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October 4, 2009
Comments for Garmin nuvi 1690 Review
Verdict: The First Connected GPS You Might Actually Buy
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REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
- Combines Garmin's familiar nuvi experience with suite of connected services
- Includes 2-years of free wireless connectivity. $5/month after that
- Feature-wise, virtually identical to the nuvi 1490T, but with nuLink! wireless service
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Fletch,
I don't see the folder that displays a list of recently found cities that you mention below figure 89. Does one exist? If not, I think this is another sizable oversight on Garmin's part.
Great review. Looks like it is targeted to the USA user only with connection to AT&T. What is available for users in Canada if any?
Good review.
I can't imagine why Garmin is trying to start a social network though.
I've used many Garmins and Magellans. Currently have a 755T and 680.
But have switched over my navigating needs to the Navigon app for the iPhone. Amazing app. Works just as good as any stand alone I have or used. And it looks UI wise just as the Garmin. Navigon is instituting live traffic this mont I think too. $20 bucks extra though.
I was wondering if you had any plans for comparisons of any iPhone nav apps?
I think it's more of a social networking PLATFORM that can connect to other networks. So, in theory, I don't see why they couldn't partner with Facebook, MySpace, etc...
So for Traffic alerts is Nulink! wireless more accurate than FM Traffic and MSN Direct Traffic??
Witch one is more accurate ???
Accuracy seems to be about the same, but reception is much better. You'll receive traffic alerts in any area that has AT&T cellular coverage (note that's not the same thing as sayng there's traffic coverage - just that you can receive the alerts).
With my 765T I drive for miles and miles in places where the traffic receiver can't get any signal. By contrast, the 1690's coverage is excellent. Also, alerts are downloaded much faster.
It doesn't look like they have text messages on the Bluetooth like my now ancient C550 does. It is really handy having it show you on screen whenever anyone sends you a SMS.
Looks like Garmin still leaves out tons of map detail (like road names) compared to previous models and still lacks in configurability. If we could only get Garmin to take a few pages from TomTom's book and combine it with what they already have, then this unit would be progress. Also not thrilled to see Garmin select AT&T as a provider. Sad. I was hoping for some forward progress in portable GPS units.
Alex aren't road names visible based on the zoom level? I thought that was something I noticed on my Garmin.
My bigger concern (and the reason I haven't renewed the extended MSN features on my Garmin) is how accurate and timely the traffic data is, this review didn't really seem to address that.
Yes & no. Yes, zooming in more provides more map detail, BUT, compared to older generations of Garmins, the level of detail on the newer models is minimal. On my 765T, it rarely shows street names when you'd expect it to. I've had more than a few times where all I see are lines on the screen. Not a single street name. Even zooming in tightly doesn't provide a full listing of names. It's almost to the point of needing to carry a paper map to interpret what's on the screen.
Unlike Fletch, my 765T's traffic reception and information has been solid everywhere I've been in Florida and I've been across about 60-70% of the state (4 different RDS traffic markets) in the past 6 weeks. There's been a few times where I've ignored it's traffic advice and found myself in the middle of congestion. It really saved me time (and somehow had an accurate ETA) when there were 3 separate accidents that had >110 cars involved, all happening within an hour of each other. It even is aware of traffic related to concerts and sporting events. If anything, traffic has been the shining star on this product. Routing and ETA has been excellent as well. Actually, I like the 765T overall, just hate how limited the map display is compared to how good the map data contained in the unit is. Also wouldn't mind a few more configuration options.
In theory, cellular traffic data should be superior to TMC. RDS had a low baud rate (low bandwidth) and is unicast. Cellular has a much wider pipe, even older 1x/EDGE connections are faster than RDS. Similarly, cellular being 2-way should allow the device to poll for traffic data most relevant to its location and routing rather than waiting for it to arbitrarily be broadcast. Cellular also could mean better accuracy by using coordinates rather than an RDS TMC location grid.
BUT, and this is a huge BUT with AT&T -- coverage and network capacity is an issue. At least for Florida, most FM radio stations have a broadcast range of 100-200 miles. The limit for AT&T's towers is 25 miles, max, probably half that in actual use. Add in the fact that AT&T's network is terribly oversold in terms of bandwidth, and I'd be curious how well a GPS unit would fare. iPhones have been a blessing and curse for AT&T. Wildly popular but terribly thirsty for bandwidth. As a result, their network is overly congested in most built-up areas. When people can't get a simple SMS or single webpage to load on AT&T, GPS receivers aren't going to be getting regular traffic updates either.
There's no reason the traffic data on the 1690 shouldn't be more timely and thus more dependable. Comparing TT's live traffic on the 740 and MSNDirect on the nuvis will often list most of the same traffic events. But because the 740's data is delivered faster and updated more often, it's more reliable. Same should be expected on the 1690. In addition, Navteq's traffic is soon slated for a big improvement, and already offers more local/secondary road coverage than TomTom's live, at least in my area.
I don't see a weather radar option. Hopefully this could be part of an update in the future.
Also no audio output jack. I have my current Nuvi located low and on the center dash. I use and external speaker so I can hear the Nuvi. The speaker has a 1/8" plug.
AT&T? Kind of wished it used the better coverage of Verizon Wireless.
The review states that the unit lacks "...the ability to browse the planned route and exclude a specific road or highway from the route -- a very useful feature found on most competing GPS devices." What is the best device that offers that very nifty feature?
Your comments about the loudness is not quite correct. A 1 Bel (or 10 decibel) increase is considered to be approximately twice not three times as loud.
Fletch do you prefer 1690 over 765t?
