Garmin nuvi comparison chart

IMPORTANT: See our improved Garmin nuvi comparison chart. Due to space constraints on GPS Tracklog, I've taken the nuvi comparison chart elsewhere. Comments are now closed on this post, but you can comment and ask questions at the new Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

There are a plethora of nuvis entering the GPS marketplace, and I can see that there is going to be a lot of confusion among would be buyers. In light of that, and despite my admittedly limited technical skills, I've put together a Garmin nuvi comparison chart. It may not be the prettiest HTML table in the world, but it should serve the needs of confused consumers. The chart only covers models designed for North American consumers, though it does include units with both North American and European maps -- the x70 models.

Before we get into all the details, here's a brief look at the various series in the U.S. nuvi lineup:

• 200 series - This budget, entry level lineup includes the nuvi 200, 250, 260 and 270. All have a 3.5" screen. A relatively new series, these units have an internal antenna, giving them a less obtrusive profile.
• 200W series - The 200W, 250W and 260W are also entry level units with limited features, albeit with a 4.3" screen.
• 300 series - With more features than the 200 series, this set includes the first two nuvis ever released, the 350 and 360, along with the newer 370.
• 600 series - More feature laden still, this line includes the nuvi 650, 660, 670 and 680.
• 700 series - The newest additions to the nuvi family, these units incorporate the high-end features of the 600 series, with the internal antenna found on the 200 series.
• x70 models - The tranatlantic 270, 370, 670 and 770 models have maps of the U.S., Canada and Europe.

nuvi model	Maps	Screen size	Speaks street names	MP3 player	Traffic	Blue- tooth	FM trans- mitter	MSN Direct
nuvi 200	49 states	3.5"	No	No	No	No	No	No
nuvi 200W	49 states	4.3"	No	No	No	No	No	No
nuvi 250	U.S. Canada	3.5"	No	No	No	No	No	No
nuvi 250W	U.S. Canada	4.3"	No	No	No	No	No	No
nuvi 260	U.S. Canada	3.5"	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
nuvi 260W	U.S. Canada	4.3"	Yes	No	No	No	No	No
nuvi 270	U.S. Canada Europe	3.5"	No	No	No	No	No	No
nuvi 350	U.S. Canada	3.5"	Yes	Yes	Option	No	No	No
nuvi 360	U.S. Canada	3.5"	Yes	Yes	Option	Yes	No	No
nuvi 370	U.S. Canada Europe	3.5"	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
nuvi 650	U.S. Canada	4.3"	Yes	Yes	Option	No	No	No
nuvi 660	U.S. Canada	4.3"	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
nuvi 670	U.S. Canada Europe	4.3"	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
nuvi 680	U.S. Canada	4.3"	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
nuvi 750	U.S. Canada	4.3"	Yes	Yes	Option	No	Yes	Option
nuvi 760	U.S. Canada	4.3"	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Option
nuvi 770	U.S. Canada Europe	4.3"	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Option
nuvi 780	U.S. Canada	4.3"	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
nuvi 5000	U.S. Canada	5.2"	Yes	Yes	Option	No	Yes	Option
nuvi model	Maps	Screen size	Speaks street names	MP3 player	Traffic	Blue- tooth	FM trans- mitter	MSN Direct

Comments

[Lynn R.]

I am still confused by the traffic capabilities. It seems to me that the 370 has a built in FM receiver that requires no subscription while the 660 requires a subscription. Is that true? How much of a compromise is there in the smaller screen? Is it worth the $220 difference between these two models....I think one of these is going to be my purchase point...but I am not sure which. The link I am using also makes it appear that the 660 does not have a windshield mount? while the 370 has the stiff glass mount that seems to be recommended by most sites....please help. thanks.

[Rich Owings]

Lynn-

All the nuvis that come with an FM traffic receiver also come with a 3 month free trial subscription. I don't know that the big screen is necessary, especially if it's the main factor in a $220 difference!

All nuvis come with both a windshield and dash/disc mount.

By the way, you mention the 370 and 660. All the x70 models have U.S. and European maps. A better comparison might be the 360 vs. 370 or the 660 vs. 670.

Hope this helps.

[sarah bennett]

I love the Garmin Nüvi comparison chart, but it would be MUCH BETTER if the power supply were listed. For example, the question would be:

Standard mini USB power supply = yes / no

The reason this is critical important for all modern electronics is that a single mini USB power adapter can power your cellphone, your earbud, your mp3 player, and your GPS unit. In my case, I refuse to purchase any GPS unit that isn't powered by mini-USB (and AA batteries).

