Garmin nuvi 660 Review

What the reviewers like:
Reviewers love the size and shape of the Garmin nüvi 660 GPS, and the resulting portability. Critics say the display is terrific, even in sunlight. Reviewers also praise the simple and helpful user interface, routing accuracy, performance speed (with the SiRFstar III GPS chipset), text-to-speech functionality, multimedia features/playback, battery life, mount, and software. Some appreciate the traffic service capabilities.

What the reviewers don't like:
Reviewers almost unanimously agree that the Garmin nüvi 660 is too expensive. Prices have dropped since the reviews, but are still near the top of the price range for car GPS receivers. The FM transmitter (for playing through a car stereo) has a weak signal. Critics wish that the nüvi 660 were capable of multi-destination routing.

Garmin nuvi 660 review highlights

The Garmin nüvi 660 is easily the best auto GPS unit, according to reviews. Several reviewers directly compare the nüvi 660 with the TomTom Go 910 (*est. $560). The TomTom unit is favored by the British press, but American reviewers prefer the nüvi 660. The other close competitor to the nüvi 660 is the more expensive Garmin nüvi 680 (*est. $600). The nüvi 680 is the same piece of hardware, but it is bundled with a one-year subscription to MSN Direct service (a real-time traffic update service). The nüvi 660 comes with a three-month trial of a less extensive traffic service, FM TMC.

We found a large number of reviews for the Garmin nüvi 660 auto GPS unit. GPS Magazine.com’s 35-page review is so comprehensive that it’s stupefying. The GPS Tracklog review of the Garmin nüvi 660 is also excellent. GPS Lodge.com and PC Magazine have good reviews. The most useful reviews include at least a couple of actual screen shots and a photo of the Garmin nüvi 660 mounted in a car. We found more than enough review material to spot the reviewer consensus on this unit.

Also see full report: Auto GPS

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. GPSMagazine.com
Garmin nuvi 660 In-Depth Review
Fletch
Oct. 17, 2006

GPS Magazine exhaustively tests and objectively evaluates every feature and capability of the Garmin nüvi 660 GPS in this lavishly illustrated review. The unit is ranked and compared with others in a chart that shows ratings in six key subcategories and additional ratings for five features. Reviewer Fletch concludes with long lists of pros and cons, then names the Garmin nüvi 660 the Editor’s Choice.

2. GPS Tracklog
Garmin nuvi 660 Review
Rich Owings
Sept. 26, 2006

Rich Owings posts all known information about the Garmin nüvi 660. In addition to his balanced review, he compares Garmin nüvi GPS units in a chart, re-publishes the manufacturer’s information, and links to other resources. Site users add comments and questions. Owings calls the nüvi 660 “a joy to own and use.”

3. GPSLodge.com
Review: Garmin Nuvi 660 Review by the GPS Lodge
Scott Martin
Oct. 10, 2006

Scott Martin doesn’t rave about every GPS unit he reviews, so his calling the Garmin nüvi 660 “the best GPS I have ever used” has weight and credibility. Martin does not rate products, but he publishes periodic buying guides in which he identifies the best units in various categories.

4. PC Magazine
>> Details/Subscribe
Garmin nüvi 660
Craig Ellison
Sept. 25, 2006

Craig Ellison regularly reviews new GPS units for PC Magazine, which gives him a good frame of reference. This review only makes comparisons with previous Garmin products, some of which are still available. The Garmin nüvi 660 is rated an Editor’s Choice. Illustration is lacking and documentation is minimal, however.

5. NorthJersey.com/The (Bergen) Record
The PC guy: GPS devices are valuable
Peter Grad
26-May-07

In this informally written article, PC Guy columnist Peter Grad directly compares the Garmin nüvi 660 GPS with the TomTom Go 910 because, he says, they are “perhaps the most popular units on the market today.” A failure during installation, which he says is a common problem with the TomTom Go 910, prevented him from actually testing that unit. So this article focuses on the attributes of the nüvi 660.

6. One Man's Blog
Nuvi 660 Portable GPS Review
John Pozadzides
20-Oct-06

The single-product review by a new Garmin nüvi 660 owner objectively details its strengths and weaknesses. Reviewer John Pozadzides, the founder of HTMLHelp.com, says he was unhappy with the service he received as an MSN Direct subscriber, and therefore sees the 660 as a better value than the nüvi 680. The blog is significantly enhanced by discussion generated by readers; people who have used the nuvi 660 GPS unit cite accuracy as its greatest asset.

7. Amazon.com
Garmin nuvi 660 Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

Over 600 owners have posted reviews of the Garmin nuvi 660, and the unit maintains an almost unbelievably high average rating of 4.5 (out of 5) stars -- almost unheard of for any electronic gadget.

Also see full report: Auto GPS

Garmin nuvi 660 Review