Garmin Nuvi 680 reviewed

Garmin's Nuvi 680 isn't exactly a major upgrade, virtually identical in appearance and features to the company's earlier Nuvi 660, with the notable exception of added MSN Direct support, which proved to be enough to get the folks at GPS Lodge to check it out for a full review. On that point, they found the 680 to mostly deliver the goods, with MSN Direct features like weather information and gas prices well-incorporated easily accessible. The MSN Direct Traffic feature, however, looks like it'll prove to be more useful to some than others, largely dependent on the coverage in your area. As for the 680's other functions, GPS Lodge found that the unit unsurprisingly performed identically to the Nuvi 660 -- in other words, very well. You'll still have to wait until March to get your hands on one, when it'll retail for $999 (including a free year of MSN Direct). Until then, you'll just have to make do with checking the weather on your coffee pot.

[Paul @ Jan 25th 2007 6:19PM]

Garmin continues to rock the GPS world. While the MSN direct is no big deal, it'is still a cool feature. Garmin continues to lead teh way!

[Alex @ Jan 26th 2007 3:49AM]

The screen simulation is a poor one. Nuvi screens look much nicer in person.

[Beth @ Jan 30th 2007 6:54PM]

I decided to wait for the Nuvi 680 although I would like to get one now. I think the MSN part will be good. I hate the expensive price though. Does anyone know of one that might be better than this one?
Thanks.

[Blake @ Feb 5th 2007 9:13AM]

Apparently, the new (SPOT) service from Microsoft will be $9.95 a month, starting to serve the 100 most populated cities and possibly spread out from there. Some of the things I've heard, the Microsoft service can deliver information on dining, news, weather, games, and stocks. Apparently, the service utilizes FM radio broadcasting that will be leased. Ultimately, I'm sure that instant messaging and e-mail will be an option. Right now there is such a vast amount of GPS mapping systems, that I've tried to determine which is the best in the GPS poll.

See for yourself, GPS Poll: http://todayspolls.googlepages.com/home6

[Beth @ Mar 11th 2007 10:52PM]

I have pre-ordered the Nuvi 680 and am waiting for it to come out. I paid 837.

[Bean6 @ Mar 27th 2007 4:19PM]

Did you pre-order from TigerGPS? I also did a pre-order for $837 and am patiently waiting for it to ship. It's frustrating to see it available at BestBuy now, though it is close to $200 more expensive. Odd that some retailers have it already but some do not; I suppose BestBuy has more clout than TigerGPS.

[Beth @ Mar 27th 2007 5:29PM]

Hi Bean6,
I found this (below) on a site saying that Best Buy had it for about a month or so ahead of everyone else. I hate it because I am going on a major trip this Sat. for a week and could really use it. Oh well, I will wait for it like you. I have read the reviews from people who already bought it at Best Buy and it sounds great. Can't wait till it comes!!


Garmin nuvi 680 exclusive
This weekend I saw that some early Garmin nuvi 680 reviews were showing up on GpsPasSion. Some people were reporting they had purchased them as much as ten days ago at BestBuy (link below). So I emailed a couple of vendors and asked what was going on. As I understand it, Garmin gave BestBuy an exclusive for the first month or so. Other vendors should have them by early- to mid-April.

BestBuy's price is $999.99, and as seen below, you can order online and pick it up at your local store. If you can hold out, I expect you'll see lower prices once other vendors get their hands on it. Till then, here's the link...

[Beth @ Mar 27th 2007 6:29PM]

Beth @ Mar 27th 2007 5:29PM
Hi Bean6,
I found this (below) on a site saying that Best Buy had it for about a month or so ahead of everyone else. I hate it because I am going on a major trip this Sat. for a week and could really use it. Oh well, I will wait for it like you. I have read the reviews from people who already bought it at Best Buy and it sounds great. Can't wait till it comes!!


Garmin nuvi 680 exclusive
This weekend I saw that some early Garmin nuvi 680 reviews were showing up on GpsPasSion. Some people were reporting they had purchased them as much as ten days ago at BestBuy (link below). So I emailed a couple of vendors and asked what was going on. As I understand it, Garmin gave BestBuy an exclusive for the first month or so. Other vendors should have them by early- to mid-April.

BestBuy's price is $999.99, and as seen below, you can order online and pick it up at your local store. If you can hold out, I expect you'll see lower prices once other vendors get their hands on it. Till then, here's the link...

