|
| Garmin nüvi 670 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator | 
 enlarge
| Brand: Garmin
Category: CE
List Price: $1,099.99
Buy New: $305.40
You Save: $794.59 (72%)
New (36) Used (1) Refurbished (1)
Avg. Customer Rating:  167 reviews
Sales Rank: 1374
Platform: Not Machine Specific
Media: Electronics
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Native Resolution: 480 x 272
Display Size: 4.3
Includes MP3 Player: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 1 x 5 x 3
nv:Type: Car Kit
Inputs: USB
Inputs: Bluetooth
Display: Color
Touch Screen: Yes
Expansion Slots: SD Card
Battery Life: 7 hours
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
MPN: 0100054030
Model: 0100054030
UPC: 053759068036
EAN: 0753759068035
ASIN: B000MF674G
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Good but needs more configuration options. April 10, 2007
128 out of 131 found this review helpful
From an ergonomics and hardware perspective, the Nuvi is clearly the class leader. It does cost too much and the simplicty of the interface greatly limits flexibility.
Hardware. The Nuvi makes the TomTom and other units look downright bloated and clunky. The industrial design is not quite in the Apple league but is the best thing available at the moment. The SiRF chipset is far superior to those used in older GPS units (including some current Garmin StreetPilots). It locks signal quickly, the screen is bright, the voice to text is clear, etc.
I have owned many GPS units of all makes and types. Thus, unlike many 1st time GPS owners, I am no longer mesmerized by the fact that GPS can find my street address. The Garmin, like many other brands does a very good job at getting you from point A to point B. Garmin's maps and algorithms do seem slightly better than some others but it will still send you on some routes that a local driver would not use. the fact that the 670 is preloaded with maps of both Europe and the USA is a great feature IF, and only if, you have a need for this.
My biggest frustration with the Nuvi lineup is the limited configuration options. Garmin, in an effort to appeal to soccer Mom's, has really dumbed down the interface compared to years ago when you could configure just about everything including display of MGRS data. The Nuvi has even less flexibility than the StreetPilot series when it comes to configuration options.
Like any brand of GPS, the Garmin will often recommend a route that is simply absurd. This is where the interface falls down because the only place to select from shortest time, shortest distance, etc., is in the system configuration menus. Magellan, for example, asks you every time if you want "shortest time", "shortest distance", "least use of freeways", "most use of freeways", etc. If Magellan suggests a goofy route you simply go back one screen and pick an alternative. This also provides a quick and easy way to compare various routing suggestions. To do so on the Nuvi you have to return all the way back to the system settings and even then you only have shortest time or shortest distance. I do understand that many folks want to keep it as simple as possible but I also think Garmin should include an "advanced settings" menu for those who want more. Yes, the StreetPilots are more configurable but they are dinosaurs from a hardware perspective.
The TMC traffic service is a mixed bag. It is only useful in certain metropolitan areas. Likewise, the information is often not current. It is like listening to the traffic report telling you that Route XYZ is fine when you are sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on that very road. Quality of data really depends on the geographic area and the road itself. But yes, the way Garmin built the FM receiver into the power cord is a thing of engineering beauty.
Bluetooth may or may not work for you. When I try to pair my Nokia 9300 the Nokia sees the Garmin but the Garmin never sees the Nokia. If this feature is important to you then do check the Garmin site to see if your phone is listed as a compatible unit.
The graphics are good but nothing special. Again, about on par with everyone else.
I have not tried using the Nuvi as an MP3 player. I already own an iPod.
The big question becomes, is it worth the money? This is a tough call considering that some GPS units are now at the $200 mark. If you fly from city to city and want to take your GPS along then the Nuvi is a good choice. It is great to be in a strange city where you jump in a rental car, plug in an address, and away you go. If you want the basics or do not need the slim form factor there are much better deals from Magellan, TomTom, and even Garmin. The Nuvi is a better product but i do not think it is so much better that it justifies the huge price premium. I might feel differently if it had some amazing graphics engine or there were an "advanced configuration" menu that allowed me to tailor it to my own quirks and needs.
I did buy the 670 for the size and the USA/Europe maps. For those specific needs it is the best in class. I do love the Nuvi hardware but I still prefer the software and configuration options on my 4 year old Magellan Roadmate.
 AWSOME UNIT!!! Garmin 670 March 28, 2007
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
I bought the unit as a replacement for a unit that was stolen. All I can say is that it's AWSOME. The menus are intuitive, the instruction are clear, the bluetooth works flawlessly, the traffic alerts are spot on and the GPS acquires super fast. This is by far the best unit out there. Yes, it's expensive, but it is worth the extra coin to have the european maps preloaded and all the extra cool features in the ultra-sleek package.
best gps device March 26, 2007
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
First time buyer of GPS device and I certainly do love how the capabilities of Garmin Nuvi 670, from giving directions to accurately pin point the exact locations that aren't even listed, as long as you know the exact address it'll get and give what it's capable of, i have experienced Garmin670 the first time i travel with the whole family by car going to florida, from home all the way to FL (Disneyland) never experienced a problem reading and following directions, compared my Garmin to people I work with their Tom Tom doesn't even do much what Garmin has. I never regret paying so much for a device. Delivery is a success also, I didn't wait for a long time to receive it.
 Disappointed March 25, 2007
15 out of 21 found this review helpful
The good: Lots of bells and whistles; Bluetooth, mp3 player, custom points of interests.
Nice options for pedestrian and bicycle mode. Although I am not sure it's waterproof
enough if you get stuck in the rain.
The bad: For what you get, Garmin could have done a better job. Driving on the freeways in
southern california, don't expect to hear the navigated directions with the window down.
Same goes for trying to use the bluetooth in making phone calls. That's even with the
volume cranked all the way up. I can hear the radio just fine with the windows rolled down.
Although it's a nice thought of adding custom POI's, such as for safety cameras out here.
The directions almost require you to have a technical degree, to upload them.
Garmin if you are reading this, make it easy on the novice and test your products better.
If someoone wants to add a custom POI, make it easy by having an icon that will automatically
log the location you are at as a custom POI.
Also do a better job of testing the products for volume controls with the windows up and down
in various traffic areas, conjested or not.
Great device, but POI database totally inaccurate March 25, 2007
33 out of 35 found this review helpful
Man, what a disappointment! The Nuvi 660/670 is a beautiful device - a sleek design with an excellent screen, and great position accuracy. Since this is our second Garmin (we currently own a Quest), we were mainly interested in a GPS device with an up to date US & European point of interest (POI) database. The Nuvi 670 seemed to fit the bill perfectly given its large POI database.
But this is exactly where the device failed. We tried more than 25 POIs in Atlanta, GA where we're currently based. The 670 was unable to successfully guide us to a single POI correctly. We tried various well known shops that have been around for at least 5 years, e.g. Publix, Toys-R-Us, Wal-Mart (including a Wal-Mart Superstore that has been around for 10 years), Target, Barnes & Nobles, etc. Either it did not know that the shop existed, or it guided us to a non-existent shop. The same applied to fuel stations.
If we provided it with an address it worked like a dream and the accuracy was great. But the POI database proved to be totally useless. Fortunately Amazon's after sale support is brilliant and they allowed us to return the Nuvi 670.
Oh yes, Garmin has no after hour support...
|
|
|
Copyright
©
2006 Adminpal LLC | |
