* Prices current as of January 1st.. Click price for todays lowest prices..
**Updated: February 2008 andraquo; Added Nuvi 880 and Nuvi 850<
Step 1: Compare Garmin’s Nuvi 650 vs. the nuvi 660, 670, and 680
Step 2: Compare the Garmin Nuvi 600 series units to the 200,300, and 700 series
Glossary for Garmin’s Nuvi 650 Compare Chart
- Model: Name of unit
- Price: Best Price as of January 2008… click price to see todays cheapest prices
- Disp: Screen viewing size (diagonal)
- Battery: Length of battery life off of a single charge
- TTS: Text to speech (speaks street names in various languages)
- Maps: Preloaded coverage for region
- BT: Bluetooth compatible for hands free calling
- MP3: Plays music MP3’s from internal or external SD memory
- RC: Remote controller for nuvi input off of touchscreen
- Voice: Uses speech recognition to accept voice commands
- MSN: Has support for MSN-Direct feature and data integration
- FM: Can play sound and audio prompts through car audio system with FM Transmitter
- Memory: has microSD or SD slot for external memory cards
| Model: | Price: | Disp: | Battery: | TTS: | Maps: | BT: | MP3: | RMT: | Voice: | MSN: | FM: | Memory: |
| Nuvi 880 |
$1071 MSRP |
4.3" | 4 hrs | yes | NA | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | microSD |
| Nuvi 850 |
$800 MSRP |
4.3" | 4 hrs | yes | NA | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | microSD |
| Nuvi 5000 |
$857 Jan. 08 |
5.2" | 0 hrs | yes | NA | no | yes | no | no | yes | yes | SD |
| Nuvi 780 |
$857 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 5 hrs | yes | NA | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | SD |
| Nuvi 770 |
$710 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 5 hrs | yes | NA & Euro | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | SD |
| Nuvi 760 |
$557 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 5 hrs | yes | NA or Euro | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | SD |
| Nuvi 750 |
$420 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 5 hrs | yes | NA or Euro | no | yes | no | no | yes | yes | SD |
| Nuvi 710 |
£238 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 5 hrs | yes | Euro | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | SD |
| Nuvi 680 |
$500 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 7 hrs | yes | NA | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | SD |
| Nuvi 670 |
$570 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 7 hrs | yes | NA & Euro | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | SD |
| Nuvi 660 |
$439 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 7 hrs | yes | NA or Euro | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | SD |
| Nuvi 650 |
$370 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 7 hrs | yes | NA or Euro | no | yes | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 610 |
£270 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 7 hrs | no | Euro | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 600 |
£180 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 7 hrs | no | Euro | no | yes | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 370 |
$425 Jan. 08 |
3.5" | 8 hrs | yes | NA & Euro | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 360 |
$332 Jan. 08 |
3.5" | 8 hrs | yes | NA or Euro | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 350 |
$282 Jan. 08 |
3.5" | 8 hrs | yes | NA or Euro | no | yes | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 310 |
£127 Jan. 08 |
3.5" | 8 hrs | no | Euro | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 300 |
£120 Jan. 08 |
3.5" | 8 hrs | no | Euro | no | yes | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 270 |
$320 Jan. 08 |
3.5" | 5 hrs | no | NA & Euro | no | no | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 260W |
$400 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 5 hrs | yes | NA | no | no | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 260 |
$268 Jan. 08 |
3.5" | 5 hrs | yes | NA | no | no | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 250W |
$263 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 5 hrs | no | NA or Euro | no | no | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 250 |
$209 Jan. 08 |
3.5" | 5 hrs | no | NA or Euro | no | no | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 200W |
$212 Jan. 08 |
4.3" | 5 hrs | no | USA or Euro | no | no | no | no | no | no | SD |
| Nuvi 200 |
$187 Jan. 08 |
3.5" | 5 hrs | no | regional | no | no | no | no | no | no | SD |
Garmin’s Nuvi lineup has expanded too many series and models, and choosing and recognizing what model is the most appropriate choice without missing a feature you want or overspending for features you don’t need can be a daunting task. To help streamline the process and help you make the most educated, effective and quick decision, we have put together some basic information on the differences between series, models and the above complete chart comparison.
Step 1: Choosing and Comparing the Nuvi 650 to the 660, 670, and 680
Garmin Nuvi 650
The Garmin nuvi 650 gps system is the entry level unit into the 4.3” wide-touch-screen size, and as such offers shoppers the lowest price while skipping out on some of the advanced travel tools (Bluetooth hands free calling, msn direct local data, fm transmitter) and comes ready out of the box for only North America OR Euro depending on which model you buy.