[Bean6 @ Mar 28th 2007 12:30PM]

Beth,

Just chatted with a rep from TigerGPS; April 11th is expected availability. Here's part of the conversation I had with the rep:

Please wait for a site operator to respond.
You are now chatting with 'Michael'
Michael: Hello, how may I help you?
you: Hi Michael,
you: just checking to see if there's been an update on availability of Nuvi 680
Michael: Let me check for you.
Michael: April 11th is what Garmin is telling us they will be here ready to ship.

I won't get it for my roadtrip either but at least we have a date.

[Beth @ Mar 28th 2007 4:25PM]

Hi Beans6,
Glad to know a date and glad to know it won't arrive while I'm on my trip as I'm sure it will need a signature. I emailed Tiger yesterday asking about it and they have not responded. Well, I will have it for my 4 other planned trips.
Thanks,
Beth

[Beth @ Apr 13th 2007 8:34AM]

HI Beans6,
I guess it will be later this month Beans6 before we see our Nuvi. I look everyday to see if it has shipped but it will probably be the last week of the month. Oh well.

[Bean6 @ Apr 13th 2007 12:43PM]

I agree :-( I even found a cheaper price if you can beleive it ($789) but Tiger wouldn't match it because the store (www.offroute.com) doesn't have it in stock. At this point I'll just be happy if it ships :-)

[Bean6 @ Apr 22nd 2007 9:15PM]

Beth, TigerGPS has updated their listing; it now shows the 680 being available on the 24th! Great news :-)

[Robert Meyer @ Apr 20th 2007 6:00PM]

Just purchased this GPS last week and it is totally great!! It is an upgraded version of the nuvi 660, which I also had. Garmin is the leader in the class. I am the owner of a limo business and have the Nuvi 680's in all of my cars. It is user friendly and very accurate. I shopped around on the internet and I found the lowest price at www.SDcommodities.com 1-718-921-9100 with fast shipping

[Beth @ Apr 23rd 2007 12:14AM]

Thanks Beans6! I check it everyday but didn't scroll down to see the new date. It always just says pre-order. Hopefully we will get it by the end of the week-maybe. Looking forward to it. My daughter and I may be driving from GA to CA this summer so this will really come in handy. Thanks for the update! Beth

[Beth @ Apr 24th 2007 9:50PM]

Hey Beans6!!!!
They have shipped my Nuvi!! It should arrive on Thursday! How about yours?? Yeah, finally!
Beth

[Bean6 @ Apr 24th 2007 10:17PM]

Mine shipped too...but doesn't look like I'll see it till next Tuesday. Thanks for keeping in touch and tracking this stuff with me. Let me know when you get it and how you enjoy it!

[Beth @ Apr 26th 2007 10:30PM]

Hi Beans6!
My nuvi arrived today but haven't looked at it yet. Going to open it now. Had to help my little boy with a project that he had to finish and wanted to wait till he was in bed to look at it. Will let you know what I think tomorrow! I am in GA. I must be closer to the warehouse where they shipped it than you.
Beth

[Mike @ Jan 22nd 2008 7:47PM]

I bought nuvi 250w.(http://www.highspeedsat.com/nuvi250w.htm) It is lot cheaper than nuvi 680. I really don't know who buy this expensive gps-s???

[JamesN @ Feb 25th 2008 8:18PM]

After several months of research and comparing the various Garmins to each other as well as to other make and model, I finally settled on the 680 as the best all around. I bought one for my wife at Costco last week for $399 as a birthday gift. The best price I've seen so far.

[JamesN @ Feb 25th 2008 8:28PM]

My wife opened her Nuvi 680 on Sunday along with the base to put it on the dashboard vs on the windshield. We drove to my parents and tested the unit on the way. It got us there without any problem. On the highway, we looked for the lowest gas stations in the area and it gave us that without even so much as a hiccup. We went through the various features and all of them worked like a charm. While at my parents, we couldn't remember my brother's address, but we knew how to get there as well as a cross intersection nearby. We entered the intersection then manually moved the map around until it gets to my brother's neighborhood. We zoomed in and located the exactly location of where his condo is at. We selected it and saved it as my brother's place. It was great. My wife was impressed with how easy the unit was to use. If the device was anywhere as cumbersome or as non-intuitive as the GPS that I bought for my pocket pc a couple of years back, my wife would not use it.