Verdict: Editor's Choice 2007
Last year the Garmin
nuvi 660 was my
Editor's Choice for the well-heeled GPS shopper. Garmin announced the 660's successor, the
nuvi 680, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on January 2007. The nuvi 680 is identical to the
660 in every way, except for the addition of MSN Direct.
Unlike the nuvi 660, which uses ClearChannel's TMC service for real-time traffic data, the 680 leverages MSN Direct for real-time traffic data, local gas prices, movie listings, and weather information. The nuvi 680 has a suggested retail price of $1071, and will be available for purchase by March 2007. Improving the already excellent nuvi 660 is a tall order.
Read on to see how the nuvi 680 stacks up.
Table of Contents
- Specifications
- Unboxing
- Mounting the nuvi 680 in the Car
- Using the nuvi 680
- Finding Addresses
- MSN Direct Features
- MSN Direct - Traffic
- MSN Direct - Weather
- MSN Direct - Gas Prices
- MSN Direct - Movie Times
- Saving Your Current Location
- Entering an Address Using Coordinates
- Finding a Place by Spelling The Name
- Telling the nuvi Where to Search
- Setting the Home Address
- Travel Kit
- Playing MP3's
- Audible Books
- Photo Viewer
- World Clock
- Currency Converter
- Converting Units of Measurement
- Garmin Language Guide
- Travel Guide
- SaversGuide
- BlueTooth
- Text-to-Speech Voice Quality
- Using the FM Transmitter
- Using the Garmin Lock Feature
- Configuring System Settings
- Configuring Navigation Settings
- Custom POIs
- Routing Engine Performance
- GPS Performance: The Mighty SiRF
- Useful nuvi Tips & Shortcuts
- Updating the nuvi Software (WebUpdater)
- Pros
- Cons
- Conclusion
If you're confused by the nuvi product line, you're not alone. Below is a feature comparison chart for the Garmin nuvi product line. The nuvi 680 is Garmin's latest and most expensive nuvi to date.
|
nuvi 350 |
nuvi 360 |
nuvi 370 |
nuvi 660 |
nuvi 670 |
nuvi 680 |
| Screen Size |
3.5" |
3.5" |
3.5" |
4.3" |
4.3" |
4.3" |
| Pre-Loaded Maps of North America |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Pre-Loaded Maps of Europe |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Text-to-Speech |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Bluetooth Compatible |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| FM Transmitter |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Live Traffic |
GTM 12 |
GTM 12 |
Included |
Included |
Included |
MSN Direct |
| MSN Direct |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
| MSRP $ |
$643 |
$750 |
$965 |
$1,039 |
$1,179 |
$1,071 |
| Street Price (as of Feb '07) |
$430 |
$530 |
$820 |
$700 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
In case you're wondering, the nuvi 670 has a slightly higher suggested retail price than the nuvi 680, due to its pre-loaded maps of BOTH North America and Europe.
1. Specifications
- Receiver: high-sensitivity WAAS-enabled GPS receiver
- Display: 4.3 diagonal, 480 x 272 pixels; WQVGA TFT landscape display, with whit backlight and touchscreen
- Unit dimensions: 4.9”W x 2.9”H x 0.9” D (12.4 x 7.4 x 2.3 cm)
- Weight: 6.2 oz (190 g)
- Battery life: 3 to 7 hours
- Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling
- FM transmitter (U.S., Australia and New Zealand only)
- Dynamic content from MSN Direct
- Includes Garmin Lock™, an anti-theft feature
- Text-to-Speech (voice announces streets by name)
- Fingertip touch-screen interface
- Look up addresses and points of interest
- Choose 2D or 3D maps
- Upload custom POIs, including alerts for speed zones and safety cams
- Built in Travel Kit includes MP3 player with sample MP3s, audio books, picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters, calculator and more
- Add optional software such as Travel and Language Guides to personalize nüvi
- SD card slot
- USB interface for loading data
