Product Review – Garmin Nuvi 660

June 15, 2007

Garmin Nuvi 660

GPS Review

The Garmin Nuvi 660 is definitely part of the future of personal travel assistants. Taking a step ahead of the Nuvi 350, and just past the Nuvi 650, the Garmin Nuvi 660 features a widescreen format display (4.3″ diagonal QVGA), built in wireless FM Transmitter (for broadcasting music and voice prompting through your car stereo), walking and driving directions, internal memory for music and map expansion, onboard Bluetooth for hands free calling and a built-in lithium ion battery (4.5 to 5 hours on average).

The physical design of this unit is outstanding. Small size, light weight and large display make for an all-around enjoyable experience. Weighing in at just over 6 ounces, and with a size of just under 5″x2″x1″, it is not a pain to lug this travel assistant around. Honestly, in its carrying case it’s barely noticeable in a cargo pocket or bag.

This unit comes preloaded with maps for the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as several million Points of Interest (such as banks/ATMs, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc). The preloaded maps are from the CityNavigator NT system, which is excellent for street level navigation. Walking and driving directions together make this unit useful no matter how you travel. The Garmin’s also have the ability to handle navigation for commercial vehicles – which is very handy if you drive a CDL-required vehicle that’s high, wide and heavy.

Onboard memory tops out at 2 gigabytes which is plenty of room for additional maps and music. Besides the internal speaker and headphone output, this unit features a wireless FM transmitter which allows you to broadcast turn-by-turn directions, music and calls through your vehicle’s stereo.

Onboard Bluetooth allows for hands free communication using this unit. Clarity isn’t bad but unfortunately the unit doesn’t always sync properly with every phone. In the short period of time I worked with this unit, I couldn’t get my Blackberry to sync whatsoever.

This unit features the standard Nuvi travel kit – world clock, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator, available Language Guide (English to German, Spanish, French, Italian and Portugese, text and speech), available Travel Guides (landmarks, directions, reviews and info for popular tourist spots), and available SaversGuide (20% or more discount on hotels, retail and restaurants in the program – the selection is rather large, they supply reviews, contact details and also directions). The travel it alone makes this unit stand out above your normal GPS navigation units.

FEATURES: Onboard Bluetooth, 2gb internal memory, internal wireless FM transmitter, MP3 player, picture viewer, US Canada and Puerto Rico maps, 4.3″ widescreen display (QVGA), NavTeq maps with CityNavigator NT street level mapping system, comes with carrying case, USB cable, car charger, household charger, and suction cup mount

PROS: widescreen display, small size and light weight, mp3 player/picture viewer/travel kit, wireless fm transmitter, comes with all necessary accessories

CONS: Bluetooth isn’t compatible with some phones, 2gb isn’t much room for music these days

RATING: 4.5/5.0

If the Nuvi 350 isn’t what you’re looking for, the Garmin Nuvi 660 might be the unit for you.

-Bill

TheGPSGuy Blog – http://www.thegpsguy.info :: bill at thegpsguy dot info