So, I'm asking that your chart add the power supply and battery type column.

sarah

[Rich Owings]

Sarah,

Thanks! I'm glad you find it helpful.

I don't believe any nuvis have this capability. None use AA batteries, and while they can all be charged via USB, they use the proprietary Garmin cable connection to do so.

[Gary]

Great chart. It would be nice if the MSRP was included. Although street prices vary widely, it would give a general idea of the price differences between models.

[Rich Owings]

Thanks Gary. I'd like to add that, but chart width gets to be an issue. I'll have to take a look on smaller displays and see what happens.

[as]

hi, can someone me tell if i buy nuvi 660, so i'll not be able to use it in europe, i cant dowload europe manps in it???
thanks in advance

[Rich Owings]

as, you can buy European maps for the 660. I'd compare the cost of the 660 + European maps with the cost of the 670. The 670 may end up being less.

[Linda Leighton]

Can the Garmin GPS nuvi's show you names of streets in theme parks such as universal, disney, etc...

[Linda Leighton]

Can the GPS nuvi give you directions based on street names for theme parks?

[Rich Owings]

Linda,

You can use the Map Viewer, (click the link in the upper right corner of this page http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/citynavnt.jsp#) to see what roads are included. At Disneyland, many roads are just labeled "road," but S. Disneyland Drive, W. Magic Way and Downtown Drive are named. Any roads shown can be routed along.

You might also be interested in this... http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2006/03/theme_park_maps.html

[Darren]

Are the nuvi 350 or 650 able to load Europe maps when needed? (I think so just making sure)I travel there but not often, so the x70's I really don't need, if I am able to switch from America to Europe.

Is there a jack to plug into ext speakers? ex. ear for mp3 and car speakers while driving.

Is the internal speakers loud enough? I understand there is no vol. control on the 350 or 650
Thanks

[Rich Owings]

Yes, you can get an SD data card with European maps, but I would compare the cost of a nuvi 350/650 plus maps with the cost of a 370 or 670.
There is an audio out jack. I believe that all nuvis have volume controls; my nuvi 660 does. Having said that, the quality of the speakers is find for directions, but not for MP3s.

[Lincoln Jones]

Can the Garmin 350 be powered and operated using a mini usb car
power adapter plugged into the mini usb port on the side? I have
been informed that a Motorola Razr telephone car adapter can be plugged
into the garmin 350's usb with satisfactory results

[Rich Owings]

Lincoln,

I don't believe so. Here is a UseNet thread on the subject:
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.satellite.gps.garmin/browse_thread/thread/ebf5958007aac191/03142535e5bb7439?lnk=gst&q=mini+usb&rnum=3#03142535e5bb7439

I can tell you that my 660 will not function as a GPS while being powered by mini-USB, and that it has only one mini-USB port.

[Lincoln Jones]

Garmin 350 using mini USB socket

Thanks for the feedback,Rich. I have what I believe are some interesting observations:

After posting my msg, I went to Best Buy and spotted that they had a 350 displayed and it was powered into the mini usb on the side. I was informed the power came from an adapter for a Motorola Razr telephone.

I then called Garmin and found that I could charge the 350 using the mini usb port on the side but they wouldn't confirm or deny it would operate as a GSP.
They would only say it was meant for exchange of computer data and USB charging.

I figured I couldn't break it by trying. I plugged the Garmin automobile in the side mini usb with the antenna already opened. It displayed the symbol that it was using external power.

It worked as a GPS displaying a msg it wasn't properly hooked up to receive info from a computer. (not exact statement) After driving around for about an hour, I unplugged it and a message popped and after a message about diconnect from the usb info line, it automatically turned itself off with its 30 second countdown.

Other observations: I scoured a lot of sites and Ive come to the conclusion if you use a regulated/IC protected 5 volt 1000 mAh (1amp)mini USB there will be no harm to the 350. Most adapter have the straight 180 degree plug (vs. the garmin's right angle plug)so you can lay the 350 on flat surface with the power plug an extension plug and even an external antenna all coming out of the same side. I've placed my 350 into an Office Max mesh business card holder. It leans
the vuvi 350 at a nice angle, doesn't block the speakers and can be velcroed on the bottom to keep it in place moving it to different cars as needed. I like the versatily. I don't know if its my imagination, but the 350 seems to work better when I'm using external power rather than its internal battery. The built in antenna seems more sensitive. (This is an antedotal observation, I haven't done a A vs. B test.)

