2. Unboxing

Figure 1: The Garmin Nuvi 680 Box

Figure 2: The Garmin Nuvi 680 Box, Opened

The first thing you see when you open the flip-top box is the nuvi 680. A plastic sheet protects the screen from scratching during shipping.

Figure 3: What's in the Box

The nuvi 680 ships with the following items included in the box:

• nuvi 680
• MSN Direct receiver with integrated vehicle power cable
• Vehicle suction cup mount
• AC charger
• Dashboard disk (used instead of the windshield mount for states where mounting anything in the windshield is illegal)
• USB cable
• Leather carrying case
• Owner's manual on disk
• Quick reference guide

Figure 4: nuvi 680's Windshield Mount

The nuvi 680 shares the same mounting hardware as the nuvi 660. The windshield mount is a ball and socket style mount that consists of two pieces: the suction cup, and the docking cradle, or mount. This ball and socket style mount has proven very effective for Garmin, and is used on all new nuvi and StreetPilot GPS units. Garmin's well designed mount is easy to use and holds the unit firmly in place while driving.

The mount is a major component of any GPS unit, and frequently a stumbling block for many GPS manufacturers. Garmin consistently does a better job with its mounting hardware than its competitors, and the nuvi 680 is no exception. Once the suction mount is locked into place (by lowering the lever on the mount), it sits securely in place. In fact, the mount is so secure, that I had a slightly hard time removing it from the window!

Figure 5: The Nuvi 680 Docking Cradle

The mount has a socket in the rear that snaps onto the ball of the suction mount. Note the button at the bottom of the mount - squeezing the button releases the 680 from the dock. The cigarette lighter power adapter connects to the back of the dock rather than the unit itself. So once the mount is in place, you don't have to worry about the power cable; all you have to do is connect the nuvi to the mount and you're ready to go.

Figure 6: The Nuvi 680 Connected to the Docking Cradle

In order to dock the nuvi 680 to the windshield mount, you first need to raise the patch antenna, as shown above in figure 6.

Figure 7: The Nuvi 680 Connected to the Docking Cradle

The MSN Direct receiver is integrated into the vehicle power cable, and has its own internal rechargeable battery separate from the nuvi 680's battery. The receiver retrieves and stores local MSN Direct information, such as weather, traffic, movie listings, gas prices, etc. By utilizing the receiver's own internal battery, the receiver can continue downloading local data even when the nuvi is powered down, making the data instantly available next time you want to use the nuvi. More on this later in the review.

Figure 8: The Nuvi 680 12v Adapter vs. nuvi 660's 12v Adapter

Compared to the GTM 20 FM TMC traffic receiver that ships with the nuvi 660, the 680's L-shaped 12v adapter/MSN Direct receiver is slightly shorter and protrudes less into the vehicle cabin. Unlike the nuvi 660's TMC traffic receiver, the 680's MSN Direct enabled adapter has an internal rechargeable battery. So, in effect, the nuvi 680 has two batteries: one inside the nuvi itself, and another one inside the 12v adapter/MSN Direct receiver. The adapter can go "several days" between charges, meaning it can continue to receive local MSN Direct data even while the nuvi is turned off. That way, the data is immediately ready next time you power on the nuvi.

Figure 9: Included AC Adapter

Garmin includes an AC adapter for charging the Nuvi when not in the car. This will look familiar to anyone with a Blackberry. The modular design of the adapter allows you to snap in different shaped plugs for various countries. The other end connects to the nuvi's USB data port and powers the unit and charges the internal battery.