Didn't see it explained - does the NuLink system upload info from other NuLink devices for use in traffic status? e.g. If someone 15 miles ahead is going 0mph and has a 1690, does that info get uploaded via Edge and then sent to my 1690 as I'm approaching the area?
No - Garmin isn't using driver data as nodes on the traffic network like Dash Navigation was. It's the same NAVTEQ traffic data as other Garmin devices use, but it's being delivered over AT&T's cellular network instead of the TMC FM Traffic receiver used on other nuvis. Cellular coverage is much better than TMC, and much faster to download data. So the net result is that traffic events are more frequently, and more quickly delivered to the nuvi 1690.
I was hoping it used a system similar to DASH.
This would make the traffic info more accurate and also be able to give traffic on other streets.
Anyone else have problems with screen flicker?
I have issues with periodic screen "disturbances" (for lack of a better term) - almost like some kind of interference with either the LCD or its backlight. My guess is that it has something to do with the cellular connection. I've noticed it when I try to do a Google Local search or get the weather forecast, although it also will do it while I'm just navigating with the map screen. (Which is highly annoying.)
This is my second 1690. I took the first one back to the store almost immediately due to the amount screen flicker - I thought I had received a defective unit. But the replacement does the same thing.
I bought my GPS from The GPS Store and noticed the screen would flicker (Not their fault). I contacted Garmin and was told they are aware of the problem and they are working on a solution. I was told to send back the GPS for a replacement that did not have the screen flicker problem. I contacted The GPS Store and told them about the screen flicker problem. The GPS Store told me they will inspect the replacement unit before they ship the replacement. I checked the display unit at my Local Best Buy and notice the same screen flicker. I hope my new GPS does not have this problem and from what Garmin said it sounds likes there may be a few bad units. I bought this unit because my Nuvi 660 died and I’m going on a trip.
Three straight units from Best Buy - all had screen flicker. Garmin sent a replacement and it is flicker-free :) Thanks, Garmin!
Dave does you screen flicker slightly on a gray back ground? I got a replacement and the flicker is only noticeable with a gray back ground.
I'd contact Garmin for a replacement - you should not be seeing any screen flicker at all.
3rd replacement enroute from Garmin. Thanks Dave.
So, I recently (2 days ago) purchased the 1690, and here's two points so far...
1. Personally, i find the ads **very** annoying and objectionable. I don't see why my GPS should be a billboard that Garmin rents out, particularly since nuLink is ultimately a subscription service. I might be alone in my hatred of unwelcome ads, but it's enough that (a) I wouldn't have purchased the 1690 if I'd known about it in advance and (b) after exclusively owning Garmin GPSs for many years now, I'm jumping ship next time if Garmin continues down this godawful path.
2. The traffic data accuracy (commute between DC and Baltimore) seems identical to what I had with my prior FM-based Garmin--makes sense, as review puts it as the same data source. But, it does come through faster (takes just a minute or two to get traffic on the system).
Does this device allow you to find the number of a particular business? Not all businesses are in the preloaded POIs and the white pages only find numbers of people.
Thank you all the great reviews. I purchased a 205 on black friday last year and never looked back. after getting a 660 that crapped out on me and getting it replaced with a 760, i am sold on garmin and their customer service. Even if they have long wait times - they CARE about trying to help and not trying to tell you that your an idiot and do not know how to run their units.
ok my questions..
1) Will the 1200 thru the 1600 series support Extra_POI_Editor403 edited files? i use Extra_POI_Editor403 to update and maintain over 400 customer locations and phone numbers i have in my excel file. My excel file has too much information for the garmin to take it directly i have found.
2) is there a replacement for the 765 (which seems to have a few issues) in the works? I use Auido books while driving and found personally i like them on the GPS rather them MP# player. Or has the 765 been patched enough to be considered as an upgrade to the 760? ( which will go to the wife)
Thank you very much for the Reviews, and ignore the naysayers, as all they do to your reviews is complain, but not contribute. At least your doing clean reviews we can use to help to decide what units will work for us.
**note** as to not being able to delete a certain road from the route.. just tap the map and select a point on another road and use it as a via point :) i am sure you will be rerouted, and if you prefer that way alot - save it in your fav's.
First-thank you Fletch for review
Second- personally i dont like the nuvi 1690!why?because of the crappy nuLink subscribtion for Europe!
Yeah but unfortunately, services like MSN Direct are ending and I think the internet via cell is the next move until some other technology can compete with it. In the past, we were happy with yearly update discs. Now with mobile apps on cell phones, people don't want to deal with outdated POI's. It did burn me a few times in the past to find a closed down business or the wrong street address.
I just bought a Garmin 1690 from Best Buy two weeks ago, but I returned it back for replacement. The Bluetooth seems not functioning well...the phone book and call history do not appear in the screen. And if it does...everytime I dial a number from the phonebook, the power shuts down. The latest 1690 I got is worst, aside from that defect, everytime I touch the screen of the location ( whether from POI or favorites ), it shuts off. Is there anyway I can correct that? or do I need to return it again?
Thanks.
Peter
With my newly acquired Garmin 1690, the latest among their units, has a lot of problems which I encountered:
1. It cannot be registered & be updated...after the downloading and updating of the software, it doesn't restart itself after being disconnected from the computer as per instruction. What I did, I manually restart it and upon checking if it was updated, it did not nor registered.
2. Another defect has something to do with the icon of the phonebook that must appear when connected to the phone thru the bluetooth. Sometimes it is there, but oftentimes not. If it happens to be there, the moment you touch the icon, the power shut off or it restart if the unit is connected to cigarette lighter in the car.
3. Sometimes, when I also touch the place of destination...it shut off.
What is the best thing to do? anyone? Fletch?
Petrus