REALLY cool and helpful device...
Pros:
Satellite acquisition time, screen size, feature package
Cons:
$$$$
The Bottom Line:
Any GPS can tell you where you are and get you to a destination, but this one rocks. If I lost it, I'd buy another to replace it right away.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
After a car nav system COMPLETELY changed the stress level of a trip to Europe, I had to have one stateside for my wife, and decided on the 680 after studying CR's reports. We absolutely LOVE this box. The feature package is rich (Bluetooth phone, FM transmitter, SD slot for language translation or travel guides, MSN Direct receiver), but the screen size and ease of use really drive it home for us. Battery life is great, but we rarely use it without the power cord/MSN antenna anyway.
The maps aren't completely accurate (recent construction can throw a small wrench into route solutions), but one wouldn't expect that, anyway. What's really cool for us is the ability to search the Point of Interest database as we travel... Need an ATM? Find one and have directions within 30 seconds. Same for hospitals, airports, pubs, schools, and so on... The database seems REALLY rich, and if you head toward a destination and miss a turn, recalculations occur rapidly and get you back on your way.
I initially winced at the expense, but regret it not a bit; it's been worth every cent. The FM transmitter could be a bit stronger, but perhaps there are FCC restrictions causing that, meaning you'd find the same problem in competitors' products. The internal speaker works quite fine, though.
Speaker phone quality seems fine on both ends of the conversation, and the ability to search the database for a destination, then tap a button to call it is WAY cool. So far I've had three friends riding along with me swear that they were on their way to get one for themselves, and I doubt they'll regret it.
There's really nothing I don't like about this product, except that Garmin will eventually come along with an updated Nuvi that'll cost around a thousand bucks again, and I'll have to wrestle with feeling compelled to get another, though this one should do me for a few years.
A few niceties that I don't use, but some might find handy are as follows:
MP3 player (paused while directions are given, of course)
Audible Book Reader (probably nice on really long drives)
Currency Converter
Calculator
World Clock
Language translater (will actually read words and phrases aloud)
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