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More…In addition to the features you'd expect from a GPS device--clear on-screen and voiced navigation directions (including the mostly accurate pronunciation of street names), high-quality 3D maps, and a points-of-interest database--the Nuvi 680 offers a basic media player for viewing image and video files and for playing audio, including books downloaded from Audible.com. The device's Travel Kit also contains a language guide that pronounces words and phrases in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, translated to and from English (you can download other languages and guides for an additional fee).
Garmin Nuvi 680
- Lab Tested
- How We Test GPS »
Pros
Boasts a bright screen
Streaming audio through a car stereo
Cons
Very hefty price
Spotty coverage
Bottom Line
Boasts a bright screen, loads of features, and streaming audio through a car stereo, but the price is hefty.
Garmin Nuvi 680 GPS: Big Features, Big Price
Nuvi 680 Review, by Dennis O'Reilly November 13, 2007
You also get one free year of the MSN Direct service, which provides traffic and weather information, gas prices, and movie times via a receiver built into the Nuvi 680's 12-volt power adapter. After the first year you can pay a one-time fee of $130, or $50 a year. The traffic information is available in limited areas, and even in those regions you may not be covered.
For example, I selected the northernmost section of the San Francisco region only to find that I was about 10 miles outside the coverage area. It wasn't until I drove into the area that the MSN Direct information could download to the GPS. The initial download can take several hours, according to both Garmin and MSN, but I began receiving reports on traffic conditions along my route after only about an hour. When you encounter traffic the Nuvi 680 offers to route you around it, but I wouldn't have saved much time with the alternates it suggested. Still, this feature could come in handy.
Another nice extra is the Nuvi 680's Garmin Lock security feature, which lets you designate a four-digit PIN as well as a security location (such as your home). You must either enter the code or be at the security location to unlock the device.
On several occasions the Nuvi 680 delivered directions too late for me to follow them, while the Mio was more timely. This disparity occurred on both surface streets and the highway, while I used both products simultaneously.
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User Reviews
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User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: maui65
Strengths: Size of display, portability, text to speech, mapping, ease of use, MSN... the list goes on and on
Weaknesses: I haven't really found any yet
Overall: I purchased the Nuvi 680 after lots of research. I was looking for an affordable, text to speech, GPS device for a trip out of town after Christmas. I am so pleased with this product. It worked right out of the box and came loaded with the 2008 maps. The MSN feature is nice as it alerts for traffic and weather. For non-techies, it's simple to use but has enough bells and whistles for those looking for that little bit more. I've been using it around town to get the feel for it the past few weeks and it taught me a shortcut home that I didn't know existed (after living in my neighborhood for 8 years). It has made some left turn, right turn mistakes but the display has been correct and the speech has been incorrect in those few instances. It seems to get a bit confused when 2 roads, running parallel, are too close together. If that's all I have to complain about, then I am one happy customer. Thank you for making a sophisticated toy for this overworked mom.
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Reviewed by: menako
Strengths: Robust and solid, very easy to use. Intutitive!
Weaknesses: The MSN Service was found a bit lame. When we travelled to larger cities that had the MSN service supported. We found it marginal at best for what it could/promise to deliver.
Overall: Easy to follow and setup directions. Going to the Garmin Internet web-site was easy. Downloading updates for maps and additional languages were a snap. We would purchase additional Garmin products again.
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Reviewed by: uriredlich
Strengths: work great
Weaknesses: didn't see any
Overall: must have in in the car for going anywhere traffic report is very helpful directions is very clear can't get lost with the nuvi 680 any child can program the easy step by step directions
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Reviewed by: cnvrtble98
Strengths: Acquires signal quickly, bright & detailed display, decent battery life, re-calculates routes very fast!, mp3 player, traffic/weather/gas prices/movie times is a great thing to have! Comes with a case
Weaknesses: Text-to-speech voices are too robotic, you have to flip up the antenna (though it helps preserve battery life if you are not using the GPS mode)
Overall: This thing does everything you could want it to do in my opinion. I have it hooked up to my car audio system through an aux-in jack on my stereo and use it as an MP3 player...its easy to load it with songs with the 4gb SD card I put in it. The screen is excellent and much more detailed than any other brand of GPS I have seen and I did ALOT of research and comparing of models before purchasing this! You can load other vehicle icons from Garmin's website which is pretty cool. The MSN content has been very useful to me and I can see where gas is cheapest wherever I may be and I can find movie times and theaters at ease! I don't live in an area where I catch alot of traffic but it has alerted me to traffic ties-ups and asked if I wanted to be directed around it which is a nice feature. Another great feature that Garmin has ad most others DO NOT is that it tells you which side of the road your destination is on which I find to be very helpful in an unfamiliar area where there are three lanes of traffic. Knowing which side of the road you need to be on saves you from those last minute lane jumps!This is the unit to get if you want a great GPS with some extra features!
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Reviewed by: TheHobbit
Strengths: Large 4.3 Inch Widescreen Bluetooth portable GPS Unit!!! MP3 player as well!!!
Weaknesses: Weak FM transmitter
Overall: This GPS is accurate in bringing you from Point A to Point B. Pairing my bluetooth phone with this GPS is a breeze. I'm able to receive and make calls flawlessly. It also has phone numbers of business establishments. Once you look for a place, for example a pizza place, you can call ahead using your GPS while enroute to it and order for takeout. The screen is huge and bright. I haven't tried the MSN direct feature though.
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