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See All Auto GPS

Garmin nuvi 680

*Est. $395

Pros

Plenty of extras, including the ability to speak street names
Great navigation
Easy to use

Cons

Outdated information from MSN Direct
Weak FM transmitter
No multi-point routing

Our Analysis

The Garmin nüvi 680 is not reviewed as often as the Garmin nüvi 660, but since the two models are virtually identical, nearly everything said in reviews of the nüvi 660 also applies to the nüvi 680. GPSMagazine.com has by far the best review. The Travel Insider website also has a comprehensive review. Most of the other reviews we found are primarily addenda to previous nüvi 660 reviews. This model also receives more than 140 owner-written reviews at Amazon.com.

The Garmin nüvi 680 typically sells for about $50 more than the similar nüvi 660 (*est. $345). While the two units are essentially the same device, the nüvi 680 is bundled with a one-year subscription to MSN Direct service, a real-time traffic alert service that helps route you around accidents and traffic jams. (The nüvi 660 comes with a receiver for a less extensive service, FM TMC.) MSN Direct currently serves 130 metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada, providing traffic information, gas prices and other up-to-date information. According to reviews, both the Garmin nüvi 680 or nüvi 660 are bargains, depending on your interest in MSN Direct. However, experts are more likely to recommend the newer Garmin nüvi 760 (*est. $425) or nüvi 780 (*est. $520) with MSN Direct, both of which add the ability to include multiple destinations in one route.

Our Sources

1. GPSMagazine.com

Reviewer "Fletch" thoroughly tests and evaluates the Garmin nüvi 680. Photographs, screen shots and additional documentation enhance this review, which also provides rankings and comparisons in chart form. The nüvi 680 supplants the nüvi 660 as the Editor's Choice model for 2007. User comments follow the 39-section review.

Review: Garmin nuvi 680 Review, Fletch, Feb. 7, 2007

2. The Travel Insider

The Travel Insider has reviewed a handful of portable auto GPS units using an unusual format: David Rowell charts all the specifications and features, and offers helpful comments about most of them. Comparisons are limited but relevant. Rowell concludes that the Garmin nüvi 680 is the best aftermarket GPS unit he's tested, but The Travel Insider has not reviewed any units that have hit the market since.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 680 GPS review, David M. Rowell, June 2007

3. GPSLodge.com

Because Scott Martin previously reviewed the Garmin nüvi 660, this review of the Garmin nüvi 680 focuses on the MSN Direct service. The review of the service is comprehensive, but not comparative. Martin calls MSN Direct a "great addition to an already excellent navigator," but he does not rate the nüvi 660 or nüvi 680.

Review: Garmin Nuvi 680 Full Review, Scott Martin, Jan. 25, 2007

4. PCMag.com Details/Subscribe

This PC Magazine review of the Garmin nüvi 680 is very similar to the GPSLodge.com review. Craig Ellison, who previously reviewed the nüvi 660 and regularly reviews new GPS units for PC Magazine, makes no clear choice between the nüvi 680 and nüvi 660. Both are selected as Editor's Choices.

Review: Get More Than Directions - Garmin nuvi 680, Craig Ellison, Jan. 5, 2007

5. GPSInformation.net

The two retired engineers and tech hobbyists at this GPS-centric website post a review that is almost entirely informational with little subjective evaluation or conclusive rankings. The Garmin nüvi 680 and nüvi 660 are compared with each other and another Garmin GPS unit. Road testing is not described or referenced, but other documentation is helpful.

Review: Garmin nuvi 660/680, Automotive GPS Unit, Review, Joe Mehaffey, Jack Yeazel

6. Amazon.com

At Amazon.com, the Garmin nüvi 680 is the recipient of more than 140 owner-written reviews and a very high overall rating. This is an excellent site if you want to get a feel for the real-life owner experience of the nüvi 680 auto GPS receiver.

Review: Garmin nuvi 680 Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com

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