate power adapter) after the 3 month trial expires. The MSN Direct includes Traffic, Gasoline prices, and Weather alerts. There is more to MSN Direct but these features make it more worth it to me. Another nice thing about the MSN Direct is that you can opt for a one time lifetime payment and you’re done.
These are all the features for us that make the 760 a really nice GPS unit. There are many pluses and only a few drawbacks. Two drawbacks are; no House AC Adapter and no Carry Case for storage. But, if you have a USB cell phone then you can probably use your AC charger for the phone as I do.
I recommend the Garmin Portable Friction mount for the dash. Easy to put in place and hide on the cars floor. I also recommend getting the Garmin Carry Case.
I was able to shop the web and find the 760 for about $350.00. The Portable Friction Mount and the Carry Case were another $50.00. So for about $400.00 I got a very nice Navigation unit. For us the 760 is a wonderful GPS. It is beautiful and sleek. The features it includes are a valuable addition and make traveling even short distances easier and more enjoyable. I highly recommend the 760 to anyone looking for a new personal GPS unit.
Mark,
Great review. Thanks for taking the time to post it.