I hope my observations will be useful to some and am looking forward to anyone elses observations on this subject,............Lincoln

[Rich Owings]

Lincoln,

Thanks for the detailed report. That kind of reader supplied information goes way beyond what I am able to provide here. I appreciate you taking the time to share it!

[Bruce]

I have trouble with my suction cup sticking. Are there other options such as bean bag holder...?

[Rich Owings]

Yes, there was a good post on the beanbag mount the other day on GPS Magazine...

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2007/08/dont_like_the_windshield_mount.php

[Thor West]

I have read your comments on the NUVI 600 series with interest. The 650 looks like it would do what I need. When I went to the sample map coverage page at Garmin I saw that most of their units come with their "City Navigator" maps. When I zoomed in on my home location I was surprised to not see any local roads, yet we're only five miles from a large city in WA. Doos Garmin offer any maps that have better rural coverage? Or, are there any other options for better rural coverage, including a different brand of unit?
Thanks,
Thor West

[Rich Owings]

Thor,

Did you zoom in as far as possible? Are these newer roads? Rural roads are usually included unless they are new. It is always possible that Garmin's Map Viewer is not showing the latest edition of CN maps.

The only other option would be to go with someone that uses TeleAtlas maps like TomTom. I don't know any way to check those out online. Perhaps you could go to a retail store that carries TomTom and pan the map to find them.

[Thor]

You were correct - I didn't zoom in far enough. I thought .5 mi would be sufficient, but not.
It's a shame that Garmin, Magellan and TomTom can't handle customers questions. We're glad we have you and your readers to help.

After comparing: Garmins "City Navigator North America", Garmins "TOPO U.S. 2008, and Microsoft "Streets and Trips 2007", I find for my use a combination of City Nav and Topo 2008 would work best. I tried to call Garmin to se if it could be loaded with their installed City Nav...but was informed of a 30 to 35 minute phone wait so I gave-up. You can't contact them by e-mail for general questions - only for their pre ordained question areas.

So, finally, my questions are, 1. Can you load Garmins Topo 2008 on a NUVI 650/660?
2. Is there any way to use a NUVI or a Garmin 296 as a gps source for a laptop with MS Streets,,,?

I've noticed after reading many reviews that very little emphasis is placed on the one product quality that I consider primary - screen readability. That's why I would like to be able to add topo maps to a 660 or a TT 720 or anything with a sharp readable screen.

Thanks for your help-again.

[Rich Owings]

Thor,

I'm glad you're finding the site helpful.

You can load Topo to a nuvi, but you can't view topo maps and highway maps at the same time. And you can't autoroute on a topo.

Nuvis do not stream NMEA output, so you cannot use it connected to a laptop as a GPS for another program. You can with the 276 if that is the unit you are referring to.

[Thor]

Rich,

Am I correct in thinking that an advantage of (other than Garmin) units is the cost and small capacity of Garmins memory cards?

But, is Garmin's customer service better than the other manufactures? It matters. I just spent forty minutes on the phone speaking with four different Indian gentlemen, repeating the same information to get an in-warranty replacement for a bad Compac notebook harddrive.

[Rich Owings]

Thor,

I'm not sure what you mean about the cost and small capacity of Garmin memory cards. Unless you're wanting pre-loaded maps, I wouldn't buy the cards from Garmin anyway. You're right that they do have a good reputation for customer service, but as they say, your mileage may vary.

[clint]

I was wondering if any of the Nuvis, esp. the newest 700 series, have a built-in traffic receiver, so that you don't have to use that power cord with the three lights on it. Have they integrated the traffic receiver into any of the models to eliminate the need to use that cord?

[Rich Owings]

Clint,

It's still the same setup, as far as I know.

[A LAU]

It's mentioned about map updates, and thought they were free from Garmin. Is it true that you have to pay for every update, and if so, how often are updates available, and what is the cost. I tried to find that on the Garmin website, but in order to proceed further, you need a Serial Number of your Garmin unit, which I don't have one yet. I'm still debating on which one to get. Looking at the 360 or 370. I know the 370 has the Europe maps, but don't know when I'll be going back. If I'm not going back for awhile and have to pay for an update for the 370, I may as well get the 360 and when I do go to Europe, purchase the Europe map, that hopefully, has the latest updates.