The most popular choice for shoppers that only want the core navigation assistance out of their system, with little need for fancy extras and travel tools, and not intending on taking their unit transatlantic
Garmin Nuvi 660:
The Garmin Nuvi 660 is a little bit more popular in terms of units sold, and offers a different balance of price vs. performance… adding features that are very helpful for many people, while still maintaining a fair price tag (+$50 USD)
From Nuvi 650 to Nuvi 660
- Bluetooth -hands free calling when paired with cell phone
- FM Transmitter – Play sound prompts, music and audio through your cars audio system and speakers
- TMC Traffic – Get information about traffic conditions, jams, etc… and integrate the data with the nuvis routes to make your commute more efficient and hassle free
Garmin Nuvi 670:
Garmin’s Nuvi 670 main value adds is the fact that it comes ready straight out the box ready and more-then-capable of transatlantic travel. It has all added advanced feature of the Nuvi 660 vs. Nuvi 650 and adds the ability for you to access all maps, information, and points of interest in both North America and Euro… A price increase of about $120 over the Nuvi 660, but much cheaper then upgrading your Nuvi 650, 660, or 680 to be ready for transatlantic travel (approx. $200-$300)
From Nuvi 660 to Nuvi 670
- Transatlantic Capability: Both North American and Euroan travel ready out the box ($200-$300 standalone upgrade)
- Add approximately $130 USD (Feb. 2008)
Garmin Nuvi 680:
The Garmin Nuvi 680 is actually both an upgrade/downgrade of the Nuvi 670, removing the value of the pre-loaded transatlantic capability, but adding MSN Direct access and capability for North American areas. MSN Direct integration adds features such as real-time weather data, up to the minute gas prices, movie theater listings, and a whole slew of other local and time sensitive information useful for travelers (read up on MSN Direct services)
**Double Check MSN Direct service in your area **
From Nuvi 660 to Nuvi 680
- North American maps + data only: Choose between North American OR Euro capable on the Nuvi 660
- MSN Direct services: A bunch of local, live, and new features available in certain areas through MSN direct data integration
- Add approximately $70 USD (Feb. 2008)
Step 2:Compare The Garmin Nuvi 200, 300, 600, and 700 series
Garmin Nuvi 200 Series: (Nuvi 200, 250, 260, 270)
Description:
The ultra entry level device, the Garmin nuvi 200 series navigators focus on simplicity and affordability. They have stripped tools and utilities like the mp3 player, audio books, ability to add a traffic receiver and a few other luxury utilities and tools found on the other series. It’s wrapped in a smaller casing as well, with an internal antenna and new form factor. The Nuvi 2XX units emphasize affordability, simplicity and core navigation tools to get you where you want to be, without ever wondering if you spent too much.
Highlights:
- Affordability
- Simplicity
- Portability
Garmin Nuvi 300 Series: (Nuvi 350, 360, 370)
Description:
A mid market series, the Nuvi 300 series emphasizes on a mix of affordability, performance, and advanced features. A thorough mix of strong basic audio and visual navigation prompts and planning and advanced travel tools, the nuvi 300 series units have been the long term best selling GPS unit series available.
Highlights:
- Navigation Performance
- Advanced Travel Utilities
- Affordable Price vs. Strong Performance
Garmin Nuvi 600 Series: (Nuvi 650, 660, 670, 680)
Description:
A follow up to the 3XX series, the Nuvi 6XX lineup of navigators isn’t much different than its predecessor in only increasing the screen size. Another mid-market value vs. performance series, offer users a brighter and more useable screen and input real-estate, with a slightly increased price range
Highlights:
- 4.3” Widescreen – Bigger, Brighter, Easier to use
- Navigation Performance
- Advanced Travel Utilities
- Affordable Price vs. Strong Performance
Garmin Nuvi 700 Series: (Nuvi 750, 760, 770)
Description:
Expanding upon the success of its Nuvi 300 and 600 series, Garmin developed the Nuvi 700 series as a premier line of advanced navigation assistance. They developed the Nuvi 7XX with their customers in mind and made it the most advanced and functional personal travel assistant lineup yet. Listening to their customers they improved many aspects of the interface, software and hardware and added a bunch of new advanced features while improving and building upon previous nuvi qualities that had made the 3XX and 6XX navigators so popular.
Highlights:
- New slim, sleek and sexy physical design and finish
- Improved and rebuilt user interface and software
- Larger 4.8” TFT wide-touchscreen display
- Improvements and additions to previous nuvi travel tools
- New Advanced travel utilities and functions