[Rich Owings]

Updates are generally available annually, and they are not free. Having said that, it's worth a call to Garmin to check on their current policy if you buy a product with an older version of their maps. In the past, they have offered free upgrades in this circumstance.

[Doug]

Can your passenger program Garmin and Magellan GPS systems while actually driving? Or do you have to stop.

Also, For usability is Garmin better or Magellan?

[Rich Owings]

Yes, they can be programmed while the vehicle is moving. And Garmin has a much more intuitive interface than Magellan.

[Bill Head]

Great site, thanks. I am hoping that you can recommend one that will remember a route taken. There are times when I drive dirt roads out in desert - obviously no street signs - so having a way to backtrack ,if necessary, would be helpful. Suggestions?

[Rich Owings]

The nuvi 700 series, which is just starting to show up in stores, will have tracklogs. Whether or not it will be able to navigate (backtrack) a tracklog, I don't know.

Regardless, the 700 series should show the track you've taken, so you could just follow that out by watching the screen.

[Mduduzi]

The comparison chart is agreat idea. Would you consider expanding it to include features that are of interest to business users, such at log book replacement functionality or max previous destinations memory?

[Marsye Kaplan]

I'm trying to decide whether to purchase the Garmin Nuvi 350 or purchase the TomTom system for my Treo 700P. Any thoughts or experiences are welcome.
Thanks
Marsye

[Rich Owings]

To a great extent, I think that depends on whether you want one device or two. I think the nuvi will be much more user friendly and easier to deal with on the road.

[Eric]

Great advice and a great site. I am in the market for a Nuvi and like many, am a bit confused. Is the only difference between the 350 and 650 the screen size? Also I have read some reviews that say that the Nuvi does not trip plan (multiple waypoints along an extended road trip). Since we take driving trips often, I'd like a GPS that can do that. Does the 650? Any other Nuvis? Thanks.

[Rich Owings]

Eric - Yes, the only difference between the 350 and 650 is screen size. The 700 series will do multi-destination routing. The 750 is a deal...

http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2007/10/deal-on-a-garmi.html

[Mark]

I recently bought a garmin 370 and have plugged in the traffic receiver, but when I do it states it needs an external power source. The only problem is the traffic receiver is plugged into the place where the external power such as the cigeratte light cable goes. I can't seem to find anywhere else where an external power supply can be plugged in. Can anyone help?

[Rich Owings]

The cable should supply power to the GPS and the traffic receiver. One end goes in the cigarette lighter, the other end attaches to the mount.

[T Hickerson]

If someone steals your GPS out of your car, they will have the POIs like Home and Work. Do any of the newer nuvi's (660+) have passwords or encrypted databases in case of theft? Also, what is the top size limit of the SD cards that these newer nuvi's will handle?

[Rich Owings]

All nuvis come with Garmin Lock, which allows you to use a 4 digit PIN to gain access.

Some nuvis (e.g., the 660) officially support 4GB SD cards; others do not. I would suggest a search for whatever model you are interested in + the term "4GB SD" and see what comes up. Some people report problems with off brands.

[K]

I appreciate your chart and reviewers' comments. It is helpful as I am deciding on a GPS unit. I am leaning toward Nuvi 680. Thanks.
K

[Rich Owings]

I'm glad you found it useful. I think you'll really like the 680.

[Janet Drinnon]

What is the difference between a NUVI 350 and a 350 C ?

[Rich Owings]

Sorry, but I've never heard of a nuvi 350 C.

[Paul]

Your chart does not include the streetpilot series. The Streetpilot 550 seems to have many of the features of the 600 series at a lower cost. comments?

[Rich Owings]

You're absolutely right. I think the nuvi is much more popular solely due to its form factor. My wife just drops it into her purse when we leave the car.

[lynns]

Do you recommend any voice activated models? My husband is handicapped (but drives) and I would like one that is voice activated. Do these work as well as the others?
Another question: Does the GPS need to be up on the dask or windshield or can putting it in the cup holder work as well?

[Rich Owings]

The TomTom 920 has some voice commands and is getting good reviews. It's new though, so the jury is still out on it...

http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2007/11/tomtom-go-920t-.html

I'd stay away from the Magellan with voice commands.